Fall 2026 Founding Cohort
Join the
Youth Collective
Your ideas belong here.
Bring your questions, your ideas, and the things you care about. Together, six North SLO County students will explore, connect, and create something meaningful.
Apply for the Fall CohortGrades 5–8 Six Founding Spots North SLO County
Everything at a Glance
The practical details families need before applying.
Who
North SLO County students entering grades 5–8
Six students
Dates
September 18–November 6, 2026
Eight-week session
Time
Fridays, 4:00–5:30 PM
Weekly after-school meetings
Location
Santa Lucia School
Templeton, California
Meeting space provided by Santa Lucia School.
Independently operated by Purpose Lab Collective LLC.
Program Fee
$200 for the complete session
Full and partial scholarships available
Application Timeline
Apply by September 4
Decisions emailed September 9
For Parents & Guardians
Practical Details
Before the First Session
The information below explains what families can expect and how we support each young person’s participation.
Safety & Supervision
The founding cohort is intentionally limited to six students, with a planned ratio of one adult to six students. This small-group setting allows Bridget to know each student well, provide consistent guidance, and create a welcoming environment where every young person can participate.
Bridget has completed LiveScan fingerprinting and background clearance. Any additional adult serving in a regular supervisory role will complete the appropriate clearance as well.
Before the first session, accepted families will receive emergency contact, health information, authorized pickup, and program agreement forms.
Transportation, Arrival & Pickup
Families are responsible for transportation to and from Santa Lucia School. The Youth Collective is an independent program operated by Purpose Lab Collective LLC. Santa Lucia School is generously providing meeting space for the Fall 2026 cohort. Purpose Lab Collective manages all registration, fees, supervision, program policies, and family communications.
Accepted families will receive detailed arrival and pickup instructions before the session begins. Parents and guardians will identify the adults authorized to pick up their student and provide any information needed to support a safe, smooth transition into and out of each session.
Families will receive advance information about any program activities that require different transportation arrangements.
Access & Individual Support
We want each student to feel welcomed, understood, and able to participate fully.
The parent and guardian section of the application includes space to share learning, sensory, mobility, communication, medical, or other support needs. This information is kept private and has no negative effect on a student’s application.
Bridget will follow up directly when a conversation would help identify the support that can be provided safely and thoughtfully within the small-group setting.
Program Fee & Scholarships
The program fee is $200 for the complete eight-week session. The fee supports program planning and preparation, project materials, guest mentors, community connections, and the small-group learning experience.
No payment is required to apply. Accepted families will receive payment and scholarship details after decisions are emailed.
Full and partial scholarships are available. Families may request the level of assistance that would make participation possible through the parent and guardian section of the application.
Scholarship requests are handled privately and reviewed separately from student selection. Every participant receives the same complete Youth Collective experience.
Application Privacy, Photos & Student Work
Application information will be used to review the student’s application, communicate with their parent or guardian, plan for access and safety, and complete enrollment and program administration.
Access to this information will be limited to Bridget and any authorized Purpose Lab Collective personnel who need it for these purposes. Family information will never be sold, used for advertising, or shared publicly.
Permission to photograph a student, publish their work, or share identifying information will be requested separately. Families will be able to review these choices before providing permission.
Waitlist & Future Cohorts
Because the founding cohort has only six places, some wonderful applicants may not receive a spot in the first session.
Those students will be invited to join the Youth Collective waiting list. Joining the waiting list is optional.
Waitlisted families may be contacted if a place becomes available and will be among the first to receive information about future Youth Collective sessions as the program grows.
How to Apply
A simple application, in your own voice
Student and parent sections are included in one Google Form.
-
The student shares
Sections 2–5 ask about interests, strengths, curiosities, and hopes. Honest answers matter more than perfect writing.
Written in their voice -
A parent adds details
Section 6 covers contact and scheduling information, support needs, and anything that will help the student participate fully.
Private & supportive -
Hear from Bridget
All applications submitted by September 4 will receive equal consideration. Decisions will be emailed by September 9.
Thoughtful review
How Applications Are Considered
A caring cohort with varied gifts
Applications are reviewed thoughtfully as a whole. Curiosity, kindness, and honest reflection matter more than academic achievement, polished writing, or previous leadership experience.
Every on-time application receives equal consideration.
Applications Close September 4
Ready to tell us what matters to you?
We’re excited to learn about your interests, strengths, and hopes for the experience.
Apply for the Youth CollectiveQuestions? bridgetwann@purposelabcollective.org