Life Skills & Leadership Development
Students develop essential life skills, including confidence, communication, emotional intelligence, discipline, decision-making, and leadership.
ADF Teen Circle
A Leadership & Life Development Experience for Teenagers (Ages 13–17)
Helping teenagers develop confidence, discipline, leadership, and real-world readiness through mentorship, life skills education, and practical experiences.
Cohort Size: 20 students
Adolescence is one of the most important stages in a young person’s life. It is the period when teenagers begin forming their identity, developing habits, shaping their values, and building the confidence needed to navigate the world independently.
Yet many teenagers today are growing up in an increasingly noisy world, facing pressure from academics, social media, peer influence, and uncertainty about the future while still trying to figure out who they are and where they belong.
Many are also growing within environments not intentionally designed to support this critical stage of development. As a result, many young people struggle to feel truly seen, heard, understood, or supported.
Parents are navigating demanding careers and fast-paced lives while trying to raise grounded young people in a rapidly changing world.
ADF Teen Circle bridges this gap.
ADF Growth Journal System
Students use the ADF Growth Journals to track their daily habits, reflect on their experiences, and monitor their personal growth while building self-awareness and accountability.
Mentorship & Guidance
Participants learn from mentors and professionals who guide important conversations about responsibility, choices, and future opportunities.
Real-World Exposure
Students gain exposure to different career paths and may participate in internship opportunities that connect their interests to real-world experiences.
Community Leadership Project
Each cohort collaborates on a project addressing a real issue affecting young people and presents the outcome publicly.
This culminates in the Teen Circle Showcase & Graduation, where students share their journey and receive their ADF Teen Circle Certificate.
Teen Circle meets twice monthly in person for structured development sessions.
Teen Circle meets twice monthly in person for structured development sessions.
Sessions include:
Sessions include:
- Life skills and leadership education
- Guided reflection using ADF Growth Journals
- Mentor-led discussions and guest speakers
- Group conversations and leadership exercises
- Parent engagement and feedback
Core Circle
The foundational Teen Circle experience. Includes:
- Two monthly in-person sessions
- Life skills and leadership curriculum
- ADF Growth Journal System
- Mentor group sessions
- peer discussions and community
Leadership Circle ⭐ Most Popular
Includes everything in Core plus:
- Internship opportunities
- Participation in the community leadership project
- Leadership workshops and challenges
- Exposure to professionals and career pathways
- Group roadmap and goal setting
Elite Circle
Includes everything in Leadership plus:
- Assigned personal mentor
- Monthly one-on-one mentorship sessions
- Personalised development roadmap
- parent progress conversations and feedback
- teenagers with potential who need discipline, personal responsibility, direction, and consistency
- those navigating confidence, identity, or peer influence
- students who need life and leadership skills alongside school
- valuable for teenagers who would benefit from structured mentorship and a supportive peer environment.
- for parents are busy but intentional about their child’s growth
- wo want structured mentorship and expert guidance
- who want reinforcement beyond the home
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who are preparing their child for college, independence, or the next phase of life
Why ADF Teen Circle Is Different
Many teen programs offer occasional mentoring conversations.
ADF Teen Circle is intentionally designed for real growth.
Built from real experience
ADF works at the intersection of home, school, faith communities, and youth environments. This allows us to understand the real gaps shaping teenagers today.
A space where teenagers feel seen and supported
Teen Circle is built on a simple belief: every teenager deserves to feel seen, heard, understood, and supported.
Practice, not just teaching
Students actively practice the skills they learn, from communication and accountability to time management and leadership.
Growth is tracked
Through the ADF Growth Journals, mentors can check in on students’ habits, mindset, and development over time.
Parents are part of the journey
Parents stay connected so growth continues beyond the sessions.
Teen Circle builds on years of youth development work previously delivered through the Brighter Girls Life Initiative (BGLI).
Earlier cohorts brought together teenagers for leadership development, mentorship, and personal growth experiences that helped them build confidence, responsibility, and purpose.
You can explore highlights from previous Teen Circle editions below.
ADF supports young people across different stages of adolescence.
Ages 10–12
10 Going on 13 Program
Preparing pre-teens for the transition into adolescence.
Ages 13–17
ADF Teen Circle
Developing leadership, identity, and real-world readiness.
How often does Teen Circle meet?
Teen Circle meets twice each month in person for structured development sessions.
Each session focuses on leadership development, communication, emotional intelligence, decision-making, and personal responsibility through guided discussions, practical activities, and mentorship.
Where is the Teen Circle Location?
This cohort will take place in Lekki, Lagos.
Additional locations will be introduced in future, You are welcome to apply and indicate your preferred location, We will notify you as new locations open
How many students are in each cohort?
Each cohort is intentionally limited to 20 students to ensure a focused and supportive environment.
This allows every teenager to participate actively, build meaningful connections, and receive close mentorship.
Who are the mentors?
Teen Circle mentors include experienced professionals, educators, and youth development practitioners who guide students through discussions, practical exercises, and leadership experiences.
Mentors share real-world insights and support teenagers in developing skills such as confidence, communication, discipline, and thoughtful decision-making.
How do parents stay involved?
Parents receive periodic updates on their teenager’s participation and development throughout the program.
Depending on the tier, parents may also participate in check-ins and feedback conversations, particularly within the Elite tier.
How can parents apply for Teen Circle?
Parents can apply through the Teen Circle application form on this website.
Because each cohort is limited to 20 students, early application is encouraged.
How can parents apply for Teen Circle?
Parents can apply through the Teen Circle application form on this website.
Because each cohort is limited to 20 students, early application is encouraged.
How long does the program run?
Teen Circle is a one-year development program.
The program is structured across the year to allow teenagers enough time to build new habits, develop leadership capacity, and apply what they learn through mentorship, reflection, and real-world exposure.
The year concludes with the Teen Circle Showcase and Graduation, where students present their learning journey and growth.
How do parents stay involved?
Parents receive periodic updates on their teenager’s participation and development throughout the program.
Depending on the tier, parents may also participate in check-ins and feedback conversations, particularly within the Elite tier.
Does the program include internships?
Yes. Internship exposure is a key part of the Teen Circle experience.
Students, particularly in the Leadership and Elite tiers, participate in internship experiences that introduce them to real-world environments, responsibility, and leadership.
These opportunities allow teenagers to see how the skills they are learning apply in real life.
Still have questions?
Our team will be happy to discuss them with you during the Teen Circle application conversation.