Year out prior to uni

[Ginfa]

Hi all I am wondering if anyone has any experience of any year old programmes pre university? My son is looking ideally for something that involves some work/volunteering and some travelling but I am not sure where the reputable places are! Anyone who has any tips would be greatly appreciated

I know several people who have taken a year out, but they have all worked, or worked then done some traveling. But either way, just things they have arranged, not a 'programme' as such.

I think one of the most important parts of the year out, is that the YP researches and sets it up themself, as much as that is possible. It's a bridge to independence and that's important.

Yeah I think the year out aspect means they're out of the system and free to sort their own schedule and activities not have it done for them. That's the point of it. There are things like Camp America in the summer or all the usual volunteering opportunities, but not specifically structured for a gap year as then it'd become a year in iyswim. Most YP I know do 6-8 months working and saving up then go travelling with a mate or two to their own itinerary. There'll be lots of youtubes etc from YP who've done it and have tips.

I don't think there are programmes as such. Everyone my DC knew that took a year out decided what they wanted to do, researched it and executed it themselves. The point of a year out is to develop life skills. Not to have your mum sort something out for you.

That's pretty much what DD did. She worked, then when she couldn't get another job she volunteered, then she went interrailing.

If they want something structured Camp America is recruiting now to start May/June 27. They can travel before and after their camp placement on a J1 visa.
There’s also a program for uk citizens under 30 to work in Canada - a classmate of my DD’s worked at a hotel in whistler.
I know in guiding there’s opportunities to volunteer at world guiding centres, assume scouting has similar if involved in that.

https://www.winterworkjapan.co.uk/

This is via camp America but in Japan for 3-4 months.

Hi thanks for the comments. I am not going to sort it for him but I don’t think he has a lot of drive and has not had the easiest time socially so I want to make sure he has options that don’t rely on having a reliable friend to go with him! I will give him some suggestions and the rest is up to him