Our programs

At Cypress Adventures, we provide experiences that inspire and empower middle and high school aged youth to create the lives they want for themselves.

Adolescence is a critical stage of development in which identities are explored, sensation and risk are pursued, and emotional sensitivity is at its peak. Everything we do at Cypress is to support the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development of adolescents during out-of-school time.

After-School youth Leadership Program

The only after-school leadership development program in Darlington County.

Our Youth Leadership Program combines experiential education, peer mentoring and outdoor adventure to meet the unique developmental needs of middle and high school aged youth. The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) program focuses on developing key life and leadership skills and teaching our youth how to engage with the world as they grow up and reach adulthood.

The free, after-school program consists of three courses that meet throughout the school year. Each course meets after school until 6:30pm twice-a-week for 14-week terms in the fall and spring. Transportation is provided. Lottery drawing for enrollment.

For more details and to be included in the lottery drawing, simply sign up for more info. We will contact you prior to the next enrollment period.

Leadership 101

Introductory Level Course

This evidence-based course helps students learn how to have healthy relationships with themselves and others and work collaboratively with people different from themselves to set goals, solve problems, and resolve conflict. The course is centered on the Power of Play and peer mentoring. Skill Development focuses on communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution, stress management & teamwork. The content we cover is built around these areas: healthy relationships, personal values & boundaries, perspective-taking, emotional literacy, mindfulness, giving and receiving feedback, and thinking habits. Students enjoy two adventure hikes and one overnight camping trip in this course.

“Cypress helped me in my relationships with everyone in my life. I understand myself more, my thoughts feel clear for the first time in my life. It is helping me make decisions, the right ones, even when they hurt too.”

~ 12 Grade, Female Student

Leadership 201

Pre-requisite: Leadership 101

This course helps students begin planning strategically for their future in adulthood by exploring their gifts, passions, and interests and how those can contribute to the broader community. The course is centered on the Power of Curiosity. Skill development focuses on communication, critical thinking, research, goal setting, strategic planning, and mentoring. The content we cover is built around these areas: sustainable community values, our reason for being (Ikigai), environmental education, media literacy, financial literacy, health and wellness, community, and career exploration. Students enjoy an adventure hike and a two-night camping trip in this course.

“I never thought about who I am and who I want to be until I joined the Cypress program.”

~ 9th Grade, Male Student

Youth Council

Leadership & Work Experience

Youth Council is centered on the Power of Creativity and is project-based. Its purpose is to create a teen-friendly community hub focused on making products to use and sell. Skill Development focuses on pottery, sewing, building and carpentry, greenhouse management, permaculture farming, and event planning. They are responsible for programs and events, including art projects, farm projects, the annual dodgeball tournament, and our annual art and music festival.

"Building relationships through working with others is a big thing I've learned. By building good relationships with people, if you are to work with them, they respect you more and work better with you."

~10th grade, male

Summer Programs

Cypress Summer Camps and Programs offer opportunities for teens to ReBoot their bodies and minds for health and wellness, to explore a wide variety of things that may be of interest (or may not - how will you know until you try it?), and to simply have funtogetherwith us

It beats sitting at home alone, for sure!

Small group sizes means a high-quality experience of fun and learning.

Summer program offerings vary from year-to-year, depending on funding and staff availability. Check back in April to learn about our upcoming summer programs.