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*deadlines for programs may have already passed
**information for opportunities is taken from third-party websites and compiled here
State Opportunities
State Opportunities
American Youth Association -- Kentucky Chapter
Looking for high school students to serve on the State Executive Board
Open positions include:
State Events Director
State Outreach Director
State Communications Director
State Finance Director
Reach out to State Policy Director, Tate Cain (tate.cain@aya-us.com) with any inquiries or follow the link to apply!
Kentucky Youth Legislative Action Center
Looking for high school OR college students to serve on the State Executive Board
Open positions include:
State Lieutenant Director
State Director of Membership
State Director of Chapter Development
State Director of Operations
State Director of Civic Engagement
State Western Region Representative
State Appalachian Region Representative
State Northern Region Representative
State Secretary
Please reach out to State Executive Director, Bella Fowler (kentuckyylac@gmail.com) with an inquiries or follow the link above to apply directly for a spot on the Executive Board.
An opportunity for ambitious students to shadow a State Senator and pursue work on the floor of the General Assembly.
Can be full-time or one day
Students between the ages of 12-18 may serve as a daily page for the Kentucky State Senate. Children under 12 will be considered personal pages. Their duties will include tasks such as delivering messages, running errands, copying materials and delivering bills.
On a rotating basis, Full-Time Pages are assigned to the chairs in the front of the chamber for general assignments, and to the Amendment Clerk's office as well. While in either position, Pages respond to requests from Senators and staff at their desks in the chamber and sometimes assist with the handling of Senate materials and supplies. Pages are supervised by the Amendments Clerk who ultimately answers to the Chief Clerk of the Senate.
To be considered for a daily position, please reach out to your State Senator's office. To be considered for a full-time position, follow the link above and fill out the required materials. Send the completed materials to donna.holiday@lrc.ky.gov.
*There is a special opportunity for students with disabilities to serve as Senate Pages; Kentucky State Senate Sunny Page program is a bipartisan campaign initiated by Senators Danny Carroll and Dennis Parrett during the 2017 General Assembly to raise awareness and encourage children with disabilities to participate in the legislative process while serving as Senate Pages in the Daily Page program.*
An opportunity for ambitious students to shadow a State Representative and pursue work on the floor of the General Assembly.
Can be full-time or one day
Daily Pages are between the ages of 10 to 18. Although Daily Pages generally have one House sponsor, they perform a valuable service for all representatives and staff by delivering messages, running errands, copying material, and delivering bills. During a normal day, there is a pool of available Pages.
The duties of a full-time House Page are similar to those of a full-time Senate Page.
To be considered for a daily position, reach out to your State Representative's office. To be considered for a full-time position, follow the link above and fill out the required materials. Send the completed materials to melissa.bybee-fields@lrc.ky.gov.
Frazier International History Museum Teen Volunteer Program
The Frazier History Museum offers Kentucky high school students a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience as volunteers or interns over the summer. By contributing to the organization of exhibitions and other museum activities, you can engage directly with historical content while developing skills in project management, teamwork, and communication.
Must be between 13 and 18 years old
Completely free to attend
Please refer to the link above for more information and to apply for the program.
Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program
The Governor’s Scholars Program is a summer residential program for outstanding high school students in Kentucky who are rising seniors. The Program originated in 1983 as a result of Kentucky leaders’ concern that the state’s “best and brightest” were leaving the Commonwealth to pursue educational and career opportunities elsewhere without fully understanding the potential of their talents at home. Students who are selected attend the Program without charge. In the spirit of partnership, the Office of the Governor, the Kentucky State Legislature, and private enterprise come together to provide the financial support for the Program. The Program’s mission is to enhance Kentucky’s next generation of civic and economic leaders. The first class numbered 230 and was housed on one college campus. Since then, the Program has enjoyed excellent support and grown to over 1,000 students on three campuses.
Must be a rising senior (current junior) at the time of application
Must have taken the ACT, PSAT, or SAT
Must reside in Kentucky and attend a Kentucky high school
Takes place on one of three KY college campuses: Murray State University, Morehead State University, or Centre College
5-week residential program with one day available to spend off-campus with family
Please refer to the link above for more information and to apply for the program.
The Young Leaders Academy (YLA) is a four-day, all-expenses-paid summer residential program at the University of Louisville for Kentucky students who have completed at least one year of high school by the time of the conference.
Must have completed at least one year of high school at the time of application.
