California Teens Build Community Through Summer Leadership Camp
COMMUNITY
While many teens are spending their summers relaxing, a group of high school students in Northern California chose to invest their time in something much bigger: each other.
This summer, over 30 teenagers came together for a week-long Youth Leadership Camp held in the Sierra Nevada region. Organized by a local nonprofit focused on empowering underserved communities, the camp offers free access to workshops on communication, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, civic engagement, and team-building.
The program’s goal is simple but powerful—equip young people with the tools they need to be compassionate, thoughtful leaders in their schools, neighborhoods, and future careers. And it’s clearly working. According to camp organizers, the teens not only form deep friendships but leave feeling more confident, supported, and motivated to make a difference.
Beyond the workshops, the camp provides something just as valuable: belonging. Many participants say it’s the first time they’ve felt truly seen and heard in a group setting. Surrounded by peers from different backgrounds, they learn that leadership doesn’t always mean being the loudest in the room—it often means listening, showing up for others, and staying grounded in empathy.
At goodnews.us, we believe these are the kinds of seeds that change communities—and the world.