Inspiring Leaders

The Lang Leadership Summer Institute is led by ten highly trained and experienced educators who are passionate about leadership development. You will work closely with a team of two educators for the duration of the program. They will be your core guides and mentors during the program and during our optional Zoom check-ins after the program.

At UCC's Norval Outdoor School, you will be led by the certified and dedicated outdoor educators who have collectively decades of experience working with students on personal and team development.

The university program will be run by award-winning professors at both the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph and the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto.

Self-awareness that helps you in all aspects of life: All registered students will receive a free Strengths Deployment Indicator Assessment as part of their learning. This tool will help us work with a shared language of understanding and of ourselves and each other. Trained SDI facilitators will help you understand and use your results as a tool for more impactful leadership.

Experience at a university: Learning from professors in a university setting will help you not only understand that experience, but also gain insights and learnings that can help you on your path to the best program of your choice.

Outdoor learning: Challenge yourself with an outdoor education experience by engaging in meaningful service projects and challenges like climbing, ropes courses and cooking to build skills, courage and resilience as a leader.

Learning from expert leaders: Connect with leaders from various industries to learn about diverse paths and styles of leadership that drive significant impact.

Leadership in action: Attend excursions to professional sports and arts events and learn directly from those integral to their success.

Make lifelong friends: Two weeks living with people who care about making an impact will help build a group of friends we know you will have for life.

Large, small and medium group work experience: Participants will be organized into Core Teams of 10 to 12 members supported by expert teachers. For the Case Study competition work, you will work in teams of 4 to 5. For leadership talks, activities, and key sessions, the whole group will work together.

Ongoing support and mentorship: Meeting with your Core Team throughout the school year can help you apply your learnings to projects and actions in your own community.

Sample programming

• Morning wellbeing activities: Pilates, gym, nature run or walk, tennis
• Evening outings, like Cirque du Soleil, Blue Jays, Toronto Tempo
• Breakfasts with industry leaders from evening outings
• Interactive self-development workshops: values, courage, feedback, motivations
• Leadership Lesson Lunches: panel discussions with successful leaders
• Team-building challenges: build an outdoor shelter, high ropes and climbing, lead group activities, case study presentation to university panels

While on the UCC campus, you will live in double rooms in the boarding buildings. These are recently renovated rooms with shared bathrooms and a large common area. Staff will be staying in dorm buildings to support students.

You will enjoy UCC's remarkable facilities and excellent food service, as well as the recreational spaces, including gyms where morning fitness classes are offered and a workout room.

At UCC's Norval Outdoor School, you will be in tents outdoors on the beautiful campus.

While staying on University of Guelph campus, you will be in the residences, receive a meal card and enjoy food from campus services.

Please note that document-supported requests for single living accommodation can be made by emailing the Lang Leadership Lab team at langleadershiplab@ucc.on.ca

No. All students must commit to attending the entire program.

Participants studying in Ontario can opt in to earn the PLF4M Credit. There's an additional $300 charge to cover teachers' time assessing and providing feedback on component work. Students completing the PLF4M project will be required to complete a culminating assignment after the Program's completion, as well as several on-campus assessments during the two-week course.

All students will receive a certificate in leadership and recognition of participation in a Rotman School of Management Case Study Competition

This is a gender-inclusive program for high school students currently completing Grade 10 or 11 (Secondaire IV or V in Quebec), entering Grade 11 or 12 in 2026, who are enrolled in school in Canada or whose home residence is in Canada but are attending boarding school outside of Canada during the school year.

The deadline is Jan. 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

1. Start a profile.
2. Participate in a recorded video interview, simulating many university programs' admissions requirements. You'll be asked four questions related to your experiences in groups or teams; what's important to you; your self-understanding; and your personal growth.
3. Upload a copy of your report card from June 2025.
4. Share the contact information of one teacher, coach, employer or supervisor who has agreed to serve as a reference — no full reference letter is required.
5. Share a list of your co-curricular activities or a copy of a resume.
6. Complete online application.

You'll start the pre-recorded video interview at a time of your preference. Allow 20-30 minutes to complete the interview.

You'll be given a previously unseen question and two minutes to consider your response. Then you will have two minutes to record your answer. For each question, you will have the opportunity to review and redo your response if you aren't happy with the video recording.

The questions will prompt you to reflect on experiences in groups/teams, what's important to you, your self-understanding, and your personal growth.

A mock question will be available to all applicants so you can practice thinking through and timing your answer. You will have three opportunities to practice this mock question to help you become familiar with the format.

We want you to gain practice in an increasingly prevalent way of selecting candidates for post-secondary education. We also want you to feel comfortable sharing your authentic self with the selection panel and believe that the nature of a video recording allows us to get to know you more genuinely.

The selection will be based on the video application, the evaluation of the reference and the proven engagement in personal growth and community involvement through activities and school reporting. A summary of the rubric for video applications is found here:

There is no cutoff average for application or acceptance. You should show engagement in learning, a passion for leadership and growth and an eagerness to work in teams.

No, Lang Leadership Lab does not require a school nomination for a student to be eligible to apply, but you do need to have a reference for acceptance. Select a teacher, coach, employer, or volunteer supervisor.

All applicants will be informed of their status on a rolling basis (accepted or declined) but before Feb. 28, 2026. Decisions around financial assistance will be communicated at the same time.

The program, including all fees, excursions (evening sports and cultural events), food, transportation while in the program and accommodation, is $4,500. Students taking the PLF4M credit will pay $4,800.

The Lang Leadership Lab offers an allocation of need-based financial assistance to cover full and partial program fees. Travel costs to and from the program are eligible for inclusion in financial assistance.

When you apply, please check the box indicating you would like to receive financial assistance. Your guardian's primary contact will receive an email with instructions on how to submit documentation to support the application.

When an offer is made, applicants are required to submit a $1,000 deposit to secure their spot. The balance is paid in two following installments.

The Lang Leadership Lab program fee is not tax-deductible.