There are many opportunities available to students. We post info here about any events that are shared with us but VCS does not endorse the opportunities. We will update the program dates/deadlines each year as information becomes available, but keep last year's list posted so that students can be aware of the opportunities.
Summer Enrichment Program Database - College Foundation of NC (CFNC) has a searchable database of summer enrichment programs offered across the state. Summer programs, workshops, and other activities can be highlighted on a resume and/or a college application! Check out the opportunities available by going to https://www2.cfnc.org/studentEnrichmen
NCSU Pre-College Programs - NC State offers pre-college programs that give you the opportunity to develop academic skills, investigate careers, experience college life and prepare for college enrollment. Visit precollege.ncsu.edu to learn more about the variety of programs offered. Application deadlines vary by program but many occur in March.
NCSU SATELLITE Camp - This 5-day STEM outreach and leadership development program exposes high school sophomores from under-resourced communities in NC to post-secondary educational opportunities in STEM and its many disciplines. Our 2024 program will run from May 18th - 22nd. Our application encourages two letters of recommendation ( however they are not required ) and a few short essays pertaining to the student’s interest in the field of STEM and college exposure. Due to the nature of the program, we do not consider a student’s academic success when reviewing applications, we are looking only for a student’s desire to maximize their experience at SATELLITE and hone their curiosity. The deadline to apply is March 8th, 2024. If accepted, there will be a $25 registration fee, but a number of need-based scholarships and financial assistance opportunities are available upon request. Go to go.ncsu.edu/satellite-camp for more info and a link to the application.
UNC-Chapel Hill 2024 Project Uplift and Uplift PLUS Project Uplift is a summer college access program designed to promote and increase access to higher education for rising high school seniors. All students are encouraged to apply, especially those underrepresented in postsecondary education. Uplift PLUS is an intensive residential 2-week summer academic enrichment and college readiness program for select Project Uplift participants. Students get to experience campus life during these 2 weeks while challenging themselves through various experiential learning opportunities. The application deadline is March 15, 2024. To access the application and learn more about the information sessions, please visit go.unc.edu/ProjectUplift .
SAME: STEM Engineering & Construction Summer Camps - Led by industry professionals and other volunteers from the military and engineering community, the SAME Camps Program focuses on hands-on, project-based learning that provides students with opportunities to begin exploring STEM fields and to chart a course for future STEM education and workforce opportunities. The camps feature many dynamic activities, including building concrete beams, operating drones and remote-controlled submarines, using survey equipment, constructing and testing cardboard boats, and more! Camps are offered at six locations / bases. Camps run June through July; all are overnight camps. (Must be at least 15 years of age to apply; rising sophomore, junior, or senior.) Registration opens December 2023. Learn more here.
Legislative Services Office, under the N.C. General Assembly, is accepting applications for the Youth Legislative Assembly, scheduled for April 19-21, 2024, in Raleigh. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 16, 2024. Contact Mrs. Bender if you wish to apply. YLA teaches high school students about the laws governing North Carolinians as well as the lawmaking process. Students draft, debate and vote on mock legislative bills while developing skills in research, interviewing, group facilitation and policy writing. As the bills are debated, students get a chance to practice communicating their ideas, opinions and experiences in a team-building environment. At the conclusion of the three-day program, participants have a better understanding of the lawmaking process as well as enhanced written and oral communication skills. YLA provides the opportunity for North Carolina’s youth to engage with peers from across the state in a structured, positive, youth-focused environment. The YLA program is open to students in North Carolina who are in good standing at a public, private, charter or home school.
Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA) - The Rotary Club of Henderson invites juniors to apply for RYLA. The Academy will be held April 5-7, 2024 at Camp Oak Hill in Granville County. It is sponsored by the 47 Rotary Clubs of District 7710 and is a leadership development program for high school juniors who have demonstrated leadership potential in scholastic, athletic and civic and/or religious activities. The Rotary Club of Henderson expects to send 3 delegates to the conference. Any high school junior attending school in Vance County is eligible to apply. A committee of Rotary Club members will select delegates from amongst all applicants. The deadline to apply is Friday, November 17 at 4:00pm. DEADLINE EXTENDED TO DECEMBER 11. See Mrs. Seifert for a copy of the application form.
Governor’s School Applications are now open. Governor’s School is a 4 week residential summer program for gifted and talented students focused on specific subject areas. Juniors can apply in any of the following academic areas: English, Spanish, Mathematics, Natural Science or Social Science; or any of the following arts areas: Choral Music, Instrumental Music, Dance, Theater or Visual Art. Sophomores may apply for the arts areas of Choral Music, Instrumental Music, Dance, Theater, or Visual Art. See Mrs. Bender for more information.
