A consistent group of mentors, peers, and supporters can help a child discover new possibilities and build confidence in what they can achieve.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?” may be a challenging question for some kids, or even one they haven’t had many opportunities to explore yet. Encouragement to imagine their future and pursue their goals with confidence, purpose, and curiosity is what the Rise Above the Rough Program aims to provide.
Designed for students ages 10 to 12, Rise Above combines golf instruction, life skills, career exploration, and enriching experiences to help participants grow both on and off the course.
What begins as a free four-week summer program can become a three-year journey of learning, mentorship, and personal development.
Growing the Rise Above Community
Launched in summer 2025, Rise Above the Rough is a growing program designed to provide students with consistent opportunities for mentorship, exploration, and personal growth.
Now entering its second summer, Rise Above is welcoming 10 participants who will continue building relationships, developing new skills, and exploring future possibilities together. Led by Rise Above Coordinator Henry Stallings, the program provides students with a consistent team of supporters throughout the summer, including dedicated helpers and coaches who encourage, guide, and connect with participants along the way.
Inside the Rise Above Experience
Every experience introduces another possibility for each participant’s future. Through hands-on activities, conversations, and new experiences, students have opportunities to explore different interests and discover what inspires them.
Each morning, participants arrive at Indian Trails Golf Course, where they begin the day with life skills lessons focused on topics like confidence, respect, and goal setting. Then, it’s time to head outside for golf! Students play games, practice their swings, and continue building their understanding of the game and golf culture.
After lunch, participants visit local businesses, hear from professionals, volunteer in the community, experiment with STEM activities, and step onto college campuses. Each day of the four-week program looks a little different, but the encouragement, relationships, and opportunities remain consistent throughout.
Each week builds on a common theme:
Week 1: Community Service & Team Building
Week 2: First Tee High School Pathways
Week 3: Careers
Week 4: Higher Education
Why Rise Above Matters
Knowing what you want to do from a young age isn’t always easy. Dreams change, interests evolve, and confidence grows over time. That’s why Rise Above focuses on creating consistent opportunities for mentorship, exploration, and encouragement.
Throughout the program, participants build relationships with mentors, connect with peers, and experience new opportunities that help them see what is possible for their future. These relationships become another source of encouragement as kids celebrate successes and work through challenges.
A Program That Grows With Students
After the first summer at Rise Above, there are many more to come! Each participant is given the opportunity to participate in Rise Above for three years. That’s three summers of meeting professionals, visiting colleges, exploring careers, serving the community, and asking the bigger question: “What do I want to become?”
As the program grows alongside each child, participants have the opportunity to meet with their group three times during the school year to reconnect, continue building relationships, and reflect on their goals.
At First Tee, we believe every young person benefits from having a strong network of people cheering them on. Rise Above is about far more than learning to swing a golf club. It’s about helping young people discover confidence, build meaningful relationships, explore new possibilities, and know they have a community of support encouraging them every step of the way.