School’s out for the summer—now what? As any parent knows, finding things to occupy your children’s time isn’t exactly the easiest task.
Letting them run loose isn’t the most productive use of three months sans school. Neither is letting them spend all day on their devices.
So, what if you brought them to Mindvalley University instead?
Yes, Mindvalley events are oftentimes catered to adults. However, Mindvalley University is more family-centric. And Mindvalley for Teens, for one, is a program curated specifically for adolescents in mind.
This isn’t your run-of-the-mill summer camp; it’s an immersive, transformative experience that’s redefining education for our digital age. The specially tailored teens program equips young people with tools for personal growth and academic achievement.
And, according to the head of the Mindvalley Youth Program, Gigi Márquez Suárez, it has become “one of the cornerstones of Mindvalley University.”
The psychology behind the teens’ program
Navigating the tumultuous teenage years is a universal rite of passage. It’s filled with emotional upheaval, physical changes, and a quest for identity.
This pressure can take quite a toll. In fact, one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds globally experiences a mental health condition, according to a 2021 report by the World Health Organization. This can often leave them “vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviors, physical ill-health, and human rights violations.”
Adolescence is a challenge in any generation, no matter if it’s the 1320s or the 2020s. Teens have (and probably will always) grappled with evolving societal pressures, academic expectations, and trying to carve their path to independence.
And that’s exactly why the Youth Program at Mindvalley University exists.
“It’s really magical because it gives you access to the wisdom of people who are a little bit older but also the creativity and the energy of the children,” Gigi says. “And so, it becomes a really magical space to learn from each other.”
At its core, the program prioritizes aspects of personal development for kids and teens. Each workshop is turned into an engaging game, making the experience productive as well as enjoyable.
It’s similar to already-existing teen summer programs but grounded in research. A 2020 study found that turning learning into a game can really help teens remember more, making their transition into adulthood smoother.
But the Mindvalley for Teens program isn’t all about how to learn better. It’s also about, as Gigi explains, connecting better. And with so many people coming in from around the world, the space allows kids to connect with others of different backgrounds.
What teens will be learning at Mindvalley University
From the Mindvalley for Kids workshops to the one designed for teens, every aspect of the Youth Program aims to empower, enlighten, and entertain.
As for what’s in store for them each year at Mindvalley University, the program schedule continuously evolves with fresh ideas and dynamic experiences. Here’s a list of some of the exciting programs they’ve enjoyed in previous years:
Conscious use of technology
“The idea is to get them exposed to conscious tools in ways that they can use,” says Gigi. It was about helping teens learn to use technology mindfully to enhance their lives instead of controlling them. In turn, they were able to be more intentional in their digital habits.
Entrepreneurship
The teens were encouraged to dive into problem-solving and innovative thinking as well as to tackle challenges with creativity and grit. By instilling a mindset of resilience and adaptability, they learned how to see setbacks not as failures but as opportunities for growth.
Digital content creation
The upcoming generation is living in a world that is online and offline. This workshop taught them how to express themselves and their creative ideas in the digital realm and equipped them with the tools to create authentic, engaging content.
Whether they were interested in social media, video production, or blogging, they gained practical skills to share their voice with the world.
Self-acceptance
It goes without saying that embracing our unique qualities and quirks is important. It fosters a healthier self-image and promotes emotional well-being.
Through affirmations, mindfulness meditations, and reflective exercises, this program encouraged teens to appreciate their individuality. It fostered emotional well-being and helped them understand that true confidence comes from within.
Neurodiversity
This session delved into the different ways our brains work, helping teens develop empathy for the diverse ways people think, learn, and experience the world.
By understanding neurodiversity, they cultivated tolerance, inclusivity, and a greater sense of belonging, both for themselves and their peers.
Speaker sessions
The Mindvalley for Teens program brought in renowned speakers to empower participants to develop confidence and a growth mindset. Notable, inspirational figures like:
- Vishen, the founder of Mindvalley,
- Marisa Peer, the creator of RTT® and trainer of Mindvalley’s Rapid Transformational Hypnotherapy for Abundance Quest,
- Ronan Oliveira, the trainer of Mindvalley’s 10X Quest, and
- many more.
