Program Outcomes

• Leadership Training: Students take an active role in group decision-making, while learning decision making models, interpersonal skills, and developing their own leadership style.
• Community: Groups are kept intentionally small, typically between 6-14 participants depending on the program, so that we lessen our impact, allow for authentic leadership opportunities, and create life-long friendships.
• Outdoor Adventure: We guide and teach students how to plan and lead multi-day skiing, backpacking, rafting, and whitewater kayaking experiences in beautiful locations. We help students develop a lifelong relationship with the outdoors.
• Cultural Immersion: We aim to help students develop cultural competence and authentic relationships as we navigate the language, history, and traditions of southern Chile.
• Service Learning: Students will have the opportunity to meet and work alongside inspiring community leaders that have created NGOs, eco-businesses, and community action groups on our programs.
• Environmental Stewardship: Students learn about environmental issues and the conservation movement through working with local non-profits, service learning, and place based lessons.
• Personal Development and Reflection: Our programs are designed to allow students to discover new interests and passions under the mentorship of inspiring program instructors and local community leaders.
• Education: Students can expect to learn about critical global and local issues, and gain insight into another culture through place-based learning.

Outdoor Skill Requirements
Students are not required to have experience backpacking, kayaking, or skiing before they join us. We would love to teach you! Each program is a mix of students with varying experience levels in the outdoors which promotes community and collaboration.

College Credit
During the Alzar Gap experience, students have the option to earn up to 16 college semester credits through our relationship with Portland State University, and Western Colorado University. All of our college credit opportunities are entirely optional and designed to add depth, and value to the Alzar Gap experience.

Staff Training and Certification

Alzar Gap instructors are inspiring educators who have a passion for working with young adults. They are charismatic individuals who are excited to share their life experiences, passion for the outdoors, and commitment to learning. Our instructors’ backgrounds may include experience working as an outdoor guide/instructor, teaching as a high school teacher, working with nonprofits, or leading international educational programs. In all cases, our instructors are chosen for their extensive experience as an educator, strong outdoor resume, risk management skills and passion for working with young adults.

Our instructors all hold a Wilderness First Responder certification (an 80-hour advanced medical training certification), as well as CPR/AED training. In addition, all river staff hold a swiftwater rescue training certification, and have extensive commercial river guiding experience. All gap instructors attend a comprehensive 7-day training each year that cover topics related to leading groups of young adults on multi-week educational adventures. We hold a high standard for employing kind, approachable, and inspiring individuals who can serve as a role model for our students.