Leadership skills are a crucial piece of the college application puzzle. While high school classes prepare you academically, leadership programs equip you with the real-world tools to succeed outside the classroom. Field Studies that foster ethical leadership skills require opportunities for students to experience, process, and reflect on how leaders address the problems of tomorrow.
Ethical leadership programs help high school students build essential life skills—effective communication, team collaboration, and time management—all critical for college and beyond.
There are many different kinds of leadership programs available to high schoolers, from academic camps to virtual courses, but in this article, we’ll explore standout immersive travel programs from Students Shoulder to Shoulder.
Students Shoulder to Shoulder is a non-profit travel organization that fosters ethical leadership development for high school students through international service learning trips.
How to Choose a Summer Adventure Leadership Program?
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder travel field studies are designed to develop young leaders through immersive service and cross-cultural experiences. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a summer adventure program for your high school student.
Program Credibility & Mission
Look for reputable programs with proven track records. Research the program’s partners, mentors, and mission to understand how field studies can align with high schoolers’ goals and interests. For example, Students Shoulder to Shoulder offers field studies on environmental leadership, food security, and gender equality.
Small Cohort Size
Small cohorts or group sizes allow students a safe space to lead. Combined with a tech-free environment, it can ensure students foster meaningful relationships among themselves.
Further, look for programs that delegate leadership tasks to students. Assigning student leadership roles gives teenagers a safe space and group support to lead.
All students on Shoulder-to-Shoulder field study trips are assigned as Leader of the Day, a role meant to cultivate leadership skills by guiding the group’s activities, managing social dynamics, and solving any problems that arise. This leadership practice helps students develop confidence, accountability, and decision-making skills in a supportive environment.
Direct Mentorship
Smaller cohorts allow for more personalized mentorship, which can lead to more direct mentorship between students and trip leaders. Look for field studies where trip leaders are easily accessible, preferably with a 1:5 leader-to-student ratio.
Ensure trip leaders also have a background in education. This can help students take advantage of long hours together to form mentor-mentee relationships, ask questions, or have a reference for college applications or future jobs.
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder also provides leadership mentorship by connecting students with leaders of non-profit organizations actively working across the map on global issues.
Structured Leadership Framework
Ask whether the organization you are considering provides students with a leadership framework built into the programs.
For example, all Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder leadership trips include a structured curriculum on ethical leadership, with field studies to teach students the core principles of ethical decision-making, integrity, and social responsibility.
This framework provides a foundation for students to reflect on ethical leadership and how they can apply it abroad and at home.
Community Partners
Find an organization that connects students with local NGOs or community partners. This can give students real-world models of leaders actively working on local issues. Such examples of courageous leaders and their direct mentorship can have long-lasting benefits, such as growing students’ professional networks or obtaining letters of recommendation.
Leadership as a Lifelong Journey
At Students Shoulder to Shoulder, we view leadership as a lifelong journey of growth and development instead of a one-off experience. Phase Three of our Applied Ethical Leadership Program encourages students to apply what they learned abroad in their communities. Lastly, look for organizations with strong alumni networks so students can continue to grow as leaders throughout college and beyond.
The Best Leadership Service Trips for High School Students
Puerto Rico: Regenerative Farming
In the heart of Puerto Rico’s lush Carite rainforest, Carite 3.0 offers students a unique opportunity to develop environmental leadership skills through hands-on learning and cultural immersion.
Led by Fernando Maldonado, a pioneer in Puerto Rico’s food sovereignty movement, this program teaches sustainable farming techniques like seed germination, composting, and reforestation.
Participants engage directly in farm life, from preparing meals to leading group reflections, building teamwork and resilience alongside a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Beyond the farm, students deepen their understanding of Puerto Rico’s heritage and natural beauty through excursions to landmarks like El Yunque and Old San Juan.
Working alongside Carite 3.0 is a transformative experience that gives students valuable insights into ethical leadership and sustainable practices. It empowers them to create meaningful change in their communities long after they leave.
View Puerto Rico: Regenerative Farming program details here.
Nepal: Educational Access
In the Himalayan region of Solukhumbu, The Small World Nepal is leading efforts to empower communities through sustainable development, focusing on education and women’s empowerment.
Guided by Sonam Sherpa and Karma Sherpa, students in this program learn how locally driven projects can transform access to education and healthcare in rural Nepal.
