15 Leadership Summer Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 9 min read
If you’re a middle schooler looking for a way to work on your leadership skills, consider leadership camps for middle school students. By combining academics with practical skills, these programs help you build confidence in communication, decision-making, and collaboration. They also provide exposure to industry professionals and peer networks, all while being affordable options to explore.Â
How are camps different from other programs in middle school?
These summer camps are different from other programs in middle school as they go beyond classroom academics and emphasize hands-on learning and personal development. They are held for a relatively short duration and can be hosted by independent organizations as well as universities, providing a range of options to choose from. To help you choose, we've narrowed down a list of top summer leadership camps for middle schoolers, selected for their rigor, mentorship opportunities, funding support, and selectivity.
Here are 15 leadership summer camps for middle school students!
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, CA
Cost/Stipend: $499
Dates: July 9 – 11
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 6th – 8th grade students
Reagan Education’s Great American Leadership Program is a 3-day program for middle school students. It explores some core aspects of principled leadership. These core factors are the character of a leader, patriotism and civic duty, and reasoned decision-making. During the program, you will learn from President Reagan’s integrity and America’s role in world affairs. You will learn what leadership looks like for civic engagement. These lessons are taught through interactive workshops and team challenges.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 per session
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Cost: $350; need-based scholarships are available.
Dates: Multiple 4-day sessions from May to July
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Scholarship application deadline is April 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12 who are 12 years or older
Arizona State University’s Logic, Leadership, & Life Skills program will help you discover your strengths and manage your emotions to enable you to add value to your endeavors. The program also includes 4 days of leadership training alongside the main session. College and career preparation sessions are optional. Overall, the camp teaches you problem-solving, communication, leadership, conflict resolution, and other soft skills. The summer camp ends with an award ceremony. Upon completing the camp, you will receive a Leadership Training Certificate.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Various locations
Cost: $825; scholarships are available.
Dates: Week-long programs in June, July, and August
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Varies by program, but typically open to students in grades 6 – 11
The Summer Institute in Global Leadership is a week-long Model UN program. You will learn about leadership in the context of diplomacy and global affairs. Staff and interns delve into the week’s theme to facilitate your learning. These themes can be about global health, human rights, women in leadership, international security, and more. You will partake in negotiation and public speaking activities, and also hear from guest speakers. You will roleplay as a diplomat during Model UN simulations, tackling complex issues in a team setting.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: American University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $2,895 (residential) or $2,495 (commuter). Scholarships available
Dates: June 11 – 16, June 20 – 25, or June 28 – July 3
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students who are at least 11 years of age and currently enrolled in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade
This program introduces middle school students to government, policy, and law. Participating in activities and workshops, you will understand how the government functions. The program involves various simulations of the Supreme Court, policymaking, and more. You will create your own simulation of a government to explore voter populations and community districts. Each NSLC program contains a leadership curriculum imparted through workshops on personality types, goal setting, and communication. The skills learned through this curriculum can be applied to various real-life settings.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Washington, D.C., Atlanta, GA, or Boston, MA
Cost: $3,145 (residential) or $2,645 (commuter) (tentative); scholarships are available
Dates: 5 – 6 days
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 8
The Junior National Young Leaders Conference is a leadership development program. Divided by grade levels, middle school students gain leadership skills and learn about American history and social advocacy. You will participate in workshops, group activities, and simulations to develop critical thinking and leadership skills. In this program, you will discover how power determines decision-making and how change can be effected. You will also learn to craft compelling arguments in the context of First Amendment rights. You will also embark on historical site visits.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 750 across 4 sessions
Location: Cispus Learning Center, Randle, WA
Cost: $405 (AWSL Member School) or $455 (Non-Member School)
Dates: August 5 – 8, August 9 – 12, or August 13 – 16
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7, 8, or 9
The AWSL leadership summer camp develops your skills and allows you to build a community of peers. Some of the topics covered by the camp include communication skills, positive teamwork, problem-solving, decision-making, and school climate. The curriculum and activities may differ by location. However, they all emphasize experiential learning and leadership. You will also learn about the principles of inclusivity. The camps are organized and conducted by teachers, counselors, administrators, and college students.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30
Location: Silicon Valley, CA, and additional locations
Cost: $1,495 – $2,295 (tentative)
Dates: 10-day program
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 11 – 15 years old
Camp BizSmart takes a different approach to leadership, engaging with it in terms of business and entrepreneurship. You will build foundational skills in problem-solving, teamwork, and communication by going through real-world innovation cases shared by Silicon Valley companies. Guided by mentors, you’ll work in teams to explore business innovation cases like reinventing Token Ring’s core biometric technology or thinking about sustainable products. Within a simulated start-up environment, each team member takes on a specific role, such as a CEO or marketing lead, to learn leadership skills in a corporate simulation. At the end of the program, you will present your idea to a panel of venture capital and angel investors.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 44