HOBY Leadership Conference - Applications are open for sophomores to apply to the HOBY Leadership Experience. HOBY is a 3-4 day conference held at a college or university campus in Eastern North Carolina. You must be available for the entire conference, including overnight, in order to be eligible to attend. If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Mrs. Bender by October 12th before leaving for fall break.
NC House Page Program- 4 day experience This program offers young men and women the opportunity to learn about, and participate in, the legislative process of our state. It is a four day long experience that allows high school students that are currently in grades 10, 11 or 12 to observe firsthand how our laws are made. It provides them the unique privilege of working in the House Chamber in the midst of legislative action. For more info, visit www.ncleg.gov/House/PageProgram. Applications are accepted until all weeks have been filled.
NC Senate Page Program- 4 day experience This program offers young men and women the opportunity to learn about and participate in the legislative process of our state. It is an experience that allows high school students in 10th, 11th and 12th grade to observe firsthand how our laws are made. It provides them the unique privilege of working on the Senate Chamber floor in the midst of legislative action. For more info, visit https://www.ncleg.gov/Senate/PageProgram. Applications are accepted until all weeks have been filled.
NC Governor's Page Program- 4 day experience Since 1973, the Governor's Page Program has provided high school students an opportunity to spend a week in Raleigh learning about state government. Each week, Pages are assigned to a state government agency or office to assist employees with daily responsibilities. Pages tour several historic landmarks, including the State Capitol, the Legislative Building and the Executive Mansion. Pages also participate in service projects and have the opportunity to meet elected officials. Applicants must be a junior, senior or recent graduate. For more info visit https://governor.nc.gov/governors-page-program
Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Student Leadership Institute - Sophomores and juniors attending schools in Vance County are invited to apply for this new program. The program is free and limited spaces are available. The program will include 6 sessions and a graduation. Contact Mrs. Seifert for details and the application. Applications are due by September 19, 2023.
Triangle Nonprofit & Volunteer Leadership Center hosts several different types of summer leadership and service camps. These all take place in Durham, but if you are able to get there, they are open to students in our area.
- Impact Camps- 4 different week-long urban mission-type experiences for rising 9th-12th graders; Meet at a different nonprofit each day to learn what they do and then work on a service project; leadership training and reflective activities;https://thevolunteercenter.org/impact/
- Model UN- Grow student leadership and diplomatic debate skills, build confidence in public speaking and learn about global issues; Rising 10th-12th graders; Held at Duke Corporate Education Center July 17-21;https://thevolunteercenter.org/model-un-week/
- Civic Engagement Leadership Institute- intensive leadership enrichment experience; explore root causes of social issues, hear from community leaders and address a community need; Rising 10th-12th graders; Held at Duke Corporate Education Center July 24-28;https://thevolunteercenter.org/celi/
- Check out their additional student opportunities that occur during the school year -https://thevolunteercenter.org/other-student-resources/;Voices: An Oral History Project is an opportunity for high school students interested in journalism and writing. Register by April 21; starts in late April and runs to mid-May.
ACE Academy - An Aviation Career Education Summer Camp Learn about UAV safety training, basic aeronautics & airport operations, aviation history/career exploration, drone pilot training, model rocketry and other STEM activities. We'll have guest speakers and field trips. Daily sessions 9am - 3pm; Open to rising 7th-12th graders (limited to 15 students per week); Cost: $125 (financial assistance available); Register athttps://www.vgcc.edu/dronecamp/
- June 12-16 at VGCC Main Campus in Henderson
- June 19-23 at VGCC Franklin Campus in Louisburg
Free Enterprise Leadership Challenge Learn the power of free enterprise and the power of the American Dream. Meet influential business leaders and grow your personal network. Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors are invited to apply for this 5-day leadership program. Camps are held at 6 different colleges (2 in NC - Wingate and Campbell University) and virtually. More info at www.felcexperience.org.
US Senator Thom Tillis is hosting a 2023 Service Academy Information Day virtually on April 15th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Representatives from the Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Merchant Marine Academy, Military Academy at West Point, Naval Academy, the North Carolina National Guard, and ROTC will discuss opportunities for graduating high school students. If you are interested in learning more about these programs and application process, make sure to join this virtual event. Below are several links from Senator Tillis about his 2023 Service Academy Information Day and nomination process. Click here to register for 2023 Service Academy Information Day Click here to learn more about my Service Academy nomination process
Future Teachers of NC: Eastern NC Symposium is a free 2-day event open to rising high school juniors, seniors and current seniors who are interested in becoming a teacher. The Eastern NC Symposium is a collaboration among East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina-Pembroke and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. This is a great resume builder and a great highlight for scholarship opportunities! More info - https://encfutureteachers.ecu.edu
National Student Leadership Conference offers precollege summer opportunities to high school students. They sponsor programs at 12 different universities covering a wide range of career interests. Program spaces are limited, so apply soon if interested.
Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders (IFAL) is week-long leadership development program for rising high school seniors interested in careers in agriculture. Sponsored by NC Farm Bureau, the IFAL will run June 11-16, 2023 at 2 locations - NCSU and NC A&T University. It's an exciting week filled with leadership development, exploration of agricultural career opportunities, and service learning. Applications are due by the end of March.
The NCSU Red Hat Shelton Challenge is a six-day residential enrichment program designed to teach high school students leadership concepts such as ethical decision-making, effective communication, goal setting and more. Students will participate in team-building exercises like low-high ropes courses, service projects and social activities in the evenings. Each student must submit a 2023 Red Shelton Challenge application along with two references. Students are assigned their program week based on availability and preference once their application and references have been submitted. Cost and Timeline- If selected, the student will receive an acceptance notification and will be prompted to pay $800 total, including lodging, meals and program curriculum. In their application, students will be able to indicate if their attendance is dependent upon receiving financial assistance and they will receive an email with further support. Program applications and financial assistance applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, beginning in March. Dates for Summer 2023
- Week One: June 11 - 16
- Week Two: June 25 - 30
- Week Three: July 9 - 14
- Week Four: July 16 - 21
AI Summer Camp- Interested in learning about AI, gaining technical experience, and AI internship opportunities? We are AI Camp! Founded by Stanford Ph.D.s, we provide quality AI education, opening doors into the tech industry and providing scholarships to top students! We want to offer Vance Charter students priority access to our 2023 Summer Scholarship application! In 2022, we taught over 1000 students who developed hundreds of awesome AI projects! Some of these include:
- Video games like Temple Run, Super Mario, and Stardew Valley!
- Software to detect plant species, heart disease, and food allergies!
- AI Bots that can be your friend, tell you jokes, or write your emails!
Our spots for our Summer 2023 Camp are filling up fast! We want to offer Vance Charter School students priority access to our early decision scholarship to secure their place for Summer 2023! Students can apply now till February 19 to receive a decision by March! You can find the application here.
Wake AHEC Virtual Mini Medical School- This live, online program includes: anatomy & physiology (dissection), pharmacology, cardiology, epidemiology, medical genetics, a health careers roundtable, and genomics, among other topics taught by Becky Brady, a registered nurse and chemical engineer and guest speakers. In addition, you will learn how to perform CPR (please note, due to the online nature of the camp this is not CPR certification). Students must have internet capabilities to join the live Zoom conferences in order to participate. The program will be Thursdays from 4 – 6 pm March 16 - April 13, 2023 with additional instruction on Tuesday, March 21st and Tuesday, April 11th from 4 – 6pm. The cost is only $50.00 for the whole program, which includes materials and kits (including organic chemistry set, blood pressure kit, inflatable CPR manikin, and more) which will be mailed prior to camp. You may register via the website. Space is limited and the program usually fills up very quickly (within a couple days) so be sure and sign up as soon as possible!
Chowan University invites students to apply for their summer Campapalooza - a 5-day academic summer camp for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. They will live on campus, have their meals in the University cafeteria, and spend their days engaged in exciting academic activities with our University Faculty. Complete the online form for more information.
Emerging Journalists Program at Elon University - Explore what it means to be a journalist, to report and to produce news that informs communities. There are 2 programs. Applications are now open. Apply ASAP because the Exposure program starts this month. 1. Exposure is a virtual program that is open to any high school student who wishes to apply. There will be 4 online workshops on foundational journalism skills, including News Gathering & Writing; Editing & Design; Photojournalism & Multimedia Broadcast; and Law & Ethics. You'll receive a certificate of completion for completing all 4 session assessments. 2. Immersion is a summer, on-campus residential learning workshop hosted at Elon University. Current high school juniors who successfully complete the Exposure program may apply (you can apply for both concurrently). Students who complete the Immersion program will be assigned two mentors — an Elon communications student and a professional journalist — to help identify, report and produce multimedia stories during their senior year of high school.
Meredith College is hosting an on-campus leadership conference for high school juniors who are interested in developing and sharpening their leadership skills. The Meredith College Office of Student Leadership and Service, in conjunction with the Office of Admissions, will host this free conference on Saturday, February 11, 2023. Register by Feb 5.