Gapforce

Gapforce

About

At Gapforce, we are passionate about travel and the positive impact it has on young people’s outlook and future prospects. Our mission is to help people become global citizens through authentic, socially and environmentally responsible travel experiences which aid self-discovery and personal development.

Through our range of school group trips, gap year programs, training courses and internships, we aim to provide our participants with a unique collection of experiences designed for different stages of life.

Reviews

Default avatar
Jake
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience!

This was an amazing experience and I have learned so much along the way. The Oceans Unlimited dive shop is super welcoming and there is a big sense of community among all the divers. The instructors give you all the tools to help you succeed and are very nice. Quepos and Manual Antonio are beautiful and have the best sunsets I have ever seen. Staying in a homestay is wonderful and is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. Highly recommend to anyone interested in becoming a dive instructor!

Pros
  • Seeing amazing marine life
  • Becoming certified as a dive instructor
  • Experience life in a Costa Rican home
Response from Gapforce

Thanks Jake, it's great to hear you had such an amazing experience! Wishing you the best of luck with your diving career!

Default avatar
Magnus
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Into the Jungle! and possibly the outdoor Industry

The Gapforce Expedition leader training is a great adventure and an entry into the outdoor industry for those wanting this.
The leader training is mainly focused on leading groups of young people aged 18-25 on long duration trips around the world.

If you are looking for Jungle survival skills, leadership training, adventure, team spirit and general adventure this course is a good place to start!

Extract of letter to home:
----------------------------------------------------------------
“we have spent some incredible time with the Bri Bri tribe and gathered all the info we could. Really interesting! Build with Vines, Made spears & bow and Arrow, Learned Friction fire, Animal snares, a thousand types of animals and plants. We were on night fishing / hunting with Mynor (Bri Bri ) and caught Crabs and crayfish.

The jungle have started to feel like a “Forest instead of an Alien and totally overwhelming place. 😊 I get up every morning to the sound of howler monkeys, shake my boots for spiders and scorpions. I lift my backpack to se if a snake has made a home under it.
After that, I put on my wet work Clothes and prepare for another day 😊

It sounds dangerous and alien and it feels like that in the beginning, but the truth is that you “Tune in” and that the nature here is mostly friendly. I observe tarantulas and see them more like you would see a forest mouse in a European forest – notice how is runs away and is afraid of me.

I enjoy the sight of unbelievably beautiful poisonous frogs and all the other stuff here. 😊

There lived a sloth next to one of our camps – I call him Alfred :D There is a lot to write! , bullfrogs the size of a rabbit, turtles crabs, parrots, Tapirs, 100 spiders and snakes etc.

That being said, there are plenty of challenges here and this is a rough environment to be in. I have stated to eat 300-400g of peanut butter a day to maintain my weight somewhat, but despite that I would recon that I have lost 5-10 kg of weight.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Can only recommend the training: Pack your bags and go into the jungle :)

Default avatar
Tara
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Australia Adventure with Gapforce / Go overseas

In total a great experience with amazing people but a few points that could be improved.
- At least 2 -3 Nights at every place , 1 night was way to short and really stressful e.g. not 3 weeks in Cairns in the end but at every other place longer stays and splitting the volunteer work onto different places and also different projects
-the volunteering didn't include any animals and was really monotonous ,no variety, really boring
-more meals provided throughout the trip for the amount of money we paid

Default avatar
Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The most valuable experience I've ever had

This was one of the most challenging, adventurous and fun experiences I've ever had. I learned so much about myself and developed so much as a person and as a leader. The instructors were fantastic - being incredible supportive throughout the programme, helping each person work towards their goals, challenging us in every way we needed and brought learning to life. The activities and training were great, tailored to what the outdoor industry is like today, and giving us to many unique experiences. I had so much fun every single day, worked with a diverse and inspiring team of people and so inspired to enable others to experience the outdoors in the best way possible.

Pros
  • Other people on the programme
  • Great instructors
  • Variety of activities
Default avatar
Mike
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommended

This was a well organised and administered adventure.
Both the staff in the office in the UK and the instructing staff were professional, supportive and polite.
There are a lot of moving parts on this kind of experience which will take a great deal of organisation. It went smoothly and without a hitch. Any issues which did arise were with outside partners rather than Gap Force or their staff.
The accommodation and food were often better than was described and therefore expected. It is a Jungle based course, so accommodation in the jungle is as expected. When not in the Jungle, it is better than I expected.

Pros
  • Personal development
  • Adventure
  • New skills learnt.
Cons
  • None
  • None
  • None

Programs

Displaying 1 - 9 of 13

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Chloe Eayrs

Why did you choose this program?

