Political Science Programs for High School Students
EC Finder currently lists 111 political science programs for high school students. Of these, 87 are free to participate in and 52 offer virtual participation. Examples include 9th Circuit Civics Contest, ALA Girls State, and Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) Action Fellowship.
- 111
- listed
- 87
- free
- 52
- virtual
- 111
- with a listed deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are political science programs for high school students?
- Political Science Programs for High School Students are curated extracurricular listings for high school students interested in political science. Each listing includes eligibility, cost, and deadline details where known, so you can compare options and find the right fit for your college application profile.
- Are any of these programs free?
- Yes — 87 of the 111 programs listed here are free to participate in.
- Can I participate virtually?
- Yes — 52 of the 111 programs listed here offer virtual or online participation.
- Are political science programs good for a college application?
- Yes — political science programs are a common way for high schoolers to show sustained interest and initiative in political science on college applications.
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9th Circuit Civics Contest
Essay or video contest on "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," analyzing one core right historically and today.
ALA Girls State
A week-long leadership and civics program run by the American Legion Auxiliary in which rising senior girls build and operate a simulated city and state government.
Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) Action Fellowship
Year-long climate advocacy training fellowship, run by Action for the Climate Emergency (formerly Alliance for Climate Education), for students ages 14-18 to build organizing and leadership skills and run carbon-cutting campaigns at their schools.
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State (UC Riverside)
Parallel civic-education program for young women focused on leadership and understanding American government.
American Legion Boys State
A week-long, sponsor-funded citizenship and government simulation where rising senior boys elect officials and run a mock state government to learn how democracy functions in practice.
American Legion Boys State (Cal State Sacramento)
Week-long simulation of state government where students run for office, write bills, and learn about civic processes.
Amnesty International USA High School Student Group
Students start or join an official Amnesty International USA youth group at their high school to research human rights issues and take collective action through campaigns, petitions, letter-writing, and educational events.
BBYO
A national Jewish teen movement (AZA for boys, BBG for girls) with active Bay Area/Northern California chapters. Teens explore leadership, civic engagement, Jewish identity, and service through local chapter meetings, summer programs, and international conventions.
Beloved Arise Queer Youth of Faith National Essay Contest
A national essay and video contest for LGBTQ+ high school seniors of any faith background to share their story at the intersection of queerness and religion. Five winners split $5,000 in scholarships.
Beloved Arise Youth Alliance
A free national community for LGBTQ+ youth of faith and allies ages 14-24 to connect through a private Discord, share personal narratives, apply to become Youth Ambassadors, and lead micro-grant-funded community projects.
Berkeley Youth Commission
An 18-member city commission (nine appointed by the Berkeley School Board, one by each City Council member) requiring at least half of its members to be middle or high school students; commissioners review and recommend youth services and programs and meet monthly at the MLK Jr. Youth Center.
BORP Youth Sports Program
Berkeley-based Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) offers year-round competitive and recreational adaptive sports for children and teens with physical disabilities, including wheelchair basketball, power soccer, sled hockey, and goalball, with travel to regional and national tournaments.
California Association of Student Councils – Summer Leadership Conference (SLC)
Multi‑day residential summer leadership camp focused on student government, advocacy, and project‑based leadership training; all curriculum is peer‑led by high school/college students and includes skills like project planning, public speaking, and facilitative leadership.
California Association of Student Councils (CASC) – Region Conferences
CASC is California's student‑run leadership and advocacy organization that trains student leaders and gives them direct experience in democratic decision‑making and lobbying for student issues. Region Conferences are one‑day or multi‑day local leadership conferences where high school students get training in advocacy, running student government, and civic engagement.
California Department of Education Superintendent's Youth Advisory Council
A statewide council through which California public high school students (grades 9-12) advise the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and CDE staff on education policy affecting students, families, and schools; selected members receive a $500 stipend upon successful completion of the roughly four-month program.
California High School Democrats
The official high school wing of the California Young Democrats; members join or start local chapters to work on grassroots Democratic political activism at the state and local level, with access to an opportunities database and training resources.
California High School Republicans
A chartered branch of the California College Republicans/California Republican Party that recruits and trains high school students to campaign for Republican candidates and start school chapters, receiving a tabling kit and campaign-activism resources.
California Youth Climate Policy Leadership Program (CYCP)
Sierra Club, Ten Strands, and UndauntedK12 program for California 9th-12th graders combining a summer retreat and monthly workshops with a mentored campaign to pass climate policy at their own school or district, plus a $500 stipend.
California Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)
A free, week-long residential leadership program in Sacramento for California high schoolers with disabilities. Delegates take part in workshops, mock legislative sessions, and guest speakers covering self-advocacy, postsecondary education, career readiness, and public policy.
Californians for Justice - Oakland Youth Organizing
A grassroots youth-power organization training Oakland high schoolers (with focus on LGBTQ, foster, low-income, and immigrant youth) as community organizers, through weekly meetings, a five-week Summer Youth Leadership Academy, a fall Leadership Bootcamp, and a statewide spring retreat.
Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness
A funded, year-long civic action program in which teams of five teens and young adults design and carry out a community-impact project, receiving stipends, coaching, and networking support.
Center for Independent Living Youth Programs (Berkeley)
Berkeley's Center for Independent Living, birthplace of the disability rights movement, offers disabled youth ages 14-30 workshops on self-advocacy, adult mentorship, and a twice-monthly Youth Social Club (one in-person, one online session) for peer connection.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Student Leadership Program
Year-round leadership program for 9th-12th graders living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (MD, PA, VA, DC) combining field experiences, hands-on restoration service events, and legislative advocacy to protect the Bay.
CHSAA Speech & Debate State Championships
Colorado High School Activities Association's annual state speech and debate tournaments (3A, 4A, 5A) covering Lincoln-Douglas, Public Forum, Congressional Debate, Original Oratory, Informative Speaking, Extemporaneous, Interpretation events, and more. Compete for a state title via your high school's team.
CLYLP Bay Area Institute (California Latino Youth Leadership Program)
Three‑day civic‑leadership and public‑policy institute for Latino high school students from the Bay Area focused on higher education access and California policymaking; includes workshops, speakers, and policy simulations.
Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship
$20,000 college scholarship for graduating high school seniors based on leadership, service, and impact. 150 Coke Scholars chosen annually from a national applicant pool. Application opens August 1 and closes September 30 of senior year.
Coleman Advocates Youth Making a Change (YMAC)
A San Francisco youth-organizing program for middle and high schoolers who meet weekly at local schools to build leadership skills and campaign for policy change, including past wins like school Wellness Centers and SF Youth Vote.
Columbia Political Review High School Essay Contest
Annual essay contest hosted by Columbia University's undergraduate political journal. Prompts focus on contemporary political issues and public policy; winning essays may be published in the Columbia Political Review.
Columbia Undergraduate Law Review – High School Essay Contest
Essay contest on law and public policy topics run by Columbia's undergraduate law review. Often intersects with constitutional law, civil rights, and governance.
Congressional Essay Contest (National Society of the Colonial Dames of America)
An annual essay contest run by state societies of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America since 1977, in which high school students write a 750-word essay on the functions of American government for a chance at one of roughly 50 scholarships to the Washington Workshops Congressional Seminar in Washington, D.C.
Conservation Colorado Internship
Internship at Conservation Colorado, the state's largest environmental advocacy organization, for high schoolers and college students with interests spanning political science, sociology, sustainability science, and environmental science. Interns develop persuasive writing and policy-research skills supporting Colorado conservation campaigns.
Constituting America – "We the Future" Contest (Civics & Constitution)
National contest on U.S. constitutional principles with categories like essays, PSAs, short films, and songs about founding documents and civic values. Very political/civics-oriented.
Coro District Youth Leadership Academies (DYC) – District Youth Fellows
Coro's District Youth Leadership Academies are neighborhood‑based civic‑engagement programs serving youth in San Francisco. Fellows receive leadership and public‑speaking training, conduct informational interviews with local civic leaders, and design a community action project; completing fellows receive a 500 USD stipend.
Coro Northern California – Exploring Leadership
Transformative 6‑week summer civic leadership fellowship in San Francisco with leadership training, an internship placement at a nonprofit, business, or government agency, and a community action project; Fellows receive a stipend and work on real community issues.
Danville Youth Council (DYC)
Official youth advisory body to the Danville Town Council where high school representatives attend Town Council meetings, advise on youth‑related policies, organize community events, and gain hands‑on experience in local government and civic engagement.
DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Scholarships
28+ national scholarships across majors including history, political science, education, and nursing, available to HS seniors planning college study.
