Lead with confidence. Grow with purpose.
VIPER Captains is the VIPERs Academy experience for students in grades 6–8.
The middle-school years are a time of growing independence, changing interests, stronger friendships, and important decisions. VIPER Captains gives young people a positive after-school space where they can connect, create, stay active, receive support, discover their strengths, and develop the confidence to lead.
At VIPERs Academy, Captains are encouraged to Learn, Play, Lead, and Grow through hands-on experiences, creative opportunities, teamwork, goal-setting, and meaningful leadership development.
Welcome to VIPER Captains
Leadership starts here
VIPER Captains is designed for students who are ready for more independence, responsibility, and opportunities to make a positive impact. Captains are encouraged to share ideas, take initiative, solve problems, explore their interests, contribute to group activities, and grow into thoughtful leaders.
This is a place where students can be themselves while also becoming more confident in what they are capable of. Captains are not expected to have everything figured out—they are given opportunities to try new things, learn from challenges, build healthy friendships, and develop skills that can support them in school, at home, and in their community.
Learn – Play – Lead – Grow
The VIPER Captain experience
Learn
Captains may receive homework support, study time, help with organization, goal-setting activities, project-based learning, career exploration, and opportunities to explore personal interests.
Play
Captains may enjoy recreation, sports, fitness, wellness activities, team games, creative outlets, social connection, and time to recharge after the school day.
Lead
Captains practice leadership through teamwork, communication, decision-making, group roles, activity planning, service projects, and opportunities to encourage younger participants when appropriate.
Grow
Captains build confidence, resilience, independence, responsibility, character, self-awareness, healthy relationships, and readiness for the next stage of their education and life.
What a Captain afternoon may include
A place to connect, contribute, and build skills
Every VIPER Captains afternoon may look different based on school schedules, student interests, available space, weather, special events, and community partnerships. The following is an example of what Captains may experience.
Arrival and connection
Students check in, settle in, connect with peers, and transition from the school day.
Snack and community time
Captains have time to recharge, talk with friends, participate in group check-ins, and help create a respectful and welcoming environment.
Learn and prepare
Students may work on homework, study, improve organization skills, set goals, explore careers, participate in project-based learning, or receive support with academic responsibilities.
Move and recharge
Captains may participate in sports, recreation, fitness, movement, wellness activities, games, or outdoor activities when available.
Create and collaborate
Students may explore art, music, creative media, design, STEM, technology, entrepreneurship, cooking, event planning, or other enrichment activities as available.
Captain leadership lab
Captains may help plan activities, take on a group role, lead a team challenge, share ideas, participate in a youth advisory activity, organize a service project, or practice communication and problem-solving.
Reflection and pickup
Students reflect on the day, help restore the program space, gather belongings, and prepare for pickup or another approved end-of-day transition.
Captain activities and enrichment
Experiences that build real-world skills
VIPER Captains may participate in a changing mix of activities designed to help them discover interests, strengthen skills, contribute to their community, and prepare for what comes next.
- Homework support, study skills, and organization.
- Goal-setting and personal-development activities.
- Project-based learning and group challenges.
- STEM, technology, design, and problem-solving activities.
- Art, music, creative media, storytelling, and performance.
- Sports, fitness, recreation, and wellness activities.
- Life skills such as communication, budgeting, cooking, planning, and time management.
- Entrepreneurship, career awareness, and creative problem-solving.
- Team-building and leadership workshops.
- Youth voice, group decision-making, and advisory activities.
- Community-service projects and local partnership opportunities.
- Peer encouragement and age-appropriate mentorship opportunities.
- Themed events, special guests, and seasonal celebrations.
What families can expect
Support for growing independence
VIPER Captains is designed to provide middle-school students with a meaningful after-school experience that supports independence, confidence, responsibility, and leadership.
Families can expect age-appropriate activities, communication about program updates, and clear expectations as students take on increasing responsibility. As VIPERs Academy prepares for launch, families will receive confirmed information about schedules, location, enrollment, activities, pickup procedures, and program requirements.
Ready to become a VIPER Captain?
Join the VIPERs Academy interest list to receive enrollment announcements, program updates, family resources, and upcoming-event information.
Questions about VIPER Captains? Contact VIPERs Academy at Info@vipersacademy.org or (717) 467-1852.
