Step Into the Rest of Your Life with a Gap Year
Step Into the Rest of Your Life with a Gap Year
Experience 8 Months of Adventure, Spiritual Growth, Cross-Cultural Service, Learning and Mentorship
Find Direction with
New Experiences
Join a close-knit, faith-based community to explore who you are, why your Christian faith matters, and how you want to live it out in the world.
Through Act Five’s Gap Year Program You Can:
Discover Future Pathways
Explore different career and educational opportunities to discern your next steps.Deepen Your Faith
Strengthen your relationship with God through daily practices and community.Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Dive into new challenges and experiences that will grow you more than you can imagine.Form Lasting Relationships
Build meaningful connections with peers and mentors who meet you where you’re at.Engage in Meaningful Learning
Take courses on Scripture, the Christian Life, and other subjects that prepare you for life in the world.
Take a Breath and Explore
The pressure to decide “What’s next?” can be overwhelming. Imagine having a year to breathe, explore, and ask big questions like:
- Who am I?
- What are my gifts and passions?
- Where am I headed?
Join Act Five for a gap year that offers the space to grow, discover, and prepare for a purposeful future.
Discover a Year of Adventure and Growth
Explore, Learn, and Serve with Act Five
Live, Play, and Worship Together
Community Life: Live near downtown Hamilton with Resident Leaders and fellow young adults. Share meals, engage in life together, and grow in your faith while serving in the neighbourhood and city.
Adventure and Travel
Coldwater Canada Wilderness Canoe Trip: 14-day adventure in Northern Ontario, including a 9-day wilderness canoe trip through the Temagami region.
Winter Camping and Spring Backpacking: Winter camping and a spring backpacking trip with Coldwater Canada, exploring diverse landscapes and building resilience.
Cross-Cultural Learning Trip: An immersive week learning alongside Indigenous communities in Ontario.
Field Placement
8-Week Field Placement Choose from dozens of organizations across Hamilton, gaining practical experience and exploring future career paths.
Cross-Cultural Service Learning Trip
3-Weeks of Service: Engage in cross-cultural learning service trips with partner organizations, such as World Renew’s Disaster Response Services in the USA or Resonate Global Mission in Central America.
Act Five was the best experience I have had. This program taught me how to rest, how to celebrate and how to love and care for people in a way I didn’t quite understand before. It became this place of growth in every single aspect of my life and I will be forever grateful for it.
JuliaAct Five Alumna ‘21
Your Path to
Adventure and Purpose
Overview of Our Year-Long Journey
First Term
- Community Integration: Settle into the Act Five community, explore Hamilton, and engage with local organizations and Indigenous partners.
- Wilderness Adventure: Participate in the Coldwater Canada Wilderness Canoe Trip.
- Academic Courses: Complete Part One of The Six Acts, Soul Care and Wilderness Leadership Education, as well as Place, Home & Land.
- Cross-Cultural Learning Trip: Learn from Indigenous communities in Ontario.
- Amazing Race: Complete an Amazing Race to close your term, raising money for your international service learning trip.
Second Term
- Cross-Cultural Service: Participate in a 3-week service trip with options in the USA or Central America.
- Field Placements: Complete an 8-week placement with local businesses, non-profits, or tradespersons tailored to your interests.
- Winter and Spring Adventures: Engage in a winter camping trip and a final backpacking trip on the Appalachian Trail with Coldwater Canada.
- Academic Courses: Complete Part Two of The Six Acts, Soul Care and Wilderness Leadership Education, as well as Vocation & Discernment.
Other Program Details
- Housing: Live together on Blake Street in downtown Hamilton with Resident Leaders and fellow young adults between the ages of 21-25.
- Going Home: Specific dates each term for students to return home, including a three-week break over Christmas.
- Alumni Engagement: Continued support beyond the program, including reunions and learning opportunities.
Curious About Act Five?
Everything You Need to Know About Our Program
What trips are happening this year?
Along with many shorter 2-3 day trips, our program includes a 14-day Coldwater Canada Wilderness Canoe Trip, a winter camping trip, a spring backpacking trip, a trip to Manitoulin Isaldn and a Service Learning Trip to El Salvador. Detailed schedules are provided in the handbook.
How many students will be accepted into the Act Five program?
We accept a limited number of students to ensure a close-knit community. Typically, we accept around 10-15 students each year.
What financial aid options are available?
We offer several financial aid options, including scholarships and payment plans. Contact info@actfive.ca for more information.
Are Act Five courses at a university level? Will they transfer after Act Five?
Our courses are designed to enrich your learning experience and suitable for a diverse range of learners. While our courses are not accredited, they are accepted as transfer credits by a range of post secondary institutions and are at a University level.
Have more questions about the program? Reach out to us for more information.
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Slow down and make space to find real answers you can put into practice. Contact us to get your copy of our 2024-2025 Student Handbook.
Learning with our trusted partners
Our gap year program is enriched by collaborations with reputable partners who enhance our students’ experiences through adventure, service, and learning. Key partners include:
Drop Us A Line
Feel free to write us or call us at:
- 905-869-1852 – Abby Lobert, Admissions Manager
- 705-321-8819 – Alyssa Zilney, Program Manager