The
Ignite
Youth
Joy
Summer
Collective
Joy
Youth
Collective
Summer
Collective
Summer
A fully funded, two-week campus immersion for rising young leaders.
Some teens just need the right room. A place that says, “You belong here. Dream bigger.” The Ignite Joy Youth Summer Collective was created exactly for that — a joyful, rigorous summer experience where high-potential youth get access, exposure, and leadership training without the financial barrier.
This is a full-paid program. Tuition, housing, meals, and program activities are covered so students and families can focus on growth, not cost.
What It Is
The Summer Collective is a two-week, residential leadership experience hosted on a college campus. Students live in dorms, eat in the dining hall, learn in real campus classrooms, and move through the day like college students — because we believe young people should see themselves in the spaces they will one day lead.
Only 15 students are selected each summer through a competitive application process to keep the cohort intimate, high-touch, and deeply supportive.
What Happens Each Day
Every day is designed around three beats: lead, restore, explore.
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1. Lead — Formula for Joy™ Intensives
Morning sessions focus on leadership skills: communication, self-advocacy, collaboration, identity and values, problem-solving, and joy as a daily practice. Students learn how to lead themselves and others.
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2. Restore — Wellness & Regulation
We teach students how to care for their nervous systems: movement, mindful breaks, creativity labs, journaling, and peer support. Leadership without restoration leads to burnout — so we teach both.
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3. Explore — Real-World Learning
Afternoons and select evenings are for discovery: cultural outings, community experiences, campus engagement, and local city adventures that build confidence and world awareness.
Throughout the program, students work in Joy Pods — small teams of three students guided by an Ignite Joy Ambassador — so every young person is seen, supported, and celebrated.
What It Is
Capstone & College Exposure
By the end of the two weeks, every student will:
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Complete a Joy-Centered Capstone Project that ties leadership to community
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Present their work at a closing showcase
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Meet with college admissions representatives or campus staff to learn how to chart their academic or career path
We don’t just inspire them — we connect them.
Capstone & College Exposure
By the end of the two weeks, every student will:
-
Complete a Joy-Centered Capstone Project that ties leadership to community
-
Present their work at a closing showcase
-
Meet with college admissions representatives or campus staff to learn how to chart their academic or career path
We don’t just inspire them — we connect them.
Who It’s For
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Youth ages 14–18 with leadership spark (even if it shows up as “I talk too much in class”)
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Students who would thrive with exposure to college and career pathways
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Young people who want to make an impact in their schools, faith communities, or neighborhoods
Families and educators who want a safe, structured, high-expectation summer option