Leadership & Educational Opportunities
Level Up • Pursue Your Passion
EBR Learn & Earn Internship Program: Apply ASAP
A paid internship program that gives high school students the opportunity to earn income while building real-world, transferable career skills. Students gain hands-on experience in professional environments while preparing for postsecondary pathways and the workforce.
Duration:
Summer (Rising Seniors): June 1 – July 10
Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Mandatory Boot Camp: June 1–4
Fall/Spring (Seniors): August – May
Weekdays, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM (based on student schedule)
Stipend: :Up to $1,500 stipend or hourly wage
Eligibility: Current 11th grade students (rising seniors) for summer & fall participation
Requirements: Application and participation in all required program components, including boot camp (summer)
Application Deadline: Apply ASAP! The application will close when all spots are full.
LATA 2026 High School Student Symposium: Apply ASAP
A hands-on career exploration event for high school students interested in athletic training and sports medicine. Students will build practical skills, learn from professionals, and explore pathways into the field through interactive sessions and real-world experiences.
Duration: One-day event on June 6, 2026 from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Cost: Free to attend.
Location: Huey P. Long Field House
Eligibility: High school students interested in athletic training, sports medicine, or healthcare careers.
Requirements: Current high school student Completed registration form
Application Deadline; Apply ASAP. Registration will close once it's full.
BRYC Wolfpack Health Fellows: Apply ASAP
A summer healthcare exploration program for rising seniors interested in pursuing careers in the medical field. Fellows engage in hands-on learning, gain exposure to healthcare environments, and build foundational knowledge for future pathways in medicine.
Duration: Choose one summer session. You'll meet each day from 9:00a-3:15p
Session 1: July 20 – July 25, 2026
Session 2: July 27 – August 1, 2026
Location: Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University 5414 Brittany Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Scholarship: Fellows earn a scholarship for their participation.
Eligibility: Current 11th grade juniors interested in healthcare careers.
Requirements: Application completed and commitment to attend one full session
BRYC Legal Fellows: 5/31/26
A BRYC-exclusive summer program where Fellows build leadership and public speaking skills while exploring the criminal justice system through real-world exposure to the District Attorney’s Office and the 19th Judicial District Court.
Duration: Saturday sessions on June 13, June 20, June 27, and July 11, 2026.
Eligibility: Current 10th & 11th grade BRYC Fellows (Limited spots available for 8th & 9th grade Fellows)
Requirements: Complete application required
Application Deadline: 5/31/26
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth: Rolling Deadlines
Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth offers accelerated courses for advanced and high-achieving students in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Courses are designed for academically talented and motivated learners. PTY strives to offer courses led by Vanderbilt faculty, graduate students, and content experts.
Eligibility: 7th-12th grade student
Requirements: Complete application form, financial aid form, $50 application fee
Cost: Based on courses, financial aid available
Registration Deadline: Rolling until courses are full
Johns Hopkins University Info Session: 4/25/26
A free, in-person information session where high school students can connect with Johns Hopkins admissions representatives, learn about the college application process, and explore what JHU has to offer.
Duration: One-day event on Saturday, April 25 from 1:00–2:00 PM.
Location: New Orleans, LA
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Requirements: RSVP required; students encouraged to come prepared with questions.
Registration Info: Learn More & Register
Xavier SOARX Program: 4/27/26
SOAR X - our flagship residential program for rising 11th and 12th graders at least 16 years of age. SOAR X prepares students for college as they live, eat, sleep, and take classes on Xavier’s campus for 4 weeks. Students with an interest in science and medicine will enroll in enrichment classes, prepare for the ACT or SAT, and connect with like-minded peers.
Eligibility: Current 10th & 11th graders
Location: Xavier University (New Orleans, LA)
Requirements: Complete application form & financial aid form (if applicable), official transcript, ACT scores, 2 recommendation letters, 5 short response questions.
Cost: $2000, financial aid is available
Registration Deadline: 4/27/26
Teen Summer Job Fair: 4/28/26
A local hiring event where teens can connect directly with employers offering seasonal jobs. This is a great opportunity to explore summer work options, build connections, and secure employment for the summer.
Duration: One-day event on Tuesday, 4/28/26 from 4:00–6:00 PM.
Cost: Free to attend.
Eligibility: Open to all teens interested in summer employment.
Requirements: No formal application required; students should attend prepared to speak with employers.
Registration Info: Walk-in event; no registration information provided.
Xavier STEM Academy & STAR Programs: 5/1/26
Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Academy is an engaging three-week robotics program aimed at rising 6th to 8th graders.
Star Programs provide middle and high school students (grades 7–12) with a head start on some of the most challenging material they will encounter in their upcoming high school courses.
Eligibility: Varies by program
Location: Xavier University (New Orleans, LA; Housing isn't provided)
Requirements: Complete application form, latest report card, 500 word essay
Cost: Varies, financial aid is available
Registration Deadline: 05/1/26
Johns Carnegie Young Leaders for Civic Preparedness: 5/4/26
A national leadership and impact program that supports young people in designing and launching civic solutions in their communities. Participants receive funding, coaching, and access to a national network of peers while developing real-world projects that address issues they care about.
Eligibility: Young people ages 14–24 based in the United States.
