A nine-month leadership program for youth entering 6th-8th grade, who are residents of the City of Columbus. Participants receive mentorship from city leaders and improve teamwork, public speaking, community awareness, and leadership skills. Participants must complete the application with recommendation letters and be available for monthly meet-ups during the school year. Applications typically open in May.
(614) 645-0918
columbusrecparks.com/youth-success/city-leaders-academy
National organization providing unique leadership training and service-learning experiences for youth, empowering youth from all backgrounds to become leaders with purpose. The flagship State Leadership Seminars accept high school sophomores who have been nominated by their school or a community organization. State Seminars are held at three sites in Ohio: Ohio West, North, and South. HOBY also offers a World Leadership Congress for juniors and seniors, and Community Leadership Workshops for 9th graders at various sites across the country.
National: hoby.org
Ohio West: hobyohiowest.org
Ohio North: hobyohionorth.org
Ohio South: hobyohiosouth.org
Non-profit preparing high school students from underserved communities for careers in the legal profession. They provide a year-round, four-year-long program which includes academic programming, a legal internship, ACT/SAT prep, college visits and application help, and moot court competition. The program is free and students are provided bus passes and lunch. They also offer trainings for professionals, a Summer Institute experience, and a Diversity in Leadership Undergraduate Fellowship. Programs are available in Columbus, Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo.
Home Office: 303 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 236-6305
lawandleadership.org
Provides rising high school juniors and seniors with an opportunity to get an inside look at working in Ohio law and government. Selected students serve a one-year term to advise the Attorney General on issues related to teens, collaborate with others to develop solutions, attend meetings, professional presentations, and community events. Applications generally open in late spring and are due in summer, go online for details.
ohioattorneygeneral.gov/State-and-Local-Government/Schools/Teen-Ambassador-Board
Summer program for high school students interested in business, entrepreneurship, and career exploration. Students stay on a college campus for one week. Daily activities revolve around small group “companies” where students develop a unique service or product to solve a real-world business problem with peers. Students also hear from consultants and professionals throughout the week, and pitch their ideas to prospective investors. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
583 Franklin Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 488-6327
ohiobusinessweek.org
A summer learning program for high school students through The Ohio State University Department of Philosophy. Campers explore philosophical concepts through guest lectures, interactive discussions, debates, media, and games. Inability to pay should not prohibit students from attending the camp, and need-based financial aid is available.
(614) 292-7914
philosophy.osu.edu/pact
Provides free trauma-informed, culturally-relevant after-school and summer programs to help teens in Franklin County reach their full potential. Programs include paid job skill & training opportunities, one-on-one mentorship and leadership training, and teen nights. They also host events for parents and community members. Go online to apply.
(614) 342-0505
ruurbanlegends.org
High school juniors ages 16-17 can apply to serve the United States Senate as a Page for a year. Pages live away from home and assist their State Senator in day to day operations, with room and board automatically deducted from the Pages’ salary. Pages maintain a rigorous schedule with schoolwork, working on the Senate floor, field trips, and recreation with other Pages. Not all State Senators can accept Pages and application requirements may vary between Senators. Go online to find your State Senator and apply.
pageprogram.senate.gov
A 2-week program for rising high school juniors from Southeast Ohio to develop core critical legal skills, gain experience interacting with legal professionals, and learn about transitioning to college. Selected students have daily interactions with lawyers, judges, and Ohio University (OU) faculty, and develop knowledge and skills that will prepare them for collegiate study. The program is free of charge. Go online for full program details and application instructions.
1 Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701
(740) 593-0835
ohio.edu/cas/law-center/about/summer-institute
A paid summer work experience for 15-18 year-olds to gain hands-on experience in urban farming. Participants receive a stipend for working in the Franklin Park Conservatory Community Garden for 8 weeks, and sell the produce they grow at the Conservatory’s Farmer’s Market. Students learn about gardening, cooking, customer service, and more. Participants must have a Columbus address or attend at Columbus City School to qualify, and complete an application and interview process.
Franklin Park Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: 1777 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43203
(614) 715-8000
fpconservatory.org/education-programs/outreach-programs/teen-corps
A week-long experience for two high school juniors or seniors from each state to see national government in action and meet and hear from senators, cabinet members, officials from the Departments of State and Defense, directors of other federal agencies and more in Washington, DC. All transportation, hotel and meal expenses will be provided by The Hearst Foundations. In addition, each delegate will also be awarded a $10,000 college scholarship. In Ohio, the United States Senate Youth Program makes its student selections from among participants who attend Buckeye Boys State, Buckeye Girls State or the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) program.
National Website: ussenateyouth.org
Ohio Website: education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Scholarships/US-Senate-Youth-Program
Provides year-long entrepreneurship programs for students in grades 6-12. Students learn to generate business ideas, conduct market research, write business plans, pitch to real investors, and launch their very own companies. Students can participate in their local chapter for the chance to compete for cash prizes and scholarship funds at the annual Saunders Scholar competition. Ohio has two chapters.