Denver Mayor's Youth Commission
Civic leadership board for Denver high school residents (or Denver Public Schools high schoolers) who advise the director of the Office of Children's Affairs on issues impacting Denver youth. Meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday evenings each month, September through May.
DoSomething.org Human Rights & Social Justice Campaigns
A free national platform where teens join ongoing social-action campaigns on causes such as racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and community wellbeing, completing self-directed "actions" that build a record of civic engagement.
Encampment for Citizenship
A residential summer civic-leadership program for ages 15-18 that brings students together to explore social justice issues through youth-led workshops, meetings with community members such as farmworkers and Indigenous groups, and year-round leadership development in facilitation and activism.
Exploratorium – High School Explainer: PACE Program
The Exploratorium's High School Explainer: PACE Program is a paid museum internship where 17-21-year-olds facilitate exhibits, perform demonstrations, assist visitors, and support the core Explainer program, gaining deep exposure to science communication and museum careers.
Federal Bar Association – National Civics Essay Contest
National essay competition on constitutional and civics themes; high school students write up to 1,000‑word essays responding to a prompt with legal/historical analysis; prizes include scholarships for top essays.
Free Expression Essay Competition (PEN America)
An annual essay competition from PEN America in which high school students ages 15-17 write 1,000-word essays on threats to free expression in the U.S. or abroad, with top entries winning cash prizes.
Future We Want Model United Nations (FWWMUN – NYC)
Large international MUN conference where students debate global issues and write UN-style resolutions in New York.
Galileo Camps – Summer Staff (Counselor/Instructor)
Galileo is a Bay Area-based summer camp network; high-school juniors and seniors can work or intern on staff supporting art, design, and STEM camp sessions, building leadership and classroom-management skills while earning pay.
Generation Human Rights (GenHR) Student Internship
A remote internship with the nonprofit Generation Human Rights in which high school and university students help develop human rights education curricula, conduct research, and support organizational projects.
GENup – Student-Led Education Advocacy
California-based, student-led education advocacy organization that forms school- and district-level chapters to push for policy change at school boards, in Sacramento, and nationally. Chapters work on campaigns like student bills of rights, funding, and equity legislation.
GLSEN National Student Council
A paid national leadership program in which LGBTQ+ and allied high school students advise GLSEN on its programs, resources, and school-safety strategy. Members meet regularly, give feedback on GLSEN's work, and lead advocacy projects in their own communities.
GSA Network TRUTH Collective
A storytelling and media-advocacy program run by GSA Network (Genders & Sexualities Alliance Network) for trans and gender-nonconforming teens to build public understanding of trans experiences and organize for safer schools.
GSA Network Youth Freedom Fund
A mini-grant program from GSA Network that awards $500 to registered GSA clubs for youth-led events, campaigns, and projects. A club's student officers apply and, if selected, complete a Zoom interview to describe their project.
Harvard Model Congress Boston
A large congressional simulation conference run by Harvard undergraduates where high schoolers write and debate legislation, argue mock trials, and role-play crisis scenarios across dozens of committees.
Hindus for Human Rights Civil Rights Scholarship Contest
An essay and art contest presented by Hindus for Human Rights and the International Commission for Dalit Rights inviting high school and college students to explore migration, borders, and belonging, with cash scholarships and possible publication for winners.
Hoover Institution Summer Policy Boot Camp
Intensive 4-day residential program at Stanford for college students and recent graduates focusing on U.S. policy, economics, and governance taught by Hoover fellows, with free meals and housing.
iCivics Carnegie Youth Fellowship
A paid, year-long national civic leadership fellowship where high schoolers from across the country attend a Washington, D.C. symposium and then meet virtually to explore civic issues and lead community projects.
IGNITE National – High School Chapters
IGNITE is a nonpartisan nonprofit, founded via a 2010 Bay Area pilot, that builds young women's political ambition through student-led High School Chapters and Clubs where members learn to run voter registration drives, advocate on bills, and consider running for office. Chapters are hosted at school sites and must re-enroll with IGNITE annually.
Junior NAD
A national youth-led organization for deaf and hard-of-hearing students in grades 7-12 that runs school-based chapters and a national conference to build leadership, self-advocacy, and citizenship skills.
Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad
State Department merit scholarship sending U.S. high schoolers for a full academic year to live with a host family and attend school in a country with a significant Muslim population, building language skills and cross-cultural understanding.
