Hybrid Program | Project-Based | 1-3 Years Long
Christian Leadership & Professional Development
Figure out what’s next, gain applicable skills, and plug into a powerful Christian community
Figuring out your next step doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Ascend gives young adults the project-based education, Christian leadership training, and purpose-driven community they need to thrive in the real world. You can have that too.
These people are the most driven, connected, and mature group of young adults I have ever been around. They have inspired me to be more like that ideal just by being around them.
FOUR LIVE
STUDENT
EVENTS
CHRISTIAN
LEADERSHIP
TRAINING
HANDS-ON
INTEREST-LED
PROJECTS
APPLICABLE
SKILL
DEVELOPMENT
Program Overview
Through a series of four live student events connected by online life purpose training, Christian leadership courses, and local hands-on projects, Ascend gives young adults the peer community, applicable skills, and resume-worthy experience they need to launch.
Attend APEX (August 13-17)
While every APEX is unique, you can expect to find world-class speakers, alumni speakers, extensive team challenges, recreational activities, deep discussions, and friends, old and new.
Attend Basecamp (October 20-24)
Get to know your team on a deeper level through discussion groups, building personal and professional skills through workshops at Ascend’s skills intensive.
Basecamp is held in Pennsylvania and is designed to be more challenging and personal than APEX. Each day is a combination of sessions, team challenges, free time, and deep discussion.
Attend Ridgeline (January 29-Feb 1)
Learn to work together on real world projects in a team environment at Ascend’s hands-on project intensive.
Team challenges reach their peak intensity during Ridgeline through real world projects and are designed to teach the skills needed to turn ideas into reality.
Ascend staff and invited experts will be embedded with students at the event, where they will teach, coach, challenge, and assist the students as they deal with tight deadlines, limited resources, and high expectations.
Attend Capstone (April 15-19)
Reflect on the year with your fellow students, complete coaching and mentorship exercises, and learn how to live with hope in a fallen world at Ascend’s Christian leadership intensive.
Learning is intense, but there is still time for hikes in the mountains, long conversations in the lodge, and an opportunity to work together one last time through the team challenges.
Ultimately, Capstone is about individual stories in the context of God’s greater story. Students learn how to see the narrative arc of life and have the chance to share their own story, hear new stories, and reflect on shared experiences. Capstone typically brings back alumni from years past who volunteer to help and mentor current students and pass on stories that have built the culture of Ascend.
In Ascend, you will meet people who go deep and who care about you. These people know where they’re going in life (eternity). The leadership courses will help you become a better person in general, effective in influencing the world for God’s kingdom. You’ll develop a stronger Christian worldview that strives for practical action and a Biblical vision.
Ian V., Ascend Student
Ian V., Ascend Student
Enrollment Options
$1,000 deposit due at enrollment
Ascend:
What's Next?
Identify your next step, rapidly build skill and experience, invest productively in your future, and live purposefully for Christ.
$10,500 paid in full
$8,000 paid in full
What's Next?
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3 live Ascend Events
APEX, Basecamp, Ridgeline - Navigate Life Purpose Training
- 8-Week Christian Leadership Course
- Hands-On, Student Interest-Led Ascend Project
- Monthly Mentorship & Accountability with Ascend Teams
- Monthly Expert-Led Webinars
Ascend:
Certificate
Get where you want to go by adding one of our highest-rated events, two of our highest-rated courses, and a stackable career or degree track
$16,500 paid in full
$12,000 paid in full
Certificate
- Everything included in Ascend Basic, plus:
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4 live Ascend Events
APEX, Basecamp, Ridgeline, PLUS Capstone - 3-Part Signature Leadership Course Series
- Your choice of an Ascend Career Track or 15 Credit Degree Track
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Signature Leadership Certificate
Awarded to students who successfully complete the Signature Leadership Courses -
Ascend Foundations Certificate
Awarded to students who successfully complete each aspect of the Ascend program
Ascend:
Premier
Upgrade your Ascend experience through personal coaching — plus let our team handle all your travel arrangements so you can fully enjoy each adventure!
$18,500 paid in full
$15,000 paid in full
Premier
- Everything included in Ascend Certificate, plus:
-
The Ascend Travel Package
All travel costs, scheduling, and trip logistics -
A Personal, Certified Life Coach
Receive personal life coaching sessions with a certified, Christian life coach every other month
Choose Your Career or Degree Track
Available for Certificate and Premier students.
Career Tracks
5-10 hours of focused study and application per week
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Professional Development
In this track, students start actively building skill and experience, developing a Biblical understanding of work and vocation. Students create a current snapshot of where they are in career clarity and identify their next step(s). At the end of the year, they detail what skills or experiences they added to their list and the success of their steps. -
Digital Marketing & Entrepreneurship
In this track, students learn not only the core foundations of how modern digital marketing works and which channels they must master, they also build sound understanding around how to sell these newfound skills as a service. -
Writing & Publishing
This track provides sound, current teaching, training, and resources in all aspects of writing as a profession. Students will emerge from this track knowing industry language, professional expectations, and the actionable steps required to establish a writing career. -
AI for the Greater Good
In a world leaning further and further into a model of AI assisted by humans, this track teaches students how to solve problems by training AI tools to assist them. Build new skills, learn to apply innovation for the sake of the Gospel, and complete real world projects using AI as a critical tool along the way. -
Videography & Production
This track goes beyond simply teaching technical skills. It’s designed to immerse students in the world of videography for a full year, fostering both confidence and versatility. Students will graduate with the ability to produce a range of video styles for YouTube, social media, and professional projects. -
Art & Design
This track is designed to debunk the “starving artist” stereotype by preparing students to thrive as professional artists. Students will explore themes around personal identity, God’s creativity, professional development, business modeling, and leadership, graduating with a seven-piece portfolio, a professional development plan, a business model, and presentation experience.
