JOURNEY
A Christian Vocational Program for Young Adults
Equipped for Life. Empowered to Serve.
The transition to adult life and meaningful work is one of the most significant seasons in a young person's life. The Journey Program at Forest Springs is designed to help young adults take that next step with purpose and to be well prepared.
Journey is a nine-month vocational discipleship program that integrates biblical instruction, spiritual formation, hands-on learning, servant-hearted work, and practical life skills. While many discipleship programs focus on discovering what's next, Journey focuses on preparing students to faithfully live, work, and lead as they step into what's next.
Participants grow in Christ-centered character while developing the habits, work ethic, and occupational readiness needed for life beyond camp.
Ready to take the next step?
Join a community of young adults committed to growing in faith, developing practical skills, and preparing for a life of meaningful service and work.
Applications Open January 2027
YOUR JOURNEY BEGINS HERE
Grow Spiritually
Students develop a strong biblical worldview through intentional discipleship, spiritual disciplines, mentoring relationships, and active involvement in a local church. Journey is designed to help young adults build a lasting faith that shapes every area of life.
Gain Real-World Experience
Through project-based learning and meaningful responsibilities, students gain valuable experience in workplace skills, teamwork, communication, stewardship, leadership, and problem-solving. Participants are exposed to a variety of vocational fields, including trades, technology, ministry, and organizational leadership.
Learn Life Skills for Adulthood
Journey equips students with practical tools for independent living, career readiness, financial stewardship, time management, and personal responsibility. The program emphasizes developing a resilient work ethic and the confidence needed to thrive in future careers, ministry opportunities, and everyday life.
Experience Authentic Christian Community
With a cohort of up to eight students, Journey offers a highly relational environment where participants are known, challenged, and encouraged. Students learn alongside peers while receiving personalized mentoring, regular debriefing, and opportunities to serve others through the ministry of Forest Springs.
Launch with Purpose
By the end of the program, students are spiritually grounded, practically prepared, and equipped to follow Christ with humility, skill, and purpose. Whether pursuing college, ministry, missions, the workforce, or vocational training, Journey helps young adults discern God’s calling and take their next steps with confidence.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Vocational discipleship is learning to follow Christ faithfully in every area of life—work, relationships, service, leadership, and everyday responsibilities.
Journey is an intentional season of discipleship, work, and preparation for young adults who are ready to grow spiritually, personally, and professionally.
We believe Forest Springs provides a unique environment where young adults can be challenged, encouraged, and equipped for the future through meaningful work, Christian community, mentoring relationships, and biblical teaching.
By the end of the program, students will:
- Developed a biblical worldview and Christ-centered work ethic.
- Grown in spiritual disciplines, servant leadership, and personal responsibility.
- Gained practical experience through project-based learning and hands-on training.
- Built foundations for career readiness and independent adult living.
- Learned to serve well, lead humbly, and work faithfully as part of a team.
- Practiced communication, problem-solving, stewardship, and follow-through.
- Clarified next steps toward future employment, ministry, and Kingdom impact.
Journey is designed for young adults, typically ages 19–21, who have already completed a gap year, a one-year Bible program, or a similar formative experience and are ready for the next step in focused growth.
Applicants should be committed followers of Christ who demonstrate spiritual maturity, teachability, personal responsibility, and a desire to grow toward independent adult living and meaningful work.
For many students, Journey serves as a natural next step after a gap-year experience. While programs like Trailhead at Forest Springs help students build a foundation for Christian adulthood through discipleship, community, and life skills, Journey is designed for those ready to move beyond that foundation to develop workplace readiness, vocational skills, leadership, and a resilient biblical work ethic through real-world projects and responsibilities.
Journey may be a good fit for students who:
- Want continued discipleship and intentional spiritual formation
- Are ready to grow in maturity, work ethic, and life skills
- Desire hands-on learning in trades, ministry, and occupational settings
- Want to live and serve in a Christ-centered community
- Are willing to work hard, receive feedback, and grow through challenges
- Are preparing for their first career steps or discerning a future vocational pathway
Journey is more than a training program—it is a season of intentional growth and vocational discipleship.
Students spend their year learning how to follow Christ not only in a classroom or Bible study, but also on a job site, in a workshop, on a project team, in community life, and through daily responsibilities.
Throughout the program, students are challenged to:
- Develop a resilient biblical work ethic.
- Learn how to learn and solve problems.
- Grow in servant leadership and teamwork.
- Practice stewardship and responsibility.
- Build habits that support lifelong growth.
- Discover how their gifts, skills, and calling can be used for God's Kingdom.