Four day program
Completely free to attend
Must respond to prompt "How do you define good leadership? Why do you wish to attend YLA?" in a 500- to 700-word essay.
See the link above and complete the YLA application to be considered for the program.
Youth Ambassadors Leading Louisville (Y'ALL)
Students will promote, participate in, and propel mayoral-sponsored events such as WorldFest, Hike, Bike, & Paddle, Mayorthon, and Light Up Louisville.
Must be a high school junior attending at school in Louisville, KY to apply
Must have at least a 3.7 weighted GPA
Submit a 90-second video to your school leader, introducing yourself, why you are interested in becoming a Youth Ambassador your Senior year, and how you will connect your fellow classmates to city events. Find an object in Louisville that inspires you and tell us why. We encourage you to be creative, articulate, and enthusiastic in your response! Please submit your video application to your school.
Access the link above to view the application and submit the required materials.
Summer Leadership Experience at the University of Kentucky
But the UK Human Development Institute’s Summer Leadership Experience Camp exists to help make those decisions a little less scary and make it easier to adjust to that next step in the educational process which could lead to a career. The camp invites speakers who can help young adults find the right choice for the next stage in their lives and how to take advantage of accessibility resources available – and how to push beyond challenges like getting academic accommodations and dealing with social stigma.
All Kentucky high school upperclassmen (including entering juniors and seniors) with disabilities are welcome to apply
Program is completely free to attend
Please follow the link above to learn more about the program.
National Opportunities
National Opportunities
Henry Clay Center High School Student Congress
The High School Student Congress is an immersive high school summer program for students interested in politics, leadership and public policy. Fifty rising high school seniors are selected to attend the weeklong academic summer program. Throughout the High School Student Congress, participants focus on different dimensions of politics and public policy through an intensive curriculum. In addition, students engage with lawmakers, local officials, community leaders and others to explore the challenges of leadership in public policy.
Must be a rising high school junior
Completely free to attend
Must have a completed Teacher Recommendation Form
The program will not be hosted in the Summer of 2025.
Please refer to the link above for more information and to apply for the program.
StandOut Connect is a program created thanks to investment from UChicago’s Polsky Center for Innovation that matches high school students with internships in their interest area. Students interview with potential mentors who are leaders and innovators within their area of interest until they are hired for a two-month internship. Many students then receive optional return offers to continue with their internship for as long as they would like.
Must be between the ages of 15 to 19 years old.
Takes place virtually
Completely free to attend
Please refer to the link above for more information and to apply for the program.
United States Senate Youth Program
Must be a qualified high school junior or senior
Takes place in Washington D.C.
Completely free to attend
Please refer to the link above for more information and to apply for the program, or reach out to awards@education.ky.gov.
At its core, economics is the study of how individuals, groups, and nations manage and use scarce resources. Students who attend this camp will not only gain the knowledge needed to better understand complex economic markets, but they will also come away with stronger analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the business acumen necessary to succeed in the professional world.
Must be between the statuses of a rising high school freshman to a recent high school graduate.
Takes place on the campus of Murray State University
Costs $25.00 to attend
Follow the link above to see more information about the program and submit the application.
The Summer Program for Verbally and Mathematically Precocious Youth (VAMPY)
The program offers six hours of class time each weekday plus an hour-long nightly study hall, with a curriculum taught by WKU faculty and high school teachers. You’ll choose one subject to delve deeply into.
Takes place on the campus of Western Kentucky University
Takes place during summer
Costs $3,600 to attend, but financial assistance is available
Must be between the statuses of seventh grade and tenth grade who have earned qualifying ACT or SAT scores
Follow the link above to find more information about the program and submit the required materials.
Looking for youth to fill the Executive Board
Open positions include:
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Communications Director
Programs Director
Development Director
Legislative Director
Access the link above to find more information about each role and to apply for a position.
IBIS Justice Law Society Board
Looking for passionate individuals dedicated to empowering Caribbean youth and creating awareness about legal issues across the region.
Open positions include:
Vice President
Events Coordinator
Director of Outreach
Social Media Manager
Technology Advisor
Student Ambassadors
Access the link above to find more information and to apply for a position.
Compass 4 Humanity Volunteer Internship
Tutor refugees remotely or in-person and make a difference in their lives!
Approximately 5 hours per week
A great opportunity to volunteer, gain references, and experience new perspectives.
Please follow the link above to apply for an intern position or visit compass4humanity.org.
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