For future law and government students

Law and Government Opportunities for High School Students

6 volunteer programs, research programs, competitions, and clubs for high school students interested in law and government: 0 national or online, and 6 local programs in New York City, the Bay Area, and Houston.

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Opportunities: 6
Not paused or waitlisted: 6; application availability varies
Minimum age under 16: 1; excludes paused and waitlisted
Summer only: 2; others run longer or do not say

City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Youth Commission
Club or organization · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 12 to 23
When to apply
Annual application and interview process run by Youth Commission staff (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
City of Houston Mayor's Office of Education & Youth Engagement Hire Houston Youth
Internship · Houston, TX
Who can join
Ages 16 to 24
When to apply
Summer
City of Houston Mayor's Youth Council
Club or organization · Houston, TX
Who can join
Grades 9 to 12
When to apply
The 2025-2026 application period is closed; the call for applications usually goes out in September (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders
Club or organization · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Not posted
When to apply
Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort were due Friday, October 2 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development NYC Ladders for Leaders
Internship · New York, NY
Who can join
Ages 16 to 24
When to apply
January 16, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)
Internship · San Francisco, CA
Who can join
Ages 16 to 18
When to apply
Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle)

Opportunity	Where	Who can join	Commitment	When to apply
City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Youth CommissionClub or organization · Government or courts	San Francisco, CA	Ages 12 to 23	1-year term, historically beginning in August	Annual application and interview process run by Youth Commission staff (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
City of Houston Mayor's Office of Education & Youth Engagement Hire Houston YouthInternship · Government or courts	Houston, TX	Ages 16 to 24	At least 8 weeks of summer employment	Summer
City of Houston Mayor's Youth CouncilClub or organization · Government or courts	Houston, TX	Grades 9 to 12	Year-round; attend meetings and take part in projects, activities, and events	The 2025-2026 application period is closed; the call for applications usually goes out in September (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy I-YEL: Inspiring Young Emerging LeadersClub or organization · Parks and environment	San Francisco, CA	Not posted	School year, October to May	Applications for the 2026-2027 cohort were due Friday, October 2 (as posted when checked 2026-10-13; confirm availability)
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development NYC Ladders for LeadersInternship · Government or courts	New York, NY	Ages 16 to 24	Paid summer internship with 30 hours of pre-employment training	January 16, 2026 (past deadline; confirm next cycle)
San Francisco Public Library Youth Advisory Board (YAB)Internship · Library	San Francisco, CA	Ages 16 to 18	10 hours per week, late October through early May	Applications for 2026-27 closed September 14 (past window; confirm next cycle)

Email me this list

A link to this list, so you have the age rules and application windows when they open.

Summer programs for law and government students

Program	Where	Who can apply	Cost	Deadline
ALA Girls NationAmerican Legion Auxiliary	Washington, DCResidential	ALA Girls State participants entering their senior year	Not posted	Not posted
ALA Girls StateAmerican Legion Auxiliary	Multiple locationsResidential	High school students who have completed their junior year	Free	Not posted
Boys NationThe American Legion	Washington, DCResidential	Boys State participants (rising seniors)	Not posted	Not posted
Boys StateThe American Legion	Multiple locationsResidential	High school juniors	Not posted	Not posted
Leadership SeminarsUniversity of Notre Dame Office of Pre-College Programs	Notre Dame, INResidential	Current high school juniors	Free	January 20, 2027
SHIStanford Pre-Collegiate Studies	Stanford, CAResidential	Grades 10 to 11 at the time of application	Paid, aid available	February 2, 2026Last cycle’s date
USSYPUnited States Senate and The Hearst Foundations	Washington, DCResidential	High school juniors and seniors	Free with stipend	Varies by state; December 1, 2026 is the national deadline for states to submit their selections

All leadership and civics summer programs

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Frequently asked questions

What activities help a future law and government student?

Activities a student keeps up over time and can describe in their own words. One long commitment usually says more than several short ones.

Do these programs have age limits?

Most do. Each program page shows the minimum age or grade the organization posts, and says so when nothing is posted.

Sources and method

Each opportunity was read from the organization's own page. A rule, date, or fee the page does not state is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-13. Programs change age rules, hours, and application windows, so confirm on the official page before applying. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these organizations.

Suggested attribution: Dewey Smart. “Law and Government Opportunities for High School Students”. https://www.deweysmart.com/opportunities/major/law-and-government.

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