Degree Tracks
Optional: upgrade to 30 credits for $2,500
25 hours of course work per week
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Academic Coaching
Scheduled coaching call with an Academic Coach to discuss courses, academic calendar, and degree options, if applicable. -
Signature Leadership Courses
Degree track students receive 9 credits for these three courses. -
General Education Courses
Two additional general education courses to fulfill another 6 credits alongside the Signature Leadership Courses. -
Optional: 30 credit upgrade for $2,500
Adds approximately 25 hours of course work per week. -
Optional: Declare a Major Through Your University of Choice*
The Ascend program supports close to every major outside of engineering, medicine, and music. - *Pending university transfer policy and degree requirements
The Ascend program very well might be the most rewarding and incredible experience of your life. I know it has been for me! You might not think it’s possible to connect with so many people in such a short amount of time, but I’m here to tell you it absolutely is. From the moment you arrive at the first event, the community is there to welcome you with open arms. There really is nothing else quite like it.
Hannah K., Ascend Student
Hannah K., Ascend Student
FAQ
APEX is held in Lake City, MI, August 13-17.
Basecamp is held in Manns Choice, PA, October 20-24.
Ridgeline will be held in Panama City, FL, January 29-Feb 1.
Capstone is held in Estes Park, CO, April 15-19.
All dates and locations are subject to slight changes.
Ascend Teams are led by Ascend Team Leaders (ATLs). ATLs are Ascend alumni or older students who have applied for, been accepted, and are specifically trained to lead a team. ATLs complete ongoing training throughout the program as well that enables them to continue building and improving their leadership skills.
Ascend teams meet monthly via Zoom to discuss the monthly webinar, support each other through their courses and projects, and receive coaching and mentorship from their ATLs specific to where they are in life and what kinds of decisions they are facing.
Each Ascend Team includes 8-10 students and one Ascend Team Leader.
Past Ascend projects include:
- Writing and Producing a Short Film
- Learning Animation
- The Creature Conservancy Project
- Building an Acoustic Guitar
- Dance Performance
- Writing and Producing YouTube Videos
- Micro-School Teaching
- Coffee Roasting
- Event Planning Internship
- Suit Case Design
- Producing Art Tutorial Videos
- Launching a Videography Business
- Building a Home Music Studio
- Home Improvement Construction
- Librivox Book Narration
- Marketing the Launch of a New Music Single
- Planning and Executing a Teen Track for Homeschool Conventions
- Earning the Wilderness First Responder Certification
- Church Recycling Program
- Launching an Art Business
- Building an Airsoft Gun
- Teaching an Art Class
- Completing a Truck and Yard Renovation Project
- Film Project
- Raising Rabbits
- Producing a Music Album
- Launching a Cooking Ministry
- Completing a Creative Photo Project
- Hosting and Teaching Swing Dance Lesson Nights
- Directing a Theater Production for Middle Schoolers
- 100 Mile Bike Ride
- Writing and Producing an Original Song
- Learning to Sing and Play the Guitar
- Creating and Executing a Marketing Campaign for a Family Business
- Rebuilding an Automatic Transmission
- Curating a Short Story Collection
- Fundraising for the Christian Youth Talent Showcase
- Becoming an AIC at a Local Rescue Squad
- Learning ASL
- Creating a Gospel Tract
- Planning and Hosting a Valentines Swing Ball to Benefit Local Ministry
- Passing the 608 CPE Universal Test
- Restoring a Cafe Racer
- Producing an Original EP Album
- Wholesale Real Estate Business
- Writing and Producing a Gospel Bluegrass Single
- Sewing Project
- Drug Awareness Program
And many more!
It depends on the project. We have students complete individual and team projects every year and both are options.
This depends entirely on the student. Each year we have a mix students who are finishing high school or already graduated. The best way to determine if your student can manage Ascend alongside high school is to talk to an admissions counselor about the time commitment. Click here to book a call!
While ultimately it comes down to each individual student and their schedule, the vast majority of Ascend students work part or full time while completing the program.
Yes! For students taking a gap year we offer an Ascend Gap Year Track at enrollment. Book a call with our team to learn more about this option.
Not sure what this next year would look like? Are you scared of what the future holds, do you feel unprepared, or do you feel like you aren’t equipped to take on the challenges of this life? Ascend will get you on the right track. It will teach you things you never thought you would learn, and you will learn so much about yourself, who God made you to be, and how you can use your talents and gifts to glorify him and everything. What do you have to lose? Not a thing.
Micaiah M., Ascend Student
Micaiah M., Ascend Student