Requirements:
Online application
Proposal or idea for a civic or community-based project
Commitment to participate in program activities and project development
Application Deadline: 5/4/26
2026 J.W. Vaughn Oratorical Contest: 5/15/26
A statewide public speaking competition and leadership experience for young men in Louisiana. Participants deliver an original speech on mentorship and its impact, while gaining access to mentorship, professional development, and a platform to amplify their voice.
Eligibility: Young men in grades 9–12 across Louisiana.
Prize: $500 scholarship for top orator
Requirements:
Submit an original 4.5–7.5 minute speech
Speech must respond to the 2026 theme:
“Explore the impact of mentorship on Black male youth…”
Application Deadline: 5/15/26
LSU Cain Center Summer Academy: Apply ASAP
A competitive summer program for high-school students interested in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. Hosted by LSU’s E. J. Ourso College of Business, the Cain Center Summer Academy gives students hands-on experience developing business ideas, learning from LSU faculty and entrepreneurs, and building teamwork and presentation skills.
Duration: Typically 1 week during the summer (exact dates vary by year).
Cost: $1250/camp, financial aid available
Eligibility: High-school students entering grades 10–12 (rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors).
Requirements: Online application; short written responses; commitment to full program attendance.
Registration Deadline: Applications open until full.
National Student Leadership Conference: Rolling Deadlines
An immersive pre-college program for high school (and some middle school) students designed to build leadership skills, explore career concentrations, and experience university campus living.
Duration: Typically 6–18 days depending on the program.
Cost: Tuition varies by program type and length; financial aid available!
Eligibility: High-school students ages 14–18 who have completed at least one year of high school; some middle-school programs available for grades 6–8.
Requirements: Online application and tuition deposit; additional requirements vary by program type (residential vs. commuter).
Application Info: Applications accepted on a rolling basis; students may apply as long as space remains.
Camp Code for Girls: Apply ASAP
A free, one-week summer coding camp designed to take girls “behind the screens” and spark curiosity about technology. Campers build mobile apps, explore how STEM brings ideas to life, and gain confidence in coding through hands-on, collaborative learning in a supportive environment.
Duration: 6/8-6/12; 9:00a-3:00p each day
Location: Girl Scout DreamLab, 3005 W. Cabela’s Pkwy., Suite J, Gonzales, LA 70737
Cost: Free (a $25 registration fee is required to secure a spot; fee may be waived in cases of financial hardship).
Eligibility: Girls entering 7th, 8th, or 9th grade for the 2026–27 school year; participants do not need to be Girl Scouts.
Requirements: Registration required; full participation in daily camp activities.
Registration: Spots are limited; registration is first come, first served.
Service Opportunities
Make Your Mark • Give Back
Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank
Volunteers are invaluable to the Food Bank. Without the thousands of volunteer hours each year, the Food Bank would be unable to provide food to the many children, seniors and families facing hunger in our community.
Eligibility: Must at least 14 years old (or 10 years with a guardian)
Hours: Based on availability
St. James Place Senior Living Community
A flexible, low-commitment volunteer opportunity supporting senior residents through activities, conversation, and events.
Hours: Flexible; volunteers may schedule shifts as available; 7 days a week between 9:30 AM and 4:30 PM; scheduling required in advance.
Eligibility: Open to high-school students interested in community service and engaging with seniors.
Requirements: Contact the volunteer coordinator to schedule hours; willingness to assist with resident activities such as games, parties, and conversation.
Contact directly to learn more & sign up
Phone: 225-215-4568
Email: ebozeman@stjamesplace.org
East Baton Rouge Parish Library (Virtual)
EBR Parish Library has created a virtual volunteering form where teens can recommend books/audiobooks in detail.
Eligibility: Must be in grades 6-12
How it works: For every fully filled-out recommendation form, you will receive 30 minutes of volunteering time
BREC
BREC needs volunteers to fulfill our mission of providing park and recreational opportunities for all residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. With a range of facilities and programs, BREC has a volunteer opportunity for everyone.
Eligibility: Must be at least 14 yeas old
Hours: Based on availability
Questions? Contact BREC at 225-272-9200 (ext 1446) or volunteer@brec.org
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants
Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping refugees and immigrants achieve self-sufficiency by providing them access to critical services and support.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity seeks volunteers to work on construction sites and at its two Baton Rouge ReStore locations.
Eligibility: Must be aged 16+; construction volunteers must also sign a volunteer waiver
Construction hours: Wednesday or Saturday from 7:45am-3:00pm
ReStore hours: As assigned
Questions? Contact Kristen Lee at 225-927-6651 (ext. 212) or kristen@habitatbrla.org
Learn more | General volunteer registration form | Construction application & waiver form | ReStore volunteer interest form
Baton Rouge General Hospital
Baton Rouge General Hospital offers volunteer opportunities in multiple departments, including pharmacy, surgery, pediatrics, and arts in medicine.
Eligibility: Must be aged 15+ and maintain 2.5 GPA
Commitment: Min. 25 hours (one four-hour shift/week for six months)
Clean Pelican
We are working to create and maintain a clean, beautiful community where businesses and families want to stay, work and play. There are plenty of opportunities to clean up our city.
Eligibility: Must complete an interest form.
Hours: Based on availability
Jobs & Scholarships
Hands-on Experience • Money for School
Looking for part-time work? Check out these resources. ➡️
Keep in mind, your job should understand that you are a student first!
Scholarships by Grade: