ACLU National Advocacy Institute – High School Program
The ACLU's National Advocacy Institute high school program brings students ages 15-18 to Washington, D.C. for a week of direct training in civil liberties advocacy, campaign strategy, and grassroots organizing led by ACLU attorneys and organizers.
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ALA California Girls State
ALA California Girls State, run by the American Legion Auxiliary, is a weeklong residential program for rising senior young women to learn the operation of government by campaigning for and holding mock city, county, and state offices. The 83rd session runs June 22-27, 2026.
American Legion California Boys & Girls State
American Legion California Boys & Girls State is a weeklong, coeducational hands-on civics program where rising seniors build and run mock city, county, and state governments, campaign for office, and pass legislation. The 87th session runs June 20-27, 2026 at California State University, Sacramento.
National Student Leadership Conference: Law & Advocacy
A selective 9-day residential pre-college program at Georgetown University or the University of Michigan where students step into the role of trial attorney, examining evidence and arguing a simulated case from start to finish alongside practicing attorneys.
California Highway Patrol Explorer Program
A statewide CHP program (with posts including San Jose) for teens ages 15-20 with a 2.0+ GPA who train alongside officers in traffic safety, community outreach, and law-enforcement procedures, including ride-alongs and a regional Explorer Academy.
Chapman University Henley Lab Social Science Summer Pre-College Research Experience
A pre-college research fellowship at Chapman University's Henley Social Science Research Lab where high schoolers with a 3.5+ GPA conduct real social science research projects, developing skills in data analysis (including SPSS), academic writing, research poster design, and public presentation.
Community Youth Courts (Contra Costa & Alameda)
A restorative-justice youth court run by youth, for youth, where trained teen volunteers serve as jurors, attorneys, clerks, and case managers for first-time juvenile offenders referred by schools and police in Southern Contra Costa and Alameda Counties.