Help a teen build confidence at Summer Leaders Academy

About this story

For many teenagers, learning to feel comfortable in their own bodies can be difficult. Social media, appearance expectations, and pressure from peers can shape how young people see themselves during an important stage of development.

The Body Positive helps adolescents build a healthier relationship with their bodies through education, self-compassion, and community.

Its Summer Leaders Academy brings teenagers ages 13–18 together for an immersive two-week experience focused on body confidence, self-care, leadership, and connection.

Through workshops, creative activities, guided reflection, and peer learning, participants explore five core competencies: reclaiming health, practicing intuitive self-care, cultivating self-love, recognizing their authentic beauty, and building community.

Following its summer programs in Los Angeles and Marin County, The Body Positive plans to expand the initiative to two to four additional states in 2027.

This campaign focuses on one practical part of that expansion: providing a full scholarship so one teenager can participate regardless of their family’s financial circumstances.

What this support covers

A $1,000 scholarship covers the full cost of one teenager’s participation in the two-week Summer Leaders Academy.

The scholarship includes:

• $150 — Meals: Daily lunches, snacks, and hydration throughout the program
• $100 — Welcome kit and supplies: Workbooks, curriculum materials, and creative activities
• $200 — Field trip: Transportation, activities, and supervision
• $100 — Completion gift: Self-care resources and materials participants can continue using
• $300 — Curriculum and instruction: Access to The Body Positive curriculum and facilitated learning
• $150 — Program operations: Planning, coordination, and facilitation support

Campaign goal: $1,000

Reaching this goal will fund one full participant scholarship for the 2027 Summer Leaders Academy.

Why this support matters

The teenage years are a time when confidence, identity, and relationships with others are still developing.

The Body Positive creates a space where young people can question harmful appearance standards, practice self-compassion, and build skills that extend beyond the program itself.

But participation should not depend on whether a family can afford the cost.

As the organization prepares to bring Summer Leaders Academy to more states in 2027, scholarships will help make the experience accessible to teenagers from different financial backgrounds.

One fully funded scholarship gives a young person the opportunity to participate in two weeks of learning, reflection, and community — with tools they can continue using long after the program ends.