Gapforce
Vitals
- GYA Accredited Since: Unaccredited by the GYA. Please see the Standards for more information.
- COVID-19 Plans: In-person only
- Enrolling:
- App Deadline:
- Next Available Departure? Apr, 2025
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Mission Statement:
Gapforce is a leading provider of structured adventure travel programs, volunteer projects and outdoor training courses. Founded in 1989, the Gapforce family takes great pride in organizing a wide range of travel adventures that enable young people to become global citizens and make a real impact on the world.
- Level of Independence/Supervision (mouse-over for definition):
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Attachments
Program Locations
Typical Itinerary
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
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W e e k 1 |
On arrival into Kota Kinabalu, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your accommodation. | The adventure starts with some volunteering on a jungle conservation project in the Crocker National Park. | Continuing your conservation work, you will make a difference straight away, assisting with re-forestation work whilst learning about the regions unique and rich biodiversity. | Remaining in the national park, the expedition ramps up with the start of your jungle skills training and 3-day jungle trek. | Over varied and challenging terrain, learn bushcraft skills, foraging and animal tracking, become familiar with the local flora & fauna. | Emerge back into civilisation slightly smellier! | The first week ends with a white-water rafting trip down Borneo’s wide and panoramic Padas River. |
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | |
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W e e k 2 |
The final week of your adventure starts with a bang, a 3 day hike to the summit of Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo at 4,095m. | Second day of your Mount Kinabalu Hike. | A physical challenge, but with the support of our leader and your fellow travellers, you can look forward to reaching the top in time for a beautiful sunrise and unforgettable views across Borneo! | To celebrate your amazing achievement, escape to Gaya Island. Relax on the golden beaches and marvel at the reefs flourishing with marine life. | Today will be a travel day, as you make your way to the city of Sandakan in the state of Sabah, on the north-eastern coast of Borneo. | Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre & Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre | Depart from Sandakan Airport |
Peer Reviews
Program Details
- Program Starts: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer
- Program Duration: Less than 2 months, Semester, Yearlong
- Program Cost: $2,250-$12,600
- Program Financial Aid: No
- Other Financial Aid Details:
Although Gapforce does not offer financial aid, they do offer payment plan options.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Global Citizenship: human rights, cultural understanding, civic responsibility, global systems, history
- Self-Awareness: passion, purpose and fulfilment, out of your comfort zone confidence building, perspective, self-care
- Sustainable and Impactful Travel Volunteering: social and environmentally conscious, reduction of carbon footprint, conservation, support of local business, respect local culture
- Leadership: empathy and compassion, communication and teamwork, motivation and positivity, responsibility and hard work ethic, trust building and problem solving
- Wanderlust Demeanor: exploration, creativity and expression, open-mindedness, curiosity, active listening
Gapforce offers a large variety of volunteer, adventure travel and gap year programs overseas.
Whether you're looking for a short or long break, our programs combine everything we do best - conservation and project volunteering, adventure travel, and outdoor training courses - all in exotic destinations around the world.
Staff Training and Certification
The Gapforce overseas staff are some of the most experienced in the industry and committed to exerting a positive impact on the regions, countries and communities in which volunteers and travellers explore.
The key difference with Gapforce programs are their Expedition Leaders. The 16-week Expedition Leader Training program begins in the mountains of Wales before heading into the jungles of Central America where participants receive full training and internationally recognised certifications, hands-on skills and comprehensive training, enabling them to safely plan and lead expeditions around the world.