ROOTED GAP YEAR
OVERVIEW

Aerial view of a rural estate with a house, a pond with a dock, surrounded by trees and open fields, with rolling hills in the distance.
Logo for Rooted Gap Year, with a white emblem of a tree and leaves on a dark green background, including the words 'PA USA,' 'Rooted,' 'A Colossians 2:7,' 'Gap Year,' and the phrases 'Learn, Serve, Grow, Belong'.

WELCOME TO ROOTED!

Rooted is a Christian gap year program for young adults (ages 18–25) who want to grow deeper in their faith, identity, purpose, and community.

Through hands-on service, intentional discipleship, classroom teaching, and outdoor adventure, Rooted helps students develop strong spiritual roots and clarity for what comes next.

You’ll live in community on a beautiful 26-acre campus in the Pocono Mountains—called The Pines—just steps away from Tuscarora Inn & Conference Center. Together, we’ll spend the year learning, serving, growing, and belonging.

THE PROGRAM

  • Young students seated at tables in a classroom or seminar room, listening attentively to a lecture or presentation.

    LEARN

    At Rooted, God’s Word is at the center of everything we do. Each week includes focused study time, spiritual formation, and group discussion.

    You’ll experience:

    Semester-long deep dives into the Old and New Testaments

    Weekly intensive courses on topics like theology, Christian living, and leadership

    Book discussions, group presentations, and personal growth projects

    A chance to explore your own passion project and share what you’ve learned

    📚 Sample Intensive Topics:

    Apologetics & Reformation Theology

    Christian Leadership & Personal Finance

    Spiritual Formation & Prayer & Fasting

    Biblical Ethics & Godly Relationships

    Worldview, Identity in Christ, and more

  • A group of children standing in front of an audience at a school or church event, with one woman holding a microphone and speaking to them, in a room with large windows and a crucifix on the wall.

    SERVE

    Learning doesn’t stop in the classroom—it’s lived out through service.
    Rooted students serve guests at Tuscarora, join mission trips, and participate in outreach near and far.

    You’ll serve:

    On campus: Housekeeping, food service, programming, AV, and more

    Locally: With nearby churches, schools, and senior ministries

    In major cities: Like NYC and Philly through urban ministry partners

    Nationally: Through relief trips with Samaritan’s Purse

    Globally: In Costa Rica, Mexico, or beyond on a short-term mission trip

    💼 Work experience also helps lower your cost—and offers leadership opportunities for those considering ministry or hospitality careers.

  • A group of five young people standing near a lake with trees and mountains in the background, some holding sticks, enjoying a sunny day outdoors.

    GROW

    Rooted is all about growing deeper—in your relationship with God and your understanding of yourself.

    We’ll help you develop spiritual rhythms like daily Bible reading, journaling, fasting, and prayer.
    And you’ll learn to identify your strengths, gifts, hangups, and how your identity is rooted in Christ.

    You’ll also be challenged to grow in:

    Emotional maturity

    Leadership and responsibility

    Cross-cultural understanding

    Self-awareness and spiritual disciplines

  • A group of ten people posing in front of a whimsical, multi-story house with stone and stucco walls, wooden beams, and a shingled roof. They are standing on a brick pathway, smiling and dressed in colorful summer clothing.

    BELONG

    At Rooted, you won’t go it alone. You’ll live, learn, and serve alongside a tight-knit group of 12–16 students.

    In this Christ-centered community, you’ll experience the beauty (and challenge!) of life together—learning patience, forgiveness, encouragement, and accountability.

    “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17

    Shared meals, team dinners, deep friendships, and late-night discussions make this year one of unforgettable connection and transformation.

APPLY NOW
Two boys stand on large rocks overlooking a lake, surrounded by trees and distant mountains under a cloudy sky.
Group of five young people standing near a lake with trees and hills in the background, enjoying a campfire during sunset.
A group of nine people taking a selfie inside a watchtower, with a view of a forested mountain landscape in the background.
A group of nine people standing and sitting in a forest, some leaning on trees and rocks, surrounded by green foliage.
Three young volunteers in orange shirts and brown work pants sitting on the ground outside, smiling and relaxing after a cleanup, with a large pile of trash and debris in the background.
Group of people protesting with signs that demand justice for survivors of prison sex abuse, including messages to stop prison sex abuse, end prison sexual abuse, and justice for victims, in front of a large government building.
Group of nine young people standing outdoors on a concrete ledge, smiling, with trees and blue sky in the background.
People gathered in a backyard for an outdoor event during the evening, with string lights overhead, a small stage where a band is performing, and a crowd enjoying the music and socializing.
Seven people are gathered around a campfire by a lake during sunset, roasting food on sticks. The group includes both males and females, some wearing matching T-shirts, with hills and trees in the background.
A group of people standing behind large, colorful letters spelling EJMEZQUITAL at a park during sunset.
Three young men sitting on a large outdoor bench at night, in a park with grass and trees, with buildings in the background and lights illuminating the area.
People shopping for produce at an outdoor market, including a large box of onions and a line of grocery crates. Two individuals are in the foreground, one with a shopping cart and the other holding a blue bag, with a line of customers and vendors ext
Three people smiling and posing behind a sign at the Appalachian Trail, with a wooded background and a road in the distance.
Group of eight people on a wooden dock with water and blue sky in the background, next to a gazebo-like structure. Some people are standing, one person is sitting in a hammock. Everyone is smiling and dressed casually for warm weather.
A group of nine young people posing in a pyramid formation on a wooden dock near the water on a sunny day.
Group of people gathered in a classroom, seated at tables and smiling at the camera, with a man kneeling in the front center. The room has a chalkboard and windows in the background.
Two women smiling and paddling a brown canoe on a lake with rippling water.
Group of nine people standing together on a wooden boardwalk in front of a Ferris wheel at an amusement park, with clear blue sky overhead.

Travel & Adventure

Learning also happens off-campus. Each year includes several travel weeks designed to stretch, refresh, and inspire.

Possible trips include:

  • Adirondack Mountains: Kickoff retreat with hiking and bonding

  • NYC: Urban ministry, prayer nights, and cultural exploration

  • Florida: Warm-weather teaching week and outreach

  • Samaritan’s Purse: Disaster relief and care ministry

  • International Mission Trip: Costa Rica or Mexico

  • Canada: Connect with another gap year program

You’ll also enjoy weekly local adventures—like hiking, canoeing the Delaware River, or exploring the Appalachian Trail.

WHAT DOES IT COST?

Total Program Cost: $13,150
Work-Study Credit (automatic): –$4,300
Total Due: $8,850 (includes $1,000 deposit)

Every student receives a work-study credit by serving on Tuscarora teams—keeping costs low while growing in leadership.

Want to lower your cost even more?

  • Summer Internship: Stay on after the program in a paid leadership role ($2,500–$3,500)

  • Weekend Shifts: Pick up paid jobs throughout the year

  • Scholarships Available: Apply for additional support!

SAMPLE WEEKLY RHYTHM

M/W/F

  • Morning: Bible classes & discussion

  • Afternoon: Service project at Tuscarora or local ministries

  • Evening: Free time, worship nights, or community meals

T/Th

  • Morning: Spiritual formation & intensives

  • Afternoon: Outdoor adventure or local service

  • Evening: Critical issues forums, local ministry, or rest

Weekends: Rest, worship, work shifts, or join a Tuscarora team visiting local churches.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

We would love to connect!
Call us - (860) 805-0760

Or use the form to your right to send a message?

Ready to apply?