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Location
  • United States of America
Length
4 - 26 weeks
Program Tags
Adventure Travel College Credit Conservation Cultural Immersion Hands-On Learning Medical Post-High School Scuba Diving Instruction Social Justice Wilderness
Financial Support
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility, BIPOC funding

Program Details

Activities
Animal Viewing Boating Camping Canyoning City Exploring Farming Hiking Kayaking Rafting Remote Exploring Rock Climbing Scuba Diving Sightseeing Snorkeling Surfing Swimming
Timeframe
Fall
Housing
Cabin Guesthouse Lodge Tent
Age Min.
17
Age Max
20

Pricing

Starting Price
14500
Price Details
*Airfare for Hawaii flight is additional. SCUBA Diving E-Learning (must be completed before the program) is also additional.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Some Equipment Meals Park Fees Tour Guide Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Domestic Airfare Travel Insurance
Oct 18, 2022
May 01, 2022
Wish List
5 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

This semester provides access to some of the US' most beautiful and remote landscapes ranging from the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons to the depths of Utah’s most spectacular canyons to the dazzling turquoise waters of Hawaii. Hiking through Grand Teton National Park, we explore some of the most pristine wilderness of the West. Partnering with local conservationists in Yellowstone National Park, we understand the current threats to native wolf and grizzly bear populations. Soaring atop the rapids of the Colorado River, we retrace history as we address water rights issues while sleeping under brilliant starry skies. Building a toolkit of medical skills, we join the ranks of outdoor professionals as Wilderness First Responders. Getting our hands dirty being a part of building sustainable homes, we see first-hand the power and potential of renewable energy sources. Meeting with migrants along Arizona’s borderlands, we get an inside glimpse into one of the US' most poignant challenges.

This program is currently not being promoted on Go Overseas by its provider. Check with ARCC Programs for the most up-to-date information regarding the status of this program.

Video and Photos

Boy looking over river
River Trip
River Rafting Cataract Canyon
Earth Ships Build

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Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

ARCC Programs believes that social responsibility is an essential aspect of our programming and business operations. We strongly believe that cultural immersion, cross-cultural conversations, and reflection on these experiences can increase self-awareness, promote empathy, and foster growth. We recognize that our staff, student, and participant body is not as diverse as we would hope. We also recognize that there are inherent imbalances in access, particularly when it comes to international travel and outdoor experiences. Recognizing the current imbalances and accessibility issues within the world and more specifically within experiential/outdoor education/gap year programs, we are able to move towards a more just and inclusive world.

ARCC is committed to increasing accessibility for our programs and supporting socioeconomic diversity within our community. ARCC’s Voyagers Scholarship provides up to five scholarship opportunities per semester to students who identify within the BIPOC community. These scholarships can range anywhere from $5,000-$8,000, and also includes gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid. If you are interested in applying, please reach out to gap@arccprograms.com.

LGBTQIA+ Support

ARCC Programs believes that social responsibility is an essential aspect of our programming and business operations. We strongly believe that cultural immersion, cross-cultural conversations, and reflection on these experiences can increase self-awareness, promote empathy, and foster growth. We recognize that our staff, student, and participant body is not as diverse as we would hope. We also recognize that there are inherent imbalances in access, particularly when it comes to international travel and outdoor experiences. Recognizing the current imbalances and accessibility issues within the world and more specifically within experiential/outdoor education/gap year programs, we are able to move towards a more just and inclusive world.
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Neurodivergent Support

Our Essential Eligibility Criteria outlines the requirements for participation in our programs to determine if our programs are a good fit for each student. While ARCC Gap is not a therapeutic program, we do provide an inclusive environment for students with neurodivergence. We have had students with various diagnosed neuro-differences (such as dyslexia, ADHD, ASD, TS, dyspraxia, dysgraphia, etc) find success on our gap semester programs.

