The Many Ways PBC Uplifts Young People
Every year, we welcome students and groups to our Blairstown Campus with the goal of uplifting young voices. With every program, partnership, and reflection, the Princeton-Blairstown Center continues to create spaces where young people can learn, grow, and lead.
Whether through leadership development, outdoor adventures, or even cook-off challenges, students are consistently given opportunities to discover who they are, gain new experiences, and grow with confidence. Through our “In Their Own Words” social media video series, chaperones were able to provide first-person insight into the transformation that occurs when children get the chance to simply be kids.
The personal accounts from chaperones underscore the importance of centering youth experiences. When students are given opportunities to try new things and share their stories, we see firsthand the growth, resilience, and brilliance they possess.
In Their Own Words Video Series
While we could show or tell you about our programs and their impact (which we often do), the most powerful stories come directly from those who have experienced our programs firsthand.
That’s why our “In Their Own Words” video series has been such a meaningful way to showcase the impact of Summer Bridge. Through the voices of chaperones, we see just how transformative these moments are for students.
For many children, Summer Bridge is their first chance to spend real time in nature. As one chaperone shared, Summer Bridge is a time for kids to exhale, feel safe, and simply have fun. When young people feel secure, they wake up ready to learn, grow, and thrive. Another chaperone reflection reminded us that while Summer Bridge is a week of firsts, sleeping in a cabin, waking up to the sound of birds, and learning through nature, it also gives kids the opportunity to run, play, and be curious. All children deserve that time to be free, loud, and inquisitive, living childhood the way it’s meant to be.
As we’ve wrapped up the last week of Summer Bridge, these reflections remind us that PBC’s programs create moments that stay with young people long after the summer ends. Still, for some students, that journey doesn’t end with Summer Bridge. For older youth ready to take on new responsibilities, PBC offers the chance to step into leadership through the Leader-in-Training Program.
Leaders-in-Training: Building the Next Generation of Changemakers
Another opportunity that takes youth empowerment to the next level is our Leaders-in-Training (LIT) program. Designed for older students, the LIT Program provides hands-on experiences in leadership, mentorship, and community building. This summer, our Young Professionals Committee (YPC) partnered with the LITs for a special day at Blairstown focused on career readiness, college pathways, and personal growth. The result was more than a workshop: it was a moment of connection where young people could imagine their futures, while building supportive networks that will continue to grow throughout the year.
Just as importantly, our six weeks of Summer Bridge success would not have been possible without the energy and heart of our LITs. Day after day, these young leaders could be found cheering on students at the high ropes course, lending a hand during activities, and modeling what it means to lead with both confidence and compassion. Their presence was more than supportive, it was inspiring.
When we talk about building the next generation of changemakers, this is what we mean. The LITs are not just participants in our programs, they are co-creators of the joyful, brave, and transformative spaces that make the Center so unique. By uplifting others, they find their own voices as leaders, and that’s a lesson they will carry far beyond Blairstown.
The Great PBC x HelloFresh Cook Off
Leadership at PBC also takes shape in creative and unexpected ways. For the third year in a row, we partnered with HelloFresh for The Great PBC x HelloFresh Cook Off. In this activity, students team up each Friday afternoon to plan, cook, and present original dishes using HelloFresh meal kits.
What may seem like an innocent cooking challenge is actually an intentional exercise in creativity, decision-making, and confidence. As students work together to cook and create their dishes, they also learn valuable skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and collaboration. When plating their creations and presenting them to the judges, it was clear that they weren’t just gaining culinary skills. They also took pride in their accomplishments. The Great PBC x HelloFresh Cook Off gives students a chance to prepare a nourishing and delicious meal, and also shows that they don’t need a kitchen full of gadgets or expensive tools to make a satisfying meal that they are proud of.
Opportunities for Youth Matter
This summer has once again demonstrated that when young people are given the opportunity to lead, reflect, and create, they rise to the occasion with energy and enthusiasm. Through programs like Summer Bridge and Leaders-in-Training, as well as partnerships with the YPC and HelloFresh, we continue to amplify young voices and equip them with tools for their future.
At the Princeton-Blairstown Center, we believe youth are more than participants in our programs, they are the heart of our mission and the leaders of tomorrow. By elevating their voices, we are investing in stronger, more just communities for years to come.