What is B.R.a.V.E.?
The Sweethearts & Heroes B.R.A.V.E. Programs and Classes are a peer-to-peer, age-mixed youth leadership system that promotes student empowerment, empathy activation, and elevating core human skills. Built on the foundations of play research, brain science, and our essential leadership skills such as behavior modeling, B.R.A.V.E. aims to grow and sustain healthy relationships, build stronger peer networks of support, and make a positive impact on the social determinants of health.
Why B.R.A.V.E.?
Bravery is one of the greatest skills our children need. The great Aristotle believed that being brave (possessing constant and consistent courage) is one of the greatest virtues a human can have! To be brave is to be ready or prepared to face and endure danger, fear, or difficulty; it is the possession of courage or courageous endurance. Courage is the mental or moral strength to take action and venture into the unknown, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty (stress).
Founded on brain science and play research.
Research-Backed Curriculum
Project-Based & inquiry-Driven
Age-Mixed, spaced Repetition
Building Empathetic Fitness™
Sweethearts & Heroes builds a unique brand of Empathetic Fitness™. Just as one trains the body using Frequency-Intensity-Time/Duration (FIT), we’ve developed a philosophy of training others to become empathetically fit, strengthening our students and their compassionate empathy muscles. Being empathetically fit is the ability and commitment to consistently perform or provide compassionate empathy to others in any environment, under any conditions, without fatigue, and with minimal effort. This is only achieved through proper training and deliberate repeated practice.
BRAVE Programs & Classes
Upper Elementary | Middle School | High School
The B.R.A.V.E. Buddies 6-Week program is a youth leadership teaser that introduces students to the fundamentals of Circle work and our age-mixed play scenarios, Bully Drills. We’ll practice the core axioms of giving H.O.P.E. and Jumping into Action as we ignite compassionate empathy and plant the seeds for a self-directed, self-controlled, and student-led learning environment. Utilizing the art and science of play, along with our unique human skill practices, this program systematically empowers students and fosters cultures of belonging.
Contact us to schedule a program today!
MS | 7-8 Grade Leaders working with K-2 students
B.R.A.V.E. JRs is about one thing, and one thing only: FUN!
Truly, play is nature’s greatest means for reconciling cognitive difficulties. It builds autonomy, competence, and relatedness (the basic psychological needs of all humans), is the original training ground for human skills and empathy, and is responsible for successfully transitioning us from childhood to adulthood. In this class, we’ll help students ask better questions, explore the magic of Circle, uncover the essentials for positive leadership, and recapture the wonder of youth through age-mixed play and our signature Bully Drills.
HS | 9-12 Grade Leaders working with 1-5 students
Our first-year high school leadership class takes things up a notch from the JRs’ level. In addition to the importance of play and training in the Bully Drills, we’ll cover the fundamentals of running Circle, help unlock your core leadership values, and discover valuable insights into the brain and how it learns best.
This yearlong class sets the stage for a multi-step leadership journey that spans 4 years of lessons on self-awareness and actionable strategies to help your youth influencers change the culture of your school forever.
HS | 10-12 Grade Leaders working with 5-8 students
In this powerful second-year course, students dive deeper into what it means to be human and a leader. We’ll explore how to weave a web of human connection in Circle, practice identifying empathy and emotional intelligence in action, and go hands-on with learning through play and running Bully Drills like never before.
With unforgettable stories, advanced leadership modeling, and a deeper understanding of why teens behave the way they do, this course offers a masterclass in guiding middle schoolers through challenges by leading with play, purpose, and presence.
HS | 11-12 Grade Leaders working with K-9 students
For our third-year BRAVE course, students explore the wonder and science behind Circle as they continue to lead the charge in strengthening your Circle culture. Simultaneously, these 102 graduates will take the next step in establishing a sustainable legacy of leadership by learning how to present the Sweethearts & Heroes K-2 and 3-5 elementary presentations in a small classroom format. Known as our Student-Teacher Empathy Program (S.T.E.P.), these youth leaders will deliver a message of H.O.P.E. and action, tailoring it to their own lives and inspiring the next generation to lead the charge with kindness, compassion, and actionable strategies for good.
HS | 12 Grade Leaders working with students & Community Members
This final-year independent study is designed to reignite the school as the central hub for community and learning. Utilizing three years of leadership tools, practices, and skills, high school seniors will facilitate Circle with local business leaders and niche groups they’re interested in learning from. They’ll have the opportunity to continue presenting in other communities with our second phase of S.T.E.P. (getting PAID to present), pursue a final legacy media or capstone research project, and assist with the entire range of BRAVE classes running throughout their school as they prepare to venture into the world to inspire and lead.
2024-2025 PROGRAMS
Launch a Program today!
Spark the next generation to be the change and sustain the message of Sweethearts & Heroes at a whole new level!
Unlock your students’ superpowers and help them share their experiences and strengths with their younger peers!
Jumpstart your youth leadership team and set them up for a future Sweethearts & Heroes B.R.A.V.E. Class!
Take Action today!