Grab The Torch Summer Institute

Grab The Torch’s weeklong Summer Institutes bring together girls from charter, public and independent schools to explore new ideas, learn about themselves, hear about the work of inspiring community leaders, meet other girls from diverse backgrounds, and discover their voices. Leadership, ethics, purpose and philanthropy are the Institutes’ themes. Our goal is for all girls to leave with increased self-awareness, purpose, essential skills and understanding about their world.

At Grab The Torch (GTT) we instill a basic principle in each student: the greater good is like a puzzle, and we all hold a piece of it. At our Institutes, each student is challenged to take a piece, no matter how big or small, and find his or her true passion. Without each GTT graduate's full commitment to take action, the puzzle will never be complete. Our fundamental message is maintained throughout the week “give to give, not to get. Your lives will be enhanced by unconditional giving.”

Staff and alumni lead students through over 15 academic sessions emphasizing leadership and non-cognitive skills, including servant learning, traditions of philanthropy, community mapping, goal planning, Design Thinking and Conscious Capitalism. Students also engage with at least 10 local speakers, including CEOs, entrepreneurs and visionaries from the corporate, non-profit, philanthropic and community engagement sectors.

 GTT combines this extensive, unique curriculum with the magical, bonding experience of summer camp. In each beautiful, thriving location, GTT plans outdoor adventures, team-building activities and community field trips to build connections and relationships that will last a lifetime.