About
C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California offers Camp with hiking, canoeing, zip lining, and other outdoor adventure activities. It also offers Bridges, a 7 to 10 day backcountry trek in the Rocky Mountains, Adirondack Mountains, or Pacific Northwest with NOLS, along with Road To College, where Leaders live in dorms, eat in dining halls, and tour 2-year, 4-year, private, public, and community colleges and universities.
Programs
- Camp — middle school Leaders; rising seniors are mentioned for ACT Now · A summer of outdoor adventure including hiking, canoeing, zip lining and more; the leadership development journey begins with social awareness, leadership development and community action.
- Bridges — Leaders participate in a 7-10 day backcountry trek in the Rocky Mountains, Adirondack Mountains or Pacific Northwest with NOLS.
- Road To College (RTC) — Leaders experience campus life by living in dorms, eating in dining halls and touring 2-year, 4-year, private, public and community colleges and universities.
- ACT Now — rising seniors · A week-long college-based program where rising seniors live in dorms, budget, plan and cook their meals, work on college apps, and design and develop their senior capstone project.
- College Bootcamp — Workshops and presentations on academic and financial literacy, social emotional health and wellness, campus/dorm life, career development, and more.
- High School Crews — A space for Leaders to have a positive experience at their high schools and develop a C5 community and culture on their campus; senior ambassadors mentor underclassmen.
- College Crews — Campus-based teams facilitated by upperclassmen alum ambassadors who cultivate a supportive social network and help incoming freshmen navigate academic, financial, and personal college experiences.
- Career Crews — Mentors are partnered with alumni to provide professional development, personal support, and career exposure in preparation for internship and career-placement opportunities.
- Pathways — Year-round events that help Leaders grow their knowledge of college, careers, and other resources for personal development.
- Executive Leadership Lunch (ELL) — A 60-minute exchange of information pairing youth and professionals where C5 Leaders gain perspective on professionalism and leadership in the business world.
At a glance
- Ages: 13–18 years old
- General schedule: Year-round youth leadership and college/career access and success program; annually, 72 middle school Leaders join the multi-year youth development and college access program; program years include Year 1 Camp, Year 2 Bridges, Year 3 Road To College, Year 4 ACT Now, Year 5 College Bootcamp, and beyond.
About the provider
C5 Youth Foundation of Southern California was founded in 1999. Its mission is to change the odds for high-potential teens from under-resourced communities by inspiring them to pursue personal success while preparing them for leadership roles in school, college, work, and their communities. The program is year-round and includes High School Crews, Pathways events, and community engagement activities.
The organization collaborates closely with families and stands alongside them to ensure their child's success. It recruits students through a partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District and is a year-round program.
Last updated September 6, 2026.
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