THE CAMP PJ TEEN PATHWAY (Ages 13–20)

A 7-year phased journey from early adolescence to early adulthood.

OVERVIEW: The 3 Pillars of the Teen Pathway

A safe, structured transition into adulthood.

Every part of the pathway is built on three elements:

1. Identity Formation (Who am I?)

Emotional intelligence, values, confidence, purpose.

2. Capability Development (What can I do?)

Skills, micro-experiences, leadership, tasks, routines.

3. Future Direction (Where am I going?)

Career exposure, safe “try it” sessions, mentors, real opportunities.

Group of six diverse young people standing in a forested area near a creek, looking up and smiling.

PHASE 1: Ages 13–14

Awakening & Belonging
Children discover their identity, voice, and emotional landscape.

Goals

  • Develop self-awareness

  • Build emotional literacy

  • Create stability and belonging

  • Introduce leadership microscopic roles

  • Help them feel seen and valued

Core Components

  1. Emotional Intelligence 101

  2. Identity Circles

  3. Mini Leadership Roles

  4. Creativity & Expression

Outcome

Children stop seeing themselves as “lost kids” and start seeing themselves as developing individuals with inner worth.

PHASE 2: Ages 15–16

Competence & Capability
 This is where kids who never trusted themselves begin to feel capable.

Goals

  • Build real-world confidence

  • Teach responsibility through small tasks

  • Help them discover strengths

  • Introduce structured challenges

  • Begin vocational exposure

Core Components

Responsibility Tracks
 Teens choose a track to explore for 3–6 months:

  • Animal care

  • Kitchen & nutrition

  • Garden/agriculture

  • Creative arts

  • Youth leadership

  • Maintenance

  • Tech/media

  • Outdoor/survival skills

    Purpose Micro-Experiences
     Small, contained identity-changing experiences such as:

  • Leading a group warm-up

  • Managing a project for a week

  • Caring for a small area of the camp

  • Organizing a mini-event

  • Helping younger kids

  • Presenting a short reflection

    Career “Taste Tests”
     Try small roles for a few hours:

  • shadowing local businesses

  • meeting community leaders

  • creative studio visits

  • hands-on skill days (basic carpentry, gardening, caregiving, art)

    Emotion + Capability Workshops

    Emotional regulation:

  • “How to stay calm while trying new things”

  • “How to handle frustration”

  • “How to ask for help”

Outcome

Children finally experience the feeling I never had until my late twenties. This is the guidance PJ was growing into, but never got to experience fully. Their inner guidance becomes:

“I can do things.
I have strengths.
I’m not broken.”

PHASE 3: Ages 17–18

Direction & Mentorship
A phase that replaces Job Corps and adds emotional intelligence.

Goals

  • Choose pathways

  • Gain real mentoring

  • Build a future orientation

  • Strengthen emotional regulation under stress

  • Make long-term decisions safely

Core Components

Camp PJ Mentorship Match
 Each teen is paired with an adult mentor in:

  • business

  • trades

  • creative industries

  • tech

  • nonprofit work

  • leadership

  • community roles

    Identity & Purpose Sessions
     Guided sessions around:

  • personal values

  • strength inventory

  • interest discovery

  • future identity exploration

  • meaning-based goal-setting

  • personal philosophy building

    Structured Opportunities
     Teens complete:

  • community service projects

  • group missions

  • leadership challenges

  • job preparation micro-courses

  • emotional communication training

    Career Pathway Testing
     Teens try:

  • a workshop at a local trade school

  • a job-shadowing day

  • a creative studio day

  • a nonprofit service shift

  • simple internships

Outcome

Teens gain directional clarity.
They stop drifting.
They begin to form a self-led identity.

PHASE 4: Ages 19–20

Transition & Launch
 This is where youth transition into adulthood with real stability.

Goals

  • Provide a soft landing into adult life

  • Offer structure + support

  • Create a launchpad for employment

  • Build community accountability

  • Continue emotional development

  • Replace the collapse many youth experience at 18

Core Components

1. Camp PJ Fellows Program (1 year)

2. Job Pathways Network

3. Emotional Support Circle

4. Legacy Scholarship Fund

Outcome

Youth enter adulthood with:

  • purpose

  • direction

  • skill

  • emotional support

  • a sense of belonging

  • mentorship

  • community

  • stability

  • a safe “base” to return to

They become the adults my brother and I never had help becoming.