When colleges review applications, they want to see passion, motivation, and leadership in action. If you’re hoping to spend your summer learning real-life skills and stepping up as a leader, you’re in the right place. Leadership camps for high school students give you experiences you’ll actually use at school, in your community, and later on in life.
We’ve rounded up some of the best options out there. While some programs come with a cost, you’ll also find several that are completely free. And here’s a tip: some of the most impressive, resume-worthy programs are the ones that don’t charge a cent—but they are competitive, so keep that in mind as you explore.
Top 15 Leadership Camps for High Schoolers
No matter what your interests are as a leader, there’s a program out there that can help you take the next step. Here are 15 of the best leadership camps for high school students to check outL
1. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
- Location: New Haven, CT
- Program dates:
- Session I Residential (June 22-July 4)
- Session II Residential (July 6 – July 18)
- Session III Residential (July 20 – Aug 1)
- Application deadline: The deadline for Summer 2025 has passed. Stay tuned for the Summer 2026 round.
- Cost of attendance: $6,500
- Eligibility: 16-18 years old and currently a 10th or 11th grader and has not attended YYGS before
Yale Young Global Scholars is one of the most international summer programs out there—welcoming over 2,000 students from more than 150 countries and every U.S. state. YYGS is a two-week experience where you’ll learn directly from Yale faculty and industry leaders who are doing cutting-edge work in their fields.
As one of the most prestigious leadership camps for high school students, YYGS gives out more than $3 million USD in need-based financial aid each year to students around the world, so finances don’t have to stand in the way.
Want to learn more about the leadership camp? Check out our comprehensive guide to YYGS.
2. The University of Notre Dame Leadership Seminars
- Location: Notre Dame, IN
- Program dates: July 19 – 30, 2025
- Application deadline: January 22, 2025
- Cost of attendance: Free (except for the application fee of $60 and enrollment fee of $150
- Eligibility: You must be at least 16 years old by August 1, 2025, currently in 11th grade, and planning to start college right after graduating high school.
Leadership Seminars is a 10-day, on-campus experience at Notre Dame made for high school students who are not only strong academically but also making a real impact in their communities. It’s a competitive program—only about 150 students get in each year.
Most students admitted are in the top 10% of their class and take on the toughest courses their school offers. Test scores typically fall between 1300–1500 on the SAT or 31 and up on the ACT. If you’re accepted, you might earn one transferable college credit when you complete the program.
Notre Dame covers the cost. That includes tuition, housing, and meals, so you can just focus on learning, growing, and connecting with other future leaders at one of the top leadership camps for high school students.
Read our guide to the Notre Dame Leadership Seminars to learn more.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
- Location: Washington, DC
- Program dates: Varies, Summer Summit (July 21-26, 2025)
- Application deadline: January 15, 2025
- Cost of attendance: Free
- Eligibility: You must be a current high school junior or senior with legal authorization to work in the U.S. through September 2025, be available for an 8-week full-time paid internship at a local nonprofit.
Each year, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program brings together over 300 high school juniors and seniors from nearly 100 communities across the country.
As a Student Leader, you’ll spend the summer working in a paid internship with a local nonprofit, where you’ll gain real-world experience and see the impact these organizations have in your community. You’ll also travel to Washington, D.C. for a week to join other students at the Student Leaders Summit.
Start dates vary depending on where you live, but internships usually kick off shortly after the school year ends. The entire program runs for 8 weeks, including your time in D.C., and stands out among leadership camps for high school students.
Want to learn more about how to get into the Bank of America Student Leaders Program? Explore our in-depth guide.
4. Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute
- Location: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark
- Program dates: July 7 – August 14, 2025 (6 weeks)
- Application deadline: April 14, 2025
- Cost of attendance: Free
- Eligibility: Female and currently an 11th grader
The Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute is a 6-week, award-winning program that helps you grow as a leader while building real connections with others. You’ll take part in workshops focused on identity, leadership, social justice, and more.
Run by the Sadie Nash Leadership Project, the program aims to empower young women and gender-expansive youth of color to become strong leaders in their lives and communities. As one of the standout leadership camps for high school students, you’ll go on field trips, hear from inspiring guest speakers, and engage with leaders from across the NYC area.
5. Leadership in the Business World by the UPenn Wharton School
- Location: UPenn campus
- Program dates:
- Session 1: June 8 – 28, 2025
- Session 2: June 29 – July 19, 2025
- Session 3: July 20 – August 9, 2025
- Application deadline: April 2, 2025
- Cost of attendance: $11,399
- Eligibility: High school juniors with an unweighted GPA of 3.5 or higher
Leadership in the Business World is a 20-day program that gives high school students a preview of Wharton’s undergraduate experience. You’ll explore what leadership looks like in today’s world through engaging classes with Wharton professors, hands-on business simulations, and team-building activities.
