“I would absolutely recommend becoming a facilitator. Without a doubt.”
I’m Michele Dreiding, and I’m the owner of Here to the Moon Travel.
What originally motivated me to become a facilitator was my interest in helping young people get involved in business in ways they don’t always get exposure to in a traditional classroom. I loved the idea of introducing them to real-life concepts, the kinds of things they’re actually going to face in the future, and helping them develop skills that go beyond academics. It felt like an opportunity to help young girls grow to the next level in a way that could support them throughout middle school and high school.
One of the biggest surprises for me was how much I genuinely enjoyed the experience. I really looked forward to coming back each week. I loved seeing the progress the girls were making, what they were learning, and how excited they were. It felt like such a meaningful way to connect with youth — helping them socially, personally, and of course, inspiring them when it came to business. Their enthusiasm made it incredibly rewarding.
A moment that really stood out to me was when we worked on branding. That was always such a fun part of the program. Watching the girls think through ideas and express themselves creatively was eye-opening. As you get older, it’s easy to become a little disconnected from younger generations, and this experience reminded me just how smart these kids really are. Seeing how much they absorbed throughout the program was truly impressive.
The Next Girl Up team made the entire experience very manageable. Everything was outlined clearly, which made it easy to jump into the program without feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Most facilitators have full-time jobs and busy schedules, so having the tools and structure already in place made a huge difference. It never felt daunting or like just another task. Instead, it allowed me to focus on what mattered most: actually doing the work with the girls and making the experience smooth and enjoyable.
Personally, I gained a lot from being a facilitator as well. One of the biggest things was learning how to communicate better with younger generations and really understanding where they’re coming from. It gave me insight into what kids today are interested in, what motivates them, and what excites them. That understanding gave me more confidence in interacting with younger age groups, and I really valued that growth.
I would absolutely recommend becoming a facilitator. Without a doubt. If you can spare the time, it’s an extremely fruitful experience. You get to reconnect with perspectives we often lose touch with as we get older, and you get to be part of something that truly benefits these kids. The program creates such a positive learning environment, and in a world where everyone is so connected to technology, this feels especially meaningful.
I would 100% recommend Next Girl Up — for facilitators, for kids, for friends’ children, and beyond. It’s an amazing program, and I’m really grateful I got to be part of it.