1 Corinthians 16:13-14: Be on the alert, STAND firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

The STAND Discipleship Program is a life-changing opportunity for young men at Haycock Camping Ministries. STAND is a full-time or part-time program with the goal of spurring young men onto a life of faithful love and service to God, their families, their churches, their communities, and the world. STAND fits perfectly within Haycock’s mission and our historical passion for “Growing Boys into Godly Men.”

What is a Gap Year Program?

Gap year programs provide young adults around 18-24 the chance to slow down in a period filled with many changes. From high school graduation to finishing college, young adults in this season of life face many choices and questions about their purpose and futures. Young adults who take a gap year often do so amid these transitions, right after high school or before deciding to join the workforce or continue their higher education. 

Taking a gap year includes setting aside intentional time for personal growth and development. Gap year programs help facilitate this growth through structure, service opportunities, close-knit communities, and more. In gap year programs, participants often live together, serve in various ways, and engage in educational development that prepares them for life after the program.

Christian gap year programs offer an intentional place for young adults to center themselves on God’s Word, listen to His call on their lives, and choose where to follow Him next. These programs differ from traditional gap years in their focus, looking more towards professional development through service and spiritual growth rather than simply seeking to boost resumes or prescribe “follow your heart” plans for life. 

The intentionality in seeking God’s voice through a Christian gap year program extends into service, as students can immediately apply how God is calling them to their vocation and outreach work in the program. This distinction also allows students to grow in a posture of humility and submission to God’s plan, a mindset that characterizes the Christian life.  

What is Discipleship Training?

Discipleship programs offer an intentional community for individuals looking to grow in their faith through accountability, deeper study of God’s Word, and practical obedience to God through outreach. These programs go hand in hand with Christian gap year programs, as the community and mentorship members of a gap year program experience seek to mirror the mentorship and teaching of Christ and His disciples. 

Christian gap year programs aren’t just an opportunity to contemplate your next professional steps. By including discipleship training, Christian gap year programs guide participants in intentional study, prayer, community, and service. Each student invests in his personal relationship with God and will watch the lives of those older than him and receive wisdom from Godly counsel. Intentionality in these programs comes through deep Bible study, Christian book clubs, accountability, mentoring, service opportunities, and more. 

The discipleship training in Christian gap year programs teaches participants to be lifelong learners of God’s word with soft hearts and ears to hear. Students in these programs learn self-discipline, how to live in an intentional community, and what following God as an adult looks like.

Advantages of Taking a Gap Year

1. Grow in your Walk with God
   Gap years help individuals focus their time with the Lord and build their relationship with Him.
2. Slow down and discern where to go next.
   Taking time to prayerfully consider where you should go after your gap year can help you feel more established and assured of your next steps, rather than rushing straight into college or a job.
3. Invest in learning and growing
   A gap year helps you explore different sides of your skills and passions, leading to a fuller understanding of your gifts and how you can use them to serve God and the Church.
4. Live in community with other young adults
   Living in a community that will challenge and hold you accountable is invaluable, especially at such a pivotal time in your life and walk.
5. Be challenged and refined by God
   When God gets us alone, He wrestles with us and draws us closer to Him. Through intentional time in the Word, prayer, and Christian community, God refines our hearts and breaks down our pride. A gap year helps you spend more time with him and listen to how he speaks to you.

How does a Christian Gap Year Program Prepare Me for Life?

There’s a difference between living for God as a boy (when your parents ask you to read your Bible and go to church) and choosing to live for Him as a man making his own way in the world. 

A Christian gap year program helps you build the connection between these experiences, giving you the structure to develop habits that will shape your life for decades to come and the freedom to focus on the areas you want to grow in for service. These discipleship programs help establish the character and Christian living you want to carry into your family, church, and workplace. Christian gap year programs also incorporate chances for ministry and service in local churches and internationally, helping you expand your reach and worldview.

How does STAND use Christian Discipleship?

STAND seeks to grow boys into Godly men through intentional mentoring and discipleship. Our program incorporates group and individual Bible and book studies on theology, biblical manhood, marriage/family, life skills, and more. STAND participants also receive one-on-one mentoring and discipleship from a member of Haycock’s leadership team. This combination allows students to discover how to answer God’s call and put that calling into action through service and intentional Christian living.

Our goal through STAND is to graduate men of Godly character who:

• Love Jesus
• Know the Bible, understand what they believe, and why they believe it
• Have a passion for serving the Lord using the gifts God has given them
• Live an ordered and disciplined life of joy, responsibility, and Godly recreation
• Put away the childish things of their youth
• Are exposed to the needs of the world and experience the Church/Christianity in different cultures and contexts
• Are equipped for servant-leadership of their future families and in the church
• Are aware of their abilities, skills, and passions and have a specific plan for their future education or vocation
• Have a Godly network of mentors and adults who will be an encouragement and resource to them for the rest of their lives.

