15 Summer Leadership Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 6
- 9 min read
As more schools and universities emphasize holistic development, leadership is becoming an important skill that students are encouraged to build early on. If you're in middle school, joining a summer leadership program can be a great way to start. These programs are designed to help you develop communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills through hands-on activities and group projects.
Participating in a leadership program can also prepare you for roles in high school clubs, student council, or any team-based setting. It adds meaningful experience to your resume and can strengthen future college or scholarship applications by showing initiative and collaboration.
To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled a list of 15 summer leadership programs for middle school students.
15 Summer Leadership Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Remote
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline:Â June 23 (Summer Cohort II)Â
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a virtual research and mentorship experience for middle school students who want to explore a topic they care about. In this program, you’ll be paired one-on-one with a mentor, often a researcher from universities such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, or Yale, who will guide you through developing your academic project.
You’ll choose a subject that interests you and spend the program researching, thinking critically, and creating a final project that reflects your ideas. The structure is designed to challenge you while also fitting your schedule, with multiple start dates offered throughout the year.
Cost:Â Starts at $175
Location:Â Various locations across Atlanta
Dates:Â Multiple camps in June
Application deadline:Â Rolling
Eligibility:Â Students in grades 7-9
Camp Invention® Leaders-in-Training is a summer program where you take on a mentorship role while building your leadership skills. As a middle school student, you’ll support younger campers in grades K–6 as they explore hands-on STEM activities created by educators and inventors from the National Inventors Hall of Fame. You’ll help guide campers through their projects, encourage creative thinking, and strengthen your communication and teamwork along the way. You’ll work closely with camp staff and directors at one of nearly 800 locations nationwide, often hosted at local schools or community centers.
Location: Cispus Learning Center, Randle, WA
Cost:Â $405 (AWSL Member School)/$455 (Non-Member School)
Program dates:Â Multiple camps in August
Application deadline: Available on a space-available basis until June 16
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 7–9
The Association of Washington Student Leaders (AWSL) offers middle school summer camps that help you build leadership skills while connecting with students from across the state. Held at the Cispus Learning Center, these camps focus on teamwork, communication, empathy, and decision-making through hands-on workshops and group projects. Each camp takes a slightly different approach. Some help you improve your school’s climate and promote inclusion, while others teach you how to plan events, take on leadership roles, and work effectively in a team.Â
Location: Multiple locations available for each program
Cost:Â $2,495-$2,895 (financial aid is available)
Program dates: Varies by program; each program lasts six days and typically takes place in mid-July
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to students currently enrolled in grades 6-8
The National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) offers middle school summer programs that let you explore future careers while building leadership skills. You’ll choose from five focus areas, Art & Design, Business, Engineering, U.S. Government & History, or Medicine & Health Care, and spend your time diving into hands-on activities that connect academic learning with real-world experience.
Each program includes workshops, team projects, and simulations designed to help you think critically, solve problems, and collaborate with others. In the Engineering track, for example, you’ll take on building challenges that spark creativity and technical thinking. In Government & History, you’ll use role-play to explore how civic systems work and how decisions are made.
Location: Multiple locations in Boston, MA
Cost: $615–$825 per student per week (scholarships are available)
Program dates:Â Multiple week-long programs from June to August
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12; varies by program.
The United Nations Association of Greater Boston Summer Institute in Global Leadership is a week-long Model UN program for middle school students who want to learn about global issues and build leadership skills. Each session focuses on a topic like climate change, global health, or human rights. You will research, speak, and work with other students to find solutions to real-world problems.
As a delegate, you will represent a country in Model UN simulations and collaborate with students from different backgrounds. You will also hear from guest speakers and get support from UNAGB staff to improve your communication and teamwork.
Location:Â University of Maryland (Washington, D.C.), Emory University (Atlanta, GA), Bentley University (Boston, MA)
Cost: Residential - $3,145 | Day - $2,645
Program dates: Maryland (Res: June 22–Aug 1, Day: June 23–Aug 1), Emory (Res: July 20–25, Day: July 21–25), Bentley (Res: July 12–17, Day: July 13–17)
Application deadline:Â Not specifiedÂ
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7–8
JrNYLC is a six-day leadership program for middle school students that helps you build communication skills and learn how to make a difference. The program takes place in cities like Washington D.C., Boston, and Atlanta, using historic sites and civic institutions as hands-on classrooms.
You will study leaders from U.S. history and take part in activities like the Peace Patch Protest and Facing the Music simulation to learn how advocacy and decision-making can create change. One of the main parts of the program is the Voices of Change project, where you work in a team to design a plan for social impact in your school or community.
Location:Â Cross Keys High School, Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 2–26
Application deadline: Not specifiedÂ
Eligibility: Open to all middle and high school students
The LYLA Summer Program by the Latin American Association is designed for middle school students who want to build leadership skills and connect with their cultural identity. You will take part in academic enrichment, digital literacy workshops, and group leadership sessions that help you grow in school and life. The program includes field trips, mentorship, and career exploration activities that introduce you to college and job opportunities. You will also learn through cultural activities and physical challenges that support personal growth and community awareness.
