Why Every Girl Deserves a Life-Changing Summer Youth Program
Summer is often viewed as a time of freedom and fun for students—no early alarms, no homework, and relaxation. But for many young girls, summer can be marked by uncertainty, idle time, and missed opportunities for growth. That’s why a well-designed summer youth program can be transformative.
At Unity Queens Inc., we believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to grow, explore, and flourish in a safe, inspiring environment. Founded in 2018 by Sophia Laster and Brieanna Lightfoot Smith, Unity Queens was built on a foundation of faith, mentorship, and the belief that young women thrive when they are educated, empowered, and exposed to life-changing experiences. A high-impact summer program for youth is one of the most effective ways to ignite a young woman’s sense of identity and purpose.
1. A Critical Window of Opportunity
Summer months provide a unique opportunity for young girls to step outside their normal routines and experience something new. During the school year, girls are often focused on academics and navigating social pressures. But summer creates space for reflection, discovery, and deeper personal development.
A structured summer youth program offers far more than just a break from school. It provides the freedom to learn new skills, build lasting friendships, and encounter mentors who model strength, resilience, and purpose. For girls between the ages of 11 and 18—some of the most formative years of life—this kind of summer experience can literally shape the trajectory of their future.
2. Confidence Through Exposure
Many young women haven’t yet been exposed to environments where they feel seen, valued, and heard. A powerful summer program for youth goes beyond field trips and fun; it intentionally enlightens girls to new possibilities—college campuses, leadership training, career panels, creative expression, and even travel.
This kind of exposure builds confidence. It helps girls imagine a life beyond their current circumstances and equips them with the belief that they can pursue big dreams. Whether it's speaking in front of a group for the first time, exploring entrepreneurship, or journaling about their faith, these experiences lay the foundation for boldness and vision.
3. Mentorship That Makes a Difference
One of the greatest strengths of a quality summer youth program is the access it provides to mentors. Young women thrive when they see examples of other women who have overcome challenges and are walking confidently in their calling.
Unity Queens makes mentorship a central part of every summer program for youth we offer. We pair girls with caring, consistent adult leaders who walk alongside them throughout the program—and often, beyond. These relationships offer a safe space for questions, advice, encouragement, and spiritual growth.
When girls are mentored by women who believe in them, the ripple effect lasts for years.
4. Faith as the Foundation
In a world filled with mixed messages, grounding girls in truth is more important than ever. At Unity Queens, our programs center around helping each participant discover her God-given identity and walk in her unique purpose. We believe a faith-based approach brings lasting transformation—not just behavioral changes, but heart and identity shifts that stick.
A spiritually-rooted summer youth program helps girls explore what it means to be loved by God, equipped with purpose, and empowered to lead. Our sessions often include devotional journaling, worship, and guided conversations that help young women understand their worth in a culture that too often tells them otherwise.
5. Building Lifelong Friendships
Summer programs are a space where girls can connect in authentic ways, away from the pressures of school, cliques, and social media comparison. They can simply be themselves. This freedom leads to friendships that are built on shared growth, encouragement, and vulnerability.
A healthy summer program for youth, and in our case, young girls, promotes unity, not competition. At Unity Queens, we intentionally cultivate a sisterhood that champions collaboration, empathy, and mutual respect. Many of our program alumni stay in touch long after the program ends.
6. Preventing Summer Slide and Social Isolation
Research shows that students, especially those from underserved communities, can lose months of academic and social-emotional progress during the summer. This phenomenon—often called the “summer slide”—can lead to disengagement and even increase the risk of negative behaviors.
A structured summer youth program not only keeps girls mentally and emotionally engaged but it also gives them a sense of consistency and belonging. For girls who may otherwise spend the summer at home alone or navigating unsafe environments, these programs are truly life-saving.
7. Cultivating Leadership
Girls don’t just need to be led—they need opportunities to lead. Leadership development is a core component of every Unity Queens summer program for youth. Whether it’s helping run an event, leading a small group discussion, or planning a community service project, we create intentional moments for girls to discover their voices and stretch their skills.
Leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about knowing who you are, what you stand for, and how to influence others with integrity. A great summer program teaches girls not to wait for permission to lead—they rise because they know who they are and Whose they are.
8. Equipping Families and Communities
The impact of a summer youth program doesn’t end with the individual. When a girl is empowered, her whole family and community benefit. She carries what she learns—confidence, purpose, leadership—into her relationships and becomes a model for others.
Many Unity Queens participants return to school as peer leaders, mentors, or youth volunteers. Some have even launched their own initiatives to help other girls in their neighborhoods. The seeds planted during a single summer can grow into powerful movements of change.
9. Creating Safe Spaces
Every young woman deserves a safe space to process her experiences, ask hard questions, and grow in emotional maturity. Unfortunately, not every girl has that at home or at school. A carefully structured summer program for youth provides a safe, loving environment that fosters both emotional wellness and resilience.
Trained staff members, clear behavioral expectations, and trauma-informed care ensure that girls feel physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe. When girls feel safe, they show up more fully, take more risks, and lean into their potential.
10. The Time to Invest is Now
The truth is this: the earlier we invest in girls, the greater the return. When we pour into a girl’s life through a summer youth program, we’re not just investing in her—we’re investing in the future leaders, teachers, mothers, creatives, entrepreneurs, and world-changers of tomorrow.
At Unity Queens, we’re committed to creating summer programs for youth experiences that don’t just entertain, but truly empower. We know that one summer can shift a girl’s identity, her path, and even her legacy.
Ready to Give a Girl a Life-Changing Summer?
If you’re a parent, guardian, educator, or community leader, we encourage you to learn more about Unity Queens and how to get involved in our next summer youth program by clicking here. Whether you enroll a girl in your life, sponsor a participant, or volunteer your time, you can be a part of transforming lives—one summer at a time.
Visit our program’s page to discover how a summer program for youth can change everything.