Makethechange

At a glance

The Gaia Changemakers Program Juniors is a full-week immersive experience designed for curious 12–14 year olds ready to explore sustainability, innovation, and leadership — in a way that is hands-on, creative, and deeply memorable.This is more than a camp.
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It is a formative lived experience.Young changemakers explore real-world sustainability challenges while building confidence, collaboration skills, and courage to take action — all within a safe, supportive environment.

Who:

Boys and girls ages 12–14 (Grades 8–9)

Where:

Zurich & The Swiss Alps

When:

June 7 – 13, 2026

Group size:

20 participants (small, personal, supportive)

Cost:

CHF 3,000

Ready to join?

Register 2026

Want to find out more?

Download brochure

Why This Program?

This generation has a lot riding on their shoulders. But before big action comes belief.

Gaia Juniors helps young people:

Think in systems — understanding how everything connects

Develop leadership and teamwork skills

Build confidence in their ideas

Explore sustainability through real-world learning

Experience independence in a structured, safe environment

Rooted in systems thinking and inspired by the Gaia Hypothesis, this program nurtures reflection, responsibility, and creativity — empowering young people to lead with heart.

Some of our Collaborators:

Where you’ll go

Zurich — Innovation Meets Nature

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A vibrant city and global center for sustainability.

Participants explore:

Circular design at FREITAG
Sustainable consumption workshops at Maison Shift
Design Thinking Hackathon Day
FIFA Museum workshop on global inequality and sport

Plus:

Lake picnics
Ropes park
City exploration
Mindfulness & art sessions

Zurich blends innovation with outdoor adventure — creating the perfect setting to begin the journey.

A Day in the Swiss Alps

A powerful space to pause, reflect, and reconnect.

Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, participants:

Engage in hands-on forestry activities
Learn how ecosystems function
Practice teamwork and responsibility
Experience the beauty and fragility of nature

The Alps provide perspective.

And perspective creates changemakers.

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Extra Adventures

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Because growth and joy go hand in hand.

Participants may enjoy:

Nature hikes
Picnic & BBQ by the lake
Fondue & Raclette
Campfire s’mores
Sustainable cooking
Art sessions
Board games & movie night
Lindt Museum visit
Sunset watching

Fun is not separate from learning.

It deepens it.

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A 7-Day Journey

Transformation doesn’t happen in a single workshop.

Over seven immersive days, skills and values are woven into experiences that explore sustainability

What Makes Gaia Juniors Different?

Real-World Sustainability Learning
✔︎ Climate change
✔︎ Circular economy
✔︎ Zero-waste & conscious living
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Future Skills for Life
✔︎ Leadership & teamwork
✔︎ Systems thinking
✔︎ Design thinking & creativity

Personal Impact & Reflection
✔︎ Daily guided reflection sessions
✔︎ Structured support to write a Personal Impact Statement
✔︎ Official certificate

Global Changemaker Network
✔︎ Invitation to our Ambassador Program
✔︎ Access to a growing global youth network

This isn’t just learning about change.
It’s practicing how to create it.

What a Day Looks Like

Morning – Start & Create (8:30–12:00)
Welcome circle, group check-in, creative workshops, design challenges.

‍Midday – Recharge & Connect (12:00–1:30)
Lunch together, break time, friendship building.

‍Afternoon – Explore & Collaborate (1:30–5:30)
Team projects, excursions, hackathon-style challenges, expert sessions.

‍Evening – Unwind & Reflect (6:00–8:30)
Dinner together, storytelling, guided reflections, special experiences.

Structured. Engaging. Balanced.

Meet the Team

Diya Kanoria – Founder
Cambridge & Duke graduate. International educator. Passionate about reimagining education to empower empathetic problem-solvers.

‍Jonathan Kirkwood – Program Facilitator
20+ years leadership experience in international schools, specialising in global issues and sustainability.

‍Austina Kang – Design Thinking Facilitator
STEAM educator and innovation specialist with experience at Autodesk, Adobe, and Silicon Valley tech companies.

Students also learn from expert collaborators throughout the week.

Ready to join?

Register 2026

Want to find out more?

Download brochure

Have any questions?

Schedule a call with our founder

Want to become a sponsor/collaborator?

Contact Us

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply?

Students aged 12–14 (Grades 8–9) with a reasonable level of English.

Is this academic or experiential?