Kennesaw State University High School Model UN Conference (HSMUN)
A long-running regional Model UN conference for high schoolers across the Southeast, held on Kennesaw State's campus with ten committees simulating international diplomacy.
Leadership in Civic Engagement – Monterey County Elections High School Summer Internship
Week-long summer internship at the Monterey County Elections Department. Students receive professional training, learn about election administration and civic engagement, and design youth outreach activities.
LegiSchool Civics Virtual Institute (Sacramento State & California State Legislature)
Four-week online summer institute for California high school students exploring state policy issues and the three branches of government. Includes discussions with officials, research on CA policy, and professional skills workshops; students receive a stipend upon completion.
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Youth Programs
San Francisco-based LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired offers year-round social, recreational, and educational programming for blind and low-vision children and teens to build skills and peer connections.
March For Our Lives Membership
The gun-violence-prevention movement founded by high school students. Members join campus and community chapters (or organize virtually via 'On Your Couch' toolkits) to run voter-registration drives, advocacy campaigns, and school-based organizing.
Marin County Youth Commission (MCYC)
Founded in 1969, one of the oldest youth commissions in the U.S.; 25 youth members aged 12-23 advocate for young people's interests before the Marin County Board of Supervisors, working in subcommittees on issues like immigrant justice, mental health, and racial equity, and drafting public policy proposals.
MyImpact Challenge (Bill of Rights Institute)
A national civic engagement contest for students ages 13-19 who are engaged in community service, volunteerism, or entrepreneurship; entrants submit their project through an online portal for a chance at a grand prize of up to $10,000. The 2026 submission deadline is May 3.
NAACP Youth Council
Local NAACP unit-affiliated councils providing civil-rights training and leadership development for members under 25; high school students can check whether a chapter exists at their school or work with a local adult NAACP unit to start one, engaging in advocacy and community activism.
NAD Youth Leadership Camp (YLC)
An intensive four-week summer residential camp for deaf and hard-of-hearing high school sophomores and juniors, run by the National Association of the Deaf. The NAD selects 64 delegates nationwide to build scholarship, leadership, and citizenship skills alongside Deaf professional mentors.
National High School Mock Trial Championship
Annual national mock trial tournament; only the winning team from each state, territory, or country qualifies. 2026 nationals: May 7-9 in Des Moines, Iowa. To compete, students join their state's mock trial program through their high school team and win at the state level.
National Political Science Bee (IAC – U.S. Division)
Individual buzzer-based quiz competition on U.S. and world politics, political theory, political economy, and current events. Students first sit for a National Qualifying Exam; top scorers advance to the National Championships held alongside other IAC events and participate in discussion dinners with practitioners.
National Teen Age Republicans (TARS)
The official teenage auxiliary of the Republican Party, open to students ages 13-18, operating for over 60 years through school- and community-based chapters led by students with an adult advisor; members do leadership development, voter education, campaign volunteering, and public speaking, and can attend the annual TAR Leadership Conference.
National Youth Rights Association (NYRA)
A youth-led civil and political rights organization (roughly 10,000 members) that challenges age-discriminatory laws, drafts and testifies on youth-rights legislation, and organizes through local chapters ("nodes"); students can volunteer, become members, or start a node in their community.
NFB Youth Slam
A nationwide, week-long residential STEM program from the National Federation of the Blind that empowers blind and low-vision high schoolers to explore science and engineering, build leadership skills, and connect with blind mentors and peers. The next Slam runs July 25-31, 2027.
NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth)
The Reform Judaism movement's national teen network, with Bay Area synagogue chapters. Teens build leadership skills and Jewish identity through local chapter events, regional conventions, social-justice projects, and national gatherings.
NHSMUN (National High School Model United Nations)
One of the world's largest and longest-running Model UN conferences, held in New York City, where secondary school delegates debate global issues, draft resolutions, and interact with actual UN staff and diplomats.
Norman Mineta Bay Area High School Summer Academy (MTC / ABAG)
Paid regional program introducing Bay Area high school students to public sector careers in transportation, planning, and regional policy (e.g., housing, climate). Legally more "public policy / urban governance" than pure civics, but very political science adjacent.
NSDA National Speech & Debate Tournament
Largest academic competition in the world, organized by the National Speech & Debate Association. 2026 tournament held in June in Richmond, Virginia (Altria Theater, Greater Richmond Convention Center, area high schools). To compete, students must be NSDA members with at least 25 honor-society points and qualify through district tournaments.
