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 Can Join?

Junior Ventures is offered through participating FVF partner schools: California Elementary, Grandview College Preparatory Academy, Los Altos Elementary. Students must complete the required FVF registration and enrollment forms before participating.

Space may be limited, and participation in certain trips or activities may require additional permission forms, attendance at meetings, or an adult chaperone.

How to Join

1. Attend a Parent Orientation Meeting to learn about the program, activities, expectations, and upcoming opportunities.

2. Complete the Junior Ventures Enrollment Packet and required registration forms.

3. Join FVF Remind to receive program announcements, meeting reminders, trip information, and registration deadlines.

4. Attend your school's Junior Ventures meetings and activities.

5. Register for trips and special events as they become available.

 

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

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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.

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From Junior Venturer to High School Leader

Junior Ventures is the beginning of a longer FVF journey. Students can start by learning and exploring, progress into more challenging experiences, earn Golden Ticket opportunities, and eventually transition into the High School Ventures Program, where students take on greater leadership roles and participate in more advanced outdoor, service, cultural, and college-readiness experiences.

Students who begin Junior Ventures at one of our elementary partner schools can continue with FVF as Golden Ticket recipients in middle school, even if they do not attend Grandview. This allows students to remain connected to FVF and continue participating in program opportunities as they grow.

Additionally, all students who participate in Junior Ventures during elementary or middle school receive priority registration for the FVF High School Ventures Program, regardless of which high school or school district they later attend.

Our goal is to create a pathway that allows students to grow with FVF—from their first Junior Ventures experience through high school leadership and beyond.

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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 2 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.

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.

2026–2027 Partnership Phases

Los Altos Elementary — Phase 2

Los Altos Elementary is currently a Phase 2 Junior Ventures partner for the 2026–2027 school year.

California Elementary — Phase 1

Grandview — Phase 1

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