From One Bold Trip to a World of Possibility
For 40 years, we've been helping ambitious students transform their biggest dreams into reality through immersive pre-college career exploration and leadership development programs that go far beyond the classroom.
Transforming Students Through Real-World Experience Since 1985
Picture this: It's 1985, and a Connecticut teacher has a wild idea. Instead of teaching about democracy from a textbook, why not take her students to see it in action? So she partnered with a congressional staffer and did something extraordinary—she brought her high schoolers to Washington, D.C. for President Reagan's inauguration.
What happened next changed everything. These students didn't just observe history—they lived it. They met Congress members, explored monuments, and experienced democracy firsthand. But here's what really blew everyone away: the kids discovered they were capable of so much more than they ever imagined.
That "aha moment" sparked a revolution in experiential learning.
40 Years Later, We're Still Changing Lives
Fast forward 40 years, and that teacher's bold experiment has grown into something incredible. We now offer over 30 immersive summer programs spanning career exploration, leadership development, and cutting-edge technology across the United States and beyond. In 2018, we joined the WorldStrides family—the nation's largest educational travel provider, reaching over 550,000 students annually through 50,000+ educators.
But here's what hasn't changed: our commitment to helping ambitious students from elementary through college transform their biggest dreams into reality.
Our Mission Today
We've grown tremendously since that first Washington D.C. trip, but our core mission remains the same: giving high-aspiring students from elementary through college the unique opportunity to turn their career and life aspirations into reality through the power of experiential learning.
Our programs are developed by educators and subject-matter professionals using innovative tools and techniques. Every activity mirrors real-world challenges and facilitates critical thinking and communication. Our advisors are trained teachers and industry experts who are so passionate about making an impact, they return year after year.
Today, over 800,000 exceptional students have benefited from the transformational experiences our programs provide—innovative, safe, fun, and empowering opportunities that help students discover their passion, explore careers, make a difference, and realize their dreams.
Whether you're a nominated student, a student ready to apply, a parent exploring options, or a teacher considering nominating a deserving student, we encourage you to explore our programs and discover how we help students envision—and achieve—their future.
Ready to give your student an unforgettable summer that could change their entire future? Let's make it happen.