Throughout the program, you’ll dive into lectures led by top faculty, connect with business leaders, conduct research, and take part in real-world simulations and field trips. As one of the premier leadership camps for high school students, it also gives you a taste of college life while living on the University of Pennsylvania campus.
Read our full guide to LBW and learn what it takes to get in.
6. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
- Location: Indiana University campus
- Program dates:
- June 13, 2025 (Rising juniors and seniors)
- June 27, 2025 (Rising juniors and seniors)
- July 11, 2025 (Rising juniors and seniors)
- July 25, 2025 (Rising juniors and seniors)
- Application deadline:
- May 13, 2025 (for June 13)
- May 27, 2025 (for June 27)
- June 11, 2025 (For July 11)
- June 25, 2025 (for July 25)
- Cost of attendance: Free
- Eligibility: You’ll need at least a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale to apply. Selection also takes into account your overall academic performance and the strength of your application essays.
Students from around the world are chosen to spend a full day at Indiana University in Bloomington, where they get a firsthand look at what it’s like to be part of the Kelley School of Business.
During the program, you’ll participate in interactive workshops led by top Kelley faculty, connect with alumni and current students, and dive into a real-world business case project. As one of the leadership camps for high school students, it’s a great opportunity to build your leadership and communication skills while networking with other students who share your interest in business.
7. Bella Abzug Leadership Institute Summer Program
- Location: Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, New York City
- Program dates:
- Session 1: June 30 – July 11, 2025
- Session 2: July 14 – 25, 2025
- Session 3: July 28 – August 8, 2025
- Application deadline: May 5, 2025
- Cost of attendance: Free
- Eligibility: Open to all youth ages 13 to 21 who live in or come from the NYC metropolitan area.
The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute Summer Program is designed to help you grow into a confident, dynamic leader who’s ready to make an impact—in your community, in politics, in business, and beyond. You’ll build the skills and mindset you need to lead in today’s world, while also developing the emotional intelligence that strong leadership requires.
You’ll join a group of 60 trainees and take part in a full schedule from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in workshops, seminars, speaker sessions, networking events, and debate labs—all designed to make it one of the most impactful leadership camps for high school students.
8. Brown University Pre-College Leadership Institute
- Location: Brown University
- Program dates:
- On-campus session 1: June 29 – July 11, 2025
- On-campus session 2: July 13 – 25, 2025
- Online: June 23 – July 18, 2025
- Application deadline: May 9, 2025
- Cost of attendance: $3,584 – $10,386
- Eligibility: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 who will be between 14 and 18 years old by June 15, 2025.
At the Brown Leadership Institute, you’ll deepen your understanding of today’s most pressing social issues and grow your ability to create meaningful change, no matter how much experience you have.
Along the way, you’ll connect with students from around the world who care deeply about causes like civic engagement, gender equity, educational access, and intercultural dialogue—hallmarks of top leadership camps for high school students.
In both the Leadership Institute (LI) and the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab (BELL), you’ll choose an issue that matters to you. With guidance from instructors and support from your peers, you’ll create an Action Plan—your own personal project that puts your new leadership skills into action once you’re back home.
Discover what it takes to be admitted to the Brown Leadership Institute in our detailed guide.
9. Barnard College NextGen Leadership Institute
- Location: Barnard College campus
- Program dates: June 29 – July 18, 2025
- Application deadline: April 15, 2025
- Cost of attendance: $8,160 – $10,171
- Eligibility: Available to all rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors—including gap year students.
The Barnard College NextGen Leadership Institute empowers future female leaders by grouping students into themed “tracks” and guiding them through collaborative, small-group projects. As one of the standout leadership camps for high school students, it’s open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, with four track options: STEMinist, Writing and Literature, Global Humanities, and Art Movement and Performance.
10. Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project – Los Angeles Institute
- Location: UCLA campus
- Program dates: June 27-29, 2025
- Application deadline: March 23, 2025
- Cost of attendance: Free
- Eligibility: You must currently be in 10th or 11th grade and must not have previously attended the Los Angeles Institute or the Statewide Leadership Conference.
Established in 2006, the CLYLP Los Angeles Institute (LAI) aims to inspire Southern California students to become future leaders through public service. Open to 50 high school students from Los Angeles County, this three-day program is designed to strengthen leadership skills while deepening understanding of the region’s cultural and political landscape.
Participants engage with leaders in education, business, politics, and the community, and receive support in exploring post-secondary education options. As one of the fully funded leadership camps for high school students, housing, meals, and all program materials are provided free of charge to students and their families.
11. Tufts Leadership for Social Change
- Location: Tufts University campus and online
- Program dates:
- On-campus: July 6 – 18, 2025
- Online: July 20 – August 1, 2025
- Application deadline: May 1, 2025
- Cost of attendance: $3,800 – $5,750
- Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 who are at least 15 years old at the start of the program are eligible to apply.
