14 Free Summer Leadership Programs for High School Students
Summer leadership programs offer high school students a solid opportunity for growth. They help you develop transferable skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and time management. Often hosted by top colleges and respected organizations, leadership programs can include industry exposure through workshops, case studies, and interactions with professionals. By connecting you with mentors and professionals, a leadership program can help you clarify your potential academic and career paths.
Why should I participate in a free summer leadership program in high school?
A leadership program in high school gives you experience making decisions, working with others, and seeing the impact of your ideas. It also helps you build confidence and experience that you can discuss in college applications and interviews. Free summer leadership programs, in particular, offer an opportunity for personal and professional growth without any financial burden. Free programs tend to be selective, which means participating in one is an achievement you can highlight on your college applications.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 14 free leadership summer programs for high school students!
1. Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project
Location: Cal State LA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 27 – 29
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are currently enrolled in a California high school and live in Los Angeles County, and are first-time participants
This free, three-day summer program is designed for high school students in Los Angeles County to build leadership skills and spark civic engagement. Each year, the program selects 50 students and immerses them in hands-on activities and workshops that show how government and community systems work in real life. During Civic Day, you’ll participate in mock legislative hearings, interact with city and county officials, and learn how local policies are created and implemented. College & Careers Day focuses on admissions, financial aid, and career guidance, helping you plan your academic and professional path. Throughout the program, you’ll also connect with mentors and professionals from education, business, and public service.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: 100% financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work for 10 – 20 hours/week, for 8 – 12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective, eight-week-long internship program for ambitious high school students where they work with a high-growth startup. These startups span a variety of industries, including tech/deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars, often backed by Y Combinator, and have founders who have previously worked for the likes of Google, Microsoft, and Meta. You work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, presenting your work to the company. Here is the application form.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Nationwide (the Leadership Summit is held in Washington, D.C.)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified; all expenses towards the Summit at Washington, D.C. are also covered
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer and + Student Leaders Summit (July 21 – 26)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who have authorization to work in the United States, live in an eligible area, and have not participated in the program before.
In this program, you’ll work at a local nonprofit where you’ll contribute to community projects while building leadership, communication, and teamwork skills. A major highlight is the week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll take part in workshops on civic engagement, leadership, and social justice; visit institutions like the Holocaust Museum and the American Red Cross; and meet members of Congress. The experience gives you a close look at how government, businesses, and nonprofits collaborate to address social issues and how young people can play a role in driving change. Every year, more than 300 students are selected nationwide.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer I, II, and II cohort applications due on February, March, and April 15, respectively; apply here
Eligibility: All high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup incubator for high school students run by entrepreneurs connected to Harvard. In this program, you work on building a real, revenue-generating business. You also get mentorship from professionals with experience at companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. You move step by step through the process of launching a startup. You develop an idea, research the market, design a product, and test your concept. The program includes case studies, workshops, and group activities that help you apply what you learn directly to your project.
5. American Legion Boys State & Boys Nation
Location: Boys State: Multiple locations | Boys Nation: Washington. D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Funded by a local American Legion Post, business, or community organization
Dates: Boys State: Varies depending on the location | Boys Nation: July 18 – 26
Application Deadline: Boys State: Varies according to the state | Boys Nation: No deadline, delegates are selected based on their performance during the state session
Eligibility: Boys State: Male high school students who have completed their junior year and have at least one semester of high school remaining after the program | Boys Nation: One of the two delegates selected to represent their state's Boys State program
American Legion Boys State is a one-week civic education program that teaches how state government works through hands-on activities. During the week, you will build a mock state government by running for office, creating and debating laws, and taking part in legislative sessions and mock trials. You also interact with government officials and learn how real policy decisions are made. Top participants may be selected for Boys Nation, whose core activity is a mock Senate session, where the two delegates from each state act as U.S. Senators, organizing into political parties (Nationalists and Federalists), caucusing, and formally introducing, debating, and voting on legislation they themselves have drafted.
6. Lead4Change Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Flexible dates; educators can start anytime in the school year
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12; educators must register a team
The Lead4Change Student Leadership Program is a no-cost, curriculum-driven initiative empowering high school students with actionable leadership competencies. Through a structured framework, you hone skills such as self-awareness, collaboration, goal-setting, and project management. Key activities involve identifying a community need, collaborating with a non-profit partner, and then designing, executing, and documenting a measurable service project. This experience cultivates essential traits like communication and adaptability. An optional opportunity is the Lead4Change Challenge, a competition where student teams vie for grant funding, potentially securing up to $10,000 for their chosen school or charity.
