Junior Venture Program

The Felix Ventures Foundation Junior Ventures Program introduces elementary and middle school students to outdoor adventure, leadership, teamwork, community service, and new educational experiences.

Junior Venturers participate in age-appropriate activities designed to build confidence, independence, responsibility, and leadership skills while preparing them for greater opportunities within Felix Ventures Foundation as they get older.

Throughout the year, students may participate in school meetings, outdoor skills activities, hiking, camping experiences, community service projects, educational workshops, cultural outings, and special FVF events

Who?

Junior Ventures is offered through participating FVF partner schools:

California Elementary
Grandview College Preparatory Academy
Los Altos Elementary

Students must complete the required enrollment forms to participate. Space may be limited, and participation in certain trips or activities may require additional permission forms and an adult chaperone.

How?

Attend a Parent Orientation Meeting to learn about the program, activities, expectations, and upcoming opportunities.
Complete the Junior Ventures Enrollment Packet.
Join FVF Remind to receive program announcements, meeting reminders, trip information, and registration deadlines.
Jr. Ventures attend the scheduled meetings and activities.
Attend meetings and turn in permission slips for trips and special events as they become available.

Families may join the program anytime during the school year when while space is available.

Why?

Junior Ventures is the beginning of a student’s journey with FVF. Students start by exploring new experiences, building skills, and developing confidence before progressing to more challenging outdoor, service, cultural, and leadership opportunities.

Eligible students may continue with FVF through middle school as Golden Ticket recipients, even if they no longer attend one of our partner schools. Junior Ventures participants also receive priority registration for the High School Ventures Program, regardless of the high school or school district they attend.

Our goal is simple: give students a pathway to grow with FVF from elementary school through high school and beyond.

The Golden Ticket Program

The Golden Ticket is a special, invitation-only opportunity for selected Junior Ventures students in 5th grade and above who are ready for a greater challenge and increased involvement with Felix Ventures Foundation.

Golden Ticket recipients receive an All-Access Pass to the FVF High School Ventures Program, giving younger students the opportunity to participate in eligible High School Ventures trips, activities, and special events before they enter high school.

How Does It Work?

Once invited into the Golden Ticket Program, students and their families can choose which trips and events they would like to attend based on availability, their interests, and trip or event preference. Students are not required to participate in every activity.

Golden Ticket participants must follow all FVF requirements for each individual trip or activity. Because they are still Junior Ventures students, an approved adult chaperone must accompany the student when attending High School Ventures trips and events.

How Do Students Earn a Golden Ticket?

Golden Tickets are by invitation only and are available to Junior Ventures students beginning in 5th grade.

The goal isn't simply to earn a ticket. The Golden Ticket gives Junior Venturers something to work toward by demonstrating:

Consistent participation
Responsibility
Leadership
Positive behavior
Commitment to the program

The Golden Ticket recognizes students who are ready to take on new experiences and gives them the opportunity to explore the next level of FVF, challenge themselves, and begin building a stronger connection to the High School Ventures Program.

Junior Ventures Partnership Phases

The Junior Ventures Program is built as a partnership between Felix Ventures Foundation (FVF) and participating schools. Schools begin in Phase 1 and may advance to Phase 3 as the partnership grows and participation and engagement expectations are consistently met.

Phase 1 — Building the Partnership

Phase 1 establishes the Junior Ventures Program on campus. FVF works with the school to recruit students, hold monthly meetings, communicate with families, promote upcoming trips and activities, and build consistent student participation.

Schools work alongside FVF by providing a school liaison, helping promote the program, supporting family communication, and encouraging participation in FVF meetings and activities. A stipend of $500

Phase 2 — Expanding Our Impact

Schools that consistently meet Junior Ventures partnership expectations may qualify for Phase 2.

Phase 2 expands the partnership beyond regular Junior Ventures programming and allows FVF to provide additional support based on the individual needs of the school community.

Support may include:

Student Support Initiatives
Teacher & Administrator Support
Community & Family Engagement Programs
Up to $2,500 in FVF-sponsored program costs for qualifying schools

Phase 2 support is customized in collaboration with each school so that resources can be directed where they will have the greatest impact.

Phase 3 — TBD

Los Altos Elementary

Phase 2

Grandview College Preparatory Academy

Phase 1

California Elementary

Phase 1