
Penguin Awareness Day (January 20). National Indoor Planet Week (third week in September). National Ice Cream Month (July). Everyone gets a holiday nowadays, so it’s time to celebrate the gap year!
Gap Year Exploration Month – held annually in February – is a shared initiative of students, educators and others who want to promote the benefits of a gap year. During the month, organizations and schools across the US host events to educate students, parents and educators about various gap year options. Gap year alumni will share their stories in person and online.
EnRoute Events for Gap Year Exploration Month
At EnRoute, we have a lot going on! Stay tuned for updates on a few blog posts and articles that are going live in February. I’m also hosting two exciting webinar events:
FEBRUARY 11TH: GAP YEAR EXPLORATION MONTH WEBINAR!

We are celebrating Gap Year Exploration Month with this exciting collaboration between Streamable U and the Gap Year Association.
Think you know who takes a gap year? Think again! Join Julia Rogers for an eye-opening conversation that will walk you through the six common profiles of gap year students. She’ll discuss why particular students are well-suited to gap time and what types of opportunities benefit these students the most. At the end of this 40 minute session, you’ll understand how to identify strong gap year candidates and what you can do to encourage them to consider a gap year. Appropriate for students, parents, school counselors, educators and IECs.
When: Tuesday, February 11th
4:30 PM Eastern Time
Register in advance for this free Zoom webinar here
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
FEBRUARY 13TH: YOUR LOW COST GAP YEAR: AN INTERACTIVE PLANNING WEBINAR FOR STUDENTS

Your Low-Cost Gap Year: An Interactive Planning Webinar for Students
Thursday, February 13th, 8:30 – 9:45pm est
Register in advance for this $25 Zoom webinar here
Please note this is a students-only webinar; please see our other offerings for educators and parents. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
You often hear that taking a gap year doesn’t have to be expensive, but how do you find affordable options? In this special students-only Gap Year Exploration Month webinar, EnRoute Consulting founder Julia Rogers will guide students through budgeting and planning a low-cost gap year.
This webinar will answer questions such as :
“How do I find work on organic farms in New Zealand?”
“How do I join an Americorps program?”
“How can I get jobs in our national parks?”
“How can I help with disaster relief in Australia?”
“How can I find independent volunteer opportunities abroad?”
At the end of this webinar, you will have specific program ideas to take your planning to the next level! Unlike free webinars, for the low cost of $25, this webinar will give attendees specific program information and guidance.
We will discuss finding and applying to affordable gap year programs such as:
Americorps national service options
Work exchanges in the US and abroad
Grassroots volunteering
Disaster relief volunteering
Election 2020 opportunities
Additional Gap Year Exploration Month Happenings

StreamableU and the Gap Year Association are excited to announce that in support of Gap Year Exploration Month, in February, they have partnered to offer a month long calendar of 30 different live and interactive streaming programs from leading gap year operators and experts. See full schedule here.
These webinars are available for free and are scheduled at 12:30 PM EST or 4:30 PM EST. Recordings of the programs will also be available.

Who likes free money??? To celebrate Gap Year Exploration Month, the Gap Year Association is hosting an instagram contest.
For gap year alumni: Make a video about your gap time.
For students taking a gap year in 2020/2021: Make a short video about why you are taking a gap year and what you want to do.
Follow These Steps to Participate:
STEP 1: Create your video!
Video submissions should include:
* Your name & answers to the above prompts
*Creativity in your submission encouraged!
STEP 2. FOLLOW @gapyearassociation on Instagram
STEP 3. POST your video and Use the hashtag #explorethegapyear
STEP 4. TAG @gapyearassociation
STEP 5. Ask your friends and family to vote for you by liking the @gapyearassociation post with your video. Use hashtag #explorethegapyear in your posts!
STEP 6. One $500 winner in each category will be chosen and announced March 15th. Video & instagram engagement will be weighed in the judging process.

Season Four of Gap Year Radio Podcast is beginning on February 3rd! Our season opener will cover all things Gap Year Exploration Month.
