Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

HCUS Winter Camp 2026 at Harvard University

General Information

The Harvard College Union Society (HCUS) Young Global Leaders Program is a week-long Winter camp designed for students to develop leadership, critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills through hands-on projects, workshops, and mentorship from Harvard students.

The camp takes place at Harvard University, with participants staying at Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville.

There are two batches:

Batch 1: 4th - 11th January 2026

Batch 2: 11th - 18th January 2026

Batch 3: 18th - 25th January 2026

Students in Grades 8-12 (School Years 9-13) from around the world are eligible to participate.

Application & Fees

Early Application Deadline: November 15, 2025

Regular Application Deadline: November 30, 2025

Early Application Fee: $4,250 USD

Regular Application Fee: $4,650 USD

The fee covers:

Academic sessions and workshops

Accommodation for 7 nights and 8 days

All meals during the program (except travel days)

Airport transfers

Harvard campus tour and field trips

The fee does not cover airfare, visa fees, personal expenses, or additional sightseeing beyond the program itinerary.

Refund requests are accepted until November 28, 2025. No refunds will be processed after this date.

Program Details

The camp includes:

Workshops on leadership, public speaking, debate, and teamwork

Panel discussions with industry experts

Harvard campus tour and cultural visits

Group projects and presentations

A closing ceremony with certificates

The program is led by student mentors from Harvard College Union Society, who guide participants through various leadership activities.

Yes! Upon successful completion, students will receive a certificate from Harvard College Union Society.

Yes. Possible outings include:

Harvard University Tour

MIT Campus Visit

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

A Baseball Game at Fenway Park

The program runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily, followed by evening social events and outings.

Travel & Stay

Participants will stay at Cambria Hotel Boston Somerville, located close to Harvard University.

Yes. Transfers from the Boston Logan International airport to the hotel and back are included only on the check-in and check-out days respectively. If students arrive earlier than the check-in day or leave later than the check-out day, they will need to make their own airport transfer arrangements.

Yes, but they will not have access to classrooms or program activities. Parents/guardians can opt for:

Twin-sharing room: $2,500 USD

Single occupancy room: $3,500 USD

Yes. International students must obtain a visa for travel to the U.S. The camp does not provide visa services, but we provide an official invitation letter upon completion of program payment, that will help students get their visas.

Miscellaneous

You can apply via the website, www.hcusociety.com or scan the QR code in the camp brochure

No. The program is organized by Harvard College Union Society, an independent student-run organization. It is not officially provided or endorsed by Harvard University.

You can reach out at team@learnwithleaders.com or visit www.learnwithleaders.com.