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Program Details

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Our four-year curriculum equips teens for post-secondary success building progressively toward program completion. Young leaders begin in 9th grade with a foundation of Social Emotional Learning and self-discovery then progress through career exploration, college planning and individual execution working toward their post-secondary goals.

CHV Leadership Academy Handbook

9th GradeRISE Program

Supporting the transition to high school, the RISE program focuses on self-discovery and seeks to equip 9th grade participants with skills to navigate social and emotional stressors.

  • Introduction to a variety of useful skills including communication and goal setting to prepare participants for experiences in grades 10-12 and beyond.
  • Weekly community nights on Monday & Tuesdays during the school year.
  • Monthly Saturday workshops focused on foundational leadership skills through Social Emotional Learning.
9th grade riserss

For Teens

All rising 9th graders who have participated in Camp Harbor View for at least one summer are invited to apply to the RISE program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from August to October. Participation in RISE is a prerequisite for joining the Leader in Training program in 10th grade.

For Parents

Looking for operational specifics on the RISE and LIT programs? Find answers to many frequently asked questions including more information on eligibility, applications, attendance, and more in the Leadership Academy FAQs.


Visit FAQs

10th-12th GradeLeader in Training Program

LITs at camp

The three-year Leader in Training program is an opportunity for young people to grow, explore, and build toward their futures. Our curriculum engages young leaders in three primary focus areas: College Preparation, Trades & Certificate Program Preparation, and Business Leadership.

  • Weekly community nights including mentoring and grade-based enrichment opportunities during the school year.
  • Monthly Saturday workshops focused on career exploration, college readiness, and leadership skills. 
  • Immersive summer experience building leadership skills and serving as near-peer mentors to campers.

Grade-level Focus

  • 10th Grade – Career Exploration (Wednesday) As a first year LIT, participants are exposed to a wide variety of career pathways including entrepreneurship, the arts, criminal justice, healthcare, media, and STEM with the opportunity to hear from professionals in each field.
  • 11th Grade – Post-secondary Planning (Thursday) Teens explore post-secondary opportunities from associate and bachelor-level college degrees to work in the civil service and trades as they develop a personalized plan in their second year.
  • 12th Grade – College and Career Readiness (Thursday) In preparation for graduation, LITs focus on executing their post-secondary plan in their third year of the program. This includes college essay writing, scholarship applications support, resume workshops, interview prep, and more.
Leader-in-training high school student at the Leadership Academy smiling, laptop, First Bite workshop
Three teenagers in purple Camp Harbor View shirts smiling at the camera on a sunny day.

Summer at the Leadership Academy

The summer LIT experience offers teens in grades 10-12 experiential learning opportunities that develop twenty-first-century skills. The program is designed so that creativity and exploration is the teacher and the city of Boston is the classroom. Each LIT participates in weekly workshops and enrichment field trips along with hands-on workforce development through on-island summer employment.