A Woman Promoting An After-School and Summer Camp Program for Teens

An After-School and Summer Camp Program for Teens

At Next Step To Success (NSTS), we believe:

  • All youth want to succeed
  • All youth can succeed
  • All youth deserve a chance to earn success

NSTS, through its youth outreach program, offers teens a wide range of activities that will inspire and propel them to become more confident and capable versions of themselves. Through our highly intentional youth development program, teens will learn the keys to success (including the “Success Sequence”).

Life skills and character strengths such as resilience, grit, growth mindset, learned optimism, self-control, teamwork, leadership, written and oral communication, problem-solving, and responsible decision-making are all components of our program for teenagers.

At NSTS, youth have a membership for life. NSTS will be with our youth, our “Success Stories,” every step of the way in their journey of life. Should youth want our advice, support, services, and mentorship, NSTS will be there for them as their personal “board of directors.”

Our NSTS youth will continue to be supported after they “age out” of our daily program activities. We will remain vitally invested in their continuing progress along the path of the Success Sequence. Therefore, we will be there to mentor and advocate for them as they complete their formal education, enter into well-paid, fulfilling careers, and prepare to have families of their own. After all, we can succeed at Next Step To Success only when our graduates succeed in achieving their personal goals.

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Program Impact

The NSTS program is more than just a bunch of fun activities for teens. We have successfully helped a number of teens improve their attitudes as it relates to their own grit, growth mindset, and learned optimism.

96 %

Showed improvement in their growth mindset

95 %

Stated that NSTS kept them safe

100 %

Indicated that there is a staff member at NSTS who they respect

95 %

Stated that they made new friends at NSTS

85 %

Demonstrated positive gains in the area of grit

86 %

Stated that NSTS helped them find new interests or hobbies

85 %

Indicated that NSTS helped them be a better student

91 %

Stated that they learned a new skill as a result of participating in NSTS

Girl jumping in the air at next step to success youth development program

Our Programs

Next Step To Success is an afterschool and summer camp program for teens in Norfolk. The program is currently open to boys and girls, ages 13-16. Participants must meet certain criteria including Norfolk residency and family income guidelines. In order to realize our goal of breaking the cycle of poverty, NSTS provides free transportation for participants as well as meals.

Our Free Summer Program for Teens

The Next Step To Success Summer Camp focuses on promoting each youth’s social, emotional, and character development with a strong focus on building their essential life skills and learning about educational and career options for their futures. Having fun, discovering new hobbies, and making new friends are top priorities in our summer camp.

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Our Free After School Program

The Next Step To Success after school program offers youth an engaging place to enjoy themselves after school. After being picked up from their respective schools, the teens are able to participate in activities such as music, theater, art, dance, sailing, swimming, boatbuilding, gardening and cooking. Youth are also given help with their homework and invited to participate in an array of character-building and career-development exercises. After enjoying a family-style dinner with their friends and Success Coaches, our NSTS youth are transported home for the evening.

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Children rehearsing music at Next Step To Success Youth Development Program

Program Resources

In an effort to provide our participants and parents with the most up-to-date and accurate information, we frequently update our program resources. This includes our application and calendar of events. Similarly, the team members at NSTS know parents often have questions about raising teens. So, we’ve compiled some resources you may find helpful.

Group picture of Next Step To success Summer Camp 2022

PARTNERS

Our community partners help Next Step To Success provide fun and enriching learning experiences for our youth. We are always looking for more partners and opportunities for our programs. Contact us for more information.

Girl in Next Step to Success Program

Contact Us

Have a question about the program? Want to know if you qualify? Our team is here to help! Please call us at 757-404-1818 or can reach out to info@nextsteptosuccess.org for any questions. You can also use the form to ask us a question and a member of our staff will follow up with you soon.