Daily Life
A Typical Day on the Farm
On weekdays the days start with morning chores - feeding animals, taking out the compost, tidying the kitchen. Gappers are engaged in programming for most of the day, with a break midday for lunch and rest. Mornings and afternoons might be harvesting soybeans on the farm, facing challenges on the ropes course, learning the art of blacksmithing, spending time in your Apprenticeship, or preparing for our next wilderness trip. On Friday afternoons, we go on a field trip out in the community: it might be an epic hike up Mt. Monadnock, or an afternoon learning about wood-fired sourdough bread at a local bakery. By early evening, it’s time for animal chores again, and then dinner. Staff often join for dinner, and everyone shares gratitude and stories from the day. On some evenings, we’ll have discussions about the weekly readings, do a yoga practice or night swim, play meadow games or have a craft night. Most Gappers find themselves going to bed early, with the sun - it’s a full day, and there’s another one ahead!
A Day on the Trail
The daily flow is different when we’re on a backpacking or canoeing trip! The day starts with the sun, when we shake off the morning chill with a hot drink and a quick breakfast. We’ll pack up camp and then head out on the river or trail. With breaks for epic views, trail mix snacks, canoe portages, and skills practice, we’ll make our way to that evening’s campsite. Each Gapper has a role on the trip, from menu planner to water guardian to tarp master. At night, we’ll cook dinner, make a fire, spend time reading aloud one of our core texts, and go to bed under the stars.
How We Eat
Food is an important part of daily life at Gap! In the first week, we spend time going over culinary basics to make sure everyone is set up for shared cooking responsibilities for the rest of the semester. Gappers rotate through daily animal chores and regular garden harvesting, bringing an abundance of produce back into the Gap House: fresh eggs, vegetables of all kinds, herbs, and home-raised meats. The Hill House is stocked with basics for Gappers to make simple, nourishing, and delicious meals. Food preservation projects like salsa, apple cider, and sauerkraut happen as the season dictates.
We are happy to accommodate for vegetarian, gluten-free, nut-free, or other dietary restrictions.
Where You Will Live
Gappers live in the Hill House, a funky historical farmhouse that’s a cross between a dormitory and a group house. There is a fully stocked kitchen, living room, and many bathrooms. Gappers stay in single, double, or triple rooms.
The Hill House is your home: a place to relax in the communal living room, share breakfast with friends at the beginning of a full day, have quiet time on the weekend, and have silly fun in the evenings. On Sundays, everyone pitches in for a house deep-clean. Gappers are stewards of their space and structured daily chores like taking out the trash, doing kitchen laundry, and sweeping help keep the Hill House clean and welcoming.
Weekends and Down Time
The rhythms of Gap make time for rest and play. Weekends include a trip into Keene to run errands, house cleaning, a community meeting, and check-ins with your staff mentor. On weekends and evenings without planned programming, here are some things that Gappers get up to…
Exploring the woods and trails
Tetherball tournaments
Borrowing books from the library
Phone calls to friends and family
Using a Glen Brook bike to get to the general store down the road
Baking projects
Movie nights with the projector
Want more details? Check out our Helpful Links for the Packing Lists, Health & Safety Info, and more.
