Summer Programs
Leadership and civics Summer Programs for High School Students
6 leadership and civics programs for middle and high school students. 3 are free to attend and 6 are residential.
- Programs
- 6
- Free to attend
- 3
- Residential
- 6
- 2027 deadline posted
- 2
- of 6
| 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 |
| 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 |
Email me this list
A link to this list, so you have the deadlines when applications open.
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Frequently asked questions
When should I start a summer program application?
Each program sets its own deadline, and some fall months before summer. Check each deadline in the table and work backward from the earliest one.
Do summer programs help with college admissions?
A program is one line on an application. What a student did there, and what they did next with it, matters more than the name.
Each program was read from its own official site. A date or fee the site has not posted is left blank. Last checked 2026-10-09. A deadline marked “last cycle’s date” is from the previous year, shown because the new one is not posted. Dewey Smart is not affiliated with these programs.
