CREW LIFE ANNUAL PROGRAMS
What we offer at Crew Life
College Access & Exploration
At The Crew Life Foundation, we believe exposure creates opportunity. Our College Access Program is designed to inspire students to dream bigger by giving them firsthand experiences on college campuses, connecting them with mentors, and showing them that higher education and successful careers are within reach.
Many students in the communities we serve have never visited a college campus or experienced the opportunities available beyond high school. Through our college tours, we remove barriers by providing students with meaningful exposure to universities, career pathways, and professional environments that help them envision a future they may not have previously considered possible.
Over the past five years, Crew Life has taken more than 500 students on college tours to institutions including Purdue University, DePaul University, and Purdue Fort Wayne. These experiences have become a cornerstone of our mission to create a culture of lifelong learning and empower young people to pursue their goals.
More Than a Campus Visit
Our college tours are designed to be immersive experiences that combine education, mentorship, and inspiration. Students have the opportunity to:
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Explore college campuses and learn about the admissions process
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Participate in hands-on STEAM and career exploration activities
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Visit academic programs and discover potential career pathways
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Meet college students, professors, coaches, and professionals
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Experience campus life, athletics, and the culture of higher education
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Build confidence and motivation to pursue their future goals
Through our Purdue University Engineering & STEAM College Experience, students engage in hands-on activities with programs such as Materials Science Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, allowing them to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Students also experience the culture of college athletics through opportunities such as athletic facility tours, basketball practices, and interactions with coaches and student-athletes. These moments help students understand that success requires commitment both inside and outside the classroom.
Creating Pathways for Future Success
College exposure is just the beginning. Crew Life continues to support students through mentorship, leadership development, financial literacy education, internships, and career exploration opportunities. Our goal is to provide young people with the knowledge, confidence, and support system needed to succeed long after the trip ends.
A college tour is not simply a visit—it is a moment when a student can see themselves in a new environment, imagine a different future, and begin believing that their goals are possible.
At The Crew Life Foundation, we are committed to opening doors, expanding opportunities, and helping the next generation build a future filled with purpose and possibility.
CREW LIFE BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE
Each fall, The Crew Life Foundation hosts our Annual Backpack Drive, providing 500 students across Fort Wayne, East Chicago, Indianapolis, and surrounding communities with backpacks filled with essential school supplies. This initiative helps remove barriers for families while ensuring students start the school year prepared, confident, and supported.
In partnership with local businesses, including Precisions Barbershop in Fort Wayne, we also provide free back-to-school haircuts for students. This partnership honors the legacy of a longtime community mentor who dedicated over 30 years to serving youth and creating positive change. Through this event, we continue our commitment to strengthening families and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.
CREW Life Youth Sports Camps & Leagues
Youth Sports & Development Programs
At The Crew Life Foundation, we believe sports are more than a game—they are a vehicle for teaching life lessons, building character, and creating opportunities for young people to succeed. Each year, Crew Life hosts 12–15 sports camps across Indiana, Illinois, and Georgia, providing youth with high-quality instruction in basketball, football, gymnastics, cheerleading, and track.
Our programs are designed to help young athletes develop both on and off the field. Through coaching, mentorship, and structured activities, participants learn the importance of discipline, hard work, teamwork, accountability, mental toughness, communication, and time management—skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
Youth Programs Include:
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Spring and Fall Youth Flag Football Leagues
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Year-Round Youth Basketball Leagues
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7v7 Football Program
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Youth Track Program
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Late Night Basketball Program focused on providing a safe and positive environment for youth
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Weekly Basketball Skills Training
Each Crew Life camp includes guest speakers from a variety of professional fields who share their experiences and encourage students to think beyond athletics. We want every participant to understand that while sports can open doors, the values learned through sports—leadership, perseverance, and commitment—create success in every area of life.
Creating Access for All Families
We believe every child deserves the opportunity to participate, regardless of financial circumstances. Through our scholarship fund, Crew Life provides financial assistance to qualifying families, including those facing economic hardships, living in underserved communities, or experiencing difficult family circumstances.
Our goal is simple: provide a safe, supportive, and empowering environment where young people can develop their skills, build confidence, and become the leaders of tomorrow.
CREW Life High School Internship Program
Youth Internship & Career Development Program
The Crew Life Foundation Youth Internship Program empowers high school students by providing real-world career experiences, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Designed for students interested in sports, media, business, and related industries, the program helps youth discover career pathways beyond athletics while developing the skills needed for future success.
Through hands-on experiences with Crew Life events, interns gain exposure to the many careers that make the sports industry operate—from media and marketing to coaching, operations, photography, physical therapy, event management, and more. Our goal is to show students that sports can be a gateway to countless professional opportunities both on and off the field.
Program Goals
Career Exploration
Students are introduced to a wide range of career opportunities within the sports and entertainment industries, helping them understand the different pathways available beyond being an athlete.
Hands-On Experience
Interns work alongside Crew Life staff, volunteers, and industry professionals while assisting with events, gaining practical experience in event operations, communication, leadership, and teamwork.
Professional Development
Students participate in career conversations, skill-building sessions, and mentorship opportunities designed to strengthen confidence, professionalism, and workplace readiness.
Financial Literacy
All interns complete financial literacy programming focused on budgeting, saving, financial responsibility, and preparing for long-term independence.
Program Experiences
Throughout the year, interns participate in weekly meetings, Crew Life events, leadership activities, and career development opportunities. A highlight of the program includes career exploration trips, such as visits to the Big Ten Network and Big Ten Conference headquarters in Chicago, where students learn about careers in broadcasting, media production, marketing, social media, business operations, and sports administration.
These experiences provide students with direct access to professionals and help them visualize themselves in careers they may have never previously considered.
Building Future Leaders
The Crew Life Youth Internship Program is about more than gaining work experience—it is about developing confident, responsible, and prepared young leaders. Through mentorship, education, and opportunity, we equip students with the skills, connections, and mindset needed to succeed in college, careers, and life.
By investing in youth today, we are helping create the next generation of professionals, leaders, and community changemakers.