These thought leaders provided valuable insights into various aspects of personal and professional growth.
Community
No Mindvalley event was complete without its signature, curated gatherings. From parties to performances and concerts, the Mindvalley University experience was centered around connection and joy.
And because Mindvalley University is family-centric, “everything,” says Gigi, “is kid-friendly.”
It was all about the experience, after all. And it was these experiences that brought the most happiness when enjoyed with kindred spirits.
Teens’ transformation at Mindvalley University
Teens who enter the realm of Mindvalley leave with a greater understanding of themselves and the world around them. It’s kind of like witnessing a plot twist in a good book—one that leaves you grinning from ear to ear.
Let’s take Kristopher Delacoeur, a participant from the United States of America, for example. He says, “As a teen, I picked going to the adult lectures instead of the teen group,” adding that because he’s nearing the end of high school, his focus is starting his own career. And he noted that the Mindvalley roundup helped.
For Santiago Rafael Pascual, it was more about the connections. He explains that each of the relationships he made at Mindvalley University “is stronger than my biological family.”
“Each conversation here has made me a better person, and the environments help us maintain and remind that new versions of us,” he says. “Thanks for healing the world through the unity of the soul family.”
And RuLeecia Rohbock couldn’t agree more. She says, “It’s pretty ingrained in us that we need to go to college right after high school. So even though I would have the grants and scholarships to go to a traditional college, I chose to come to Mindvalley University for the time being and explore non-traditional ways of education.”
Read more: You can find out what other participants said about Mindvalley for Teens at Mindvalley Stories.
Why parents pick Mindvalley University for their teens
Let’s face it: parenting teenagers is a bit like being in charge of a funfair ride—it’s full of ups, downs, and unexpected twists. So when the search begins for the perfect teen summer travel program, perhaps look for more than just another spin on the roller coaster.
Mindvalley for Teens offers something decidedly different from the usual whizzing roundabout of adolescent life. It offers a holistic approach to development, a delightful mix of personal growth and learning.
Parents who’ve attended Mindvalley University with their kids have appreciated this empathetic approach, seeing it as a place where their teens are understood, supported, and inspired. Here’s what a few of them have to say:
As a family experience, it was fantastic. Tallinn was a great location for our teens—not too big, easy to get around, and safe. The hub was a fabulous space. The caliber of speakers was awesome, particularly Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Shefali Tsabary, and Nassim Haramein.
— Sally Daniels
One month of learning with four teenagers in the Baltics sounded a little like jumping into cold, unknown waters. The experience was incredible for all, the Instagram posts of the teenagers sum it up best.
They were just as blown away as us, by the connections in the tribe, the opportunities to grow, the social events, the amazing city of Tallinn, and the highly professional and caring way the entire event was organized by the Mindvalley Team.
It feels extraordinary to be part of this disruption in education. An absolute highlight of our lives.
— Gerry Haag
I came with few expectations for my son and am still blown away by the amazing developments he and other kids took in Barcelona at [Mindvalley University 2016].
Interacting with this crowd of high-energy, loving, accepting, and supportive people boosts kids’ confidence, and opens them to topics and experiences (meditation, healthy eating patterns, social engagement, the artist in you, compassion, consciousness, etc.) that parents can wish for their kids but struggle to convey in daily life. I am very grateful for this experience and will definitely return next year.
— Andy Kaul
Next stop: Mindvalley University
“It’s our responsibility as the adults in the world to ensure the next generations get access to the best possible options out there,” says Gigi. And that, for your teen, can be Mindvalley University.
Each year, the event is held in a specially selected city, chosen for its unique blend of culture, innovation, and inspiration. Imagine you and your teen soaking up knowledge and experiences in a location designed to ignite personal growth, where every moment offers the chance for learning and transformation.
So ready to help your teen flip the switch from ordinary to extraordinary? The transformation begins at Mindvalley University.
Welcome in.
