11 Leadership Programs for High School Students in California

If you are a high school student in California who is interested in adding leadership skills to your profile, consider joining a leadership program!

Leadership programs are opportunities to engage in exercises, workshops, and/or interactive group sessions that involve team building, problem solving, and managing to help you build leadership qualities. You may even get to engage in simulations, public speaking events, volunteer work, counselling, or mentorship sessions conducted by leaders. 

This experience can also be a great starting point for strengthening your college application and preparing for future career opportunities, especially if you plan to pursue leadership roles.

To help you get started, we have compiled a list of 11 leadership programs for high school students in California. We have selected these options based on what they can offer you in terms of networking opportunities, funding, rigor, and credibility of the host organization.

11 Leadership Programs for High School Students in California

1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Various locations in CA. Look for your city here.

Cost: Free | A stipend is offered.

Application deadline: January 15

Dates: TBA, but the eight-week internship typically runs from June to August, beginning soon after the school year ends

Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship who are not immediate family members of Bank of America employees.

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is an eight-week paid internship that pairs participants with nonprofit organizations, including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. Here, you will engage in meaningful community projects and gain insights into nonprofit operations. During the program, you will also attend the National Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will explore the collaboration between nonprofits, government, and businesses to tackle local challenges. This experience can be a chance to connect with peers nationwide, participate in enriching workshops, and learn from distinguished speakers across various sectors. Through this program, you will be able to work on your leadership skills while gaining a comprehensive understanding of community service, policy-making, and the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing societal issues. 

2. UC Berkeley Recreation & Wellbeing’s Counselors in Training Program

Location: Golden Bear Rec Center (Blue Camp), Strawberry Canyon Rec Area (Explorer and Science & Sports Camp), Skateboard Camp at GBRC, Adventures Camps at the Berkeley Marina, Berkeley, CA

Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend

Application deadline: March 1

Dates: Unspecified. For volunteer opportunities, you can directly contact the supervisor of your preferred camp.

Eligibility: Students who have completed the 9th grade and are at least 15 years old

The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Leadership Program, offered by UC Berkeley Youth Recreation, is a summer volunteering experience. Here, you get to build core leadership and workplace readiness skills in a structured, real-world camp environment. You will engage in pre-camp staff training and take on responsibilities in one of the various youth programs, such as Explorer Camp, Blue Camp, Skateboard Camp, and Science & Sports Camp. Through this hands-on experience, you will learn to navigate team-based settings, understand group dynamics, and support daily camp operations while developing skills like communication, conflict resolution, professionalism, and leadership. The program can offer you hands-on exposure to fast-paced educational and recreational environments, equipping you with the foundational skills recognized by employers as essential across professional fields.

3. American Red Cross Leadership Development Camp (LDC)

Location: Pilgrim Pines Camp & Conference Center, Yucaipa, CA

Cost: $500 | Scholarships are available.

Application deadline: July 11

Dates: August 4 – 8

Eligibility: High school students (including rising freshmen and graduating seniors) who are LA residents and registered Red Cross volunteers through Volunteer Connection 

American Red Cross Leadership Development Camp (LDC) is a five-day summer program for high school students who want to improve their leadership, public speaking, and communication skills. At this camp, you will participate in sessions and activities that help you identify and boost your individual and team leadership skills. Here, you also get to learn fundraising, marketing, and time management or planning. The camp also focuses on helping develop humanitarian leaders who have a sound understanding of culture and diversity. You can check the delegate information packet to learn more about the program.

4. Young Founders Lab

Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops

Cost: Varies depending on program type

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring

Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students

The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.

Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more.The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.

4. Linking Individuals to their Natural Community (LINC) Program

Location: Marin County (LINC North) and San Francisco (LINC South), CA

Cost: No cost | You may get an educational award of up to $2,400 upon program completion.

Application deadline: March 18

Dates: June 17 – August 1, with a one-week break from June 30 to July 4

Eligibility: High school students in the Bay Area, CA | Check the program location and corresponding criteria here.

The LINC program, offered by Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the National Park Service, and the Presidio Trust, is a six-week leadership program. Here, you will engage in outdoor activities that focus on community service, recreation, team building, youth agency, and professional development. Activities include habitat restoration and community cleanup projects, camping, and team-building exercises like kayaking or cooking. Professional development sessions covering resume writing and interviews are also a key part of the program. This experience can help you work on your public speaking, teamwork, and networking skills, all of which can help you become a good leader.

5. Ronald Reagan Center for Leadership Development’s Great American Leadership Program

Location: Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA; the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, CA

Cost: $1,999 | Scholarships are offered on a first-come, first-served basis

Application deadline: None specified

Dates: Session 1: July 12 – 15; Session 2: July 15-18

Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th grade students

The Great American Leadership Program is an immersive summer experience that can help you build leadership qualities through historical case studies, critical thinking exercises, and real-world simulations. During the program, you will explore core principles of decision-making, public service, and civic responsibility by examining the leadership legacy of President Ronald Reagan. The program includes hands-on crisis simulations, public speaking workshops, and service-based projects designed to help you learn how to lead under pressure and communicate effectively. Through interactions with leadership experts and access to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, you will analyze political leadership in historical and contemporary contexts and reflect on the relationship between values, governance, and public impact. The experience is structured to help you develop a better understanding of your leadership style and civic leadership responsibilities in a democratic society.