The Tufts Leadership for Social Change pre-college program helps students build leadership skills while exploring topics like educational inequities, environmental justice, and public policy, making it one of the more impactful leadership camps for high school students.
Participants can choose between an in-person or virtual format and will earn one Tufts credit upon completion. The in-person experience also includes a variety of social activities, with events designed to connect students across programs through on-campus events and weekend excursions throughout Boston.
12. MIT Leadership Training Institute
- Location: MIT campus
- Program dates: February 9 – May 3, 2025
- Application deadline: October 4, 2024
- Cost of attendance: Free
MIT’s Leadership Training Institute is a spring program held over twelve Sundays, where students work in small groups guided by Leadership Development Mentors.
Throughout the program, participants explore the meaning of leadership and collaborate on a large-scale community service project addressing a real-world issue. The experience concludes with a final presentation showcasing each student’s project and impact.
13. West Point Summer Leaders Experience
- Location: United States Military Academy campus
- Program dates:
- Session 1: May 31 – June 6, 2025
- Session 2: June 7 – 13, 2025
- Application deadline: April 15, 2025
- Cost of attendance: $625
- Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school juniors, U.S. citizens, and at least 16 years old by July 1 of the summer between their junior and senior years.
The Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) at West Point is a competitive program for rising high school seniors, offering a firsthand look at cadet life at the U.S. Military Academy. Participants are mentored by current cadets and take part in leadership development through academic sessions, problem-solving and team-building exercises, and physical challenges—hallmarks of top leadership camps for high school students.
With only 1,100 spots available, admission is selective. The average attendee typically scores 1200–1300 on the SAT or 26–30 on the ACT, ranks in the top 20% of their class, is a National Honor Society member, and actively participates in clubs and leadership activities.
14. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
- Location: virtual
- Program dates: summer (specific dates are undisclosed)
- Application deadline: April 11, 2025
- Cost of attendance: Free
- Eligibility: 9th-11th graders
Girls Who Code offers free virtual summer programs for high school girls and non-binary students to explore computer science and prepare for careers in tech, making it a unique option among leadership camps for high school students.
Students can choose between two formats:
- The two-week Summer Immersion Program (SIP) features live, virtual classes sponsored by leading tech companies. Participants dive into game design, covering beginner to intermediate computer science concepts, UX design basics, and the full game development process.
- The six-week Pathways Program allows students to explore topics like web development, cybersecurity, data science, and artificial intelligence at their own pace. Participants learn coding languages such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python, connect with peers, and attend live events with industry professionals.
15. Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership High School Leaders Program
- Location: University of Virginia campus
- Program dates: July 12 – 26, 2025
- Application deadline: March 17, 2025
- Cost of attendance: $3,500 – $3,900
- Eligibility: Applicants must be at least 16 years old by the start of the HSLP and may apply as high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
The High School Leaders Program is a two-week program designed for Virginia high school students interested in civic leadership and public service. Participants live and learn on the University of Virginia’s Charlottesville campus, gaining hands-on experience in leadership, advocacy, and civic engagement while connecting with peers and community leaders.
While many successful applicants are passionate about leadership and public service, prior experience in politics or student government is not required, which is common in many leadership camps for high school students.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do leadership camps help increase my chances of getting into my target schools?
Yes, leadership camps can help boost your chances, especially if you make the most of the experience. Colleges love to see students who take initiative, show curiosity, and actively build their skills outside the classroom. Attending a leadership camp shows that you’re motivated, willing to grow, and comfortable stepping into new roles.
2. Are leadership camps expensive?
It depends. Some camps charge tuition and offer financial aid, while others are completely free and highly selective. Always check the program details to see what’s covered and what’s not.
3. When is the perfect time to join leadership camps for high school students?
The best time to join a leadership camp is the summer after your sophomore or junior year. After sophomore year, you’ll gain skills you can apply in school activities. After junior year, the experience can strengthen your college applications and essays. Some camps also accept freshmen or rising seniors, so choose what fits your goals and schedule best.
Takeaways
Leadership camps for high school students give you practical skills, mentorship, and exposure to new experiences that can shape your academic and career path.
- Some of the best leadership camps are free, but they’re competitive, so strong grades, activities, and essays really matter.
- You don’t need to already be a leader to apply. Many leadership camps are built to help you grow into one.
- Many leadership camps focus on specific interests—like politics, tech, business, or social change—so you can choose one that fits your passion.
- Attending a leadership camp can make your college applications stronger by showing initiative, curiosity, and growth.
- Working with a college admissions expert can help you pick the right leadership camp, strengthen your application, and stand out in a competitive pool.
