Our Initiatives

Progress Peak: Open Skies

While we search for a permanent home, Progress Peak’s Open Skies initiative brings the magic of camp directly to the community. Designed as a mobile, pop-up experience, Open Skies offers day camps, weekend retreats, and creative workshops across Northeast Pennsylvania. Hosted in parks, community centers, and partner sites, each gathering centers healing, identity affirmation, and collective joy. From nature walks and creekside journaling to queer-affirming art projects and peer-led resilience circles, Open Skies is a low-barrier, trauma-informed way for young people to safely connect, explore, and grow. Every program is offered at no or low cost.

Camp Progress Peak

Progress Peak is actively working to create a permanent summer camp home—a welcoming sanctuary designed by and for marginalized youth. Our future site will provide weeklong overnight sessions, immersive leadership development, arts and outdoor education, and year-round opportunities for community building and healing. Grounded in trauma-informed practices and inclusive design, the permanent camp will feature accessible trails, adaptable cabins, shared creative spaces, and affirming mentorship. This next chapter will enable us to deepen our impact, expand access, and offer youth a lasting space of joy, freedom, and safety in nature. Until then, we’re planting the seeds—one mobile adventure at a time.

Progress Peak's Open Skies Series

Peak Signal

Peak Signal is Progress Peak’s virtual home base—a hub for connection, creativity, and community when we’re not gathering in person. Through live workshops, game nights, info sessions, and drop-in support circles, Peak Signal ensures that every person can access safety, joy, and belonging wherever they are.

Root to Rise

Root to Rise is Progress Peak’s nature-based movement and physical wellness series designed to ground youth in their bodies while lifting their spirits. Through games, hikes, dance, adaptive sports, and team challenges, participants build strength, confidence, and community—all while moving with joy under open skies.

Canvas & Canopy is Progress Peak’s mobile therapeutic art and creative expression series. Held in parks and community spaces, these trauma-informed workshops invite youth to explore identity, healing, and joy through art, movement, and storytelling. All materials are free, and all voices are welcome.

Canvas & Canopy

NextStep

Safe Harbor

Joy Jams

NextStep is Progress Peak’s life skills series designed to equip youth with practical tools for independence and empowerment. Offered in community spaces and virtual settings, these trauma-informed workshops cover cooking, financial literacy, communication, leadership, and advocacy. All sessions are free and created to welcome every voice and experience.

Safe Harbor is Progress Peak’s trauma-informed safety and survival skills series. Held in community spaces and virtual sessions, these workshops equip youth with practical self-defense techniques, first aid knowledge, and emergency preparedness skills. All activities are free, inclusive, and designed to build confidence, resilience, and personal safety.

Joy Jams is Progress Peak’s lively series of casual social events. Hosted in community spaces and virtual settings, these gatherings invite youth to connect, unwind, and have fun through games, music, and shared experiences. All are welcome to bring their energy and enjoy the moment.

If you and/or someone you know offers or hosts any events like these, please reach out to us!

All locations and co-facilitators will be vetted for safety with the preference for utilizing minority-owned businesses.

Age Breakdowns

Explorers (<13)

Youth will participate in group outings focusing on exploration and education. Discussions will center around building and practicing skills.

Pathfinders (13-15)

Tweens will participate in group outings focusing on identity-building and independence. Discussions will center around self-discovery and problem-solving.

Trailblazers (16-18)

Teens will participate in group outings focusing on cognitive, social, and emotional development. Discussions will center around shaping succcessful futures.

Adults will participate in group outings to strengthen relationships and community. Discussions will focus on a myriad of topics aiming to support stable physical and mental well-being.

Lightbearers (18+)

Navigators (Families)

Families who participate in programming together are Navigators. Caregivers and children participate in outings to build community, skills, and wellness while among other families.

Many factors will contribute to the cost of each event, including equipment rentals, travel needs, facilitator fees, and any ticket or participation costs. We have obtained our tax-exempt status, and we are searching for funding opportunities so that we can offer these events for as little as we can. If you are someone who would like to donate, please contact us!

We want to offer these services for free, but we plan on never exceeding a $20 ticket per event.