Opportunity Guide I Summer, Enrichment & Activities Guide
If your child aspires to run for president one day, loves to take charge of things or enjoys some verbal sparring, consider activities and classes in government, politics and debate. In the beginning, encourage your child to run for student counsel or to start a new school club where he can build leadership skills. There are also a wide array of specialty summer programs that offer courses in politics, current affairs, history and leadership. A motivated, older child might apply for a government internship in her home state, or to work as a congressional page. Volunteer positions with government institutions or museums can help a child sharpen leadership and public speaking skills.
Joining a school speech and debate team is a great way for a child to learn oratory and research skills and as a jumping off point to compete in higher level state and national tournaments. Taken to the highest level, there are intensive summer debate training camps which offer rigorous debate preparation classes and the chance to spar with top debaters.
If your child is interested in foreign languages or international relations, encourage her to join her school’s Model United Nations program. She’ll have the opportunity to interact with peers, hone skills in diplomacy and negotiation, and participate in local through international conferences. Encourage a child who is curious about international affairs to attend a foreign language camp or any of the prestigious international relations/diplomacy camps, many of which are sponsored by selective universities and government groups. An overseas community service trip can provide an opportunity for your child to engage in genuine cultural immersion, meaningful volunteer work, and a real-world international experience.
- The American Legion Auxiliary’s marquee Girls State program, first presented in 1937, is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs presented in the United States. The… Read more
- American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for U.S. high school students. A participatory program in which students become… Read more
- The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants… Read more
- The Community of Scholars program is a rigorous college-credit summer program at AU's School of International Service designed for students entering their junior and senior years of high school. The… Read more
- Try out college life and take college-level courses in special programs for high school students. High school students with a B or better grade point average may enroll as non-degree students in… Read more
- This is your chance to have a meaningful adventure and engage with the global community! Our summer volunteer programs for ages 13-22 create a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture… Read more
- Global Scholar is an international relations summer program that builds the knowledge and skills high school students need to make social change on a local and global scale. Through hands-on… Read more
- Since 1943 Camp Pacific has been a staple of summer at Army and Navy Academy providing participants recreational opportunities focused on teamwork, sportsmanship, and self-improvement Our prime… Read more
- Every year, through the Student Leaders program Bank of America helps connect 225 community-minded high school juniors and seniors to employment, skills development and service. They’re awarded paid… Read more
- Summer programs offered: Summer in the City: Students take two courses of their choice over the span of four weeks. As part of the program, students both participate in admissions and career… Read more
- Bay Area Speech and Debate Academy is a private company that provides speech and debate classes for students develop skills which are necessary for them to be successful in school college and life.… Read more
- The Baylor Summer Debate Workshop offers cutting-edge debate instruction. Baylor has created a unique camp format for teaching policy debate to high school students. The goal of the policy workshop… Read more
- The Benjamin Franklin Transatlantic Fellows Summer Institute fosters relationships among the younger generation of Europeans and Americans to build strong linkages and an awareness of shared values.… Read more
- The Bezos Scholars Program is a year-long leadership development program that amplifies youth voice and action. Each spring, 17 exceptional high school juniors and a supportive educator from their… Read more
- The BCE Honors residential program for high-school students offers a comprehensive experience which allow you to experience college life first-hand, and tackle the seemingly-intimidating college… Read more
- For two weeks, experience life on a college campus and take on new academic challenges in our residential summer program for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Summer Challenge… Read more
- Are you ready to step up as a leader in your school, youth group or home community? Do you want to make positive social change in the face of structural inequality? Are you prepared to change the… Read more
- Young people across the country are embracing the opportunity to make change. The powerful history of the related social movement must anchor their labors. LGBTQIA+ teens and their allies are… Read more
- Brandeis Summer School offers advanced high school students the opportunity to experience college courses with some restrictions Students who have completed their Junior year of High School can test… Read more
- The Brown Leadership Institute believes that young people are already making powerful contributions to their communities and, through participation in this program, no matter your current level of… Read more
- Brown Pre-College Location-Based Programs are immersive and rigorous academic experiences with selected course content and learning locations designed to prepare students for the increasingly complex… Read more
- Each summer, serious students choose Summer@Brown to prepare for college success, and meet the challenges of Ivy League academics. Living and learning on Brown’s magnificent campus, students… Read more
- The Cal National Debate Institute is the premier summer camp for Policy, Lincoln Douglas, and Public Forum students held at the end of June/beginning of July. There are no experience requirements,… Read more
- A residential camp (also day campers) for high school and junior high students in Individual Events (beginning and advanced), Public Forum Debate, Cross Examination Debate (beginning and advanced),… Read more
- Capitol Debate's goal is to enrich the lives of students through communication programs including public speaking, debate, business and STEM communication summer camps. To do that, we gather expert… Read more
- The Advanced Placement/Early Admission (AP/EA) Program provides talented, motivated high school students with the unique opportunity to take summer courses offered by Carnegie Mellon. Students earn… Read more
- 2 week debate camp for middle and high school students.