7. University of Colorado Boulder – Business Leadership Program (BLP)
Location: University of Colorado Boulder campus
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $1,000 scholarship given to the winning case competition team
Dates: June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending a Colorado high school, particularly first-generation or low-income students | Seniors must plan on attending the Leeds School of Business
The Business Leadership Program at the University of Colorado Boulder is a one-week summer experience that introduces high school students to core areas of business and leadership. During the program, you’ll work with a team to develop a marketing strategy for a real company and pitch your ideas to professionals at the end of the week. You’ll take part in workshops, meet faculty from the Leeds School of Business, and hear from executives about careers in fields like marketing, finance, and management. The week wraps up with a case competition, where the program awards the top team with a $1,000 Leeds scholarship.
8. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute
Location: Indiana University Bloomington and virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Virtual sessions: April 22 & 29 and In-person sessions: June 12 and 26, July 10 and 24
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Virtual: Current high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors | In-person: Rising high school juniors and seniors | All students must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) is a leadership program for female high school students hosted by the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. During the program, you’ll take part in workshops led by Kelley faculty, connect with current students and alumni, and work on a business case project that builds your problem-solving and collaboration skills. The program focuses on leadership, communication, and teamwork. You can choose either a one-day in-person session on campus or a multi-evening virtual option. The program’s admission is competitive, and space is limited.
9. Sadie Nash Leadership Project Summer Institute
Location: Various locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Newark
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid, amount not specified
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth who are enrolled in high school and live in New York City or Newark
The Sadie Nash Leadership Project’s Summer Institute is a five-week leadership program for high school students based in New York City and Newark. During the program, you’ll take two core classes: Power, Identity, and Privilege, and a leadership seminar, along with electives on topics such as education policy, storytelling, and art-based activism. You’ll learn directly from local organizers, educators, and artists, and go on field trips to universities, museums, and community organizations. The program includes group projects, discussions, and community-focused activities, and students receive a stipend for participating.
10. 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: Current high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors who are California residents and have an IEP, 504 plan, or identify as a student with a disability
The five-day California Youth Leadership Forum (YLF) is an intensive annual program in Sacramento designed to empower high school juniors and seniors with disabilities. Its central objective is to nurture self-advocacy skills while broadening delegates' understanding of disability rights and pertinent legislation. You explore avenues for higher education and varied career trajectories through dynamic workshops and inspiring guest speakers. Practical exercises, such as mock legislative sessions, offer a hands-on grasp of public policy. Furthermore, you create valuable connections with successful adult leaders who have disabilities, gaining crucial insights into personal and professional achievement, all while developing competencies in communication, goal-setting, and teamwork.
11. Subiendo Academy at UT Austin
Location: McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 14 – 18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing in Texas
Subiendo is a five-day summer leadership program hosted by the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin for rising high school seniors in Texas. During the program, you will work in teams to study major policy challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and the environment. You will join workshops, collaborate on group projects, and present your ideas to peers and mentors. You will also meet business and political leaders, practice communication and public-speaking skills, and live in campus housing to get a real sense of college life. The program is fully free and offers a practical introduction to leadership, public policy, and civic engagement while connecting you with other driven students.
12. National Youth Science Camp
Location: Monongahela National Forest, Davis, WV
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: Other states: March 7; California: March 3
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors based in the U.S. (International delegates have also been hosted in the past from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago)
The National Youth Science Camp brings together top high school graduates from around the U.S. and a handful from abroad for a fully funded residential program in the mountains of West Virginia. You will learn in the Monongahela National Forest through advanced STEM lectures, research-oriented discussions, workshops, and outdoor activities that build teamwork and leadership. The program also includes a trip to Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet renowned scientists, innovators, and mentors. Because it’s funded and highly selective, NYSCamp is a standout opportunity for anyone serious about science and leadership.
13. FBI National Academy Associates – Youth Leadership Program
Location: FBI Academy, Quantico, VA
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 9 – 17
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors aged 14-16 as of the program start date
In the FBI National Academy Associates Youth Leadership Program, you spend eight days at Quantico learning leadership through hands-on experience. The curriculum is divided between classroom instruction and physical challenges. You will participate in core courses like Fundamentals of Leadership, Ethical Leadership, Time Management, and Values & Choices taught by National Academy graduates and select FBI personnel. You visit major government sites in Washington, D.C., hear from law-enforcement professionals, and stay on-site at the FBI Academy. The program keeps you connected with mentors even after it ends.
14. Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute - NextGen Latino Leadership Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Session 1: June 7–13; Session 2: June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: January 16
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade high school students residing in any one of the 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., or Puerto Rico
The NextGen Latino Leadership Program gives you a fully funded week in Washington, D.C., where you learn about civic engagement and leadership. You’ll visit Capitol Hill, meet Members of Congress, and take part in workshops that show you how the government works and how you can create change in your community. The program brings together Latino youth from across the country, helping you explore key issues, build confidence, and grow as a leader. You’ll also connect with Latino professionals, gain access to long-term mentorship, and join the CHCI Alumni Association for future opportunities.
Image Source - Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project Logo