Crockett Foundation middle and high school students explored Silicon Valley, gaining real-world exposure to technology, education, and future career pathways.
In March 2026, Crockett Foundation middle and high school scholars stepped far beyond the boundaries of their everyday environments and into the heart of innovation.
The group included students from across the Foundation’s programs, including Digital Explorers, Youth FORCE, and Crockett-Allan Scholars, each bringing a unique perspective and experience. Over three days, March 12–14, they traveled across the San Francisco Bay Area, visiting global companies, top-tier universities, and cultural institutions that shape the future.
What made the trip meaningful wasn’t just where they went. It was how those experiences and the people they met along the way shifted their perspectives.
For many, the impact was immediate. John A., a 7th grader at Margate Middle School, summed it up simply: “This trip was nothing short of amazing.”
Turning Exposure into Possibility
The itinerary was designed to do more than inform. It was built to immerse.
At Stanford University, students didn’t just tour the campus. They imagined themselves there. For middle and high school students, it was often the first time a place like that felt real and within reach. The experience left a lasting impression, with one student noting that the Stanford visit stood out most among the many highlights.
That sense of possibility continued at companies like Uber and Salesforce, where students gained insight into how modern workplaces operate and how ideas come to life. What they found often challenged their expectations. One student admitted they expected Uber to feel like a typical corporate office, but instead found it far more engaging than anticipated.
Experiences like these are central to the Crockett Foundation’s mission, creating access to environments that expand students’ sense of what is possible at an early, formative stage in their lives.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Throughout the trip, students explored environments that blended education with real-world contexts. From the Computer History Museum to the African-American Museum & Library, each stop deepened their understanding of innovation, history, and culture.
At the Chabot Space & Science Center, learning took on a new dimension. Students described the experience as both informative and impressive, especially the chance to see planets and stars up close.
Moments like these reinforced an important idea: learning doesn’t have to be confined to a classroom.
According to the Afterschool Alliance, programs that provide real-world exposure help students build confidence, develop interests, and improve long-term outcomes, especially during middle and high school, when identity and aspirations begin to take shape.
Growth in the In-Between Moments
While the destinations were impactful, some of the most meaningful growth occurred in the spaces between them.
Traveling across the country, navigating new environments, and engaging with unfamiliar experiences pushed students beyond their comfort zones. For some, that meant discovering new aspects of their personalities. One student shared that they realized they were more extroverted than they had thought, while another reflected that even though meeting new people wasn’t easy, they still made the effort.
These moments, though subtle, represent something larger. They are early steps toward confidence, independence, and self-awareness that will carry into college and beyond.
The Moments That Made It Memorable
Alongside the educational experiences, the trip was filled with moments of joy and connection.
Students rode ferries across the bay, explored the waterfront near Alcatraz, and experienced a city unlike any they had seen before. For some, simply being on the water was a highlight, something they had long wanted to do.
Even the simplest moments became lasting memories. Whether sharing meals, traveling together, or simply spending time as a group, those experiences helped strengthen bonds and foster a sense of community.
As Leslie C., a junior at Blanche Ely High School, said, “Seeing all the kids have fun and try new things stood out to me.”
A Reflection of the Crockett Mission
When reflecting on the trip as a whole, students consistently pointed to what made it different: the opportunity itself.
Several described the experience as evidence of how much the Foundation invests in giving students real-world exposure. Others spoke about the sense of belonging it created. “It gives you a sense of connection and belonging,” Rachel T, an 8th grader from Margate Middle School, said.
That sense of belonging, paired with exposure to new possibilities, is at the core of what the Crockett Foundation provides.
In just a few days, students experienced education, innovation, and connection all at once. They walked through college campuses that once felt out of reach, engaged with professionals shaping the future, and explored environments that challenged how they see the world and their place in it.
And in doing so, they didn’t just visit the future. They began to see themselves in it.
What started as a three-day trip became something much more lasting. New interests were sparked. Confidence was built. Perspectives shifted. For many students, this experience planted a seed that will continue to grow as they think about college, careers, and the paths available to them.
From Vision to Reality
That impact is not accidental.
It reflects the vision that founders Henri and Zach set out to create, a commitment to ensuring that young people are not only supported but also exposed to opportunities that broaden their horizons and expand their sense of what is possible. Through the dedication of the Crockett Foundation staff, these experiences are thoughtfully designed and intentionally delivered, turning moments like this trip into meaningful steps forward.
Because when middle and high school students are given access to real-world experiences, surrounded by opportunity, and supported by a community that believes in them, the results go far beyond a single trip.
They shape how students think, how they see themselves, and what they believe is possible.
And for Crockett youth, this is just the beginning!
Experiences like this are made possible through the continued support of those who believe in the Crockett Foundation’s mission. With that support, even more students will have the opportunity to explore, discover, and imagine what’s possible for their future.
To learn more about how you can support programs like this or get involved, contact the Crockett Foundation today.