During our interview process, we have open communication with students and families about the support ARCC instructors are able to provide students while on program. For students needing some additional support, we ask them to complete a “Plan of Action” with their at home support system. These plans may include additional information about communication/support preferences, coping strategies, and/or specific requirements to encourage the student to engage with the program effectively. Once on the program, our instructors will periodically check in individually with each student, help the student stay accountable to their Plan of Action, and provide general support to all participants.

Accessibility Support

ARCC Gap Travels to locations around the world that have varying levels of accommodations for students needing accessibility support. For this reason, please see our Essential Eligibility Criteria to see if our gap programs are a good fit for you.

Whenever possible (determined by specific location and program - ie. infrastructure, access to specific health care facilities, dietary options available, etc), we have successfully assisted students with anaphylactic allergies, chronic medical conditions, and other accommodations on programs. We recommend that you reach out with specific concerns to your Gap Director to find the right fit for you.

Impact

Sustainability

At ARCC Programs we recognize that all human action impacts our physical environment and the living beings on the planet. Everything on Earth plays a role in supporting life and we believe that it is our responsibility to have a net positive impact with our actions. We strive to balance the impacts of our programming by partnering with communities and organizations with similar goals toward bettering our planet for future generations.
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Ethical Impact

ARCC believes that we (as an industry) need to shift the way we think about international service. We (as a society) have now come to realize that international volunteers often benefit from their service experience, while the impact on the community can be short-lived or even harmful. We at ARCC are taking the years of experience that we have in the international service learning realm, have reflected on previous mistakes, learned from our in-country partners, and have made changes. Our goal is to live, work, and learn alongside community members while also making a positive impact. We are committed to partnering with local community-driven organizations to focus on reciprocity while contributing to established long-term projects. It is our responsibility to engage in mutually beneficial community-driven projects and teach fair trade learning principles to our students.

Program Highlights

  • Participate in a Multi-Day Rafting Trip Through Cataract Canyon
  • Research Grizzly Bears and Grey Wolves in Yellowstone National Park
  • Take Surf Lessons and Sea Kayak Along California's Pacific Coast
  • Learn about Immigration Reform and Initiatives along the Southern Border
  • Earn Your PADI SCUBA Certification on Hawaii’s Colorful Reefs

Scholarships

ARCC Gap Financial Support

A gap year is something that we hope to make accessible for all students and ARCC works to level the playing field so that all applicants may have a successful opportunity for education, travel, growth, and self-discovery post-high school. We strive to uphold these pillars of our organization through a variety of means. Each year ARCC Gap awards financial aid to support students who would otherwise be unable to cover the full cost of tuition. Additionally, ARCC is committed to increasing accessibility for our programs and supporting socioeconomic diversity within our community. ARCC’s Voyagers Scholarship provides up to five scholarship opportunities per semester to students who identify within the BIPOC community. These scholarships can range anywhere from $5,000-$8,000, and also includes gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid

Learn More

Program Reviews

4.89 Rating
based on 9 reviews
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  • 5 rating 88.89%
  • 4 rating 11.11%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 4.8
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.9
  • Value 4.8
  • Safety 5
Good for Students, Adventure travelers
Showing 9 - 9 of 9 reviews
Default avatar
Mica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

ARCC Southwest Program Fall 2020

Nov 25, 2020

This program was amazing and unique is every way. It was educational but had a balanced schedule of fun and adventuring. Group leaders were great and always made us feel safe and made sure we enjoyed what we were doing. Everyone in the group got along great and even when things got difficult or confusing we had a good group attitude about it. Long car rides in a 15 passenger van are no biggie when you are with 14 amazing friends. I was nervous to go on this semester but after only a few days on the trip I knew I had made the right decision :)

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Come prepared to be as present as possible and to be a good group member
45 people found this review helpful.
Helpful

Questions & Answers

About ARCC Programs

ARCC has been offering summer and gap programs for young adults since 1983. We offer an opportunity to live and learn in some of the greatest classrooms on earth. Our programs take students on a journey of discovery of local peoples, places, cultures and ideas through project-based learning, rich cultural immersion, personal reflection and...
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