The LiftUp Program™
Program Overview
The LiftUp Program™ is a youth-focused community outreach program designed to inspire, encourage, and support students through mentorship, athletics, character development, and real-life leadership lessons.
Led by former NFL player Mark McMillian and supported by community partners, the program brings positive role models directly to students in an engaging, motivating, and memorable way. While football and athletics may be part of the experience, The LiftUp Program™ is not just about sports. It is about helping young people build confidence, make better choices, believe in themselves, and understand the importance of hard work, discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
The goal is to “lift up” students by giving them access to mentors who have overcome challenges, achieved success, and are willing to share their stories in a meaningful and relatable way.
Purpose of the Program
The LiftUp Program™ was created to provide students with encouragement, guidance, and inspiration during important developmental years. Many young people need to hear that their future matters, that their choices matter, and that they are capable of more than they may currently believe.
Through school partnerships, assemblies, camps, workshops, and mentorship opportunities, the program focuses on helping students develop strong character, positive self-image, and a mindset of perseverance.
Why This Matters
Students today are facing pressure from many directions — socially, emotionally, academically, and personally. The LiftUp Program™ provides schools with another layer of support by bringing in positive mentors who can connect with students in powerful ways.
The program helps students see that success is not only about talent. It is about effort, discipline, resilience, attitude, and the people they surround themselves with.
By partnering with schools, The LiftUp Program™ creates an opportunity to bring encouragement, inspiration, and real-world life lessons directly to students.
School Partnership Opportunity
The LiftUp Program™ is seeking school partnerships with districts that want to provide students with a positive, uplifting, and impactful experience. The program can be designed around the school’s schedule, age groups, and student needs.
Whether through a one-day event, a youth camp, a leadership presentation, or an ongoing mentorship partnership, The LiftUp Program™ is committed to supporting students, families, schools, and the greater community.
The LiftUp Program™ believes every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and encouraged. Through mentorship, athletics, leadership, and community connection, the program helps students recognize their own potential and take positive steps toward their future.
Camp29’s Connection to The LiftUp Program™ (see below)
Camp29 works hand in hand with The LiftUp Program™. While Camp29 provides the athletic and team-based experience, The LiftUp Program™ provides the mentorship, leadership, and personal development message behind it.
Together, the two programs create an opportunity to encourage students physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The goal is to lift students up, help them recognize their potential, and give them positive tools they can carry into school, sports, family life, and their future.
Camp29 Youth Football & Leadership Camp
Program Overview
Camp29 is a youth football and leadership camp created to give students a positive, high-energy experience that goes far beyond the football field. Led by former NFL player Mark McMillian, Camp 29 uses football to teach students important life skills such as discipline, teamwork, confidence, leadership, respect, and perseverance.
The camp is designed for students of all skill levels. No prior football experience is required. The focus is not only on athletic development but also on helping young people believe in themselves, make positive choices, and understand the importance of hard work in both school and life.
Camp29 partners with schools and communities to create a safe, encouraging, and motivational environment where students can learn from experienced athletes, mentors, and positive role models.
Purpose of Camp29
The purpose of Camp 29 is to inspire and uplift youth through sports, mentorship, and character-building. Football is used as the foundation, but the true mission is to help students grow as individuals. Through drills, team activities, motivational talks, and interactions with mentors, students are encouraged to build confidence, listen, lead, support one another, and push through challenges. Camp 29 gives students the opportunity to connect with adults who have achieved success through dedication, discipline, and resilience — and who want to help young people understand that they are capable of doing the same.
More Than Football
Camp29 is not just about football. It is about teaching young people how to show up for themselves, their teammates, their families, and their future. The lessons learned through sports often carry into every area of life. Students learn that success takes effort, practice, patience, and accountability. They also learn that attitude, respect, and teamwork matter just as much as talent. Camp 29 helps students understand that they do not have to be the biggest, fastest, or most experienced to succeed. They need heart, focus, discipline, and the willingness to keep going.
Who Can Participate
Camp29 can be designed for different age groups depending on the school or district’s needs. The camp may include elementary, middle school, and high school students, with age-appropriate activities for each group.
The program can also be structured into separate sessions, such as:
Youth session for younger students
Middle school session
High school athlete development session
Leadership and mentorship session
Parent and community engagement opportunity
What Students Will Experience
Students participating in Camp 29 may take part in:
Football fundamentals and skill-building drills
Speed, agility, and coordination activities
Teamwork and leadership exercises
Character-building discussions
Motivational talks from athletes and mentors
Confidence-building activities
Positive coaching and encouragement
Life lessons connected to sports, school, and personal choices
School Partnership Opportunity
Camp29 is available to partner with schools, districts, and community organizations that want to offer students a meaningful and motivational experience. The camp can be customized based on the school’s schedule, student age groups, available field space, and program goals. It can be offered as a one-day camp, a school-day event, an after-school opportunity, or part of a larger youth outreach event.
Camp29 believes every student deserves encouragement, guidance, and the opportunity to be surrounded by positive role models. Through football, mentorship, and leadership, Camp 29 helps students understand that they are capable, valuable, and strong enough to rise to the next level.
Bring Mark “Mighty Mouse” McMillian to your school
FAQs about The LiftUp Program & Camp29
Who is Mark “Mighty Mouse” McMillian?
Mark “Mighty Mouse” McMillian is a former NFL player, motivational speaker, mentor, and youth advocate. Known for his powerful story and ability to connect with students, Mark brings an energetic and meaningful message focused on confidence, leadership, respect, perseverance, and making positive choices.
The LiftUp Program
What is The LiftUp Program™ presentation?
The LiftUp Program™ presentation is a school-focused program designed to help students understand the impact of bullying, the importance of kindness, and the power of standing up for themselves and others. Mark uses real-life stories, encouragement, humor, and motivation to inspire students to become leaders in their school community.
How long is the presentation? Most school presentations are approximately 30 to 60 minutes. The length can be adjusted depending on the school schedule, assembly format, and student age group.
Can the presentation be customized for our school? Yes. The message can be tailored to fit your school’s goals, including anti-bullying, leadership, character education, student motivation, teamwork, respect, confidence-building, or positive decision-making.
Camp29
What is Camp 29? Camp29 is a youth football and leadership camp led by Mark McMillian. The camp uses football to teach teamwork, confidence, discipline, respect, leadership, and perseverance. It is more than a sports camp — it is a character-building and mentorship experience for students.
Do students need football experience to participate in Camp 29?
No. Camp29 is designed for students of all skill levels. The focus is on learning, teamwork, encouragement, and personal growth, not just athletic ability.
How does Camp 29 connect with The LiftUp Program™?
Camp29 and The LiftUp Program™ work hand in hand. The LiftUp Program™ delivers the encouragement, mentorship, and leadership message, while Camp29 brings those lessons to life through football, teamwork, and on-field activities
Can a school book both the speaking presentation & Camp29?
Yes. Schools may book Mark for a guest speaking presentation, Camp 29, or a combined experience that includes both an assembly-style message and an on-field leadership camp.
What space is needed for the presentation?
For a speaking presentation, schools typically use a gym, auditorium, cafeteria, multipurpose room, or classroom setting. Basic sound equipment is recommended for larger groups.