Summer Programs

Empowering Youth Leaders presents Leadership Training Internship Program (Summer 2026), a free and asynchronous 6-week program with a 1-3 hour commitment per week depending on the assignments. Open to 6th-11th graders in SF with tentative dates from 6/14-7/16/26. Build leadership skills, gain confidence, get early access to future EYL events. Click here for the application.
District 3 Youth Council has a summer leadership opportunity for high schoolers that live in the district including in Chinatown, Embarcadero, Financial District, Fisherman's Wharf, Jackson Square, Nob Hill, North Beach, Polk Gulch, and Telegraph Hill. Apply by May 31st, 2026 @ 11:59pm and get interviewed by June 3rd, 2026. https://tinyurl.com/d3yc2627app

PACA (Provide Advocacy and Care to All) is a youth-led nonprofit under the Youth Empowerment Fund of the YMCA of SF guiding youth to advocate with impact through projects. Applications to be a mentee or mentor for the summer program is typically in mid-May. You must attend school and live in San Francisco, be a high school student under 18, and be interested in youth advocacy. Click here for application
Mission Bit offers free online coding classes over the summer.For details, clickhere.

Oasis for Girls. Summer application is typically due in May. Click here for more info. Oasis for Girls has 3 PAID programs to choose from including CREATE: Arts & Activism with mini-internship at Women’s Audio Mission, RISE: Life Development (Social Justice, Wellness, Leadership) and ENVISION: Career & College Exploration with mini-internship at UCSF. Participants are paid a stipend. The summer program runs Tues-Thurs from 2-6pm at their office near Civic Center. Incoming 9th graders through recent high school graduates.
Academy of Art University is offering free pre-college art and design programs for all high school students ready to explore what makes their creative perspective unique. Their hands-on classes let students build their portfolios and sharpen their style. Classes are held onsite at their downtown San Francisco campus and online. https://www.academyart.edu/academics/pre-college/
Community Reading Buddies. Apply to be a youth mentor. Application here.
Youth mentors will meet over Zoom 1-1 with elementary students for reading practice and support 2 times a week. Eern 20+ volunteer hours with one shift. 8-week program. Reliable WiFi and laptop with camera required.

Girlfly Art & Activism Dance Program. Application deadline is typically mid-May. Learn more and apply here.
Girlfly brings together young women ages 14-19 for four weeks in San Francisco who are interested in dance, social justice, performing and making positive change in the world. All participants earn a stipend and get a chance to perform.

uCreate is a youth organization dedicated to fostering creativity and promoting entrepreneurial growth amongst youth artists. Summer program applications are typically due in April/May. Click here for application. @ucreate.sf
UCSF Summer Camps: UCSF has several summer program for high school students. Learn more at https://cseo.ucsf.edu/summer-opportunities. Preference is given to students from UCSF Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP) schools which are Burton and Downtown High School.

First Exposures. Application deadline is June 8th, 2025. Apply here.
In the Summer Photography Mentoring Program, students ages 11-18 can learn film or digital photography. Classes are free and will be taught by Teaching Artists, using digital cameras, photo editing software, darkroom, and creativity as tools.

BAYCAT Digital Media Classes.Learn more and apply here. Students ages 11-18 will learn about filmmaking or can do their own independent media project.
Acterra Student Ambassador Program (ASAP). Applications are typically due in May. Clickherefor more info.
Engage in environmental education, leadership development, and hands-on climate action. Participants will work in teams to design and implement sustainability projects that address environmental challenges in their communities. Students will attend virtual environmental education sessions featuring guest speakers, bi-weekly project check-ins, and two in-person gatherings at local gardens or nature preserves
Coro Youth Leadership Accelerator (1-week leadership camp in SF). Application deadline is typically in April. There is a fee. Details and application info here.

Women’s Foundation California Leadership Retreat.Application deadline is April 17th, 2025. Apply here.
Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) is a free three-day program in Sonoma 7/7-7/10 designed for genderqueer and nonbinary people, cis women, and trans people of any gender that equips young people with the tools, connections, and confidence to level up their leadership. Participants receive $500 stipend.
Rotary Youth Leadership Camp. Application deadline is typically mid-April. To learn more and apply, clickhere.
The Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) invites high school students to apply for a FREE five-day residential camp in Santa Cruz over the summer that supports youth leadership and personal development and promotes positive youth mental health through friendships and camp fun. Learn more atwww.ryla.camp
Exploring Leadership, Coro Northern California. Applications closed. Open to 9th, 10th, and 11th graders. Coro Northern California's Exploring Leadership (EL) Youth Program is a summer program in San Francisco for high school students to develop leadership skills and explore civic engagement and career pathways. Learn more at https://coroca.org/programs/el/

AAMPLIFY Social Justice Leadership Program. The AAMPLIFY program runs for two weeks in the summer and trains and supports Asian American, rising 9th-12th grade leaders. Learn more here