Whitley County
Thrive Challenge
What Is The Thrive Challenge?
The Thrive Challenge is like a real-life game where you level up your skills for college, careers, and life. You can choose from various missions, such as making a meal, fixing something at home, volunteering, or leading a team. Complete them by uploading photos and videos on the app to earn points and unlock rewards. You can play at your own pace from 9th grade through high school, building your ultimate portfolio and showing you’re ready to win at life.
Grow Your Skills
You will enhance your skills by taking on different ‘missions’ or levels designed to push you to THRIVE in all aspects of your life.
App-Based Learning Experience
You will use an app to tackle the challenge. All of your progress will be recorded and validated in the app.
Level Up & Unlock Your Future
As you complete sections of the challenge, you unlock prizes at each tier. Once you successfully finish the entire Thrive Challenge, you’ll achieve the Diamond Tier Prize.
How Do I Sign Up?
Register for The Thrive Challenge to get started. Just click the button below to complete the quick form. Once registered, you will receive a welcome packet with the join code, password, and next steps. We’re excited for you to begin this amazing experience!
Grades 9–12
Free. Every Center program is free to local youth.
Anywhere. All you need is a smartphone with the Goosechase app.
Self-paced. Start in or after June of your 8th-grade year.
Made in partnership with The Don Wood Foundation
Challenge Overview
You will kick things off with Level 1. Finish it, and you will unlock Level 2. Each new level opens as you level up.
Grow Your Skills in Areas Like…
Basic Life Skills
College & Career Readiness
Leader Development
Personal Finance
Social Awareness
Soft Skills
Track Your Progress Through an App
Mission
Gallery
Mission
Overview
Mission
Complete
You will follow the instructions outlined in the mission overview, and the Thrive Director will review your work to determine if the mission has been completed.
*Screenshots show sample missions taken directly from the app via iPhone
Level Up & Unlock Your Future…
Bronze Tier
Complete Level 1 to earn a Bronze Tier prize. You’ll be able to choose from a selection of options, each valued at $100.
Silver Tier
Complete Level 2 to earn a Silver Tier prize. You’ll be able to choose from a selection of options, each valued at $200.
Gold Tier
Complete Level 3 to earn a Gold Tier prize. You’ll be able to choose from a selection of options, each valued at $300.
Diamond Tier
Upon successfully completing all four levels of the THRIVE Challenge, you’ll earn a $1,000 scholarship to support your future college, trade school, or other career-focused trainings, certifications, or learning experiences (must be approved by the scholarship team). Scholarship funds will be awarded through the Whitley County Community Foundation. After you complete the THRIVE Post-Challenge survey, scholarship funds are sent directly to the school or learning experience (not to the individual).
In addition, you’ll receive a custom wooden plaque and be celebrated with special recognition on Thrive’s social media channels.
Lastly, you will receive a student profile that highlights your accomplishments through The Thrive Challenge.
Year One Results
The Thrive Challenge by the Numbers
Students completed missions in Life Skills, Relationships and Character, Health and Wellness, College and Career, and Leadership and Entrepreneurship.
896
Missions completed in the first year
20
Missions completed per student, on average
Source: 2025–26 Mission Impact Report
Who Can Join?
- Students who have completed 8th grade
and…
- Residents of Allen, Huntington, Kosciusko, Noble, Wabash, and Whitley counties, aged 14–19, are eligible for the $1,000 Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions!
When can I start?
Because The Thrive Challenge is designed to go at your own pace, you can start whenever! The only conditions are that you begin in or after June of your 8th-grade year and you complete the program before you graduate your senior year.
What if I don’t finish?
There is no penalty for not completing The Thrive Challenge. You will just miss out on the grand prize!
What is the grand prize?
Aka the Diamond Tier Prize…
Upon successfully completing all four levels of the THRIVE Challenge, you’ll earn a $1,000 scholarship to support your future college, trade school, or other career-focused trainings, certifications, or learning experiences (must be approved by the scholarship team). Scholarship funds will be awarded through the Whitley County Community Foundation. After you complete the THRIVE Post-Challenge survey, scholarship funds are sent directly to the school or learning experience (not to the individual).
In addition, you’ll receive a custom plaque and be celebrated with special recognition on THRIVE’s social media channels.
Lastly, you will receive a student profile that highlights your accomplishments through the THRIVE Challenge.
Are there any software requirements?
You will need the Goosechase app and a way to take pictures. So any smartphone will work!
Our Team
Meet Our Staff
At The Center, we believe students need healthy role models. Learn more about our Thrive Challenge staff below.
Tim LaRue
Director of High School ProgramsWith a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministries and a minor in Business Management from Huntington University, Tim brings both knowledge and passion to his role. His deep commitment to serving students and helping them grow in their faith led him to The Center, where he loves the genuine investment in students' lives. Outside of work, Tim enjoys playing sports like soccer, volleyball, and pickleball, and even fits in some gaming when he can. This school year, he is most excited about building meaningful relationships with students and creating fun, impactful experiences along the way.
What Are They Saying?
“I love it here — you’ve helped me grow as a person.”
Ground Zero Student“It helps me see myself in a positive light as I grow, and I hope that I can encourage others to see themselves that way too.”
After-School Student