Harvard College Union Society
Young Global Leaders Summer Camp
at Harvard University
Where academic excellence meets global leadership, cultural exchange, and real-world impact through hands-on projects and dynamic skill-building.
Welcome
A Week That Changes Everything
Harvard College Union Society Young Global Leaders Program is a week-long experience designed to help young leaders make a positive impact in their communities. The program takes place at Harvard University and brings together students from around the world to participate in workshops, discussions, and practical activities. Participants will learn from Harvard mentors, gaining skills that are important for leadership today. The program also offers opportunities to explore the historical and cultural landmarks of Cambridge and Boston.
The program also offers students a unique opportunity to visit Harvard University, providing them with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore the prestigious campus. Students will acquire the skills needed to develop their leadership abilities, enabling them to create a positive impact on both the school and community.
What Students Will Gain
Program Overview
Bringing ideas to life
Our philosophy is to "make it real" by collaborating with mentors from Harvard College Union Society to guide students towards holistic development. Students launch community initiatives to address local issues and gain practical skills and a deeper understanding of the real world.
Develop student leadership skills
Gain access to necessary tools and resources to develop leadership abilities & skills for making a positive impact on the school and community.
Vibrant and inclusive community
Connect with like-minded individuals and form long-lasting relationships that extend far beyond the program.
Take your mind power to the next level
Develop and practice critical thinking, public speaking, networking and presentation skills through reflection, analysis, and feedback from the mentors.
Get real!
Get a comprehensive understanding of leadership principles and the opportunity to apply them in real-world scenarios through case studies and team projects.
Build global perspectives
Engage with students and mentors from Harvard College Union Society from diverse backgrounds and cultures, participate in international case studies, and develop a global mindset essential for today's interconnected world.
Gain the experience of a lifetime
Get the once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the Harvard University campus firsthand and the rare chance to interact with mentors from Harvard College Union Society who are at the forefront of their fields.
About
Harvard College Union Society
The Harvard College Union Society is a community of Harvard students dedicated to free inquiry and civil discourse. We work to bring open arguments on the most important debates of the American milieu back to Harvard University.
Through our group, students and faculty debate political-philosophical topics with boldness in the face of controversy, building trust that discourse is still possible in the 21st-century academy.
We defend the free communication and critique of acceptable, controversial, and half-formed views alike, and encourage mutual criticism. We welcome all views expressed in a spirit of good faith and mutual respect.
Harvard College Union Society
Summer Camp Overview & Details
Dates
21 – 28 June 2026
Venue
Harvard University
Eligibility
Grades 8–12 | Years 9–13
Immersive Sessions
Harvard Classrooms & Student Mentors
Workshop
Collaborative Assignment
Field Trips
Curated excursions
Tour of Harvard
Full campus tour
Program Fee
USD 4,250
Investment
Fee & Details
Application Deadline: 30 March 2026
Applications after the deadline may be considered only if seats remain.
What's Covered
Installment Options
We now offer a flexible 3-part installment plan for the program fee.
1st Installment
USD 1,500
By 28 February 2026
2nd Installment
USD 1,500
By 20 March 2026
3rd Installment
USD 1,250
By 15 April 2026
Important: Travel & Accommodation
To ensure smooth travel planning and secure hotel arrangements for the entire group, we will need to finalise confirmed student numbers as early as possible.
Itinerary
Tentative Schedule
Day 1: Arrival & Orientation
Location: Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville
Possible Outings
Bowling
Location: Kings Dining & Entertainment, Seaport
Kings offers multiple lanes for bowling, along with a great dining experience.
Baseball Game
Students will enjoy a delightful evening watching a baseball game at the legendary Fenway Park.
Museum Visit
Location: Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), Boston
The MFA is one of Boston's most iconic cultural institutions, housing world-class collections.
Harvard Campus Tour
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge
Walk through 400 years of history on Harvard's iconic grounds.
MIT Tour
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge
Discover cutting-edge innovation at MIT.
