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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.