7 Summer Activities for Teens That Encourage Leadership & Self-Discovery

Simple, Soulful Ways to Grow Confidence, Voice & Vision—All Summer Long

Summer is more than just a break from school. It’s a beautiful opportunity for reflection, growth, and becoming. Without the usual schedule and pressure, girls have space to ask big questions, explore new skills, and step into who they’re meant to be.

Whether you’re a parent, mentor, coach, or educator looking to support girls this season—or a teen ready to grow on your own—these seven summer activities are designed to build leadership, spark self-discovery, and create a deeper connection to self and purpose.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Summer is the perfect time for reflection, exploration, and brave new goals

• Leadership starts with self-awareness, voice, and vision

• These activities work solo or in groups and don’t require fancy tools

• Journaling, creating, and serving all play a role in teen empowerment

• The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress, purpose, and showing up for yourself

1. Future Me Vision Board

Invite girls to visualize who they want to become—not just what they want to do, but how they want to feel, lead, and show up in the world.
Have them gather magazine clippings, drawings, or digital images that represent:

• Their core values

• Their strengths

• Goals for the next 1–5 years

• Role models and affirmations

📝 Reflection Prompt: “What would my future self thank me for starting this summer?”

2. Solo Service Project

Leadership isn’t about being loud—it’s about impact. Invite girls to identify a need in their family, neighborhood, or community and design a small kindness or service project they can lead.

Ideas include:

• Organizing a local clean-up

• Making cards for hospital patients

• Starting a kindness campaign or gratitude wall

• Hosting a lemonade stand for a cause they care about

📝 Reflection Prompt: “How can I make a difference, right where I am?”

3. Start a Brave Goals Journal

Have girls create a “brave goals” notebook to track one action each week that stretches them outside their comfort zone. This could be:

• Speaking up

• Trying a new hobby

• Practicing a difficult conversation

• Applying for something they care about

Celebrate effort over outcome—and notice how confidence grows with every step.

📝 Reflection Prompt: “What did I learn about myself when I tried something new?”

4. Host a Mini Empowerment Circle

Encourage girls to gather 2–3 friends for a summer empowerment meet-up. Provide a few simple prompts like:

• What’s one thing I’m working on this summer?

• What does leadership mean to me right now?

• When do I feel most like myself?

Add journaling time, affirmations, or a fun closing activity like a Shine Circle or compliment exchange.

📝 Reflection Prompt: “What does it feel like to be supported and to support others?”

5. Create a Personal Leadership Playlist

Ask girls to pick 10 songs that make them feel empowered, brave, and in tune with their values. Have them reflect on:

• What lyrics stand out?

• What energy does each song bring?

• How does this playlist represent the leader they’re becoming?

🎵 Encourage them to play it during journaling, workouts, or walks to ground them in their growth.

📝 Reflection Prompt: “What’s one leadership trait I already have—and one I want to grow?”

6. Write a Letter to Younger Girls

Ask girls to write a letter to their younger self or to a younger girl who might need encouragement. Let them reflect on lessons learned, moments of growth, and what they’ve discovered about their worth.

This builds both leadership and compassion—and helps girls realize how far they’ve come.

📝 Reflection Prompt: “If I could give one piece of advice to a girl like me, it would be…”

7. Design a “Summer Shine Board”

Have girls create a poster, corkboard, or digital canvas to display their proud moments, quotes, affirmations, and growth. Add to it weekly with:

• Photos

• Affirmations

• Journal quotes

• Brave goal wins

• Kind words from others

It becomes a living reflection of how much they’re growing—and leading—from the inside out.

📝 Reflection Prompt: “What’s one thing I’ve done this summer that shows I’m becoming a leader?”

Want More Tools to Make Summer Empowerment Easy & Fun?

The FearlesslyGiRL Program Kits include everything you need to lead powerful, confidence-building sessions—at home, in small groups, or summer workshops. Think journaling prompts, activities, group discussion guides, and printable tools that make your job easier and your girls' experience unforgettable.

Because summer isn’t just about fun. It’s about becoming.

And you, girl? You’re doing amazing.

– Kate