- Residential summer camp programs in: academic enrichment, English language, immersion geometry, theater arts, documentary filmmaking, math, science, community service, oceanography, and writing.… Read more
- Residential summer camp programs in: academic enrichment, English language, Enviro-tech for girls, theater arts, writing, invention and design labs filmmaking, math, science, community service,… Read more
- Established to honor the memory of President Kennedy — a member of Choate’s Class of 1935 — The John F. Kennedy '35 Institute in Government is designed to stimulate your curiosity about public policy… Read more
- CIA offers a summer internship program that is a financial needs based initiative. See detailed information on website for detailed summer program eligibility requirements. While working at the CIA,… Read more
- Join us for an exciting week filled with learning, friendship, and the Clemson experience. Educational, recreational, and cultural activities allow participants to experience some of the amazing… Read more
- Columbia University offers several summer programs for high school students, both in its home city of New York City, but also in foreign countries as well. For students that will be in New York, they… Read more
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) is for motivated high school students who want to experience a culture and learn a language through a full immersion experience. Earn a competitive edge for… Read more
- The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all youth regardless of ability,… Read more
- While there are many opportunities in the federal government for internships, fellowships, and other work experience, there is no comprehensive source to assist in locating these opportunities. This… Read more
- The Cornell International Summer Debate Camp is a premier summer program where students learn and advance their argumentative, debating and public speaking skills. Boasting an expert coaching team… Read more
- Cornell University Summer College offers academically motivated high school students the chance to experience college life at a great Ivy League university, take regular college classes with Cornell… Read more
- The Cornell University Summer Session traces its roots to summer courses in geology, zoology, and entomology that were presented in the late 1870s. The University offered these courses in the summer… Read more
- Our High School Volunteer Abroad programs are purpose-driven: teens who travel abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions aren’t merely joining a tour group and observing another place; they engage in… Read more
- The CBP Explorer Program offers opportunities in character building, good citizenship, and fitness for young men and women ages 14 through 21. CBP has Law Enforcement Explorer Posts, both at ports of… Read more
- The advantages of the Debate Institutes at Dartmouth include: Small Classes Our classes are capped at 24 students with a 1:8 teacher-student ratio or better. Every member of the teaching staff is in… Read more
- The United States Intelligence Community offers students a wide variety of excellent programs at the DIA to get a jumpstart on a career in intelligence. Academic Semester Internship Program: Academic… Read more
- The Department of Education (ED) offers internships for students interested in seeking valuable work experience in government and federal education policy and administration. Volunteers have the… Read more
- The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization that has served over 2.8 million academically talented students in grades four through twelve since 1980. Each… Read more
- Emory Summer College is a nonresidential program in which exceptional high school students who have completed their sophomore or junior year may enroll in Emory undergraduate courses and earn college… Read more
- This division is best-suited for students who have the opportunity to debate competitively in policy debate during the regular academic year as students will focus on the upcoming high school topic.… Read more
- Emory University is one of the top 25 Universities in the United States and the Barkley Forum is one of nation’s most successfully competitive intercollegiate debate teams for the last fifty years.… Read more
- Emory University is one of the top 25 Universities in the United States and the Barkley Forum is one of nation’s most successfully competitive intercollegiate debate teams for the last fifty years… Read more
- This is a non-credit summer program with both residential and day students. The Emory Pre-College Program (noncredit) offers students an opportunity to preview the best of college life: from… Read more