Succeed
    In-person Programme

    Leadership & Service

    by National Student Leadership Conference

    A residential leadership programme combining practical workshops, community service, collaborative projects and campus life in Washington, D.C.

    Last verified: 4 Aug 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
    Leadership & Service

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    Leadership and Service at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Past

    Eligibility

    High-school students

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 14-18

    Location / Region

    Washington, D.C.

    Cost

    $3,095

    Duration

    6 days

    Format

    Residential

    Next deadline

    Not announced

    See similar programmes
    Public SpeakingGeneral

    Accommodation: Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

    Latest verified cycle: Summer 2026

    Main output: Service initiative pitch

    Leadership and Service summary

    A practical leadership experience built around workshops, collaborative projects and service in the local community.

    Students develop goal setting, communication, public speaking, teamwork and time-management skills, then apply them by designing and pitching a service initiative.

    It suits students who want leadership practice tied to empathy and community action, rather than a mainly academic lecture course.

    What is Leadership & Service?

    Leadership & Service is an NSLC residential summer programme focused on personal leadership and community action. Students explore their strengths and leadership style while building communication, goal-setting and public-speaking skills.

    The practical experience includes workshops, collaborative projects, local service and a team-designed service initiative. Campus living and Washington trips add a broader pre-college and city experience.

    Why Succeed highlights Leadership and Service

    • Students connect leadership theory with real community service rather than studying it only in a classroom.

    • The service-initiative pitch gives the programme a concrete collaborative output.

    • Workshops cover transferable skills including communication, public speaking, team building and time management.

    • Meetings with community leaders, government officials and nonprofit leaders connect projects with real-world practice.

    • Residential campus life, local service and Washington trips create a varied six-day experience.

    Who is Leadership and Service for?

    Best for

    Students who want to practise public speaking, teamwork and community-minded leadership through hands-on activities.

    Not ideal if

    You want a low-cost day course, a subject-specific academic programme or a non-residential experience.

    Is Leadership and Service worth it?

    It can be worthwhile for a student who will actively use the workshops, service project and presentation experience to become a more reflective, confident leader. The mix of teamwork, community action and campus living offers more substance than a purely motivational leadership camp.

    The limitation is value for money: the residential fee is significant, travel is extra and the programme lasts only six days. Families should compare it with local volunteering or school leadership opportunities and decide whether the structured residential experience justifies the cost.

    A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.

    Cost and what is included

    $3,095; includes Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation.

    Accommodation

    Supervised campus dormitory

    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

    Supervision or safety information

    Students reside in supervised campus dormitories at American University. NSLC staff provide daytime and overnight supervision.

    Provider details

    Review the National Student Leadership Conference provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    Dates and logistics

    6 days; Washington, D.C..

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.

    Compare this programme with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.

    Compare with similar programmes

    How much preparation does Leadership and Service need?

    Effort level

    Moderate to high.

    Best started

    Begin planning two to three months before a preferred summer session, allowing time for enrolment, funding and travel.

    Main challenge

    Turning a local issue into a credible, collaborative service proposal.

    Typical preparation

    • Reflect on leadership experiences and one area you want to improve.

    • Research a local issue and the organisations already addressing it.

    • Practise a short personal introduction and speaking clearly to a group.

    • Plan travel, dietary needs and funding well before the session.

    Useful if

    You can identify a community cause you genuinely care about.

    What do students do on Leadership and Service?

    Students move between leadership workshops, collaborative planning, community service and Washington experiences. The programme culminates in developing and pitching a service initiative with peers.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Explore personal strengths, interests, values and leadership style.

    2. 2

      Practise communication, public speaking, team building and time management.

    3. 3

      Set goals and create a plan for personal development.

    4. 4

      Work with peers to identify a local issue.

    5. 5

      Design and pitch a service initiative with potential community impact.

    6. 6

      Complete community-service activities and earn volunteer hours.

    7. 7

      Meet leaders from community, government and nonprofit organisations.

    8. 8

      Explore Washington through trips, tours and landmarks.

    Leadership and Service dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Applications

    Rolling admissions

    Accepted while session or waitlist space remained.

    Reference date
    Get next-cycle reminder

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Ages 14-18

    • Current Grades 9-12 students

    • At least one high-school year completed

    • Eligible through summer after high-school graduation

    • Academic excellence and leadership ability encouraged

    How much does Leadership and Service cost?

    Residential tuition

    $3,095 — Published for the 2026 American University sessions.