NSLC Political Action & Public Policy (National Student Leadership Conference)
Intensive summer program where students simulate roles in Congress, draft legislation, run campaigns, and explore political leadership and public policy careers.
Outlet Youth Advisory Board (Adolescent Counseling Services)
A free leadership and community-service board for LGBTQIA+ youth ages 14-25 in the Peninsula/Bay Area, run by Outlet (a program of Adolescent Counseling Services). Members plan events, outreach, and peer-support programming, meeting virtually every other week with optional in-person meetups.
Penn Model Congress
A four-day spring congressional simulation hosted by University of Pennsylvania students where high school delegates from across the country debate bills and discuss current political issues.
Political Science – U.S. Elections Program at Cal Poly (Summer Springboard)
Summer public policy and political science program at Cal Poly focusing on U.S. elections, campaigns, and governance. Students study electoral systems, campaign strategy, and public opinion.
Political Science Internships for High School Students in California – Ladder Internships Guide
Article compiling 15 real political internships in California (e.g., USC Center for the Political Future, state legislative offices, local government programs). Many are exactly the kind of public policy placements you're looking for.
Political Science Summer Institute – UCLA
Three-week pre-college program in American politics offered by UCLA's Political Science Department. Students earn UCLA credit while studying political behavior, institutions, and political decision-making and meet practitioners via career panels.
Princeton Model Congress
The oldest model congress program in the country, bringing roughly 700 high schoolers to Washington, D.C. to debate bills, sit as Supreme Court justices, and role-play executive branch decision-making.
Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP)
Year-long fully-funded college-prep and journalism program for high school juniors from limited-income backgrounds, run out of Princeton's Emma Bloomberg Center. Includes a multi-week hybrid summer intensive (online plus about 10 days residential at Princeton in late July to early August), tours of the New York Times, Bloomberg, and Huffington Post, sports and arts coverage, and a published student newspaper. All costs (including travel, housing, meals, and equipment) covered.
Project Pull – San Francisco Paid Summer Government Internship
Paid summer internship for SF high school and college students in city departments. Many placements relate to public policy, community engagement, city planning, or legislative work.
RJOY Youth Internship Program
A paid restorative-justice internship in Oakland for ages 15-19. Interns learn to facilitate community-building circles and develop leadership, public speaking, and life-planning skills over a 10-week cohort that meets three afternoons a week, including an overnight trip to RJOY's Ubuntu Healing Farm.
San Francisco Youth Commission (SFYC)
Official SF city commission that advises the Mayor and Board of Supervisors on policies affecting youth; commissioners draft recommendations, hold hearings, and work with city departments.
San Mateo County Youth Commission
Up to 25 members ages 13-21 who reside in San Mateo County serve as advisors to the Board of Supervisors, working through subcommittees on civic engagement, educational equity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness; recruitment occurs annually from April to June.
Santa Clara Sister Cities Youth Commission
Open to all high school students living in or attending school in Santa Clara, this youth commission meets monthly to plan cultural-exchange and fundraising events with the city's sister cities in Japan, Portugal, and Ireland while gaining local government and international-relations experience.
SF YouthWorks – Paid City Government Internships
Paid part‑time internships for high school students in San Francisco city departments with job‑readiness workshops, mentoring, and a Youth Leadership Team for returning interns.
SKILLS (School Kids Investigating Language in Life and Society) – UCSB
A social-justice-centered linguistics outreach program run by UC Santa Barbara faculty and graduate students in partnership with Santa Barbara County high schools, where students conduct original linguistic research and language-activism projects in their own communities over a 20-week curriculum.
Speaker of the Assembly – District Office Student Internship Program (California)
Unpaid internship in a California State Assembly district office, performing constituent services, legislative research, event support, and community outreach—excellent direct exposure to state politics.
SRVEF Summer Imagineering – High School Mentor
The San Ramon Valley Education Foundation's Summer Imagineering Program hires high-school mentors to assist adult instructors in week-long STEM/STEAM classes for elementary and middle-school students. As a mentor, you help run hands-on projects in science, technology, engineering, art, and math, support small groups, and model problem-solving and teamwork. You must commit to one full week at a time (morning or afternoon session) during June or July, and you're interviewed and selected by the program manager. This is a strong local leadership and teaching EC that shows STEM outreach and community impact.
