C5 leaders

Character-driven

community-focused

challenge-ready

college/
career-bound

committed to a better future

"I grew up here.
Crossroads helped make me the
kind of man I am today."

ALUM

leading the way

The Crossroads C5 Leaders program serves over 500 students in Grades 8-12 and in their first two years of college. Over five years, teens engage in year-round experiential learning that includes outdoor education, leadership development, community service, and college and career exploration. Participants develop critical social-emotional skills, achieve academic success, attend to mental and physical wellness, and chart a course for the future. Over the course of five carefully scaffolded years, teens are empowered to be character-driven, community-focused, challenge-ready, college/career-bound, and committed to a better future—the 5Cs.

Our C5 Leaders program provides teens with access to a powerful, consistent community of peers and mentors who reinforce C5 values, model personal agency, and serve as inspiration for the future. C5 leaders immerse themselves in:

• outdoor challenges

• community service

• weekend sessions with community leaders

• fireside discussions on social justice issues

• college campus tours

• after school sessions to map out postsecondary plans

C5 Leaders develop the skills and dispositions required for academic persistence, community impact, and success in life.

Cornerstone Code

The C5 Cornerstone Code is the foundation of the C5 Leaders program. As members of the Crossroads C5 community, all of our teens strive to live out the following ideals:

• We represent ourselves and our community well.

• We hold ourselves to a higher standard.

• We show respect to everyone in our community.

• We build the future we wish to see.

LEARN ABOUT SUMMER

We are proud of the successes of our young people

78%

of our graduates are first-generation college students

87%

of recent grads are enrolled in college
or career programs

99%

graduate from high school on time

100%

participate in regular community service

Be Enthusiastic and Open. Become A Crossroads C5 Leader.

We are seeking current teens in Grade 7 who demonstrate great promise to join the C5 Leaders!
We inspire incredibly shy leaders to find their power, and guide energetic extroverts to empower others. Nominees can have a variety of attributes and characteristics, but must be enthusiastic and open to new opportunities.

Students must be nominated by Crossroads, a program partner, or middle school staff, and then complete an application and interview process. Teens accepted into C5 Leaders must make a five-year commitment in Grades 8-12 to participate in year-round workshops, trips, and overnight summer programming where they develop their leadership skills, foster relationships, and continue to plan for the future.

To learn more or to nominate a current student in Grade 7 for the C5 Leaders program, please contact Sylvia Connolly Director of C5 Leaders.

MEET OUR C5 LEADERS

comments From our alums

"Service to others, exemplified by my mentors at Crossroads, is a large part of why I decided to pursue a career in healthcare. In light of the public health crisis, now more than ever, my resolve and commitment to serving my community through medicine and beyond has never been stronger. I have CS Leaders to thank for instilling that value in me, which has really become my True North."

“I feel like a superhero at C5. All of the staff are always cheering me on and see the best in me even when I don’t. They taught me to do the right thing even when no one is looking!”

“The Hammer Trek with NOLS changed my life. I am more confident in who I am. "

“Before C5, I would NEVER have spoken up in front of other people. I didn’t think I had anything to say. The staff at C5 wouldn’t let me hide: they asked me my opinion and really listened. Now I have the confidence to say what’s on my mind!”

“You literally reach new heights because you get to try new things! Where am I going to try rock climbing? C5 helps you expand your horizons to see the world is bigger than your block!”

“C5 puts your leadership skills to the test and you have run doing it. I was the Head Chef when we did the Restaurant Wars Leadership Challenge. C5 taught me not only how to manage the kitchen and resolve conflicts, but I had to problem solve our menu.”

“C5 is family: so many different people and cultures. You can dance in the dining hall and paint your face blue for Olympics, and you can watch shooting stars over a campfire. It’s magic.”