ClayStone: The Gap Year with Everything!

CLAYSTONE: THE GAP YEAR WITH EVERYTHING!

After a soft launch last year, ClayStone is ready to really take off in September 2018! Crandall’s ClayStone Certificate is eight months like no other! During their time in the program, students will take a full year’s work of courses and be challenged by cross-cultural and mission experiences in the Dominican Republic, Tobique First Nations, and Montreal. Throughout the year, they will spend extensive time in the outdoors, obtaining certification in canoeing, wilderness first aid, and sea kayaking. They will spend time climbing both rock and ice, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping, and hiking. Adventure trips will include canoeing the St. Croix, hiking the Fundy Footpath, skiing hut-to-hut in Maine, climbing Mt. Katahdin, and sea kayaking in the Bay of Fundy.

Equally important to the ‘what’ of ClayStone is the ‘who.’ ClayStone is about transformation of the heart, mind, and body. The experience is designed as a discipleship journey. Students will grow in small groups with their peers, will be mentored by staff, and will live in community as they are challenged to grow in their faith. The combination of mission, learning, and outdoor adventure blends together into a discipleship experience that is second to none!

ClayStone is led by Dale & Twila Stairs (ClayStone Directors), Jon MacDonald and Rich Woollin (Camp Shiktehawk Directors and Outdoor Adventure Specialists), and Aaron Reimer and Rachael Burtt (2018-19 Interns). Together these six will journey with ClayStone students, guiding them through each step of the experience.

Most of ClayStone is based at Camp Shiktehawk, just outside Florenceville- Bristol, NB. There, expeditions are prepared for, courses are taken, and much community happens! For the coldest six weeks of the year, students travel to a mission location in the Dominican Republic, where they will continue to grow together in heart, mind, and body.

After completing the ClayStone certificate program, students can continue on to the second year of a BA or BBA at Crandall, or transfer credits to another university.