Change Lives through NextGen Academy
Are you a recent or soon-to-be high school grad looking for a chance to grow? Do you find yourself wishing for a clear life purpose? Then NextGen Academy (NGA) might be the program for you. NGA, a non-profit founded in 2005 by Jeff Adshead and led today by Eric and Colette Bobrycki, packs a lifetime of adventure into a program that lasts only 10 short months. Participants learn leadership skills as they volunteer both locally and internationally, designing their own service projects and leading informational programs in California high schools. Through a unique combination of personal challenges, NGA develops passionate, altruistic leaders who are inspired and empowered to be positive agents of change.
Feeling jealous that you’re not young enough to participate? During one weekend in spring, families get the chance to experience what their loved ones have been doing. “I grew up in a family where you don’t talk about the things that are important. … Coming here and being able to talk to [my son] Josh about things that are really hard to talk about, and to let him see my junk in the closets and let him feel free that he can share the stuff that’s difficult to share… you can’t put a price tag on that,” said one mother.
Another father agrees. “If I had not come [to the family workshop], I think I would have missed a very valuable opportunity to connect more deeply with my son and my daughter in an environment where we can be authentic and completely open with each other.”
In addition to its year-long program, NGA offers both week-long and month-long sessions. From June 21st to the 25th, young people are welcome to attend IGNITE, a camp designed to mirror real-life situations, problems and obstacles and to help youth discover their purpose and passions. If you are looking for something a bit longer, consider staying on through July 15th for the rest of the Summer Challenge program. While there, you will face your fears, test your internal strength, and uncover new layers of your true self. Along the way, you will experience a wide variety of activities, both challenging and fun, geared toward growing character, building confidence, and becoming who you were born to be. NGA’s year-long program begins in September. The full-year program offers intense training, unbeatable support and an all-in-all unforgettable experience. Young people will dig deep within themselves to find new sources of strength and internal fortitude, develop stronger bonds of communication and connection, and gain the practical and technical skills of project development and delivery.
To learn more or to apply, check out the website at http://www.nextgenacademy.org/