Big Ripple Process

The Big Ripple™ (Training Teens to Be Leaders)

The Big Ripple™ is the way Spark the Wave harnesses the desire that young people have inside of them to change the world. This process helps to empower teens and provides leadership skills to actually help teens make changes in their community and the world around them.

The journey of each teenager that goes through STW programs can take many twists and turns. During each step of the process, teens acquire new skills through experiential learning, action and by mentoring others.

Steps in the Big Ripple™ Training Process:

1. Attend SPARK Seminars
   
   After-school and weekend seminars provide an opportunity for middle and high school students to develop skills in effective communication, leadership development, service learning, project planning and cultural competence. Click here to learn more.
   
   
2. Participate in Wave Week
   
   Wave Week is a week-long residential and day camp which provides peer-based training in a range of leadership, service project planning, communication and community outreach skills. Participants pay a nominal fee that covers room, board and educational materials. In keeping with our mission of encouraging service, most of our camp staff are volunteers, and many are teenagers. Wave Week typically accommodates 150 students (grades 7-11). Click here to learn more.
   
   
3. Volunteer & Mentor Others
   
   High school students return to Wave Week to help younger Wave Week campers on their educational journey. At the same time, college students continue their own leadership journey by taking on greater responsibilities with the STW organization and mentoring the younger staff during Wave Week to reach their full potential. They help lead groups and organize community service projects. In addition, each year STW accepts several teenagers on as interns. During this year-long internship these young leaders receive intensive hands-on experience planning and organizing our non-profit. Click here to learn more.
   
   
4. Start or Join a Club Wave
   Club Wave is an after-school program that encourages students to become actively involved within their communities by harnessing the social entrepreneurial spirit of its members. Club Wave’s goal is to build leadership and team skills in its members so they can in turn design and perform youth-led service projects in their community. Clubs are not only a great way to have fun but also a place where you can make a big impact.
   
   
5. Mentor Match
   
   Wave Week alumni continue developing their leadership skills by participating in STW’s Mentor Match program. Designed to maintain the momentum generated at Wave Week and our seminars, each student has access to adults with expertise in areas such as non-profit management, fundraising and volunteer programming. Through this mentoring, we help increase each student’s likelihood for success in the world of service.