Working alongside community members, students contribute to meaningful projects that improve access to education, such as constructing facilities that support girls’ schooling. This hands-on experience helps students understand the essential role of education in sustainable development and community resilience.
The program also immerses students in Nepal’s rich culture and natural beauty. Participants travel to remote villages, engage in daily life, and trek along classic Himalayan trails, gaining an in-depth perspective on the challenges and traditions of Sherpa communities.
This journey fosters personal growth and cultivates an appreciation for the power of grassroots leadership in creating lasting social impact.
Explore Nepal: Educational Access program details here.
Kenya: Community Building
In Kenya’s Eastern Highlands of Meru, the International Peace Initiatives (IPI) offers students a transformative experience in sustainable development, peacebuilding, and community empowerment.
Under the guidance of Dr. Karambu Ringera, a renowned activist and visionary, students engage in hands-on projects that support local education, women’s empowerment, and community growth.
As part of their work, participants spend time with children at the Kithoka Amani Community Home, where they form meaningful connections and help with daily activities that foster a sense of belonging and stability for the children.
Participants also contribute to community-driven projects at the Tiriji Eco-Center, supporting IPI’s efforts to create sustainable revenue and environmental solutions for local communities. Students learn regenerative farming techniques and explore the intersections of climate, food justice, and sustainability in addressing regional challenges.
The program culminates with a safari in a world-renowned game park, where students witness Kenya’s breathtaking wildlife and learn about conservation efforts to protect these ecosystems.
Through this immersive journey, students develop critical skills and gain a profound understanding of the power of local leadership in creating positive, lasting change.
Visit the program overview of Kenya: Community Building to see available dates and tuition.
People use the phrase ‘life-changing experience’ very loosely, but immersion in the community of IPI and Kenya truly has been life-changing. I will never forget the people I met and the warmth they all made me feel.
KENYA // 2015 COURSE
San Diego: Surf Therapy
The San Diego Surf Therapy program with Groundswell Community Project offers female-identifying students a unique opportunity to develop ethical leadership skills through resilience, connection, and empowerment.
The program, led by Groundswell’s founder, Natalie Small, focuses on mental health support and community well-being through surf therapy. This practice combines the therapeutic power of the ocean with a trauma-informed curriculum. Students spend mornings in the water, engaging in experiential surf therapy sessions, learning how these techniques foster healing and inner strength in participants and their communities.
Beyond the waves, students connect with individuals in the San Diego community who have overcome personal and cultural challenges through surf therapy, gaining insight into the value of community solidarity and ethical responsibility.
The program also includes a unique opportunity to work with Syrian and Ukrainian refugee organizations, highlighting how ethical leadership extends beyond personal growth to uplift and empower others.
By the program’s end, students deepen their sense of resilience and empathy and recognize the role of environmental stewardship, building a solid foundation for ethical leadership that can inspire positive change in any community they serve.
Peru: Mountain Ecosystems
The Peru: Andes Llama Pack Project offers students the chance to develop ethical leadership skills through sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.
Guided by Alejandra Arias Stella and Jorge Gálve, this program immerses students in the breathtaking landscapes of the Sacred Valley. They will work alongside the Llama Pack Project to support high-Andean agricultural and pastoralist communities.
Students engage in a multi-day llama trek, learning about the impact of tourism on local economies and ecosystems while discovering how ethical leadership can foster sustainable development.
Through hands-on experiences, students contribute to environmental conservation efforts and gain insight into the role of llamas in supporting rural development and sustainable tourism. They will also participate in teaching environmental education in local schools, reinforcing the importance of ethical stewardship for future generations.
Alongside these community initiatives, students will have the opportunity to visit iconic sites like Machu Picchu, where they can reflect on the balance between cultural preservation, environmental responsibility, and responsible tourism. This program equips students with the skills to lead with integrity while positively impacting both local communities and the environment.
Check out the program overview for more information about Peru: Mountain Ecosystem.
Why Choose Students Shoulder to Shoulder for Leadership Development?
Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder field studies uniquely suit high school students seeking meaningful leadership opportunities.
They offer hands-on service learning that connects students directly with communities. This real-world learning takes students beyond the classroom and fosters a mindset of empathy, responsibility, and global awareness.
Further, Students Shoulder to Shoulder focuses on Ethical Leadership, creating a life-long foundation in value-based leadership and decision-making.
It’s never too early to uncover one’s leadership potential and start making a positive impact. Explore all our field study programs to find the perfect fit for your students’ passions.
