In the Life of a Vanguard
Work Rotations
Explore a day and week in the life of a Vanguard.
We purposefully structure our days and weeks to help Vanguards have experiences that help them discover their callings. At then end of the year, Vanguards are commissioned to live them out in their next steps.
These milestones mark significant conversations in what we call our vocational discernment process. Every part of the Vanguard Gap Year informs this. Read on to explore how this happens.
- The Sacredness of Work – We start by reframing commonly held beliefs about work and vocation.
- Understanding Self – What does it mean to be uniquely created by God and rooted in Christ? Vanguards examine their strengths, limits, personal values, weaknesses, challenges, and passions to gain a better picture of who they are.
- Understanding the World We Live In – We have to understand the challenges and struggles of the world we live in and how we can use our gifts, passions, and talents to build the kingdom of God here on earth.
- Practicing in the Present – Vocation isn’t just a future thing – it’s in the here and now. Vanguards explore how they can live out their vocational callings in the present.
- Making Choices – You can’t just think about the future! Discovering and living out your vocation means making decisions and choosing a path. It doesn’t have to be filled with anxiety…your decisions can be freeing!
Vanguard: Day in the Life
| Monday | Tuesday - Thursday | Friday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30 | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast |
| 8:00 | Community Devotionals | Community Devotionals | Community Devotionals |
| 8:15 | Cultural Immersion Prep | Work in Rotation | Seminar Prep Time |
| 12:00 | Midday Prayer | Midday Prayer | Midday Prayer |
| 12:15 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1:00 | Outdoor Activity | Work in Rotation | Seminar Begins |
| 3:30 | Reflection/Discussion Time | Seminar Activity | |
| 5:15 | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner |
| 6:00 | Family Night | Free Time | Seminar Activity |
- Is it exactly like this every week? No - this is just a very general look at what a week could look like. You'll always eat meals at these times, you'll always be working from Tuesday-Thursday, and Mondays and Fridays will always be more programmed days. Vanguards receive a monthly schedule so they know what's going on from day to day.
- How are meals served? Family style! You sit down at our 10-seat rectangular tables and pass bowls, platters, and pitchers of prepared food.
- What does free time mean? Great question. To us, free time means there's nothing scheduled. However - you might have assignments, chores, or other responsibilities (applying for colleges! addressing fundraising letters! talking with someone back home!) that need to be done. While we leave plenty of free time to get these things done, it's up to you to figure out when.
- What are Community Devotionals? Everyone at HoneyRock - professional staff, Fellows, Graduate Students, volunteers, Vanguards - gather for 15-20 minutes to begin the day. We read Scripture, name and reflect on what God is doing, and pray. Different members of the community lead each morning, so the content and presentation stay fresh and relevant. For many of us at HoneyRock, this is our favorite time of day!
- What is Work in Tracks? Read about Vanguards Tracks and the work experiences you'll gain as a Vanguard!
Vanguard: Weekend in the Life
We believe in rest and recreation on the weekends. While there might be some "required" programming, we try and leave it open. Oftentimes, Vanguards spend weekends doing outdoor activities, hanging out in town (Eagle River or Three Lakes), catching up on some reading for seminars, going to church, and finding their own fun around HoneyRock.
| Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 | Breakfast | Breakfast |
| 9:00 | Free Time | Church |
| 12:15 | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1:00 |
Town Run | Free Time |
| Optional Activity | ||
| 5:15 | Dinner | Dinner |
| Evening | Free Time | Vespers and Small Groups |
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Upcoming Vanguard Webinars
Join Charlie Goeke, Vanguard Gap Year Director, at an upcoming informational webinar.