The call to leave the ordinary world and venture into the unknown is an ancient one for people of all cultures. Kroka’s semester long programs are an answer to that call…
A Kroka semester is a uniquely transformative experience. We spend long periods of time on self-sufficient expeditions, discovering the world and ourselves in ways that we may not have experienced until now. We embrace risk, welcome discomfort, and experience the vulnerability that arises with challenge and interdependency. In doing so, we have the opportunity to shed the layers between ourselves and the world, and to wake up to what it is to be fully human.
We offer semester-long programs for 16-21 year olds. Each journey is based on extended wilderness travel, participation in a vibrant community life and a robust academic curriculum. Students may be eligible to receive either high school or college credit. Students can attend one or more semesters in a given academic year. Those interested in spending a full year at Kroka will be given priority in the admissions process.
Just the Facts
- Kroka Expeditions is an accredited semester program for high school, gap year, and college students ages 16-21
- We are committed to making our semesters accessible to all eligible students through our donor supported tuition model
- Programs are limited to 13 students, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Priority is given to early applications
- Students bring themselves to a Kroka Semester fully, honestly, and by their own free will
- Our programs are accredited by the Gap Year Association and the Association for Experiential Education
- Curriculum is accredited through Sterling College in Vermont and college credit is available
- Kroka’s Gap Year and Semester School is a recognized New Hampshire non-public school, and high school credit is available to all students
- Students can enroll in one or more semesters
- Our student body tends to be about 46% male and 54% female
- 100% of students come to Kroka because they dared to leave daily life behind and discover who they are and what they’re capable of!
The Gifts of Semester
- We EXPERIENCE THE BEAUTY of what the Norwegians call friluftsliv: free life in nature, moving with sureness and ease over the land.
- We BECOME SKILLED with our hands, making many of the things we need for daily life and for our expeditions.
- We LEARN TO LIVE in direct relationship with the resources that sustain us: warmth, clothing, shelter and nourishment.
- We SING TOGETHER as a means of celebrating, giving thanks, and building community.
- We CULTIVATE TRUST in ourselves and in others through appropriate risk and exploring the boundaries of our comfort and physical limits.
- We DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING of interconnection and community which challenges us to awaken to our best selves.
- We RECEIVE THE DEEPEST GIFTS of the wild places through rigorous, extended self-sufficient expeditions.
- We LIVE, WORK AND EAT with reverence for the Earth.
- We TRANSFORM into leaders alive with confidence, competence and the ability to enact change in the world and serve others.
- We GROW OUR GRATITUDE and generosity through living in community, authentic service and inviting relationship with those we meet along the way.
These experiences contribute to our ability to serve the common good and work towards a just and peaceful world. This learning is indelible and is carried forward into our lives.
“Kroka provides truly holistic outdoor experiences in which participants not only gain incredible confidence and skills, but more importantly, learn how to be in right relationship with each other and the earth.”
– Tom Wessels, author of Reading the Forested Landscape
