15 Leadership Camps for Middle School Students
Middle school is a great time to discover your interests, explore different subject areas, and develop skills that will help you as you head into high school. A versatile skill that will come in handy in both academics and extracurricular activities is leadership.
What do leadership camps involve?
If you attend a leadership camp as a middle school student, the experience there will help you practice your leadership skills by giving you the chance to take up responsibility and initiative. You will lead projects, make recommendations, and mentor students younger than you.
Why choose summer leadership camps as a middle school student?
Leadership camps will help you develop skills that go beyond the classroom. You will work on group projects, pitch ideas, solve actual-world problems, and learn how to function in high-pressure settings. If you are interested in entrepreneurship, these programs will help you think through business ideas, collaboration, and execution.
For mentorship opportunities to build your business and learn leadership skills, you should have a look at this guide on building a business.
To help you out, we've compiled a list of 15 leadership camps for middle school students. The selection is versatile, including camps that focus on STEM, environmental science, political education, and civic engagement, among others. These camps provide the environment to dive into subjects, learn from mentors, and build your leadership skills through fun activities and projects.
15 Leadership Camps for Middle School Students
1. Camp Invention Leaders-in-Training Program
Location: Locations nationwide hosted at schools, community centers, and local facilities; look up nearest location here
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $185 for the one-week program; pricing varies by location; financial aid scholarships available
Dates: One week in the summer; Dates vary by location
Application Deadline: Rolling by location
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 7–9 (middle school only)
The Camp Invention Leaders in Training program is a STEM-based summer Leadership camp for middle schoolers to learn about the sciences through creative and fun activities. The camp runs for a week, during which you will develop your leadership skills and learn alongside passionate peers. The camp serves as a leadership and training program where you take responsibility and help guide K-6 campers on the various STEM challenges they'll take throughout the day. You will guide campers through activities, provide mentorship, and offer the encouragement they need to overcome challenges and learn new things along the way. You're put in a role of responsibility that lets you exercise your leadership skills and build your professional skill sets along the way.
2. Junior Innovator Program
Location: 100% virtual, with one-on-one mentorship and interactive events
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Program Dates: Flexible start dates; vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to middle school students
The Junior Innovator Program is a virtual entrepreneurship incubator where you develop an actual project to solve a problem you care about. Over the course of the program, you take your idea from curiosity to creation by applying principles of entrepreneurship, pitching, and business thinking in a structured, hands-on setting. You work through one-on-one mentorship sessions that cover ideation, market thinking, and foundational business concepts, while also participating in fireside chats, remote socials, and group discussions with a global cohort of student founders. Throughout the experience, you receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals with backgrounds at organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey, helping you understand how innovation and venture-building work in practice. You refine your communication and leadership skills by presenting your project and incorporating feedback from peers and mentors.
3. Junior National Young Leaders Conference
Location: Locations vary every year; residential or commuter options at each location
Cost/Stipend: Starting at $2,699 commuter / $3,199 residential (varies by location)
Dates: Varies by location, but typically take place in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 5–8; separate curriculum tracks for grades 5–6 and 7–8; residential and commuter options; extended day option available; family orientation on residential arrival day
The Junior National Young Leaders Conference offers a summer leadership experience that combines social development and historical exploration to help middle school students develop their leadership skills. Over the course of the program, you will live on a university campus and engage in hands-on experiences such as building presidential campaigns and working on advocacy projects, helping you develop both professional skills and confidence. The program mixes learning with fun activities where you will engage with peers across the country through outdoor games, talent shows, dance parties, and residential evenings.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Online (Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers)
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: 8 weeks (rolling cohorts throughout the year)
Application Deadline: Varies across different cohorts
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8; open to motivated students globally interested in exploring academic research or writing.
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program pairs middle school students with Ph.D. mentors from universities such as Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and Princeton to explore academic subjects and develop a written project. Across eight weeks, you’ll learn to read and interpret academic literature, build research questions, and create outputs such as a high school-level research paper or case study. You’ll receive individualized feedback through eight mentor sessions and two writing-coach sessions, ensuring you master both analytical and writing fundamentals. Research topics range from gene editing to behavioral economics. The program’s rigorous selection process and personalized mentorship make it one of the most competitive and enriching academic writing experiences available for middle school students. Lumiere also offers a Junior Research and Publication Program for students who wish to publish their research in academic journals.
