Gap Year at Lodestar

“One Year. A Lifetime of Growth.”

Year One

Young adults: Are you ready to join us for a year that changes everything?

Who We Are

LODESTAR GAP YEAR is a 9-month Christian Gap Year program set in the stunning, rugged beauty of Smoke Hole Canyon, West Virginia.

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Our Mission

"To equip young adults for a lifetime of growth in character, calling, and community, so they may know Christ and make Him known."

Now is the time for:

1. Building Christlike Character

2. Engaging in Real Community

3. Understanding True Calling

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Programs

During your Gap Year at Lodestar, you will participate in:

Classroom

Grow in Christlike character, engage in authentic community, and walk boldly in your God-given calling.

OUR MISSION: SLOW DOWN AND DIG DEEP

Topic Related Travel

We believe experiences enhance learning. Prepare for outdoor adventure and course related stateside and international travel.

OUR MISSION:Experiencial LEARNING that STICKS for a lifetime

Service

“As each has recieved a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:” 1 Peter 4:10

OUR MISSION: Preparing servant leaders

“The Lodestar Mountain Inn has had a large impact on me over the past two years. I started as a gap year student and stayed on as the Food Services Supervisor because of my love for the mission, location, and the family LMI has given me. I wake up each day excited to glorify Christ, witness to others, and deepen relationships with those around me. I thank God often for bringing me here and using LMI to shape me into the young women I am becoming.”

– Maggie Bauer, LMI Food Services Supervisor

“When I first began OneLife at Lodestar, I was hesitant, fearful, and walking through one of the darkest seasons of my life. Through Scott’s leadership, his sincerity, and the genuine care of his family, I found the courage to stay.

Scott Boyer’s unwavering faith and integrity are things I will always honor. I didn’t agree with every decision he made, nor did I always understand them, but I respected how he led with humility, strength, and a willingness to listen. I have never had a leader apologize for a decision they made; Scott did. He consistently sought to balance group needs with the importance of rest, challenge, and personal agency. The Boyers poured their hearts not just into the OneLife program, but into the community— extending their love and investment far beyond the students.

Some of my most meaningful, joyful, and vulnerable moments didn’t happen inside a scheduled OneLife activity, but within the community the Boyers cultivated by opening their home, their hearts, and their family to us. Those are the memories and relationships I carry with me still.” – Savyna Renfrow 2023-2024

“When I first met Scott at orientation in July, I was immediately struck by his pastoral heart. At the time, he didn’t know much more about the program than I did, but I knew that if we were going to be led by a man who had already displayed so much joy, wisdom, intentionality, and care, we would be just fine. Scott led us exceptionally well his first year as site director. He planned our weeks very intentionally, graciously listened to our feedback, and consistently pointed us to Jesus. He was also my triad leader and became a dear mentor to me personally, especially when my triad partner left the program. He was an exemplary role model, and it was clear that he personally put into practice the things he said and taught. He also has a great sense of humor and demonstrates honesty so well. I found myself seeking to imitate him even as he was seeking to imitate Jesus. He helped me to see that living the Christian life was actually possible.” – Andrew Young, 2022-2023

“Scott Boyer is a grace filled and humble leader. Time and time again he showed me and my class mates what it truly looks like to bestow christ like love to others in an abundance of circumstances. He showed specifically me much grace in the accommodations he made for me while I was grieving the loss of my mother one month prior to starting at OneLife. He made compromises that worked for me in ways that didn’t affect my studies or show perceived favor to the rest of my classmates. For this I will be forever grateful.” – Emma Cliff 2023-2024

“Scott and Lindsey were always Biblically based. I came from a church that regularly took Scripture out of context, or bent it to match their opinions. My understanding of God was very skewed in some ways.

However, during my 9 months at OneLife gap year at Lodestar, I began to learn the importance of accurately handling the Word of God and applying it to my life. In many ways, my relationship with God was healed. This is largely due to the Boyers ability to help me understand the true gospel. They encouraged me to search the Scripture for myself to understand God’s character. However, they were always willing to give guidance and direction along the journey. Scott’s view of the Bible was so refreshing to me. He has a gift for teaching Scripture and making it understandable.

Time and again, I watched Scott and Lindsey stand up for truth and fight for what was right. They were never willing to go along with a false gospel, no matter how accepted or popular it was. The world needs more people like that influencing young people. I learned to stand for the truth of what was found in Scripture with conviction and fire because of their example.” – Jordan Cummings, 2022-2023

“Spending a year on the mountain had an exponential impact on my walk with the Lord. Scott and Lindsey Boyer prepared us students so well to launch out of the program and continue pursing the path the Lord has for us while also being an active example during the program of living holy, disciplined lives by continually pointing us back to Christ. Getting to see the love and gratitude for the gap year students and leaders in the community and local church was also such a gift to be a part of. I feel incredibly blessed for getting to learn and grow while attending a gap year at Lodestar.” – Arianna O’Conner, 2024-2025