Farewell Gala
Celebrate new friendships at the Delegate Dance and farewell event.
Accommodation
Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville
About the Hotel
The upscale Cambria® Hotel Boston Somerville is situated between Somerville's Union and Porter Squares, just over half a mile from Harvard University and less than 2 miles from Tufts University and MIT. It is also across the street from Somernova, home to Boston Bouldering Project, Aeronaut Brewing, Artisan's Asylum, and Greentown Labs, North America's largest climate technology incubator. Nearby attractions include Assembly Row, Bunker Hill Monument, the USS Constitution, and Encore Casino. Visitors can immerse themselves in Somerville's vibrant neighborhood, where artists, researchers, and entrepreneurs live and work together.
Terms and Conditions
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1)
The fee covers academic fees during the Summer Camp at Harvard University, stay and meals for 7 nights and 8 days and airport pick-up and drop-off. It does not include air tickets and Visa fees for the program.
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2)
The hotel check-in date would be 21 June 2026 (3:00 PM) and the hotel check-out would be 28 June 2026 (12:00 PM).
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3)
On 21 June, the fee includes dinner only.
From 22 - 27 June, all three meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner - will be covered.
On 28 June, only breakfast will be provided. -
4)
The fee does not cover airfare, visa charges, or individual expenses like sightseeing, travel on account of personal reasons, and any other expenses not directly related to the Summer Camp.
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5)
In the case of a teacher or guardian accompanying a group of students, they are permitted to drop off the students at the campus. However, classroom access during the program will be limited to the registered participants only.
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6)
Students are responsible for obtaining any necessary visas or permits required to enter and stay in the United States for the entire duration of the Summer Camp, if applicable. It is essential to ensure all visa requirements are fulfilled well in advance of the program start date.
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7)
In case of any accompanying adult or guardian with the student, an additional USD 2500 (for twin-sharing room) per head or USD 3500 (for single occupancy room) per head has to be paid to cover his or her stay, meals and airport transfer, during the program duration.
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8)
Additional Days of Stay (beyond the program dates) will have to be organized and managed by the student or parent themselves.
Our Past Guest Speakers
Harvard University Professors
Danielle Allen
Harvard University Professor
Danielle Allen is the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University and Director of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation at Harvard Kennedy School.
James G. Anderson
Harvard University Professor
James G. Anderson is the Philip S. Weld Professor at Harvard University, with appointments in Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Sciences, and Engineering.
Mentorship
Harvard Student Mentors
Theresa (Tess) Straw
Harvard University Student
Tess is a sophomore at Harvard College pursuing a joint concentration in Statistics and the History of Science. She is currently serving as President of the Harvard College Union Society.
Brody Douglass
Vice-President, Harvard College Union Society
Brody Douglass is a sophomore majoring in Economics with a minor in philosophy. He is also a midshipman in Navy ROTC and plans to commission as an officer in the Navy after he graduates.
Carolina Loeffel
Harvard University Student
Callie is a sophomore at Harvard College, originally from a small town on the south shore of Massachusetts. She is planning to concentrate in Psychology and Economics.
Thomas Fleming
Harvard University Student
Thomas is a sophomore at Harvard College studying Theology, History, and Government. He was born and raised in Austin, Texas.
Chris Irankunda
Harvard University Student
Chris is a freshman at Harvard College planning to concentrate in Integrative Biology with a secondary focus on Global Health and Health Policy.
Awards and Recognition for students
Showcase your achievements to the rest of the world
Get Certificate of Participation from the Harvard College Union Society
Receive a prestigious certificate upon completing the program, recognising your leadership skills and academic achievements at Harvard.
Build a Global Network
Connect with HCUS mentors and ambitious young leaders from around the world, forming lifelong friendships and professional connections.
Portfolio Enhancement
Strengthen your university applications with certificates, presentations, and a world-class leadership experience on your portfolio.
Voices
What Students Say
Gallery
Moments from past Harvard summer camps
Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Reach
Global Diversity of Student Participation
from past Camps at Harvard University
