Future Leaders Program
Our flagship summer program, by application only.
Ages 14–18 · Summer
The Story Behind the Name
The name is a statement of intent, not a slogan: this program exists to put students in situations that actually require leadership, not simulate it. Future Leaders Program is where Impact OG's most selective, highest-intensity trips live — application-only, built for students ready to be pushed, structured so leadership is something they practice under real conditions: a service project that depends on them showing up, a team that needs someone to make the call, a culture they have to navigate as an outsider. Not something they hear a talk about.
What a Trip Actually Looks Like
Mornings: a structured leadership or skills workshop tied to the trip's pillar focus — Young Changemakers, Create, Explore, or Serve.
Midday and afternoon: the day's core activity — a hands-on service project, a cultural or historic site, or a destination-specific outdoor activity.
Evenings: group reflection and a shared meal, plus a lower-key social activity — where the day's experience actually gets processed, not just logged.
Trust & Safety
- Staff-to-student ratio of 1:7 for ages 12–13 and 1:10 for ages 14–18, on-site and for every leg of travel between activities.
- A dedicated Program Director from the Impact OG team is on the ground for the full duration of every trip, alongside destination-specific local staff.
- Parents get a same-day update — photos and a short recap — through a private group channel set up before departure, plus a direct line to the Program Director for anything urgent.
Parent Promise
- Your child is supervised by trained, present staff at a ratio that holds for every activity, on-site and in transit — not just headline numbers.
- You'll know what happened each day, the same day — no waiting until pickup to find out how the trip actually went.
- Every experience is built around a real skill or a real contribution, not just a photo-worthy moment.
What Happens Inside This Program
Every trip runs across four pillars — the same four, whichever program you're in.
Young Changemakers“Who can I become, and how can I use my strengths to make a difference?”+
We train students to lead — themselves and others — by being human with purpose. This pillar develops confident, responsible, self-aware young people prepared to take initiative and lead. Leadership isn't "being in charge" — it's taking responsibility, making good decisions, listening, communicating, working as a team, taking initiative, handling challenges, understanding yourself, supporting others, and creating positive change.
Key Experiences
Creativity
New solutions to real-world problems, campaign ideas, social enterprise concepts, presentations.
Activity
Outdoor challenges, team sports, adventure activities, expeditions, team-building exercises.
Service
Community projects, mentoring younger students, supporting local organizations, leading a small social-impact project.
Skills Developed
“Your child will become more confident, capable and independent — learning to take responsibility, lead others and believe in their ability to make a difference.”
Create“What can I create that makes life better for others?”+
Moves students from consuming ideas to creating them — creativity, curiosity, innovation, entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration. Creativity isn't just art — it's seeing a problem differently and imagining a better solution.
Key Experiences
Creativity
Design a product, create a social enterprise, produce a short documentary, develop an educational game, build a prototype, tell someone's story through photography or film.
Activity
Innovation challenges, team competitions, site visits, field research, prototype building, community-based design projects.
Service
Create educational games for children, produce learning materials, create a community awareness campaign, design a fundraising initiative, produce a documentary highlighting a community issue.
Signature Projects
Skills Developed
“Your child won't just consume experiences — they will create something meaningful, solve real problems and see their ideas become reality.”
Explore“How does understanding the world change who I become?”+
Takes students outside their familiar environment to build independence, resilience, cultural awareness, adaptability, curiosity, environmental responsibility, and global citizenship. Philosophy: travel should transform you, not just entertain you.
Key Experiences
Creativity
Photography, video, travel journals, storytelling, art, cultural documentation.
Activity
Hiking, kayaking, trekking, camping, orienteering, team expeditions, water activities, outdoor survival skills.
Service
Beach cleanups, tree planting, conservation, environmental restoration, community projects, supporting local schools — students work with communities rather than simply "help" communities.
Signature Projects
Skills Developed
“Your child will return more independent, resilient and globally aware — with experiences that challenge them and change the way they see the world.”
Serve“How can my gifts help others flourish?”+
Meaningful leadership isn't only personal achievement — it's empathy, responsibility, contribution, community, purpose. This pillar moves beyond traditional "volunteering," where students arrive, do a few tasks, take photos, and leave. Instead: Understand → Connect → Contribute → Reflect → Continue.
Key Experiences
Creativity
Design awareness campaigns, create educational materials, produce videos, develop community events, design fundraising campaigns.
Activity
Community build projects, renovation projects, sports activities with children, event organization, environmental projects.
Service
Renovating a community space, supporting schools, mentoring younger students, environmental conservation, supporting community organizations, working with underserved communities.
Signature Projects
Skills Developed
“Your child will discover that leadership is not measured only by what they achieve for themselves, but by the positive impact they create for others.”