5. Latin American Association Lyla Summer Program
Location: Cross Keys High School, DeKalb County, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free; no cost to participants
Dates: June 5–29
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle and high school students entering grades 7–12; must reside in and attend school in Gwinnett County or DeKalb County, GA; bilingual support available
The Latin America Association hosts the Latino Youth Leadership Academy, which offersan after-school program for middle school students to develop leadership skills through cultural and physical activities.The program takes a holistic approach, teaching skills that will help you through academics, extracurricular activities, and even high school. You will have the opportunity to explore your interests and learn about different career paths through field trips, career days, and mentorship opportunities. Additionally, the program includes workshops on digital literacy and provides guidance for the college application process, and offers academic support to help you through school.
6. Reagan Foundation Great American Leadership Program
Location: Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA
Cost/Stipend: $499 (includes lunch, materials, activities)
Dates: July 8–10
Application Deadline: Rolling; full scholarship video applications rolling
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders; open to US and international students
The Ronald Regan Foundation offers the Great American Leadership Program, where middle school students learn about leadership in the context of civic engagement and political education. The program takes place over three days. It is held at the Ronald Regan Presidential Library and Museum, where you will be surrounded by political history. You will gain an understanding of principled leadership through guided tools, interactive workshops, and practice through hands-on challenges. Some of the topics that you like to explore include civic duty, essential leadership skills, and learning how to use logic and judgment in your decision-making process.
7. Michigan Student Leadership Summer Leadership Camp
Location: Albion College, Albion, MI
Cost/Stipend: $525 per camper (includes lodging, meals, activities); full and partial scholarships available
Dates: July 20–25
Application Deadline: Rolling; scholarship deadline typically early May
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; four curriculum levels based on years attended; open nationally
The Michigan Student Leadership Association offers a summer camp for middle school students to engage in leadership through a holistic learning experience. The camp is a week-long experience where you will build your leadership skills, learn more about yourself, and engage in activities alongside new friends. The camp experiences include leadership labs, team energizers, team-based challenges, and reflection sessions. You will be guided by counselors who will help you take on challenges and make the experience fun and engaging. The program is designed to help you build your leadership and problem-solving skills by working through challenges alongside your peers. You also get to recharge and connect with people through games, mixers, and the reflective sessions that help you set goals, providing a balance to the experience.
8. Boston Leadership Institute Pre-High School Programs
Location: Gann Academy/Bentley University campus, Waltham, MA
Cost/Stipend: $699 for commuter program
Dates: July 13–17
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 6th–8th graders (pre-high school only); no prior business experience required; day program with optional residential
The Boston Leadership Institute offers a pre-high school program for middle school students who are interested in learning about STEM through hands-on activities. There are many different programs offered, such as the chemistry of cooking, mini med school, pet medicine, hands-on physics, astronomy, marine biology, sports, intro to architecture, crime lab, and sports statistics, that help you explore STEM through fun and engaging hands-on activities and real-world projects. The programs take you through the essential concepts of the topic you will be exploring, while also helping you practice what you learn and gain practical experience by engaging in activities such as conducting science experiments, learning to analyze X-ray images, creating touch tanks, and learning to analyze fingerprints.
9. Association of Washington Student Leaders Middle-Level Summer Camp
Location: Cispus Learning Center, Randle, WA (most HS and all ML sessions); Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA (Mission Peak); Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA (CheerLeadership); all residential
Cost/Stipend: $430 member / $480 non-member; transportation additional
Dates: August 5–16
Application Deadline: Rolling through June 15
Eligibility: Entering grades 6–8; no specific leadership role required; school registration through AWSL Portal required; primarily Washington state schools
The Association of Washington offers a student leaders' summer camp where middle school students can learn essential leadership skills and prepare for their upcoming school year. Over the summer, you will learn valuable skills through fun activities and make friends along the way. Some of the skills you will work on during the camp include communication, positive teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making. There are different locations throughout Washington, and each camp offers a unique experience through a diverse curriculum, activities, and traditions that solidify your experience and make it unique.
10. Northwestern University Leadership For Today
Location: Northwestern University campus, Evanston, IL
Cost/Stipend: Residential $1,805; day camp $990; need-based financial aid available
Dates: July 20–25 and July 27–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Grades 6–8 (middle school only); must meet CTD eligibility criteria; residential or day camp; no prior leadership experience required
The Northwestern University Leadership For Today is an experiential program that allows students to live on a university campus and engage in fun activities to practice their leadership skills. The programme takes place over one week, during which you will explore leadership concepts, gain practical experience, and focus on activities that help you build professional skills. You'll explore academic subjects, including climate, the arts, economics, psychology, entrepreneurship, and healthcare, through class meetings, research, and topic-focused activities. You’ll also get to work on your communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills through hands-on activities and learn further by meeting government, business, and non-profit leaders to explore leadership in practice and discover socially responsible paths to leadership.
