Special Ops Summer Squads
  • Special Ops

    Paid Staff + Volunteer Opportunities

    15 min Interest + Availability Survey

    * * Noting interest DOES NOT equal commitment * * 

    We will reach out to have a more specific conversation with you. 

  • Background

    The Superhero Training Academy is an educational, 501c3 not for profit with bases and adventure venues across southeast Michigan.  Our purpose is to help kids transform into their most connected, most creative, most courageous, most compassionate selves.   

     

    We are led by educators, artists, therapists and adventurers.

    We are supported by special guests and community partners.

    We bring to life play + wellness, art + literacy, adventure + leadership.

     

    In 2026, we plan to serve 699 elementary age kids with our programs.   

    Our core values, culture, and curriculum are centered around

  • Current Opportunities - Summer 2026

    This summer, we are running 3 superhero "Quests".  Every quest will take a mix of around 8 - 12 Special Ops.   See more details about the Quest program on this webpage (10 min read).

     

     Summer 2026

    1. Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center, June 15 - June 20

    2. Detroit Communty School, June 22 - July 26

    3. Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center, Aug 17 - 21 + Aug 23

    * See specific schedules below descriptions *  

  • Please read the following 3 descriptions to assess your interests.

  • Basecamp provides logistic support, nurtures community relationships, and sets up special events.  We are a small team that works before, behind, and after the Quest. 

    This team is (mostly) time flexible, so if you highlight any interest, we will reach back out to you and talk time / space continuum :)

      

  • Superheroes are the key educators, the catalysts for kids to live into joy and wisdom, compassion and fortitude.  We teach through storytelling, action packed play, adventure challenges, creative arts and encouraging conversations.

    We help each kid develop themselves into their own authentic superhero self.  Superheroes are the guides to frame what it means to be a hero, how to practice, and how to put their creative powers to work in their communities, as well as transforming supervillains.

    Understand more about education with Superhero Training Academy in this 4 min video here.

  • Villains are costumed exaggerations of common human challenges, such as self-discouragement, anxiety, laziness, etc. 

    You team up with around 6 other villains in some ridiculous plot to foil heroes in a series of immersive, interactive play adventures with kids. 

    A taste of the villain experience can be found in this 2 min video here or read a newspaper article here.

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