Exploring Programs
It’s never too early to start exploring your interests and strengths. Through our Exploring program, Crossroads of America Council offers opportunities for youth to get hands-on experience with a range of professions.
With the Exploring program, your future starts now.
Through Exploring, you can learn more about careers that interest you while getting hands-on experience and networking with professionals. From engineering and health care to science and law enforcement, you have the opportunity to learn from central Indiana’s top professionals in their field.
Career Exploring Options
What is Exploring?
Exploring is a unique career exploration program for young men and women ages 10 to 20. The program provides students with an opportunity to learn about a wide variety of career fields and network with professionals already working in those fields.
Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and organizations in their communities. Local organizations initiate an Explorer program by matching their staff and program resources to the interests of young people.
Ready to begin your journey in Exploring?
Fill out the Exploring program application to start your exploration in a new career field and start learning about your future.
Our Mission
Deliver character-building experiences and mentorship that allow youth to achieve their full potential in both life and work.
Our Vision
Shape the workforce of tomorrow by engaging and mentoring today’s youth in career- and life-enhancing opportunities.
Our Promise
Bring businesses and community leaders together to help young people reach their full potential.
Five Program Areas of Emphasis:
Career Opportunities
- Provide hands-on, interactive career experiences
- Develop potential contacts that may broaden employment options
Life Skills
- Develop basic life skills using the Exploring Activity Library
- Facilitate positive social interactions
Citizenship
- Encourage the skill and desire to help others
- Gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others
Character Development
- Help make ethical choices
- Facilitate service learning opportunities
Leadership Experience
- Allow youth leaders to coordinate program activities
- Facilitate leadership training with Exploring’s training materials
Why Exploring?
Exploring provides exciting activities and one-on-one mentorship for youth looking to discover their future. You will get hands-on experience to determine whether or not a particular career field is right for you, and you will develop valuable networking contacts with professionals working in your chosen career fields. Perhaps best of all, you will get to know other youth with your same interests and aspirations.
Post or Club?
Exploring serves two age groups, both co-ed. Explorer Clubs serve middle schoolers, ages 10 to 13, in sixth through eighth grades. Explorer Posts serve older youth, ages 14 to 20. The program model is the same for both age groups – hands-on and interactive character and career activities facilitated by trained business leaders from the local community.
How do you get involved?
Joining Exploring is an exciting process. To make sure we place you with the right program, or to start your own program, please contact an Exploring executive, and we’ll be in touch.