I wanted to push myself to build my self-confidence and experiences. I wanted to see what traveling in a group was like but also independently to see how I could cope with leaning on my parents. Australia had so much to offer and I wanted to meet new friends and meet new people which I definitely formed friendships for life. I also wanted to tick Australia off of my bucket list!

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

My college didn't assist in any shape or form; this was all of my own hard work to pay for the trip to ensure I could participate.

I had to organise all of my flights, which was enjoyable and buying all of the necessities and new clothes. My college didn't know I was traveling, but it made it even more exciting knowing it was off my own back.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

One thing I wish I knew beforehand was to be prepared for the additional activity costs as not all activities are stated which is very misleading and more expensive. I would recommend to always over budget so you can make sure you can make the most of the adventure of a lifetime, such as activities like the harbour bridge climb, white water rafting, etc.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

No day is the same as there are relaxing days to go and explore and ensure you have your food shop all sorted whilst the other days are filled with activities, so be prepared for early starts to make the most of the day.

Be prepared for daily food shops, as not many meals are included. An average week consists of much socialising and fun and games - making friends for life.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

My biggest fear was homesickness, which I did suffer from, but my leaders Andy and Humphrey really settled me, as they relayed their homesick experiences to me, which made me feel much more comfortable.

I cannot pinpoint the day when the homesickness disappeared but it was very early on so I could enjoy the trip which I am glad it subsided!

Is there any other advice for prospective travelers?

Definitely participate in the white water rafting, Kuranda Cable Car, Hot Air Balloon with champagne breakfast, skydiving, kayaking at Byron Bay, koala sanctuary at Magnetic Island, Harbour Bridge Climb, Whitsundays, jet skiing in Cairns.

I wish I had participated in the Skydiving and pushed myself to do it, as I saw the videos of others doing it and it looked amazing!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Ben Hunter

Job Title
Program Advisor & Business Development Coordinator
Ben has worked in the outdoor and travel industry for several years. A passionate advocate of outdoor adventures and the joys of exploring remote places, his current focus is on developing new trips and expeditions to support the existing range of exciting programmes already offered by Gapforce.
Ben H.

What is your favorite travel memory?

It's hard to pick just one! Spending time with the Bribri tribe in Costa Rica and crossing the border into Panama on a multi-day trek was really special. Exploring the remote border country with my friends and our local guide was the definition of adventure! Spotting snakes, crossing rivers, finding campsites and sleeping in hammocks was epic. The excitement of forging a path through the dense jungle with my machete will always stay with me.

Oh, and snorkeling in the Bahamas was pretty good as well! Not to mention walking along the Great Wall of China...

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have developed a growing respect and appreciation of the benefits of group travel experiences. For those who are dying to travel and see the world, but have not been away from home before, travelling alone can be daunting to say the least. Planning the itinerary of a trip can at times be brilliant, as you look forward to your adventures, but can also be quite tricky, with the duration of your trip, knowing where to start, budgeting and packing in as much as possible being common headaches. That's why companies like Gapforce are so great!

Our adventure travel trips are led by experienced and qualified Gapforce Expedition Leaders who have worked in all four corners of the globe. The itineraries are planned and the accommodation is booked - all you need to do is get on the plane and let the adventure begin!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Travelling and getting out of your comfort zone is a fantastic way to experience new things and gain different a different perspective on life. I guarantee that all our participants will be different people once they've returned home after joining us on one of our many programs.

One of the participants on our flagship Expedition Leader Training program was so inspired by the medical and first aid training he received that, after finishing the program, he went off to university to train as a Paramedic. Joining a Gapforce trip will not only inspire you too see more of the world, it may also fast-track your career.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

As an adventure lover and someone who loves multi-day treks I'd have so say our programs in Nepal and South America. Trekking to Everest Base Camp is a once in a lifetime opportunity and should never be turned down! The Salkantay trek to the historic ruins of Machu Picchu should also be on any budding explorers bucket list, and we've not even mentioned the amazing Galápagos Islands or the lush and vibrant Amazon jungle. Both destinations have everything you could possible need when planning your dream adventure travel trip!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

All the staff at Gapforce have either travelled with us on our range of programs or are graduates of our Expedition Leader Training course. We are a small and close-knit team with a clear focus on providing the best and most exciting adventure travel experiences. If you ask us a question about any of our trips we'll know the answer, because we've been there!

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Everyone at Gapforce is committed to providing incredible and life-changing travel experiences. With continued dedication and hard work, we are exceptionally proud of our exciting range of programs and the great feedback we so often receive. Our industry leading expeditions and adventure travel trips have been running around the world since 1989 - we have no plans to stop any time soon!

Professional Associations

Gap Year Association Logo