Public Speaking, Argumentative Writing, and Civic Leadership Camp

Camp 2026 in Boston
July 6-10 & July 13-17

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By the end of each week, Leaders 4SC is a summer workshop for middle school (rising 5th to 10th grade) students on writing and speaking, as well as leadership, communication, decision-making, and advocacy. Our goal is to train the next generation of civic leaders: members of a community who actively participate in society.

By the end of each week, students will have:
  • Completed at least one writing or speaking assignment arguing for and defending their opinion on any current issue
  • Participated in daily discussions and activities on a different major current event every day
  • Participated in daily task force activities to role play as key decision makers and stakeholders
  • Discussed, debated, and bonded with an incredible group of engaged young people!

Dates / Times

Students may attend one week or both:

Session 1 — Writing Focus: July 6-July 10 (M-F; 10am-4pm)

Session 2 — Speaking Focus: July 13-17 (M-F; 10am-4pm)

Pricing

One Week: $300/week

Two Weeks: $500/total

Need-based financial aid is available.

Location

Boston

Lesley University

221 E 71st St, New York, NY

Learn about what a day at Leaders 4SC look like:

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Daily topics listed below (Full Curriculum Breakdown)

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See what some former students have to say:

Instructors

Our instructors have spent years perfecting the curriculum and getting ready to help students become civic leaders! Some of our lead instructors are below.

All instructors are background-checked and have conducted mandatory reporting training.

Priten CEO/Founder

Chandani Chief Operating Officer

Kirk AlemanDirector of Programs

NinaChief Programs Officer

Anthony de MarteOperations Manager

FAQs

General

Yes! The workshop weeks are planned so that students can take either any one week separately or all of them together.

Not at all! All our programs are built to accommodate (if not target) students who would traditionally not feel comfortable speaking in front of people. That’s part of what we work on with the students.

Parents/Guardians will be able to follow along with all assignments and works through our online system as the week progresses. We’ll also occasionally send parents email updates with the students’ work.

Students entering Grades 5 through 10 in Fall 2022 are eligible to participate.

Financial

We have limited need-based financial aid available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please apply here.

A $50 deposit is due with the application to secure your child’s spot in the workshop. All other payments are due by June 15th.

Materials

Yes, students will get a certificate as well as their work in a digital magazine with the articles they and their peers submit.

Priten Soundar-Shah

CEO/Founder

Priten is an educator, philosopher, and entrepreneur working at the intersection of technology and education. As the founder of Pedagogy Ventures, an educational technology company helping teachers navigate the AI age, and Academy 4 Social Civics, a nonprofit focused on civics education to prepare students for future problems, he develops innovative solutions to help educators and students navigate changes and challenges, especially technological development.

Priten is the author of “AI & The Future of Education: Teaching in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Wiley, 2023).” He also teaches social science courses at College Unbound, a bachelor’s college focused on adult learners. He has an academic background in Philosophy (B.A., Harvard College) and Education Policy (M.Ed., Harvard Graduate School of Education).

Chandani Shah

Chief Operating Officer
Through her avid participation in debates, Chandani has cultivated a fervent passion for elevating societal consciousness, particularly in the realms of mental health and women’s rights. A devoted contributor to Indians 4 Social Change, she has illuminated pressing issues facing women in India, leveraging her love for writing to explore a myriad of topics. Balancing a rich palette of interests including writing, and social activism, Chandani not only enjoys but thrives in environments where the discourse on mental health and women’s rights is fostered, working tirelessly to advocate for change and awareness in these critical areas.

Kirk Aleman

Chief Financial Officer
Kirk is a visionary dedicated to empowering the youth, nurturing their understanding of the boundless opportunities that await in their futures. Deeply passionate about diversity and inclusion, especially in the entrepreneurial landscape, he actively seeks avenues to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all aspiring entrepreneurs. With an open heart and a keen ear, Kirk is always eager to engage in enriching conversations that delve into individual motivations and dreams, encouraging people to articulate and pursue what truly drives them to rise each morning with purpose and vigor.

Nina Bamberg

Chief Programs Officer
Nina Bamberg has an MA in International Educational Development from Teachers College at Columbia University with a concentration in Peace and Human Rights Education. Her professional background includes teaching English as a second and foreign language, non-profit program management, and adult education. As the the CPO at Academy 4 Social Civics, she leads the initiatives to develop curriculum resources, teacher professional development, and student leadership workshops. Nina also serves as the Director of Curriculum & Instruction at Pedagogy.Cloud where she develops and leads professional development workshops and courses designed to help educators navigate the changes and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. She also serves as a course associate at Columbia’s School of Professional Studies and as a Citizenship Educator at The New York Historical. Nina is also a member of several professional coalitions working to improve access to quality civics and AI literacy education, including Democracy Ready NY and CivxNow, where she’s an active member of the AI Work Group.

Anthony de Marte

Operations Manager
Anthony is a Muhlenberg College alumnus where he honed his skills in theatre and dance, a foundation that propelled him into a rewarding career as a performing artist, administrator, and educator. Deeply passionate about fostering collaboration over competition, he leverages the arts to celebrate our shared humanity, encouraging expressive freedom and unity through his multifaceted roles. Outside of his professional life, Anthony is a proud pet parent to the cuddliest and friendliest pitbull, Cooper.