ORGANIZATIONS

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WHY?

We are always working with companies and organizations to establish new Career Exploring programs across the country. Consider these benefits:

 

  • Year round, local support staff
  • Proven and flexible program model
  • Nationally recognized and endorsed
  • Positive community involvement
  • Pipeline for future employees
  • Positively impact youth development
  • Employee professional growth
  • Strong local and national support
  • General liability insurance coverage

 

WANT TO SAVE MONEY?

 

Consider your employee turnover rate. If Exploring could provide you the ability to pre-screen future applicants AND train them in a manner that prepares them to work specifically for your company, would you consider it?

 

Now consider the cost savings. The National Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (one of our supporters) is pleased to offer the Cost of Employee Turnover Calculator – a free tool to help nonprofit organizations better understand the “hidden” costs of turnover. Spoiler alert: Turnover costs your organization more than you think

WHAT IS EXPLORING?

Exploring exists to teach important life and career skills to young people from all backgrounds through immersive career experiences and mentorship provided by community and business leaders like you. Together, we equip young people with character, leadership and life skills that can be used both today and in their future careers.

 

Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Businesses and community organizations initiate a career-specific Exploring post or club by matching their people and organizational resources to the career interests of youth in the community. The result is a program of interactive activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop.

 

We work with thousands of local, regional, and national businesses and organizations to deliver the Exploring programs representing hundreds of different career fields.

POST OR CLUB?

If your business or organization is considering the impact you can have on young people in your community through the Exploring program, the first thing you should discuss with the head of the organization is which age group(s) you’d like to work with. Exploring clubs serve middle schoolers in 6th – 8th grades. Exploring posts serve 14 – 20 year olds. Both programs are co-ed.

 

Ready to learn more? Click on the Get Involved button in the top right corner!

5 PROGRAM EMPHASES

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

  • Provide hands-on, interactive career experiences
  • Develop potential contacts that may broaden employment options

LIFE SKILLS

  • Develop basic life skills using the Exploring Activity Library
  • Facilitate positive social interactions

CITIZENSHIP

  • Encourage the skill and desire to help others
  • Gain a keen respect for the basic rights of others

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

  • Help make ethical choices
  • Facilitate service learning opportunities

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

  • Allow youth leaders to coordinate your program activities
  • Facilitate leadership training with Exploring’s training materials

TOP 10 YOUTH CAREER INTERESTS

  1. Registered Nurse/Nurse Practitioner
  2. Professional Athlete
  3. Physician/Surgeon
  4. Musician/singer
  5. Photographer
  6. Veterinarian
  7. Actor/Actress
  8. Artist
  9. Mechanical Engineer
  10. Attorney

 

A career interest survey was fielded in 2017 to more than 36,000 students from 6th to 12th grade to gauge interest in more than 200 career options. This top 10 list ranges from in-demand medical positions like nurses and physicians to more aspirational positions like professional athletes, singers, and actors. The survey also revealed that childhood ambitions evolve with maturity. Middle school respondents were twice as likely as their twelfth grade counterparts to select careers in athletics and the arts, while interest in health and business careers increased as respondents entered high school.

FAQ'S

Q: WHAT IS THE LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MY ORGANIZATION?

A: Comprehensive general liability insurance provides coverage for damages that the insured shall become legally obligated to pay to third parties because of bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence arising out of or in the course of official Learning for Life functions and activities. This coverage provides primary general liability coverage protection for all Exploring professionals and employees, participating organizations, and registered volunteer adult participants with respect to lawsuits and claims arising out of an official Exploring activity which is defined in the insurance policy as consistent with the values, charter and by-laws, rules and regulations, the operations manuals and applicable literature of Exploring or in the performance of their duties with Exploring. Injuries or illnesses to registered Exploring participants are covered by a separate accident and sickness policy. Regarding the use of a motor vehicle or watercraft, the coverage is excess over any insurance that may be available to the volunteer for loss arising from the ownership, maintenance, or use. This insurance is available only while the vehicle or watercraft is actually being used for an Exploring purpose. Coverage is more than $5 million for bodily injury and property damage. Registered adults are those district and council committee members and Exploring post and club adult leaders who have completed a Exploring adult registration form.

 

Q:  WILL MY PARTICIPANTS HAVE MEDICAL INSURANCE COVERAGE?

A:  Many local Exploring councils provide accident and sickness insurance to their registered youth and adult participants by collecting a small fee each year, and sometimes no fee at all. Contact your local council to see if this service is provided. If not, a policy can be obtained through your council office at a nominal cost.

 

Q:  DO ALL REGISTERED ADULT LEADERS HAVE TO TAKE YOUTH PROTECTION TRAINING?
A:  Yes, every two years. It is completed online. Visit the training page for more information.

 

Q:  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF YOUTH A POST OR CLUB MUST HAVE TO GET STARTED?
A:  Five, and there is no maximum! We recommend you start with at least 10-15 as you will inevitably have youth who cannot attend every meeting or may drop out after a while. Teenagers are social creatures – the more the merrier!

 

Q:  WHAT IS THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF ADULT LEADERS A POST OR CLUB MUST HAVE TO GET STARTED?
A:  A post must have at least four, and a club must have at least two. We highly recommend you have 6 – 8 adults over the of 21 who will support your program. The more supporters you have, the more resources and variety they bring to the program which, in turn, engages more youth. Many hands make light work!

 

Q: HOW MUCH TIME WILL THIS PROGRAM REALLY REQUIRE OF MY STAFF?
A: You, along with your youth participants, determine the frequency and length of your meetings. Typically, programs meet once or twice a month for 1 – 2 hours. However, other programs meet weekly for 8 – 12 consecutive weeks twice per year. In addition to meetings, time must be set aside for planning. Your local Exploring representative will work closely with you in the beginning stages to develop your program activities, complete adult leader training and coordinate your open house. The representative will always be available to you year-round for annual youth recruitment plans, fundraising efforts and to serve your other needs. Remember, the effort you put in to your Exploring program will repay youth with a positive community relationship and the potential to train your future employees!

 

Q: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO START A NEW POST OR CLUB?
A: Check out the new unit playbook for a step by step look at the entire process.

 

Q: WHAT’S THE FIRST STEP?
A: Get registered! The head of your organization will need to meet with your local Exploring representative to review and sign the Memorandum of Understanding.