Leadership is an important life skill that requires practice and training and can be developed during adolescence. Across the United States, a variety of teen leadership programs are available at boarding schools, military schools, as well as through clubs, councils, conferences, and summer camps.
These leadership programs for teens help develop and inspire confidence, self-esteem, teamwork, and communication. They also stimulate problem-solving, decision-making, and other executive function skills that prepare young people for college and life. Whether your teenager is interested in community service projects, internships, or prefers learning to lead in academics, athletics, or student government, there’s a leadership program designed to bring out their leadership potential.
Why Leadership Programs Matter for Teens
The teenage years are an ideal time to develop a growth mindset. Participating in leadership roles offers opportunities to develop a sense of personal accountability, responsibility, resilience, and managerial skills. These skills are highly transferable to all aspects of life in school, personal relationships, and later in life to professional growth.
Key benefits that teen leadership development programs can provide:
- Practice in decision-making for real-world situations.
- Opportunities to build teamwork, group motivation strategies, and camaraderie
- Confidence-building forums for public speaking and peer leadership
- A sense of life purpose, good citizenship, and civic responsibility
- Time management and project management skills
Did you know research shows that teens who participate in structured leadership experiences are more likely to succeed academically and give back to their communities? For example, America Succeeds cites how One Stone, an independent school in Boise, Idaho, and Stanford’s Design Thinking framework partnered on core competencies to develop a top-notch leadership program.
How to Choose the Right Teen Leadership Program
Ultimately, choosing the right teen leadership development program really depends on your teenager’s goals and personal interests. Here are some tips for choosing the best leadership development program for youth:
- Identify Interests: Does your teen prefer sports, outdoor adventure, service learning, academic enrichment, or a combination of them all?
- Check the Location: Do you think your teen would prefer to participate in a program near home at their school or with a local organization, or would they prefer to travel to a program of interest in another town, state, or country?
- Determine Duration: What timeframe appeals to your teen? Some programs run for a dedicated weekend, several weeks in the summer, or are incorporated into academic year programs and align with their school schedule.
- Look for Mentorship Opportunities: What kind of mentorship would serve your teen best? Quality programs pair students with experienced mentors or instructors such as thought leaders in specific fields of interest, educators, residential life staff, or athletic coaches.
- Evaluate the Focus: Where does your teen want to grow? While some leadership programs emphasize teamwork and communication, others may focus more on self-discipline and character development.
- Discuss Outcomes: Is your teen seeking something specific? Some programs provide certificates, references, or leadership awards that could help with college applications.
- Identify Areas for Personal Growth: Consider where your teen needs to develop. Does he or she wish to become more independent to prepare for college, develop self-advocacy and direction, or gain more confidence? As a parent, consider your priorities for your teen, such as learning how to build mutually respectful relationships with authority and peers, reinforcing values, or developing better manners?
Top Leadership Programs for Teenagers in the United States
To simplify your search, here are some of the most respected teen leadership development programs across the U.S.:
1. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
NSLC helps high school students explore career paths in fields including: business, STEM fields like medicine, engineering, and technology. While building leadership and communication skills, these immersive experiences take place on college campuses nationwide.
2. Boy Scouts of America – National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT)
Frequently regarded as a top outdoor leadership course, NYLT teaches teamwork, ethical decision-making, and servant leadership through interactive and hands-on activities.
3. Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)
Well-known for its motivational seminars, HOBY connects students with peers and mentors. This is a foundation to inspire community service and personal growth.
4. The Congressional Youth Leadership Council
This program in Washington, D.C., offers teens a firsthand look at civic leadership, government, and public service.
5. Army and Navy Academy Leadership Programs
Focused on character, discipline, and leadership, Army and Navy Academy provides a structured environment where young men (grades 7-12) can develop confidence, accountability, and teamwork. They offer leadership education training classes through their JROTC curriculum, alongside opportunities to gain rank within the Academy’s Corps of Cadets (or their student body). Cadet leaders are charged with high-level responsibilities in the governance of campus procedures, peer leadership, project management, and execution of events and activities.
Additional Teen Leadership Development Opportunities
Beyond formal leadership programs for teens, many organizations offer short-term workshops and volunteer opportunities that build leadership experience:
- Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)
- 4-H Teen Leadership Programs
- YMCA Youth and Government
- Junior Achievement Programs
- Summer camps with leadership tracks
- JROTC Programs
Candace Heidenrich is the CEO of Aperture Advisory Associates, where she works with private secondary and higher education leaders to strengthen programs and practices. She founded Aperture in 2018 after more than a decade in a senior administrative role at a boarding school in California. Additionally, she held faculty and chair positions at private schools and colleges in Los Angeles and Ojai. Her background also includes director and executive level positions with start-ups and Fortune 500 corporations.
While earning her B.A. in Education and Humanities in the Lawrence Henry Gipson Scholar program, she studied abroad at Oxford before pursuing her master’s at the University of California, Santa Barbara. A frequent speaker at national conferences, she is a recognized thought leader and authority on enrollment management and marketing best practices.