15 Leadership Camps for High School Students
As a high school student, leadership camps give you a structured space to strengthen skills that matter long beyond the summer, from communication and decision-making to collaboration and problem-solving. These programs can introduce you to responsibilities, peer leadership, and challenges that mirror the expectations you may encounter in college organizations, internships, or future workplaces. Many leadership camps also connect participants with mentors and like-minded peers, creating networks that can support your academic and personal growth. By learning how to organize groups, guide discussions, and manage tasks, you build a foundation that can make future opportunities more accessible and less intimidating.
How are camps different from other programs in high school?
Camps tend to deliver concentrated, experience-based learning over a shorter period, often built around group dynamics, outdoor challenges, and scenario-based exercises. Unlike pre-college programs at universities, which often focus on academic coursework, these camps are usually hosted by independent organizations and concentrate directly on practical leadership development. Their compact format allows you to immerse yourself in a single theme without the long-term time commitment that academic programs sometimes require.
To help you explore strong options, we’ve compiled a list of 15 leadership camps for high school students.
If you are looking for medical summer camps, check out our blog here.
1. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway
Location: Various sites, including London, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo
Cost: Varies according to program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; Class size of 4–10 students
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15–18
Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway introduces high school students to a range of professional fields through a two-week blend of workshops, industry visits, and hands-on projects in major global cities. Throughout the program, you participate in activities that mirror real workplace expectations, from collaborative problem-solving tasks to guided skill-building sessions. Industry professionals offer feedback during project work and provide insight into how different sectors, such as business, journalism, medicine, law, and engineering, operate. Weekly one-on-one coaching gives you space to refine goals and understand how your strengths translate into future academic or career paths. The program also includes a final presentation in which participants share their findings with peers and mentors. You can find more details about the application here!
2. Camp Rising Sun (CRS)
Location: CRS, Rhinebeck, NY
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive, merit-based
Dates: Girls and Non-Binary Session: June 28 - July 25 | Boys and Non-Binary Session: July 31 - August 27
Application deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15–16
Camp Rising Sun is a fully funded international leadership camp that brings together teens from around the world for a summer focused on cultural exchange, personal growth, and collaborative learning. Participants live in a diverse residential community where they take part in seminars, service projects, discussion groups, and hands-on workshops designed to build confidence and independence. The program encourages you to explore your values, understand global perspectives, and take on roles that require initiative and responsibility. Days are filled with varied activities and elective projects, giving you the chance to develop both practical and interpersonal skills. Alumni connections and traditions also play a major role, creating a long-standing network that supports future pursuits.
3. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, Huttonsville, WV
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Typically, two delegates are selected to attend camp from each state and the District of Columbia
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application deadline: March 7 (March 3 for California participants)
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors
The National Youth Science Camp combines advanced STEM exploration with leadership development through a multi-week residential experience for high-achieving high school graduates. You’ll engage in lectures, hands-on science sessions, directed study programs, and outdoor adventure activities, such as hiking and exploring West Virginia’s natural environments. The camp introduces you to leading researchers, industry professionals, and educators who guide discussions on scientific thinking, innovation, and real-world applications. While STEM is the focus, leadership is built into the program through collaborative research activities, group challenges, and responsibilities within the camp community.
4. Norwich University’s Future Leader Camp
Location: Norwich University, Northfield, VT
Cost: TBA; the cost typically includes uniforms, room and meals, and all activities + $300 non-refundable deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year
Dates: Three nine-day sessions in June, July, and August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; high school graduates can apply if they have been accepted at and committed to attending Norwich University
Norwich University’s Future Leader Camp is a nine-day military-style program that challenges high school students to build leadership, resilience, and teamwork through structured physical and academic activities. Participants start their days with physical training before moving into field exercises such as rappelling, rock climbing, map reading, and scenario-based problem-solving. Leadership discussions in the evenings introduce concepts like communication, decision-making, and responsibility, giving you opportunities to connect what you learn with the day’s challenges. Cadets and professional staff guide each activity, creating an environment where you adapt quickly, rely on your peers, and learn how teams function under pressure. The camp ends with team competitions and a graduation ceremony that highlights each participant’s progress.
