Leadership & Summer Programs

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.

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Youth Legislative Assembly (YLA) - This three-day program (taking place from March 7-9, 2025) offers a unique opportunity for students to gain firsthand insight into the legislative process while developing leadership skills essential for their future. Through active participation, students will deepen their understanding of local, state, and national government, enhancing their confidence and ability to engage in debates on current issues. High school students in grades 9-12 are eligible to attend. Participants must be between 14-18 years of age at the time of YLA and no older than 19 years old at the time of the conference. Early bird registration: $400.00 (on or before December 1, 2024). Incomplete submissions received after this date will not qualify for the early bird price. Regular Registration price: $450.00 (after December 1, 2024) Registration includes a two-night stay at the North Raleigh Hilton, transportation to and from the NC General Assembly, all meals, a t-shirt, snacks, and educational materials. All rooms are double occupancy. Applications will be accepted through January 13, 2025, and can be found at www.ncleg.gov/YLA.

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 11, 2024 before leaving for fall break.

Henderson-Vance County Chamber of Commerce Student Leadership Vance - 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 October 4, 2024.

Youth Health Advisor (YHA) Team - The NC Dept of HHS invites freshmen through seniors to apply for the YHA Team. The purpose of the YHA team is to engage and empower adolescents to become active leaders in promoting health and wellness in their communities. Through education, awareness, and action, the team works to increase understanding of adolescent health issues, reduce health disparities, and encourage young people to make healthy choices. The team hopes to help create a healthier future for all youth by supporting growth and development, fostering collaboration and teamwork, and empowering young people to make a positive impact in the world. The YHA team is an inclusive group of young people and welcomes applications from youth who identify as having special health care needs. To learn more about being a Youth Health Advisor, please review our webpage and the 2024-2025 YHA New Member Application Letter, click here. Apply online via the YHA Application by Friday, September 6, 2024.

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.

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. Go to go.ncsu.edu/satellite-camp for more info and a link to the application. - 2025 application is not up as of 2/18/25.

UNC-Chapel Hill 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. 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.

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

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.