Students learn through meaningful work and real-world projects.
Working alongside Forest Springs staff and ministry leaders, participants gain experience in planning, collaborating, problem-solving, and completing projects from start to finish. As the program progresses, students move from guided instruction toward increasing levels of responsibility and independence.
Projects help students understand:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Leadership and followership
- Strategic problem solving
- Observation and attention to detail
- Project planning and execution
- Communication and professionalism
- Stewardship of time, resources, and finances
Career and Vocational Development
Journey helps students explore future pathways while developing practical workplace skills.
Students gain exposure to a variety of occupational fields and ministry environments while developing habits and competencies that employers highly value.
Areas of exposure may include:
- Construction and maintenance
- Grounds and facilities
- Automotive
- Electrical
- Photography and videography
- Information technology
- Administrative systems
- First aid and emergency services
- Ministry operations
Participants also receive guidance in identifying strengths, interests, gifting, and future opportunities.
At the heart of Journey is continued discipleship.
Students engage in Bible study, mentoring relationships, spiritual disciplines, local church involvement, and intentional conversations to deepen their walk with Christ.
Topics include:
- Biblical worldview
- Spiritual disciplines
- Workplace evangelism
- Servant leadership
- Biblical manhood and womanhood
- Marriage and family
- Suffering and perseverance
- World missions
- Stewardship and calling
Journey is designed to prepare students for life beyond camp.
Participants learn practical skills that support healthy, responsible adulthood, including:
- Personal finances and budgeting
- Time management
- Apartment and roommate living
- Domestic responsibility
- Communication and conflict resolution
- Personal organization
- Work-life balance and Sabbath
- Healthy habits and routines
The goal is to help students develop confidence and competence as they transition into greater independence.
Journey students live, learn, work, and serve together within the Forest Springs community.
Life is intentionally designed to foster growth through shared experiences, meaningful work, Christian friendships, mentorship, and service.
Students participate in:
- Christian community
- Local church involvement
- Camp ministry
- Team projects
- Group learning experiences
- Recreation and community-building activities
- Service opportunities throughout the year
Growth happens not only in classes and projects but also through everyday life together.
DETAILS ABOUT PROGRAM'S LOGISTICS
Journey launches in late August and continues for nine months, ending in early May.
Students live in Forest Springs housing and participate fully in community life.
The projected program fee for 2027–2028 is $7,000, with opportunities to reduce the cost to approximately $5,000 through service responsibilities within Forest Springs operations. These fees cover the cost of housing and meals when camp is open. They also cover important safety, certification, and equipment costs associated with the program.
Application Process
Journey is a selective program designed for students who are ready to embrace challenge, responsibility, and growth.
Applicants should demonstrate:
- A growing and vibrant relationship with Christ.
- Strong recommendations from ministry leaders, employers, or mentors.
- Personal responsibility and maturity.
- Independent living skills.
- A teachable spirit and a servant's heart.
- A desire to grow spiritually, personally, and professionally.
Because cohort size is limited, each application is prayerfully considered to ensure the program is a strong fit for both the student and the Journey community.
Take the Next Step
The result is a generation of young men and women formed with Christ-centered character, resilience, a strong biblical work ethic, and a clear sense of Kingdom purpose—ready to serve wherever God leads.
Whether graduates move into the workforce, vocational training, ministry, college, or other opportunities, they leave Journey equipped to live faithfully, work diligently, and lead with humility for the glory of God.
If you're ready to deepen your faith, develop practical skills, discover your vocational pathway, and prepare for the next season of life, Journey may be the next step God has for you.
Applications for the Journey Program are now open.
Apply Today →
Questions about Journey? We'd love to connect with you and help determine if this program is the right fit for your next season.
Journey is an eight-month Christian discipleship and vocational training program designed for young adults who want to deepen their faith, gain practical life skills, and prepare for their next season of life. Hosted at Forest Springs Camp & Conference Center, Journey provides a unique blend of spiritual formation, hands-on work experience, leadership development, and Christian community. Ideal for post-gap-year students, Bible school graduates, or young adults ages 19–23 who are ready for greater independence, Journey helps participants bridge the gap between adolescence and adulthood with purpose and direction.
Why Choose Journey?
Unlike many Christian gap year programs, Journey combines vocational discipleship, meaningful work experience, life-skill development, leadership training, and spiritual growth in one integrated experience. Every aspect of the program is shaped by Forest Springs’ mission of seeing lives transformed by the power of Jesus Christ, helping young adults discover how faith and vocation work together in everyday life.