Stanford's unBox Project
Student-run initiative based at Stanford that supports student food and housing security organizers nationwide; HS/college students join campaigns, events, and storytelling projects around basic needs and anti-poverty policy.
Students Demand Action - California
The student wing of Everytown for Gun Safety. California high schoolers join or start a Students Demand Action group at their school to organize around gun-violence prevention through advocacy campaigns, voter registration, and community organizing, in person and virtually.
Sunrise Movement Student Hubs
A national youth climate movement organized into local Student Hubs, defined as groups of at least five students at the same school. High schoolers can join an existing hub or start a new one to organize for climate action policy.
TeenLife Political Science Summer Programs Directory
Directory listing dozens of political science and government summer programs (college-based, D.C.-based, etc.), including many the above and more. Good for discovering extra options if you want more than UCLA/NSLC/Cal Poly.
Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Free, fully-funded summer humanities seminar for high school sophomores and juniors hosted by the Telluride Association. Two tracks: TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies) and TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies). About five weeks of intensive seminars with college instructors plus democratic community life. All tuition, books, room, board, and field trips covered.
Turn Up Youth Activism – Remote Internship
Remote civic-engagement internship doing voter registration, advocacy, social-media campaigns, and organizing.
U.S. Air Force Academy Summer Seminar
Selective free week-long program at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs where high school juniors live in cadet dorms, eat at the cadet dining facility, tour academic and research labs, and participate in admissions and leadership workshops. 2026 sessions: June 2-6, June 8-12, June 15-19. Applications open December 1 and close January 15.
U.S. Senate Youth Program – California (USSYP)
Elite national program sending two California high school student leaders to a week in Washington, D.C. to meet federal officials; each delegate receives a 10,000 USD undergraduate scholarship.
UCSB Yardi Scholarship for Environmental Justice
Scholarship for students committed to environmental justice and sustainability.
UNICEF USA High School Club
A youth-led club, chartered through UNICEF USA, where high schoolers advocate for children's rights worldwide, fundraise for UNICEF programs, and run monthly awareness campaigns tied to global human rights themes.
United States Senate Page Program
A highly selective program in which junior-year high schoolers, sponsored and appointed by a U.S. senator, work full-time delivering documents and assisting with Senate floor operations in the Capitol while attending an accredited early-morning school.
United We Dream
The largest immigrant-youth-led network in the United States, where members, including high schoolers, advocate for immigrant rights through petitions, calls, texts, and local organizing chapters.
Urban Peace Movement - Leaders In Training (L.I.T.)
An Oakland youth leadership program (Leaders In Training) for high schoolers from neighborhoods affected by violence and mass incarceration, who organize for public-policy change to build a culture of peace in their communities.
USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future High School Summer Internship
A fully virtual USC summer research internship in which competitively selected high schoolers analyze environmental and sustainability legislation, attend speaker sessions, and produce a published policy assignment.
WAMUNC (Washington Area Model United Nations Conference)
A large high school Model UN conference hosted by George Washington University students in Washington, D.C., welcoming delegates of all experience levels to debate international policy issues.
Yale Model Congress
The oldest student-run model government conference in the Ivy League, bringing several hundred high school delegates to Yale's campus to simulate congressional debate and lawmaking.
YIP Institute Public Policy Fellowship
A two-month virtual fellowship for teens and young adults who collaborate on capstone projects addressing social, political, economic, or environmental problems while attending policy workshops and speaker sessions.
YMCA Youth & Government – Model Legislature & Court (California, East Bay)
Six‑month experiential program where high school delegates simulate California's legislature, executive, and courts, writing bills, debating, and attending statewide conferences; local delegations meet weekly.
Young Americans Center Youth Advisory Board
Leadership board that advises Young Americans Bank and the Young Americans Center for Financial Education's nonprofit programs. Members (rising 8th-12th graders from any Colorado school) gain hands-on knowledge of banking, business, philanthropy, and PR; volunteer at Young Americans events; and develop presentation, networking, and leadership skills. Monthly meetings on the second Saturday of each month, August through May. Application + interview process; applications open April 1 - June 26.
Youth for Human Rights International Essay Competition
An annual international essay competition open to students age 18 and under who study the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and write about "What Are Human Rights?", with standout essays featured on Human Rights Day.
ECFinder provides links to outside extracurricular opportunities for informational purposes only. Students and families should research each program before applying. ECFinder does not operate or control the listed organizations and is not responsible for their actions or policies.