Location
  • South Africa
    • Cape Town
    • Mossel Bay
Length
2 - 4 weeks
Need-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, 529 Plan eligibility, BIPOC funding

Program Details

Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Apartment Hotel Lodge
Age Min.
16
Age Max
20

Pricing

Starting Price
6795
Price Details
Group airfare not included.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Domestic Airfare Meals Transportation Visa
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance
Oct 31, 2024
1 traveler is looking at this program

About Program

Embark on an exhilarating 20-day journey to South Africa with our immersive Summer Programs for High School Students. Our adventure begins in the captivating city of Cape Town, renowned for its vibrant culture and breathtaking natural landscapes. Dive deep into the heart of this “Rainbow Nation,” engaging with local organizations and communities to gain insights into its intricate history, contemporary challenges, and the enduring legacy of the apartheid era. Experience the thrill of hiking to the summit of the cloud-shrouded Table Mountain National Park, an otherworldly landscape that defies comparison. Participate in hands-on wildlife conservation high school programs dedicated to safeguarding endangered white rhinos. Travel the rugged and enchanting Cape of Good Hope, famed for its dramatic coastlines and unique wildlife encounters. This extraordinary journey offers a rare opportunity to discover the beauty and diversity of South Africa while delving into its rich history, culture,

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

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 include gear lending and mentorship support throughout the gap year experience. The Voyagers Scholarship can also be combined with ARCC Financial Aid.
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.
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.
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

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.
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

  • Help a Local Conservation Organization as They Work to Protect the Critically Endangered White Rhinoceros
  • Hike to the Top of Iconic Table Mountain, One of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World”
  • Tour Robben Island Prison, a Poignant Reminder of South Africa’s Tumultuous Past and Apartheid History
  • Watch African Penguins Swim in the Surf on the Beaches of the Cape of Good Hope
  • Visit the Vibrant Neighborhoods and Markets of Cape Town and Learn About Its Rich Cultural History

Program Dates

Application Deadline
Program Dates
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