6. Temecula City Government’s Leadership Academy 

Location: Temecula Valley Entrepreneur's Exchange, Temecula, CA

Cost: No cost

Application deadline: TBA, but applications open in April

Dates: Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from July 2 – 11

Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 to 18, in the Inland Southern California region

The Leadership Academy, offered by the Temecula city government, is a two-week opportunity for high school students to attend a series of sessions covering college preparation, career readiness, and leadership skills. Here, you will engage in activities,  workshops, and sessions with guest speakers to cover topics like financial literacy, public speaking, time management skills, and personal health to become effective leaders. You will also get to work on your job interviewing, resume writing, and college application writing skills. The program focuses on helping you pick up life and work skills to be prepared for your future education and profession.

7. UC Berkeley Recreation & Wellbeing Junior Counselor Program

Location: Golden Bear Rec Center (Blue Camp) and Strawberry Canyon Rec Area (Explorer and Science & Sports Camp) in Berkeley, CA

Cost: No cost | You can apply for volunteering or stipend-paid positions

Application deadline: Unspecified

Dates: No information is available | You can learn more about the available opportunities here

Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th grade | The program is typically full of 11th/12th graders, as the positions are competitive.

The Junior Counselor Program is a summer opportunity for high schoolers interested in building leadership, communication, and instructional skills in an immersive, real-world environment. Through a combination of pre-camp training and on-the-ground responsibilities, you will lead group activities, supervise younger campers, and assist with day-to-day camp operations. You will learn how to set and achieve personal goals, mentor peers and children, and understand group dynamics while working in a collaborative and fast-paced setting. The program also focuses on skill development, helping you pick up professionalism, teamwork, and conflict resolution skills. Some Junior Counselor positions are volunteer-based, while others offer a stipend. The experience also serves as a pathway to future roles such as Group Leader or Camp Lead within the UC Berkeley Youth Recreation system.

8. Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project’s Los Angeles Institute by the

Location: Cal State University, Los Angeles, CA

Cost: Free

Application deadline: March 23

Dates: June 27 – 29

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors in Los Angeles County

The Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project’s Los Angeles Institute is a three-day summer leadership program focusing on public service and community leadership. Through structured events, Civic Day and College & Careers Day, you will learn how local and county governments function. You will also participate in mock legislative hearings and engage directly with policymakers and government staff. You will also get to develop practical leadership and communication skills, gain insight into the region’s political and cultural systems, and explore pathways to higher education through workshops on financial aid, admissions, and academic planning. The program also offers opportunities to build a professional network by interacting with leaders from the education, business, and public sectors.

9. American Legion California Boys and Girls State

Location: California State University, Sacramento, CA

Cost: No cost

Application deadline: After selection, delegates must register online between January 15 and March 23

Dates: June 21 – 28.

Eligibility: High school students who have completed their junior year and are nominated by their schools and selected by a local sponsoring American Legion Post

Offered by the American Legion, Boys and Girls State is a rigorous summer leadership program. Here, you will actively engage with the workings of local and state government by assuming roles such as legislators, judges, law enforcement officers, and executive officials. Through simulations of legislative sessions, court proceedings, and elections, you will gain a deep understanding of civic structures, constitutional principles, and the political process. The program offers opportunities to work on key skills such as public speaking, negotiation, analytical thinking, and collaborative leadership. If you are considering a career in politics, public policy, or government, this experience can offer a realistic and practical introduction to those fields. You will interact with professionals, understand complex political dynamics, and better understand whether a career in governance aligns with your interests.

10. Concordia University’s High School Leadership Academy

Location: Concordia University Irvine campus, Irvine, CA

Cost: $600

Application deadline: May 16

Dates: June 9 – 13

Eligibility: Rising 10 – 12 grade students

The High School Leadership Academy, conducted at Concordia University Irvine, is a week-long leadership program for high school students. It offers you a chance to interact with leaders, engage in group activities, and socialize with peers on a university campus. Here, you will participate in team-building exercises such as rope courses, team competitions, and service projects, and work with a leadership coach. You will also attend sessions on leading through adversity, professional etiquette, and communication skills. This experience can help you learn about values and principles relevant to the servant leadership style.

One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in conducting independent research, then consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school research experiences founded alongside researchers at Harvard and Oxford. In the past, over 4,000 students applied for the 500 spots in the program! You can learn more about the opportunity on the application form here.

Also, consider checking out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, which is a non-profit research program for talented students from low-income backgrounds. Last year, we accepted 150 students on complete need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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