Abernethy Academy

The Abernethy Gap Year is designed to give you an opportunity to serve, adventure and be discipled as you live in an intentional Christian community. Join our 6-month full-time residential program to grow in faith, develop your character, practice your soft skills and gain valuable life skills – all whilst living in Christian Community in the Cairngorms. Following the 6-month program there will be the opportunity for some students to stay on for an extra 6 months, putting what you have learnt into practice in one of our centres.

 

Weekly program

Each week there will be 5 action-packed days doing a mixture of timetabled adventure, service, and discipleship. Your time will be spent serving on the hospitality team (house, kitchen and maintenance); and doing outdoor activity, both with the groups that we have in and with our Gap Year Outdoor Adventure Tutor. You will also have the opportunity to go on expedition.

Every Wednesday night you will join in with the Abernethy Team Fellowship program. This is an evening where the whole team meets together to enjoy external speakers (challenging and encouraging us with scripture), worship and other activities. You will also have the opportunity to plan and deliver a couple of sessions throughout your time with us.

Sometimes our groups have an evening program which you will be involved with. This will include helping to run wide games, supervising people around the bonfire, and assisting in the delivery of a Christian message to our guests who come to Abernethy.

Each Sunday morning will be spent joining the local community by going to the village church (Abernethy Parish Church). 

 

Activities

The activities that you will take part in will include: Adventure course; Archery; Canoeing; Coasteering; Gorge Walking; Hiking; Kayaking; Mountain Biking; Paddleboarding; Raft building; Rock Climbing; Skiing; Team Challenges and Zip wire (to name a few).

 

Service

The serving element at Abernethy will include helping in the house and the kitchen (setting up and clearing away before and after meals; serving food; cleaning the house and making beds) and delivering games and activities to guests in the evening.

 

Gap Year Cost

The Gap Year is a voluntary position. This means that you do not get paid, but you will get your food and accommodation (including bills) free of charge.

 

Dates

We are currently accepting applications for our Gap Year courses starting on the following dates. Please specify which course you would like to join on your application form.

Monday 25th August 2024 – Friday 7th March 2025

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  • “The food throughout the weekend was exceptional. I'm gluten/dairy free and the provision was the best I've ever had.”

    Rooted for Women attendee

  • “From the start of my Gap Year I felt integrated and welcomed. The staff were so patient with me and I could ask any question without feeling like I didn’t know enough!”

    Gap Year student

  • “This is the best holiday I have ever had with my daughter. We have laughed and cried for all the right reasons."

    Church camp attendee

  • "Wow. What an amazing week with so much thought & care behind it! Blown away by the staff."

    Family on Summer family week

  • "My staff team considered it the best residential we have run with S6. We found the Abernethy staff welcoming, helpful, positive and professional."

    Head teacher on a school residential

  • “My parents were so shocked about everything I told them. You helped me to fear nothing.”

    P7 Pupil from a school residential

  • “Adventure Plus is absolutely amazing, it's definitely the highlight of my year.”

    Guest, Abernethy Adventure Plus week

  • "The role models that the leaders here provide for the children are absolutely fantastic and it's a real joy to see that!”

    Parent at Abernethy Nethy Bridge Family Week