Discover Your Strengths. Find Your Voice.

The Vicksburg Spotlight Initiative is Bluffs & Bridges' flagship program for young people ages 13 to 17. Through creative projects, wellness workshops, and community experiences, participants build confidence, develop leadership and communication skills, and discover the strengths that make them unique. The program meets twice each month from May through November. Together, participants create an original production based on their own ideas and experiences. Because the youth help shape the program each year, every Spotlight season is a new experience. Our goal is to create a welcoming place where young people can learn, grow, make new friends, and discover what they're capable of.

What to Expect

  • Ages 13–17

  • Meets twice each month (May through November)

  • No previous theater or acting experience needed

  • Wellness workshops for youth and families

  • Youth-led creative projects

  • An original production created by the participants

participant interest form

Discover the Places. Hear the Stories. Share the Journey.

Echoes of Mississippi is a travel experience for young people ages 13 to 17 that takes learning beyond the classroom. From May through June, participants travel to communities across Mississippi, meeting the people, visiting the places, and hearing the stories that have shaped our state. Along the way, participants discover how the stories of Mississippi continue to shape the people, places, and communities of today while building confidence, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills.

Beginning with our inaugural journey in 2027, Echoes of Mississippi will highlight a different town or region of the state each year, giving participants a new opportunity to explore Mississippi through fresh places, new stories, and meaningful connections.

What to Expect

  • Ages 13–17

  • March through June

  • Guided journeys across Mississippi

  • A different town or region featured each year

  • Visits to historic and cultural sites

  • Conversations with local residents, historians, artists, and community leaders

  • Hands-on learning and creative storytelling

If you'd like to learn more about Vicksburg Spotlight Initiative or Echoes of Mississippi to find out if it's the right fit for your family, we'd love to hear from you. Contact me at admin@bluffsandbridges.com with your questions.