I’m a high school junior interested in politics and wanted to know about any summer internships or programs that are great for politics.? Besides boys state…
Miami University (OH) has a Summer Scholars Program and one of the topics you can choose in the first session is political in nature. http://miamioh.edu/admission/high-school/summer-scholars/session-one/index.html
I believe Cornell, Georgetown and George Washington University all have summer programs for high school students in political topics.
Volunteer for a local rep. As they get to know you, increase your responsibilities. Do some of the work many others don’t want to- like canvassing, door knocking, etc. Another idea is to do the same for an advocacy group in your community, one actively working on behalf of your community, not distant lands.
Too many kids who want to take poli sci further never quite get out of their own comfort zones, would rather sit in a club meeting than get involved in the milieu. Think about it.
I agree that by far your best experience right now would be to get out and work for a candidate or ballot initiative. If your state is a caucus state, volunteer at the caucuses next spring, and the regional and state party conventions that usually follow then.
Boys State or Girls State is a FREE, week-long summer program in each US state and has great activities that teach you about government and the political process.