11. Partnership for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science (PACTS)
Location: The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: School year program; meets twice a month on Saturday mornings
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Philadelphia area students in grades 6–8 only; no specific scholastic requirements; students encouraged to have strong math and science skills; free; geographic restriction to the Philadelphia region
The Partnership for Achieving Careers in Technology and Science (PACTS) is a youth leadership program for middle school students interested in exploring STEM. Some of the topics you will explore during the program include robotics, architecture, design thinking, forensics, and environmental science. The program uses a mix of hands-on workshops, research, field trips, and visits to community organizations to meet STEM professionals. You will learn about STEM through fun hands-on challenges, where you might be building a robotic skit or learning about what it takes to design a tall building, and learn what it takes to conduct a forensics investigation. The programme includes aspects of mentoring, leadership training, and career exploration that help you build skill sets to succeed in high school and beyond.
12. Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy Urban Trailblazers
Location: Crissy Field Center, Presidio, San Francisco, CA; overnight camping trips at Rob Hill Campground and a National Park location
Cost/Stipend: Free; $300 education stipend for completing the full program; stipend forfeited if the last day is missed
Dates: June 16–July 31; orientation May 16
Application Deadline: Rolling until interviews; interviews April 11
Eligibility: Middle school-age youth; San Francisco Bay Area residents; culturally and economically diverse backgrounds welcomed; bilingual support in Spanish
The Urban TrailBlazers is a youth leadership program designed for middle school students that helps them develop leadership and professional skills by working in a nature-focused environment.The program takes place over six weeks in the summer, where you get to work alongside diverse peers in your local national park, and it also includes camping experiences. During the program, you will explore the outdoors, learn about the environment, and gain experience in preserving national parks. You will also experience working on community issues related to the environment and learn how to stay physically active and lead a healthy life.
13. Maryland Leadership Workshops Middle School Experience in Leadership (MSEL)
Location: Washington College campus, Chestertown, MD\
Cost/Stipend: Not published; contact admin@mlw.org for pricing; need-based scholarships available via application
Dates: July 12 - July 17
Application Deadline: June 1 or capacity
Eligibility: For students entering grades 6-8 in fall; open to Maryland and Mid-Atlantic region students
Maryland Leadership Workshops organizes a summer program that brings together middle school students to build leadership skills. Over the program, you will be staying on the college campus, experiencing residential life and engaging in activities alongside other peers. The program trains you in leadership through a bunch of workshops and activities. Some of the topics include leadership styles, group dynamics, diversity, self-awareness, advocacy, and identity. The activities are designed to help you practice your communication, public speaking, decision-making, project management, problem-solving, and conflict management skills.
14. Pennsylvania Association Of Student Councils Summer Leadership Camps
Location: Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA
Cost/Stipend: $290; scholarships available
Dates: July 12–14
Application Deadline: Early bird, May 8; regular registration, June 5
Eligibility: Entering grades 6–8; Gold; open to all PA students and occasional out-of-state students
The Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils hosts a summer leadership camp for middle school students to develop their skill sets and explore things beyond the classroom. The camps take place over three days and include a residential experience where you will adapt to living away from home, experience what it would be like to live on your own, and take responsibility. A typical day at the camp is fully planned, with many leadership-based activities, including leadership skills sessions, project planning time, public speaking, team-building activities, civic engagement activities, workshops, delegate planning activities, and a hall meeting. The camp uses a variety of teaching sessions and activities to help you practice your leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.
15. Wisconsin Association Of School Councils Leadership Camp
Location: University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, Stevens Point, WI
Cost/Stipend: $515
Dates: July 12–16
Application Deadline: Rolling; early bird ends April 1; scholarship deadlines April 15–May 15
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; primarily Wisconsin students; no prior student council membership required
The Wisconsin Association of School Councils hosts a leadership camp for middle school students to build confidence and learn what it takes to be a leader. The camp takes place over five days, during which you will practice leadership through fun activities and skill-building sessions, including self-esteem and self-advocacy workshops. Key leadership-based components you will practice include team building, communication, organization, and goal setting through fun activities, while building your networking skills. You will also learn the tools needed to promote positive mental health, gain an understanding of yourself and others, and build self-confidence.