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View of Pikes Peak from Camp Elim
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CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP TRAINING

GAP Year & Christian Leadership Intensive

A YEAR HOLY TO THE LORD

The GAP Year at Camp Elim is for high school graduates (or equivalent) who are looking to experience a year of Growth and Preparation.  Growing in faith as they serve the Lord and abide in Him.  Preparing themselves for what's ahead.

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Psalm 37:3 - "Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness."

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We look forward to starting our next GAP Year season in Fall 2025.

OUR PROGRAMS

Year One | GAP Year

Started in 2014, Camp Elim's GAP Year program runs for one full year starting in early August. Each year, Camp Elim hosts high school graduates on camp grounds as they learn and prepare for a future as young adults. Building on Camp Elim's culture of volunteerism, the GAP Year program provides the opportunity for students ages 18-22 to learn and serve through paid training in ministry, in-depth Bible study courses, personal mentoring, and local church outreach. The academic portion of the GAP Year program ends in May, at which point GAP students move into core staff roles, helping to run youth camp programs through the summer.

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Throughout the year, GAP students complete a number of courses and certifications, with the option of earning college credit for many of the biblical education courses taught on site through partnership with Colorado Christian University.

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Students interested in applying for this program need to have gone through staff training and worked at least one week at Camp Elim sometime in the past.  A student can be accepted into GAP Year if they are scheduled to complete this prerequisite the summer before starting GAP Year, but this acceptance will be evaluated on a case by case basis. 

High ropes rescue training

GAP Year Courses & Certifications

GAP Year courses may include:​

  • Hermeneutics 

  • Old Testament Survey 

  • New Testament Survey 

  • Apologetics 

  • Biblical Exposition: Romans

  • Perspectives

  • Red Cross First Aid/CPR

  • Financial Peace University

  • ServSafe Food Handler Certification

  • USA Archery Level 1 Instructor

  • Red Cross Lifeguard

The next GAP Year starts Fall 2025. GAP Year has a rolling admission; applications are primarily accepted prior to August 1, with applications received after the regular application period evaluated pending openings.  

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The cost for the 2025-2026 GAP Year program is $6000, which covers program tuition, books, room and board, and travel expenses for college visits and a Christian camping conference, and includes a $250 non-refundable deposit. Participants in financial need may be eligible for a $1500 scholarship ($750/semester). The first half of tuition is due August 1, and the remainder is due December 1.

 

A number of our courses are accredited in partnership with Colorado Christian University. Students wishing to earn college credit through our CCU partnership may also register for dual-enrollment at $250/class (up to 3 credit hours) and may participate in online courses through CCU at a rate of $100/credit hour. GAP Year students choosing to attend CCU after participating in dual-credit courses or online courses will be eligible for a $1,250/year ($5,000 over four years) scholarship through CCU. To learn more about Colorado Christian University, visit ccu.edu/academy/dual-credit.

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GAP Year participants will be offered work-study opportunity during their time at Camp Elim, and will be able to earn funds to put towards future plans by serving as a part of Camp Elim's part-time staff. During the summer, students will also be eligible to earn money to put towards future schooling through our Staff Scholarship Fund.

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Want to learn more? Send us an email! We look forward to hearing from you!

Year Two | Christian Leadership Intensive

The Christian Leadership Intensive program builds off the foundation of the GAP program, and is available for students who have already completed GAP Year or those with appropriate transfer credits. 

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Camp Elim's Christian Leadership Intensive is a second-year program of Bible-saturated study and focused leadership training. In addition to continued biblical education courses, students may also have the option to participate in a year-long focused internship under one of Camp Elim's year-round staff members, taking a deeper dive into a specific area of ministry.

GAP Year class session

 Year Two Courses, Certifications,
& Internship Options

Christian Leadership Intensive courses and internships may include:​​

  • Systematic Theology 

  • Preaching & Teaching

  • Biblical Exegesis: Gospels

  • Biblical Exegesis: Epistles

  • Administrative Internship

  • Program Internship

  • Spiritual Ministries Internship

  • Maintenance Internship

  • Media Production Internship

  • Food Service Internship

  • Missions trip (additional fee)

The cost for the 2025-2026 Christian Leadership Intensive program is $5000, which covers program tuition, books, room and board, and travel expenses for a Christian camping conference, and includes a $250 non-refundable deposit. Participants in financial need may be eligible for a $1750 scholarship ($875/semester). The first half of tuition is due August 1, and the remainder is due December 1.

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Christian Leadership Intensive participants will be offered work-study opportunity during their time at Camp Elim, and will be able to earn funds to put towards future plans by serving as a part of Camp Elim's part-time staff. During the summer, students will also be eligible to earn money to put towards future schooling through our Staff Scholarship Fund.

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Students interested in participating in this program can email us to learn more and apply.

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