Leadership camps offer high school students a chance to develop skills valuable in any future path. Unlike year-long programs, camps are designed to be fast-paced and focused, giving you an in-depth look at what effective leadership looks like in action.
How Are Leadership Camps Different from Summer Programs?
Leadership camps are short, high-energy experiences designed to help students develop skills like teamwork, communication, problem solving, and decision making. Unlike longer pre-college leadership programs or year-long mentorship opportunities, camps are tightly structured and usually take place over a few days or weeks.
You might find yourself pitching business ideas, working on sustainability projects, or debating public policy—all while connecting with motivated peers and mentors. Whether you’re new to leadership or already active in your school or community, these leadership camps can help you take your skills to the next level.
To help you get started, here are 13 of the best leadership camps for high school students.
13 Leadership Camps for High School Students
1. Los Angeles Institute: Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project
Location: Cal State, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 27 – 29
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are currently enrolled in a California high school and live in Los Angeles County
The Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project’s Los Angeles Institute is a three-day leadership and civic engagement program for high school students from Los Angeles County. During the program, you’ll take part in Civic Day activities like mock legislative hearings and discussions with city and county officials to understand how local government functions. The program highlights how cultural identity and civic participation intersect, encouraging you to consider your role in community leadership. Throughout the experience, you will build networks with professionals in education, business, and public service.
2. CU Boulder: Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,000 scholarship offered to the winning team
Dates: June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: December 1 – March 13
Eligibility: Current Colorado high school juniors and incoming Leeds School of Business first-year students (starting the fall semester)
The Business Leadership Program at the University of Colorado Boulder gives high school students a week-long introduction to business thinking and teamwork through a competitive case study format. Working in small groups, you’ll research and design a marketing campaign addressing a real business challenge from corporate partners such as Deloitte or KeyBank. Faculty and business leaders from the Leeds School of Business guide you through strategy development, presentation skills, and leadership exercises. The program concludes with a case competition, where the winning team receives a $1,000 scholarship to Leeds.
3. FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program
Location: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 19 – 27
Application Deadline: November 29 – February 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (14-16)
Held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, the FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program is a competitive eight-day experience that blends academic learning, physical training, and leadership development. Sixty-two students from across the U.S. and abroad are selected annually for this program. As a participant, you will attend courses on ethical decision-making, situational leadership, crisis management, and time management, guided by seasoned law enforcement professionals. The program also incorporates physical fitness sessions, safety demonstrations, and visits to civic and historical landmarks in Washington, D.C.
4. Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders
Location: McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 14 – 18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Texas high school juniors
Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders is a five-day summer program held at the University of Texas at Austin for students interested in leadership and public policy. You’ll work in teams to address real-world challenges in healthcare, education, and environmental policy, developing practical solutions through research and collaboration. The program includes workshops on communication, leadership training, and project-based learning, helping you strengthen your ability to think critically and present ideas effectively. You’ll also have the chance to meet business executives, elected officials, and academic leaders who share insights into policymaking and social responsibility.
5. Journey to Leadership Program by the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute
Location: Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Cohort 1: June 31 – July 11; Cohort 2: July 14 – 25; Cohort 3: July 28 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 5 (tentative)
Eligibility: Female-identifying and gender-expansive students between the ages of 13-21 in the NYC Metropolitan Area
The Journey to Leadership Program equips female-identifying and gender-expansive youth with leadership, communication, and debate skills through an intensive multi-week summer experience. You will engage in workshops and seminars that emphasize civic engagement, social-emotional learning, and critical thinking while developing confidence in public speaking and advocacy. The program’s curriculum blends practical training with mentorship from professionals across sectors. Debate labs and group discussions promote collaboration and analytical reasoning, key components of effective leadership.
6. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) State Leadership Seminars
Location: California State University – Long Beach & Thousand Oaks
Cost: $350 per student
Dates: June 20 – 22
Application Deadline: November (tentative)
Eligibility: High school sophomores
HOBY State Leadership Seminars are three- to four-day programs for high school sophomores focused on developing leadership through personal reflection, group collaboration, and community service. The curriculum begins with activities that help you identify your strengths and values, then progresses into team exercises designed to build cooperation and communication. In the final phase, you will apply what you’ve learned through service projects that connect leadership to real-world impact. After completing the program, you will be encouraged to complete 100 hours of volunteer service through HOBY’s Leadership for Service initiative, with the opportunity to earn the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
7. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: NextGen Latino Leadership Program
Location: Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 7 – 13; June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: August 15 – January 16
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th graders residing in one of the 50 states, Puerto Rico, or Washington, D.C.
