Imagine living a life of adventure & purpose
Experience adventure, service, and self-discovery.
ADVENTURE
Be challenged by outdoor activities. Gain confidence, resilience, and a deeper understanding of oneself.
FAITH
Strengthen your faith while connecting with a supportive community — building lifelong friendships.
LEADERSHIP
Gain practical & leadership skills for your future through outdoor adventures & community service.
Do you need space to figure out what's next?
Many young adults long for a gap year that blends adventure, faith, and leadership development in a supportive, structured environment.
- ● Are you looking for direction in life?
- ● Do you want to grow in your faith and discover your purpose?
- ● Are you eager for personal growth?
- ● Would you like to connect with like-minded people?
- ● Do you dream of having an adventure while making an impact?
What if you could do all that and earn university credit along the way?
We understand the desire for personal growth and a meaningful journey towards confidence, leadership, and faith.
Enjoy a year of adventure, service, and self-discovery
Program Elements
30 CREDIT HOURS
Earn a full year of 30 college credits towards a degree at Kingswood University.
8 Month
This program will give you 8 months of mentorship, adventure, and career preparation with a team and community.
Work-Study Program
Students grow in their leadership and practical skill development through integrated work projects that reduce the cost of tuition.
Urban Mission Trip
Experience a life-changing week of serving on the streets of New York City.
Outdoor Elements
4 Day Backpacking Trip
Kayaking
Mountain Climbing
Downhill Skiing
Rock Climbing
Ice Climbing
Life After Elements
Personal Growth: You will develop resilience, self-confidence, and self-awareness as you complete challenging outdoor adventures and service projects.
Spiritual Depth: You will grow deeper in your faith, learning to discern God’s voice and strengthen your spiritual disciplines, preparing you for a lifetime of ministry.
Leadership Skills: This program provides valuable certifications, real-world experience, and practical leadership training that will empower you to make an impact in various ministry and career paths.
Community: You will leave with lifelong friends and a strong sense of belonging, having formed relationships with like-minded peers in a supportive Christian environment.
Career and Ministry Preparation: Equipped with college credits, certifications, and hands-on experience, you will be prepared to confidently step into your future career or further education with a solid foundation.
FAQ
Here's a list of the most frequently asked questions about the Elements Program.
A Gap Year program is a unique opportunity to take a purposeful break between high school and college/university or joining the workforce to explore the world, gain practical experience and skills, and develop personally.
Elements is specifically designed to give you time and space to gain confidence, develop your leadership skills, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself. You’ll explore the world through outdoor adventures, be stretched by service projects, learn practical skills that will help you regardless of where you go in life, and grow in your faith through an intentional journey to better understand your purpose and value in Christ.
Elements is designed for high school graduates, or equivalent, aged 17-24. You will be required to sign a statement of faith and provide references during the application process.
You will also be required to have a valid passport that expires no less than 6 months after the program end date.
Elements is an 8-month program that runs from September to April with a break for Christmas. Students live, work, and study in the Elements cohort on the campus of Kingswood University. The weekly schedule is structured and full of daytime and weekend activities, courses, service projects, learning, group work, and free time. The Elements program director will provide oversight and mentorship, along with other staff and professionals who will assist with the learning and service activities. Life will be full and fulfilling while you’re in Elements!
Our Elements program is designed to be a standalone one-year gap year program or the first year of our 2-year Associate of Arts in Compassion and Evangelism (Praxis) degree program. This intentional flexibility gives you the option to apply directly into our AA degree program, gaining the benefit of an exceptional first-year experience through Elements that checks all the boxes on a life-changing gap year program while preparing you to seamlessly transition directly into the second year of our AA Praxis degree.
Not sure the AA Praxis degree is where you’re headed? No problem! You can still opt into this program, or any other program at Kingswood, at any time during or after your year of Elements.
So now you’re wondering…why would I opt into the AA Praxis from the start if I can do so at any point? That’s a great question!
Degree programs in Canada open the door to student provincial and federal financial aid. Unfortunately, student loans are not available for short-term programs, like a one-year gap year program. If you know you are going to continue with university beyond this year of Elements or think that might be the direction you are heading, you can apply directly to our degree program to open the access to student loans as part of your financial plan.
Here’s the great news – Elements has been designed around a work-study model that actually lowers the cost below a traditional first year of university, all while having incredible outdoor adventures, gaining valuable work experience for your resume, and earning a full year of academic credit!
The Numbers:
Total Activity Fee* $3,040
Standard Housing $3,260
21 Meal Plan $5,630
Campus Life Fee $250
Tuition $8,995
$21,175
Less Work-Study Compensation ($4,800)
Cost to Student $16,375/ year
*Activity fee includes Mount Khatadin, Ice/Rock Climbing, Sea Kayaking, Cape Chignecto, Wilderness First Aid, Dog Sledding, Winter Camping, Ice Climbing, Skiing, and NYC Mission Trip.
We will provide a complete equipment list, but it will include things like a hiking backpack, hiking boots, dry bags, winter clothes, and more. It’s time to make those birthday and Christmas wish lists!
One of the strengths of Elements is the benefit of living, learning, and growing in community. All students, even those who live locally or within driving distance of campus, are required to live in community on campus for the duration of the program.
Elements has been designed to give maximum value and experience at an affordable cost. While we do not offer scholarships or discounts for this program, we did build it around a work-study model. In addition to reducing the program cost by almost 25%, students gain valuable work experience and skills to add to their resume and benefit from the character development, teamwork, and time management skills that this work experience brings.
Our Director of Financial Aid, Heidi Nelson, is waiting to help you navigate this step. She will answer any questions you have and provide payment plan options and financial aid options, depending on whether you have applied for the one-year Elements program or the two-year Elements+ degree program.
The application process is super simple!
Step 1. Fill out an application form. Someone from our team will contact you to discuss your application, learn a little more about you, and answer any questions you have.
Step 2. Provide references.
Step 3. Request your high school transcript(s).
Step 4. That’s it! Your application is complete, and we’ll be in touch with next steps pending the outcome of your application review.
Elements is an 8-month program that runs from September-April. We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2025.
Absolutely! The academic credits earned in the Elements program can be transferred directly into any degree program at Kingswood. With 30 hours of credit, you’ll start your degree as a 2nd year student.
Kingswood University is fully accredited, so credits can also be transferred to other universities or colleges at their discretion. If you know where you may want to transfer following the program completion, it is a good idea to check with them to verify how many of the credits will transfer into your degree program.
We would love to hear from you! Just fill out our Contact Us form, and someone from our team will connect with you to get you the information you need.