5. The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Camp
Location: San Bernardino Mountains, LA
Cost: $500; scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100+ campers/year
Dates: August 4 – 8
Application deadline: July 11
Eligibility: High school students
The American Red Cross Los Angeles Region Leadership Development Camp is a five-day residential experience that helps high school and college students strengthen core skills such as communication, teamwork, cultural awareness, and public speaking. Sessions and workshops are designed by Red Cross youth volunteers and staff, meaning you learn directly from peers and mentors who understand the challenges young leaders face. Small-group activities and service-oriented challenges encourage collaboration, self-reflection, and problem-solving while highlighting the Red Cross's mission of community service and humanitarian engagement. The program emphasizes emotional intelligence and confidence-building, giving you multiple chances to practice leading discussions, navigating group dynamics, and understanding different leadership styles.
6. UW–Whitewater Business and Leadership Camp
Location: University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Whitewater, WI
Cost: Resident: $575 | Commuter: $425; financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: July 4
Eligibility: High school-aged students and incoming college freshmen, ages 14–19
The UW-Whitewater Business and Leadership Camp is a five-day residential program that introduces high school students to entrepreneurship, marketing, management, and professional communication through a mix of classes, workshops, and team projects. You spend the week learning practical skills such as resume writing, pitching ideas, and developing digital marketing strategies while collaborating with peers on a business concept. Faculty members and student mentors guide each session, helping you navigate decision-making, teamwork, and leadership challenges throughout the process. The camp concludes with a business case competition where teams present their projects to faculty and guests. It also includes residence hall stays, campus tours, and dining hall experiences.
7. Kansas State’s Leadership & Auxiliary Camp
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: Resident campers: $500 | Non-resident campers: $325; optional non-resident camper meal card: $125
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 12 – 15
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11
Kansas State University’s Leadership & Auxiliary Camp brings together high school musicians and performers for four days of leadership and skills training focused on the marching arts. Designed for drum majors, section leaders, percussionists, color guard members, and dance team students, the camp blends rehearsals with workshops on communication, conducting, ensemble coordination, and responsibility within performance groups. Participants rotate through full ensemble practices, sectional sessions, and leadership activities led by K-State faculty and guest instructors. Students stay in campus residence halls and eat in university dining facilities, offering a brief but informative introduction to campus life. The camp concludes with a final performance that showcases the techniques and leadership approaches developed during the program.
8. Camp Pinnacle
Location: Camp Pinnacle, Flat Rock, NC
Cost: $5,195
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 250 campers
Dates: Session 1: June 14 – 26 | Session 2: June 28 – July 10 | Session 3: July 12 – 24 | Session 4: July 26 – August 7
Application deadline: Opens on September 3 for returning families and September 17 for first-time families
Eligibility: Current 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-graders
Camp Pinnacle’s leadership program integrates outdoor adventure with skill-building exercises that help teens learn responsibility, initiative, and teamwork in a natural setting. Situated in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the camp is focused on experiential learning through activities like backpacking, canoeing, and ropes courses, where you’ll practice collaboration and decision-making in real time. Leadership discussions are embedded into daily routines, encouraging campers to reflect on group dynamics, communication styles, and personal strengths. Living in a close-knit camp community helps you build confidence and independence as you navigate shared responsibilities.
9. Kennolyn Camper in Leadership Training (CILT) Program
Location: Santa Cruz Mountains, CA, and Huntington Lake, CA
Cost: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering 10th grade (and turning 15 before July)
The Kennolyn CILT Program gives older campers a structured way to explore responsibility while still participating in regular camp activities. Each morning, you participate in standard Kennolyn periods such as the Hilltop Ropes Course, BMX, or pool time, before shifting to dedicated leadership sessions in the afternoon. These sessions involve games, skill-building initiatives, and discussions with coordinators about teaching methods and leadership approaches. CILTs also shadow counselors, assist younger cabins during meals and evening programs, and take on greater responsibility during the second Outpost, where they help support a full overnight experience. Additional elements, such as the Elkhorn Slough kayak trip and Senior Camper BBQ, add variety while reinforcing teamwork and confidence.
10. Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) Summer Leadership Camp
Location: Cispus Learning Center, Randle, WA; Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA; or Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA
Cost: To be announced
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 3000 students overall
Dates: Varies
Application deadline: Opens on March 17
Eligibility: High school students
AWSL’s Summer Leadership Camp brings together more than 3,000 students each year across eight programs focused on preparing high school leaders for their roles in the upcoming school year. The curriculum covers a broad set of topics, including communication, problem-solving, teamwork, decision-making, school climate, and personal and social awareness. Through workshops and collaborative exercises, you have the chance to practice these skills with peers from different schools and backgrounds. Sessions also address self-management, social engagement, and self-efficacy, giving participants a framework for understanding how leadership intersects with personal development. By the time camp ends, you leave with practical tools you can apply to student government, clubs, and campus activities.
11. Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya
Location: Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya, Suring, WI
Cost: Tier A: $895 | Tier B: $813 | Tier C: $741
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 9–14
Camp U-Nah-Li-Ya’s six-day residential program introduces campers to leadership through outdoor challenges, skill-based activities, and structured cabin time. Each camper selects a Specialty Area such as Adventure Sports, Arts & Crafts, Fishing, Marksmanship, Survival Skills, or Watercraft, and works toward skill checkpoints. Daily schedules blend activity periods, group challenges, and an overnight excursion, offering multiple opportunities to practice problem-solving and cooperation. Cabin groups serve as a central support system, helping campers form relationships that often continue long after the session ends.
12. YMCA Camp Willson – Leadership Training Overnight Summer Camps
Location: YMCA Camp Willson, Bellefontaine, OH
Cost: $450 – $700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies by camp
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students, ages 16–17
YMCA Camp Willson’s leadership pathway includes three programs—LIT, CIT, and WIT—that introduce teens to responsibility, teamwork, and the realities of supporting a camp community. The week-long LIT program blends traditional camp experiences with sessions on communication, team building, and problem-solving, giving you space to practice leading while still participating in core camp activities. The CIT and WIT programs build on this foundation by preparing older teens for future staff roles. Participants in these advanced tracks take on real responsibility and are expected to volunteer for at least one additional week during the summer. The WIT program adds a ranch component, allowing teens to apply leadership skills in a more specialized environment.
13. Winners’ Camp – Teen Leadership Camps
Location: Winner’s Camp, Kamehame Ridge, HI
Cost: $980
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Register here
Application deadline: Spring Break Camp: March 15 – 21| Summer Camp: July 19 – 25
Eligibility: Teens, ages 13–17
Winners’ Camp structures its seven-day overnight program around experiential learning, using ropes courses, group challenges, and reflective debrief sessions to help teens build confidence, resilience, and leadership habits. Activities are designed to push campers slightly outside their comfort zones before guiding them through conversations on how those lessons translate to school, family, and community settings. The curriculum covers goal-setting, communication, emotional awareness, conflict management, and study strategies. Campers unplug from cell phones for the week, allowing them to stay fully engaged in workshops, team events, and downtime activities like sports, games, and campfires. Instruction totals more than 75 hours and includes a manual, structured sessions, and ongoing coaching from trained facilitators. Families participate in a closing seminar that reviews the skills teens have practiced and offers ways to support ongoing growth.
14. ActionQuest Teen Leadership Camp
Location: Multiple locations worldwide
Cost: Varies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10-20 students per group
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August
Application deadline: Varies
Eligibility: Teens aged 12+
ActionQuest’s teen leadership programs take place primarily aboard sailing vessels, creating a setting where teamwork and communication develop naturally through shared responsibility on deck. You’ll handle daily tasks such as navigation, sailing maneuvers, and onboard living, while also participating in Lifeworks Forum discussions on topics like integrity, responsibility, and personal values. The program centers on experiential education, meaning you learn by doing–whether mastering new sailing skills, completing certifications, or participating in group problem-solving activities. Instructors work closely with each student to ensure they move forward only when they demonstrate confidence, making the experience performance-based rather than bound to a strict schedule. Social, emotional, and intellectual growth is embedded in the routine of living with a tight-knit crew.
15. Core Camp
Location: Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, and UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Santa Clara University: July 18 – 21 | UC Santa Barbara: July 25 – 28; details here
Application deadline: Typically rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Core Camp focuses on helping school leadership teams return to campus with a shared vision and a practical plan for the year rather than a collection of disconnected ideas. Delegations stay together throughout camp, participating in sessions that address group development, strategic planning, and the specific responsibilities tied to their leadership roles. Each participant receives a job assignment that mirrors real duties they will carry out during the school year, giving them a chance to practice skills before returning home. The curriculum is updated annually and tailored to the needs of each school, ensuring that councils receive guidance relevant to their campus climate and goals. By the time camp concludes, groups leave with a structured roadmap that helps them avoid restarting planning once the school year begins.
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