SUMMER DISCIPLESHIP PROGRAM
Join us for an enriching adventure of community, discovery, and deeper connection with Christ from July 11-22, 2024.
Here’s what to expect with Compass:
What is the Summer Discipleship Program?
Compass empowers students to find their passion and purpose in God’s greater story. And this summer, we’re inviting you, along with other Christian students ages 15-21 from around the country, to embark on a journey of community, mentoring, and service in our unique missions partnership in Iceland.
The Summer Discipleship Program will take you from the woods of New England to the classroom at Gordon College and to the front line of church partnerships in Reykjavik and throughout the country. You’ll join hands with staff at the Salvation Army who serve vulnerable populations and worship together in Iceland.
ADVENTURE
Join us for an exciting outdoor experience at the La Vida Outdoor Education Center in Gordon College. Spend a day tackling ropes courses with your team and exploring the beautiful New England woods. This outdoor time will help strengthen your connection with God and your fellow Compass students.
COMMUNITY
Everyone needs deep community and the space to ask pertinent questions. But it’s hard to find fellow young Christians whose faith encourages our own. You’ll dive into community and conversation around life’s biggest questions as well as your own calling. Compass provides the information and setting to equip students to lead and serve.
SERVICE
Against the beautiful backdrop of Icelandic culture and landscape, we apply what you’ve learned and become missional Christ-followers, working to meet local ministry needs through a partnership with the Salvation Army in Iceland. The Salvation Army’s priority is to meet all the physical needs of everyone who enters their ministry — both Icelanders and those from outside their borders. You get to join in this Gospel work happening in a vibrant and beautiful country.
MENTORSHIP
Throughout the transformative experience, you’ll experience mentorship in cultivating practical leadership skills that will empower you to grow deeper in Christ and your calling. By engaging in hands-on activities and reflection exercises, you will develop a heightened self-awareness and gain invaluable insights into your own journey with Christ.
SCHEDULE & COST
Travel dates are set but schedule of events while in-country is tentative and exact events are subject to change.
The program begins and ends at Gordon College, just north of Boston. Students from across the country will spend three days connecting, planning, and preparing for their time of service, prior to departing for Iceland.
Every day on the program will begin with personal quiet time. Each evening will conclude with small group debriefing, known on Compass as ‘table talk’ as well as journal content and programming provided by Compass.
THURSDAY, JULY 11
Arrival by lunch. Team building and orientation.
Spend the night in cabins in Gordon woods.
FRIDAY, JULY 12
High ropes course in the morning.
Theology classes in the afternoon.
SATURDAY, JULY 13
Ministry preparation and missions training.
Flight to Iceland leaves in the evening.
SUNDAY, JULY 14
Church in Reykjavik and orientation with Salvation Army.
Settle in, walking tour of Reykjavik. Ministry preparation.
MONDAY, JULY 15
Ministry (All Day)
TUESDAY, JULY 16
Ministry (All Day)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
Ministry (All Day)
Youth Outreach Event (Evening)
THURSDAY, JULY 18
Ministry (All Day)
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Ministry (All Day)
SATURDAY, JULY 20
Expedition Day (!!)
SUNDAY, JULY 21
Church with Salvation Army
Depart for airport after lunch.
After arrival in Boston, students will spend a final night on campus.
MONDAY, JULY 22
Debrief and closing ceremony. Program ends at lunch.
Now accepting applications for summer 2024.
FAQ
Who can participate?
This program is for any individual between the ages of 15-21 who wants to grow deeper in their faith, enter into intentional community, and have the opportunity to travel and serve in a unique context.
What are the dates?
The 2024 Summer Discipleship Program begins the morning of July 11 and ends July 22 after lunch.
What do we do in Iceland?
Great question! Learn more about our missiology and the work we do in Iceland here.
What is the Compass cell phone policy?
One of the Compass core values that defines the Summer Discipleship Program is presence. We want each participant to be fully present and living in the moment as we serve together, worship together, and reflect together on what it means to have purpose together in a greater faith community. One of the ways that we practice being fully present in this program is by asking students to voluntarily surrender their phones for most (though not all) of the program. Our current policy is to collect phones on arrival, return them for travel days before we leave for the airport, and collect them again when we arrive at our destination. We also return phones to participants on our expedition day (the final Saturday of the program) so they can take their own pictures. We collect phones again at the end of the day. Accommodations to this policy can be made upon request, but we highly suggest against this unless it’s absolutely necessary for medical or legal purposes. This can seem like a daunting request, but we’ve heard in the past that it can be one of the most impactful parts of the experience, and we want to give the blessing of presence to you too. Please know that Compass staff will be accessible throughout the entire Compass program and that daily posts will be made on our Instagram. Please let us know in the interview if you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy.
How much does it cost?
Students fundraise for their Compass experience. The fundraising goal for the 2024 Summer Discipleship Program is $2,375. You can get more financial aid based on your needs, but it's given out on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure you complete your application before applying for financial aid.
This covers the cost of the entire program from a student’s arrival in Boston including airport shuttle, housing, food, adventure expenses, airfare to Iceland, and much more!
When are applications due?
Starting November 15th, we accept applications on a rolling basis until the end of May.
When will I know if I have been selected?
We review all of the applications that are submitted and email admissions decisions on a rolling basis. Once your application and interview are complete, we do our best to get back to you within two weeks. There are a limited number of spaces available on the trip, so we encourage early applications.
What if I can’t afford it?
Compass allows all students to fundraise to cover their trip. Compass provides guidance and fundraising tools, including individualized online fundraising pages. In addition, Compass has additional need-based financial aid available. Please email info@compasspath.org for more information.
How do I apply?
Applications open on November 15th. If you’d like to begin working on your application now, then you can reflect and draft responses to the following questions:
Briefly describe your conversion experience/how your Christian life began.
Tell us about yourself. What are your interests? In what activities are you involved: a) at church; b) at school; c) in the community?
Give at least two examples of successes in your life. Why do you define them as successes?
In the last year, what life questions and/or faith issues have you wrestled with and to what, if any, conclusions have you arrived?
Why would you like to participate in Compass?
