Heard of SuperCamp? In a nutshell, it’s a summer educational experience that teaches teens valuable life skills. Participants are transformed with a noticeable shift in their strength of character and a hunger for academic excellence. Some are so inspired that they leap from camp learner to team leader. One such student was Jake Smith. This is his story.

Jake attended Stanford Senior Forum prior to his final year of high school. The impact was so great that he became a counselor the following summer. He describes his experience as life changing. Jake believes that what he learned made college life more fulfilling. And though his time spent as a counselor was exhausting, he admits it’s “the hardest work you’ll ever love.” His love hasn’t died. He went on to be a counselor for five more years and currently works for SuperCamp’s parent company, Quantum Learning Network, as partnerships director.