Experiential. Learning happens through hands-on workshops, excursions, and real-world challenges.

How many students attend?

20 participants to maintain a close-knit and supportive environment.

What does the fee include?

Accommodation, meals, all program activities, excursions, and airport transfers on designated dates.

What does a typical day look like?

All staff are background-checked and first-aid trained. Participants are supervised at all times, and we maintain strong communication with families.

What is the accommodation like?

Supervised hotel in Zurich with shared rooms and staff on site.

What are the program fees?

Semi-Residential
CHF 5,700
Early Bird (before Feb 28, 2026): CHF 4,700

‍Fully-Residential
CHF 7,200
Early Bird: CHF 6,200

What does the fee include?

For all students:

Daily lunch in Zurich
All weekday program activities
Welcome dinner (July 6th)
All activities, accommodation, and meals in Prague and the Alps
Travel between Zurich, Prague, and the Alps

For fully-residential students:

All meals from July 5th (arrival day) until July 24th
Evening and weekend activities
Accommodation for the full duration (July 5–24)
Airport pickup and drop-off at Zurich Airport on arrival and departure dates

All students must have personal health and travel insurance.

What is the difference between semi-residential and fully-residential?

Semi-residential students:

Arrange their own accommodation in Zurich
Do not have weekend/evening accommodation in Zurich
Have transport, meals, and accommodation included in Prague and the Alps

Fully-residential students:

Stay with the program for the entire duration
Participate in all weekend and evening activities
Receive airport transfers on official arrival/departure dates

What will accommodation be like?

In Zurich and Prague, participants stay in youth hostels that meet high standards of safety and cleanliness. Rooms are shared with fellow program participants. Some hostels offer private bathrooms and showers, though this cannot be guaranteed.

In the Alps, participants stay in a remote and traditional Swiss mountain hut, which we will hike to together. Accommodation is simple, shared, and part of the authentic alpine experience. At all times, one or more Make The Change chaperones stay on-site with students.

If you would like more details and photos of accommodation, please request our Student Needs Brochure at gcp@makethechange.education.

Do you help with visa applications?

Unfortunately, we are not able to assist with visa applications at this time. Students who are not Swiss residents must ensure they apply for and obtain the appropriate travel permissions well in advance. Please note that Switzerland is part of the Schengen region, so entry requirements may depend on your nationality.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Until Dec 31, 2025: Full refund minus CHF 200 processing fee
Jan 1 – Feb 28, 2026: 50% refund
From March 1, 2026 onward: No refund

We strongly recommend cancellation insurance.

Is financial assistance available?

Once the minimum number of participants required to run the program has been reached, we offer a limited number of places for asylum seekers based in the Zurich area (with the relevant residence permit).

We are committed to increasing accessibility and would welcome sponsorships or donations to expand opportunities for more students.

If you are interested in sponsoring or supporting the program, please contact us at gcp@makethechange.education.

Do you offer payment plans?

Payment plans may be discussed individually. Please contact us to explore options.

How do you ensure safety and well-being?

The health, safety, and well-being of our students is always our highest priority. We are committed to providing the support necessary to ensure students feel safe, healthy, and able to fully engage in the program experience.

All team members undergo background checks and hold up-to-date first-aid certification. We also have a comprehensive Student Needs Brochure outlining our safety protocols and participant care approach. You may request this by emailing gcp@makethechange.education.

What is the staff-to-student ratio?

Approximately 1:10, depending on the location and activities.

What happens if my child becomes ill?

We will ensure appropriate medical care and keep parents/guardians informed of any significant concerns.

Participants must have personal health and travel insurance.

Are students supervised at all times?

Yes. During program hours and residential stays, supervision is continuous.

Structured free time is permitted in small groups within clearly defined boundaries.

Who are the instructors?

The program is led by founder Diya Kanoria, an experienced international educator with degrees from the University of Cambridge, Duke University, and University College London.

She is joined by Myrto Vandersee, a facilitator specialising in environmental science and sustainability.

Students also engage with guest experts and partner organisations throughout the program.

What if my child has dietary restrictions?

Dietary needs and allergies can be accommodated with advance notice.

Is travel environmentally responsible?

We are mindful of our footprint and can support families in arranging carbon offset solutions for travel.

Ready to Be the Next Changemaker?

A summer they’ll remember. A confidence they’ll carry forward.
Spots are limited to keep the experience personal and meaningful.

Register 2026