On July 18th, Houston-based non-profit The Pangea Network held a comprehensive camp at the prestigious Rice University for young high school leaders from a variety of socio and economic backgrounds.
The camp, along with having 6-days of intensive training, calls for young women to make a commitment to service and action for the rest of the school year in an initiative called the Take Action Challenge (TAC). The 6-day camp, called The Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC), took applications from all over the Houston area and accepted 21 top-performing and potential change-makers. Thirteen diverse students received full scholarships provided by Pangea with 14 Houston and The Woodlands schools represented. 
YWLC follows an intensive curriculum created by Pangea that includes training in global issues, financial literacy, self-esteem and body image, service, leadership and women in STEM, and conflict resolution. They also bring in inspiring female entrepreneurs, scientists, and business owners to speak to and mentor the ladies as they embark on the rest of their high school careers.
The culmination of the week is the Take Action Challenge (TAC) where women design a challenge for themselves to impact their community for one year, performing thousands of service hours cumulatively. The entire week leads up to this event and teaches high school girls that they have the power to impact their communities and peers while still in high school. Each girl is given the tools and support she needs for success and presents her project, or group project, in a gallery setting on the last day of camp for dozens of parents and attendees to critique and support. She presents to a variety of individuals and is challenged on the details of her project. The projects range from bake sales, donation-based cycle classes, to awareness building dance events for under-privileged girls.
Over 21 young women are now active all over the Houston area, due to their individual drive and to the support given by The Pangea Network, with the inspiration to change their world. Be on the lookout for how the Take Action Challenge is impacting your local community and follow The Pangea Network today.