Location: Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $300
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11 – 14
Urban Trailblazers is a youth leadership camp. Over 6 weeks, you will explore local, state, and national parks, thereby learning about the environment. You will also go on an overnight camping trip at Rob Hill and Golden Gate National Park to get hands-on experience preserving Golden Gate National Park. In addition to camping, you will go hiking and kayaking. This camp not only teaches you life skills but also enables you to take up leadership. You will be divided into small groups of 11, led by high school interns and an adult educator.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, CA
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 including room and board (tentative)
Dates: 14 days
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 – 12
This 2-week camp teaches middle and high school students the core elements of leadership. It helps you become an accountable, self-aware, collaborative, resilient, and selfless leader. In the program, you will take personal and team responsibility and participate in projects and field trips. The program also includes interactive lessons and leadership challenges. Physical fitness for resilience is also emphasized at this camp. Finally, you will engage with community impact through service-learning projects. While the camp is not running in 2025, it will return for 2026.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Various locations, including Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: £7,100
Dates: July 13 – August 3
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 13 – 18 years old
ISSOS’s Summer School Programme is held at various campuses. During your 3 weeks at Yale, you will select one academic and one elective option. The academic components include Business & Entrepreneurship, Creative Writing, Debate, English Language, and Study Skills. The elective options are Film, Outdoor Leadership, Photography, Tennis, and Theatre. If you’re interested in leadership, you can opt for the Outdoor Leadership elective, which includes outdoor activities and team-building challenges and teaches decision-making and communication. Additional programming includes evening programs and cultural trips.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Gann/Bentley, Waltham, MA
Cost: $699; limited need-based scholarships are available.
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 – 8
The Junior Shark Tank program invites middle school students to explore their interests in business and entrepreneurship. It teaches you what it means to lead a business and develop product ideas based on market needs. The program covers topics like financing, break-even analysis, valuation analysis, marketing mix and target audience, franchising business model, and creating a business plan. In addition, you will develop skills such as oral presentation, collaboration, marketing, accounting, finance, and how to pitch a business concept. At the end of the program, you will propose a business plan and make a pitch to ‘investors’. Although not a conventional leadership summer camp, you will learn to think like a business owner who leads a company.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: $1,805 (residential) or $990 (commuter)
Dates: July 20 – 25 or July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: A week before the start date
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
In the Summer Leadership Intensive, you will learn about leadership traits and practices. You will also discover your own strengths and style while learning from leaders in various professions. The course focuses on skill development and socially responsible leadership. The program includes team-building activities and a curriculum for self-reflection and goal setting. In class, you will conduct academic research and participate in discussions. You will also hear from government, business, and nonprofit leaders. In addition, being on Northwestern’s campus gives you a taste of college life.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Phoenix, AZ
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 5-day camp
Application Deadline: To be announced
Eligibility: Current 7th and 8th graders
Camp O’Connor is a free leadership program. In this camp, you will learn about the nation's democracy, branches of government, and the duties and responsibilities of citizenship. You will develop your leadership skills and confidence through various activities. It will help you become a leader in your school and community. You will also go on site visits to get a closer look at the theoretical aspect covered in the program. Leaders in various fields, such as a sitting justice and community leaders, discuss their path and provide guidance.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA
Cost/Stipend: $290 (blue), $390 (gold), or $475 (advanced)
Dates: July 13 – 15 (blue), July 13 – 17 (gold), or July 13 – 18 (advanced)
Application Deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Middle school students
The Leadership Camp for middle school students provides you with an opportunity to build leadership skills. Camp scheduling may vary according to the blue, gold, or advanced options. Nevertheless, you can expect to participate in council groups, learning units, and civic engagements. Additionally, the camp includes interactive activities and recreation time. The ‘blue’ program delves into leadership, publicity, communication, project planning, and more; the ‘gold’ program emphasizes group dynamics and team building, leadership, officer and member roles; and the ‘advanced’ program conflict resolution, ethical leadership, stress management, and so on. The camp prepares you to become a leader in your community through education and hands-on activities.
15. EXPLO 360°
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Location: Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA
Cost: $5,995 (overnight) or $3,695 (day); financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple sessions from June 29 to July 25
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Middle school students
EXPLO 360° is a camp where you can explore your interests and develop new skills. You can customize the program by picking 2 workshops and 2 electives that fit your needs. The Business, Math + Economics Classes teach you about entrepreneurship and leading a business. Similarly, the Law, Humanities + World Affairs Classes introduce you to leaders in international relations. Workshops are collaborative and project-based, and electives typically involve simulations to develop skills. The camp schedule typically has workshops in the mornings and electives in the afternoons. Lastly, you will explore life and the campus at Wellesley College.
One more option—The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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