Something that my cohort at Glen Brook learned very quickly about me is that I am Jewish, and Judaism– in many forms– plays a significant role in my life. I grew up in a Reform Jewish community in Southern CA, and went to either Reform or pluralistic Jewish days schools from preschool through 12th grade.

This past week we embarked on a 4 day canoe trip down a section of the Connecticut River. I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect going into the trip, especially since I never canoed much before, and while there were difficult or strenuous moments, I overall found it to be a very enjoyable and relaxing experience.

For our first day of apprenticeships, the gappers headed to their chosen subject. Savannah, Ryan, and I decided to work in the main house kitchen with Chef Robyn. All of us were excited to take our next steps towards learning skills that would soon benefit our futures.

This week was chicken slaughter week so I spent more time than I’m used to with chicken guts - but I’d prefer not to talk about that. Instead, I’ll describe the wonderful experience that was Gapped.

Hi to whoever stumbled upon this entry! As the official “blogger of the week” (we trade off, all of us Gappers, 6 this fall, will do at least one entry), I am here to document and share what was done this week. It sure was packed, so strap in.

When you hear the phrase “gap year,” most people think of a formative year between high school and the beginning of college. But “gap years” can happen all throughout life: time between jobs, time after graduation, and even taking a sabbatical later in your career can all be a kind of gap year.

In starting work at Glen Brook, I’ve done a lot of reflecting on the journey that led me here. In a way, coming to Gap at GB feels like coming full circle: from my own gap year in 2010, through my experiences with experiential outdoor education since then, first as a participant, and then as an educator.

Spring is a time of growth and renewal, when the land wakes up with fresh opportunity. As we move into this brightening season, we give a hearty welcome and bid a fond farewell.

This afternoon, as I carried my backpack and paddle up the grassy trail to the Hill House, I noticed how much greener the trees had become over the five days we were gone. What were recently shy, grey buds had suddenly burst from their shells in a colorful ceremony welcoming the coming spring.

These past two weeks have been some of the more fulfilling weeks in my time here. We spent our time doing apprenticeships in the morning, and then paddle carving in the afternoon.

Now just a few days past the one month mark, we here at Glen Brook are beginning to settle into life in Phase 2 after returning from a week of orienteering. For me at least, there was a sense of ignorance going into our first intensive as I truly had no idea what to expect from this level of outdoor exploration, far elevated from my level of experience.

Ten days into my Gap at Glen Brook journey, I gaze in awe at all the ways I have already grown. After almost an entire year of isolation I was more nervous than usual to start learning and living with a group of strangers. Yet, from day one I have felt us bonding into a family.

When I think back to my very first day here at Glen Brook, I realize a lot has changed since; My friends and I have changed, the place we now call home has changed, and the entire country and world has changed.

When I began my somewhat unexpected gap year, I genuinely had no idea what to expect. With all of the COVID-19 craziness, my decision to take this year off was incredibly impulsive, but I’m grateful and glad that Glen Brook is where I ended up.

If you were to ask me six months ago if I was planning on taking a gap semester, I would have been quick to shut down the idea. However, thanks to COVID-19, many plans for the future were drastically changed, including my own.

Four weeks ago, if you told me I could really be myself, surrounded by almost strangers, I would have completely disagreed. Now, just one month into the program, I am aware of my self confidence, acceptance and the friendships I have made to last a lifetime.

People have many different reasons for taking a gap year: the call to adventure, a response to the burnout of high school, the wish for more expansive life experience, to develop new skills, or the simple, burning desire to do something new. While the reasons and needs for taking gap time vary greatly, we believe the benefits are universal.

There is snow on the ground here at Glen Brook the day after our Fall 2018 season came to a close. Now that the gappers have left, we are left to reflect on the semester we’ve shared with our curious cohort.

Noah Weil—known as “Boah” to differentiate him from the other Noah (himself called “Shnoah”)—has found time in between his role as Leader of the Week and his work on his Deep Dive project to write two entries for the Brook Blog: one about Intensive III, and one about the Deep Dives. Enjoy!

Phase Two has now come to a close. We all brainstormed and begun to plan Deep Dive projects. We said goodbye to Blaine and the horses: Breeze and Austen on Wednesday, feeling satisfied with the knowledge gained from Working With Horses.