How is STAND Different From Other Men’s Discipleship Programs?

STAND helps young men grow in their faith while preparing for their professional lives. By increasing their overall skills, STAND graduates prepare to follow God wherever He leads them, from vocational ministry to being Godly husbands and fathers. 

Our program also prioritizes flexibility, with two different ways for men to participate in the program: as residents or as interns.

What is the STAND Internship Program Like?

The STAND Internship year begins in early September and ends in mid-August. Interns experience the following during their year at Haycock Camping Ministries:

• Teaching, relationship-building, and service experience
• Earning up to 14 college credits
• Running camp programs and managing camp facilities
• One-on-one mentoring and discipleship
• Group and individual Bible/book studies
• Wilderness trips
• A year of strong Christian community and encouragement
• A thorough assessment of areas of gifting, personality, leadership style, interests, and skills in preparation for a lifetime of service to God
• Choosing a developmental track

Intern Program Structure

Fall Session (September – December) – Interns will focus on
developing the character of a godly man as a life-long pursuit. This
session features the development of personal discipline in all areas of
life, educational opportunities, wilderness trips, and structured physical
training.

Spring Session (January – May) – Interns will participate in mission
trips and service opportunities beyond their roles at camp.
They will also select a Developmental Track to guide them in their
preparation for the future.

Summer Session (June – August) – Interns serve on Haycock’s
Summer Staff Team

Insight into the STAND Development Tracks

College Track

The College Track prepares young men to enter college upon completion of the STAND year.

Highlights of the College Track are:

• Job shadowing opportunities
• Earning transferable college credits during STAND
• Exploring options for fields of study
• Exploring options for education and/or training
• Visiting multiple college campuses
• Assistance with the college application process
• Applying for scholarships, grants, and/or financial aid

Military Track

The Military Track prepares young men to enter the military upon completion of the STAND year.

Highlights of the Military Track are:

• Selecting a military branch and/or occupational specialty
• Working with a recruiter
• Visiting the Military Entrance Processing Station
• Meeting with military veterans
• Taking required aptitude tests
• Completing physical assessments
• Learning military history
• Physical training focused on preparing for basic training
• Learning about opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship in the military

Workforce Track

The Workforce Track prepares young men to enter the Workforce upon completion of the STAND year.

Highlights of the Workforce Track are:

• Multiple Job shadowing opportunities
• Explore trade school options
• Build relationships with Haycock’s network of trade professionals
• Finding a job (preparing a resume, applying for jobs, etc.)
• Preparing for life as an independent young adult (house/apartment hunting, developing a budget, food shopping, building a professional wardrobe, etc.)

Missions/Ministry Track

The Missions/Ministry Track prepares young men to serve in the mission field or other ministries upon completion of the STAND year.

Highlights of the Missions/Ministry Track are:

• Missions/ministry-focused job shadowing opportunities
• Earning transferable college credits during STAND
• Exploring options for ministry or missions
• Exploring options for ministry/missions-related training/education
• Missions/ministry visits
• Volunteer serving opportunities
• Applying to mission organizations, ministry-related jobs, or college/training programs

How much does STAND Cost?

Fall Session: $3,340 

Spring Session: $625-$925 (price varies depending on the Developmental Track)

Tuition covers all housing, utilities, adventure trip costs, educational experiences, and most food costs. These fees do not include the Spring Session overseas missions trip cost – the interns will raise those funds separately. If finances are a concern, candidates are encouraged to use their year-round stipend and summer staff compensation to help pay for STAND and/or pursue raising financial support for this exciting ministry opportunity.

Are STAND Interns and Residents Compensated?

On top of free room and board, STAND Interns will receive a $50 monthly stipend for September through May.  During the summer, STAND Interns will receive the regular wages of their respective summer staff position.

Who can apply for the STAND Christian Discipleship Program?

Young men ages 18-24 who are believers in Jesus Christ and have a desire to grow in their faith and prepare for their future may apply to be STAND Interns (full-time) or STAND Residents (part-time).  Admittance to the program requires an application, references, and an interview before acceptance.

How do I graduate from STAND?

STAND Interns must successfully complete all three sessions to graduate from the program. All STAND participants must accomplish all of their assigned objectives. Haycock staff will give performance evaluations to encourage areas of personal growth and responsibility.

How to Apply for STAND

Young men interested in applying for STAND should contact Haycock Camping Ministries to request an application at 610-346-7155 or [email protected]. 

 STAND starts in September, and STAND Intern applications must be received by July 31st.

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