By Justin Bedard, Co-Founder & Executive Director, JUMP! Foundation
Around the world, young people are growing up amid climate urgency, social fragmentation, and rapid technological change. To thrive in this complexity, they need transformative experiences that show how personal development + growth drives meaningful community and global impact.
This vision inspired the launch of the JUMP! Foundation nearly two decades ago. From our early leadership programs in Asia to the global initiatives we run today, our mission remains the same: to make transformational learning accessible to all.
From Lusaka to the World
This month, we worked with students from the American International School of Lusaka (AISL). Over three days, our facilitators guided them through personal development, community-building activities, and action planning. They identified key challenges impacting youth in their community and designed interactive workshops to empower educators during their professional development sessions. Watching these young leaders create with such purpose and passion was a powerful reminder of what JUMP! stands for. When students are entrusted with responsibility, they don’t just rise to the occasion …. they transform it.
Similar breakthroughs are happening across schools we partner with worldwide. Wherever we work, the goal is the same: to equip young people with resilience, empathy, and problem-solving skills as they step into leadership and action.
Supporting Well-Being and Leadership
After the pandemic’s disruptions and rising levels of anxiety, schools are rightfully focusing on students’ social and emotional well-being. Experiential education is a natural ally in this effort. Through treks, ropes courses, and sustainable development projects, students develop perseverance, teamwork, and confidence. Time and again, educators share how students return from JUMP! programs energized, inspired, and ready to make a difference.
A Growing Global Movement
To meet the increasing demand for programs like these, JUMP! is expanding across Africa, MENA, and Europe. These hubs and partnerships allow us to adapt programs for local needs while sharing best practices. Whether it’s youth leadership summits or cross-cultural forums, all our initiatives are built to inspire action.
In August, we’ll co-host the Association for Experiential Education Asia-Pacific Conference in September 2026 in Bangkok. This gathering will spark bold ideas and new collaborations. But our work doesn’t stop at conferences. We’re committed to scaling opportunities for youth leadership in sustainability, inclusion, and innovation through partnerships with schools, NGOs, and the private sector.
Why It Matters
The challenges young people face today are immense but full of potential for creativity and service. To prepare them for the future, we must give them meaningful opportunities to lead now. Whether it’s a student in Lusaka advocating for a greener campus or a teenager in Thailand organizing a renewable-energy-powered beach clean-up, these moments show that optimism and agency can be taught; and the experiences are transformative.
An Invitation
Here’s how you can join us:
- Educators: Bring experiential education into your classrooms and beyond. Inspire students to learn through real-world projects, expeditions, and reflection.
- Partner Schools: Collaborate with youth-focused organizations to co-create initiatives that empower young people to lead in sustainability and inclusion.
- Impact Investors / Donors: Support programs that foster social and emotional skills essential for youth to navigate the future’s changing and complex AI-driven world.
Learning that lasts is never passive. It happens when curiosity meets challenge, service meets reflection, and a young person realizes: I can make a difference.
Let’s work together to ensure every young person can confidently shape a sustainable, inclusive, and hopeful future.