Online options to fill the applied knowledge gap?

I have been working in online courses for a while now to learn JavaScript and that’s nice and everything, but the problem I’m having now (as are many others in my company) is trying to fill that gap of the classroom instruction vs actually applying the knowledge. What I mean is, given the appropriate inputs I can construct code blocks but I have no ability to start from scratch. Doesn’t help that we have a complicated automation setup here but that beside the point.

So aside from the canned “just start your own project!” response that everyone gives, what are some ways to learn how to actually apply this new knowledge and become proficient? Because at this point it seems like the only meaningful option would be to invest in a boot camp for $8000 or whatever it costs.