    Funding or discounts

    • Scholarships: Typically $500-$1,000 — Financial need must be demonstrated.
    • Payment plan: Monthly payments — The 2026 plan ended 30 days before the session.
    • Optional college credit: $1,044 — Separate online one-credit American University course.

    What's included

    Supervised campus housing, On-campus meals, Course materials and academic expenses, Trips, tours and activities, Off-campus event transportation

    How to apply to Leadership and Service

    1. 1

      Open the official NSLC online enrolment portal.

    2. 2

      Create an NSLC ID if you do not already have one.

    3. 3

      Enter the student's birth date, gender and current grade.

    4. 4

      Choose an available Leadership & Service session.

    5. 5

      Complete the online enrolment application.

    6. 6

      Place the required deposit by card, or contact NSLC to pay by check.

    What does Leadership and Service cover?

    The programme covers the following focus areas.

    Leadership foundations

    Explore authentic leadership through empathy, confidence, initiative and personal strengths.

    Communication skills

    Practise communication, listening, public speaking and collaborative teamwork.

    Goal setting

    Connect talents, interests and strengths with a practical development plan.

    Service initiative

    Identify a local issue and develop a team proposal for community impact.

    Community leadership

    Learn how community, government and nonprofit leaders create positive change.

    Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.

    Who teaches on Leadership and Service?

    Students meet community leaders, government officials and heads of nonprofit organisations to learn how they create positive change. Dedicated Team Advisors accompany smaller student groups throughout programme activities.

    Team Advisors also live on student floors as Resident Advisors for overnight supervision.

    Where do students stay on Leadership and Service?

    Residential plan

    • Campus housing: Students stay in supervised American University dormitories.
    • Room setup: Students are generally housed with one or two roommates of a similar age.
    • Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available through campus dining.
    • Supervision: Team Advisors provide daytime and overnight supervision, supported by an on-site administrative team.

    Travel to and from the programme and personal expenses are not included in tuition.

    What happens after Leadership and Service?

    After completing this programme, participants often pursue:

    Use volunteer hours as evidence of sustained community engagement.

    Develop a service initiative further through school or local organisations.

    Apply stronger communication and teamwork skills in student leadership roles.

    Reflect on the experience in future applications and interviews.

    Consider the optional American University one-credit online course.

    Optional college credit requires separate enrolment, work and tuition.

    Where does Leadership and Service take place?

    The programme is based at American University in Washington, D.C., where students live in supervised dormitories and use campus dining. Trips may include service organisations, Historic Georgetown, Washington at Night and the Terrapin Adventures Challenge Course.

    Published trips are examples and may vary by session.

    Leadership and Service FAQs

    The programme develops personal leadership through workshops, teamwork and community service. Students connect empathy, confidence and initiative with practical action.

    Students work with peers to identify a local issue, design a service initiative and pitch a plan for community impact.

    Yes. Students take part in local service projects and can earn volunteer hours for their contribution.

    Students reside in supervised campus dormitories at American University. NSLC staff provide daytime and overnight supervision.

    Yes. Tuition includes on-campus meals, with breakfast, lunch and dinner available through campus dining services.

    Tuition includes housing, course materials, academic expenses, trips, tours, activities and transportation for off-campus programme events.

    Yes. NSLC offers scholarships based on financial need, with academic merit and school or community involvement also considered.

    An optional one-credit American University online course is available separately. It is completed outside the residential programme dates and requires additional tuition.

    Alternatives to Leadership and Service

    Compare these Succeed-listed programmes if you want a different balance of leadership, public speaking, community work or career exploration.

    Alternatives to Leadership and Service

    TED Summer School
    Recently closed

    Presentation-focused summer programme in London

    Public Speaking
    25 Jul 2026
    From £5995
    15-18
    London
    In-person

    Best for

    Students prioritising speaking and presentation skills.

    View details

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    Ben Stacy

    Content reviewed by

    Ben Stacy

    Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader

    Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.

    View author page

    Sources and verification

    Source types reviewed

    • LEAD AU by NSLC - Flipsnack
    • NSLC Online Enrollment
    • Discover Summer Programs in Washington DC: Enroll Now!
    • Youth Leadership Programs | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Frequently Asked Questions | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Summer Program Scholarships | National Student Leadership Conference
    • Youth Leadership Development Programs | National Student Leadership Conference

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 4 Aug 2026)

    • Programme details checked

    • Dates and tuition verified

    • Eligibility reviewed

    • Inclusions confirmed

    • Scholarships reviewed

    • Application route checked

    • Residential supervision reviewed

    How Succeed uses this information

    We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.