Future Leaders Gap Year Programme

Quite simply, no other gap year programme offers such a complete experience. You’ll learn broad adult skills that set you up for life, from personal budgeting to hanging a picture. On top of that, you’ll earn plenty of certifications, which give you a real advantage when you enter the workplace. You’ll also discover career paths and business ideas you didn’t even know existed. In short, this isn’t just a year off. It’s the year you take off.

We welcome young people aged 18 to 25 who have finished school, from all walks of life and every corner of the globe. However, places are limited, so every applicant goes through an application form and an interview.

As with any gap year, there are a few extra costs to plan for. So we’ve put together a personal expenses list, which we’ll send you when you apply, or you can email us for it. In fact, you can do the whole programme with very little extra, apart from some pocket money. That said, there are a few optional outside courses that you pay for separately. Even then, we usually get you a good discount.

YES! We are continuously updating our content to stay current, and with all modules we include as many useful certifications as possible. At the end of your time with us, we will issue you with a folder of accumulated certificates, as well as a final certification of completion.

You will be housed in Lodge Style tents that sleep 2 people. There are ablution blocks, separate shower ablutions, a deli/restaurant and dining room area. 

During programmes and activities, cell phones will be off or stored in your room. Other means of communication are via email and postal services. Should friends and family wish to contact you urgently, they can either email or phone any one of the leadership team, who will in turn ensure that you are able to take a call or receive an email. If you are in the bush, there may be limited reception but you will also be given the opportunity to “catch up” when back in Base Camp in-between activities. We will also publish a blog / vlog that your access-granted family and friends will be allowed to follow – you will each take turns to post blogs/ vlogs, articles and photographs throughout the programme.

Hoedspruit, our closest town, is about 32 kilometres from Base Camp. It has doctors as well as a private and a provincial hospital. On top of that, we have a direct line to the local police, ambulance service, and farm and fire associations. So you can rest assured that we take the utmost care, especially during extreme activities.

Our in house facilitators are First Aid certified.

On-site facilitators are responsible and available 24/7 to take care of the future leaders. This well-organised team lives on the premises and they arrange and manage the group’s activities each day. There are currently 6 permanent staff members and approximately 30 external facilitators, each a specialist in their area of expertise. Future Leaders do activities in a group. During free time, you are able to occupy your time with your own choice of leisure activities, reporting back for meal times. We use a Buddy System so that someone is always aware of your location. You will not be permitted to leave the premises without authorisation and arrangement through your camp leaders.

Supervising staff will always carry a cell phone and power bank pack when out and about. There is cell phone signal almost everywhere we conduct our activities. Should we enter an area of known cell phone signal loss, our facilitators will be carrying two-way radios and will be in contact with someone who has communication with the outside world. Our facilitators are also expected to constantly monitor signal so that they are aware when the signal has dropped, as well as where last they were when they had signal. This will help speed up the search for signal in the case of an emergency. 

We travel in our own vehicles to all destinations. There is no need for you to bring your own vehicle to the Base Camp. We do not allow outside vehicles to be on our property. 

Future Leaders GYP prides itself on its inclusive ethos, welcoming applicants of all abilities. As our programme involves significant physical activity, being able to move comfortably is essential. Each applicant undergoes an interview where we assess their suitability for participation. A wholehearted commitment to the programme is necessary for achieving maximum personal growth. We also recommend a strong ability to spend extended periods away from friends and family. Our students should possess a zest for life and a readiness to push beyond their comfort zones.

We encourage you to bring up past challenges as well as current goals during your interview with us. If there are any physical, emotional, social, or mental health challenges that impede your experience or that of others (fellow students, staff, and local contacts), then we may have to consider your early return home. It is our policy to consult our own independent advisory mental health specialist for professional perspective, but the final decision to send any student home always rests with our organisation.

Should you become ill whilst on the program, we will arrange for you to see a local clinician who will advise on a way forward for your treatment

When students are on prescription medication, we expect them to manage this themselves. They will however be advised on safe storage and responsibility in the use thereof. Students on long-term medication must ensure availability of this drug here in South Africa, if coming from abroad, and make necessary arrangements for repeat scripts. 

While many students can benefit from our Gap Year Programme, those that are adjudicated, court-mandated, or requiring regular in-field therapy are beyond the expertise of our staff and therefore not provided for in our programme. 

Yes, if a student’s stay is longer than 90 days, they’ll need a Study Visa (not just a visitor’s visa) before travelling to South Africa. This must be applied for in their home country through the nearest South African consulate or embassy, and typically requires proof of acceptance onto the programme, a valid passport, police clearance, and medical aid cover. We’d recommend starting the process at least 8 to 12 weeks before departure to allow for processing time.

For full details and to find your nearest South African embassy or consulate, visit the Department of Home Affairs website (www.dha.gov.za) or vfsglobal.com/southafrica.

The full programme fee is R315,000 (~$16,785 / €15,750 / £13,700), payable upfront, or in four instalments of R80,000 each. A non-refundable application fee of R1,500 (~$80 / €75 / £65) is deducted from the full fee if your child is accepted. International prices are subject to currency fluctuations.

This covers all meals, accommodation, adventures, qualifications & certifications, workshops, and coaching, genuinely excellent value when weighed against a full year’s tuition, room and board, and structured development elsewhere. And some of what your child gains, in wisdom, confidence, and life skills, is worth far more than any number on a page. 

Upon registration you will be issued with a list of outdoor retail agents available in South Africa