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Cost: $350
Program dates: July 8–11 (tentative, based on previous year dates)
Application deadline: Registration typically opens in December
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 7–12
At Arizona State University, the Logic, Leadership, and Life Skills summer program helps you learn more about yourself while building important personal and leadership skills. This four-day camp is for middle and high school students and is based on strategies from college courses and professional development. You will explore your strengths, learn how to manage emotions, and set meaningful goals with support from trained teen life coaches. The sessions focus on logical thinking, communication, and decision-making through hands-on activities and group discussions.
Location: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, Simi Valley, CA
Cost:Â $550 (financial aid is available)
Program dates: July 9–11
Application deadline:Â Not specified. You can sign up for updates here.
Eligibility: Open to rising 6th–8th grade students
The Great American Leadership Program is a three-day summer experience that helps you explore the core values of strong leadership. Held at Pepperdine University, with guided access to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the program uses history to teach traits like integrity, courage, and civic responsibility.
You will take part in workshops and discussions that focus on President Reagan’s leadership style and how those ideas apply to real-life situations. You will learn about character, logical decision-making, and the role of civic engagement in shaping communities.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: $50 commitment fee
Program dates: Multiple year-round events. See the full calendar here.
Application deadline: Applications open on August 1 and close in October
Eligibility: Open to registered Girl Scouts in grades 6–12. Some councils offer region-specific sessions like NYC.
The Girl Scouts Leadership Institute helps you grow as a leader by offering two different paths to match your goals and interests. The Exploration Path gives you flexible access to college visits, career panels, and skills-building events. You can choose what to attend based on your schedule and what interests you most.
The Changemakers Path is a longer-term option for Girl Scouts who want to take on more responsibility. You will join topic-based seminars, visit workplaces, and complete a group capstone project. You can focus on areas like business, STEM, or environmental advocacy while gaining real experience and becoming eligible for scholarships.
11. Camp BizSmartÂ
Location: Multiple locations in California
Cost:Â Not specified
Program dates: 10 days in the summer (exact dates are not specified)
Application deadline: RollingÂ
Eligibility: Open to students ages 11–15
Camp BizSmart is a ten-day summer program where you work in a small team to solve real business problems shared by startup founders and industry experts. You will learn how companies work, explore innovation challenges, and create practical solutions with help from experienced mentors. Each team focuses on a specific case, such as designing a secure device for metaverse access or turning seaweed waste into sustainable materials. At the end of the program, you will present your ideas to a panel of investors.
Location: Anaheim, CA
Cost:Â $115 (approximately)
Program dates: June 29–July 2
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility:Â Open to students in grades 6-12
The Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference is a multi-day event for middle school students who want to build business and leadership skills. Held in cities like Anaheim, the conference brings together students from across the country to compete in business challenges, attend interactive workshops, and connect with professionals and peers. You will take part in competitive events that reflect real-world business scenarios, including marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. Industry experts provide feedback to help you grow and improve.
Location:Â San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Program dates: June 17–August 1
Application deadline: Applications open in March
Eligibility: Open to youth aged 11–14 attending San Francisco public schools
The Urban Trailblazers program by the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy is a six-week summer experience for middle school students who want to connect with nature and build leadership skills. You will explore local, state, and national parks, take part in overnight camping trips at Rob Hill and other park sites, and learn about teamwork, civic responsibility, and caring for the environment.
The program selects 44 students from different cultural and economic backgrounds to create a space for shared learning and collaboration. Activities focus on outdoor education, leadership development, and community engagement. You will grow your confidence and learn how to make a positive impact.
Location:Â Nashville, TN
Cost: $99
Program dates: June 17–28 (based on previous year dates)
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to students ages 10–18 from the Nashville area
Youth About Business’s Entrepreneurial Training Program helps middle school students build a strong foundation in business and investing. You will attend sessions twice a month where you learn about topics like corporate structure, asset management, and strategic planning. These lessons are led by financial advisors and guest professionals from different industries.
As you move through the program, you will get hands-on experience by helping run one of the organization’s local training centers in Nashville. These centers include a bargain store, a dinner house, a tech lab, or a real estate hub. Each one works like a small business, and you will set goals, track progress, and take on leadership roles with your team.
Location:Â The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost:Â Free
Program dates:Â Workshops are held twice a month on Saturdays during the school year.
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to Philadelphia area students in grades 6–8
The PACTS program at the Franklin Institute gives middle school students the chance to explore science and technology through hands-on learning. You will take part in workshops and group projects focused on topics like robotics, environmental science, architecture, and forensic investigation. Each session helps you build skills, think critically, and work as part of a team. You might design and program a robot or solve an urban planning challenge using real scientific methods.
Bonus - Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Application deadline:Â Rolling deadlines.
Program dates:Â 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Eligibility:Â Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and creating a machine-learning algorithm to provide a custom list of educational resources based on selected specifications.
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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