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s NextGen Latino Leadership Program is a fully funded, week-long leadership experience in Washington, D.C., for Latino high schoolers. As a participant, you will explore civic engagement, public policy, and leadership through interactive workshops, meetings with Members of Congress, and discussions with national Latino leaders. You’ll visit Capitol Hill, tour museums and monuments, and gain firsthand exposure to the legislative process while examining issues that affect Latino and underserved communities. The program also provides mentorship opportunities with CHCI alumni and professionals, many of whom support students in college and career pursuits. Upon completion, you will join the CHCI Alumni Association.
8. 21st Century Leaders: EarthCare
Location: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 8 – 13
Application Deadline: January – March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Georgia
EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century is a one-week residential summer program for Georgia high school students who want to develop leadership skills through the lens of environmental science and sustainability. Hosted at Georgia College & State University and supported by Georgia Power, the program blends STEM education with real-world applications. You’ll participate in workshops on sustainability and clean energy, work on group projects, and visit professional sites to understand how environmental challenges are addressed in business and policy. Only about 85 students are selected to participate in this program.
9. Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Cost: Varies based on location and format; Scholarships available
Dates: Varies by location; See here for information on the site and dates
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
EFL is a competitive summer program that integrates economics education with leadership training for high-achieving high school students. You’ll study key economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, market dynamics, and international trade while analyzing how these ideas apply to public policy. Alongside economics instruction, leadership development is structured around the Leadership Pyramid Matrix, which focuses on personal, relational, and contextual leadership skills. The program uses simulations and discussions to foster critical thinking and problem-solving around national and global economic challenges.
10. 21st Century Leaders: Summer Youth Leadership Institute (SYLI)
Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $395; Financial aid is available
Dates: June 1 – 6
Application Deadline: January 7 – March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors in Georgia
SYLI is a week-long residential leadership and business development program hosted at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. It focuses on leadership in business through interactive workshops, networking events, and site visits to local companies. As a participant, you’ll attend sessions on marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, and media, and collaborate with peers on business challenges. Corporate professionals and alumni guide discussions on leadership, teamwork, and ethics in business.
11. California Youth Leadership Forum For Students With Disabilities
Location: California State University, Sacramento, CA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: California residents with a disability who are high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the current school year
The California Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities (YLF) is a five-day leadership development program held annually in Sacramento for high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. During the program, you will build leadership and advocacy skills, learn about disability rights and public policy, and explore higher education and career opportunities. Throughout the week, you’ll engage in workshops, mock legislative sessions, and discussions with state policymakers and professionals who share their own experiences living with disabilities. You’ll also create personal and career leadership plans to set goals for education and independent living.
12. Mercy University: Summer Leadership Academy
Location: Mercy University, Westchester Campus, Dobbs Ferry, NY
Cost: $695
Dates: July 5 – 11; July 19 – 25; August 2 – 8
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school juniors with a cumulative weighted GPA of 90 or higher and demonstrated leadership skills
Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy introduces high school students to the principles of business and leadership through hands-on experiences in New York City. Over the course of a week, you’ll explore careers in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and accounting through themed sessions and team challenges such as a Shark Tank-style competition. You’ll also visit major corporations—past visits have included Google, ESPN, Disney, and Microsoft—to see business operations in action. The program emphasizes personal development through workshops on public speaking, professional branding, and teamwork. The week concludes with student presentations, a career panel, and a graduation ceremony.
13. University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $210
Dates: July 18 – 29
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Current high school juniors (16+) planning to attend college immediately after high school; Must have demonstrated leadership abilities in school, church, community, and/or social organizations
The University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars is a competitive, fully funded 10-day residential program for high-achieving high school students who demonstrate strong leadership and academic excellence. Each summer, approximately 150 students participate in small, discussion-based seminars led by Notre Dame faculty on topics such as inequality in America, global peacebuilding, data science, and ethics in business. You’ll take part in Socratic-style discussions, research projects, and community engagement activities designed to challenge critical thinking and expand global awareness. The program offers one transferable college credit and provides a collegiate experience through residence hall living and collaboration with current Notre Dame students.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – University of Notre Dame