UNH Summer Camp in Philosophy, Politics, Ethics, and Global Justice
Summer 2026 Dates
Sunday, July 26th to Sunday, August 2nd
2026 Theme: governing AI
Founded in 2014, The Future Leaders Institute offers a residential philosophy camp at UNH for thoughtful high-school students to discuss big ideas in a collaborative environment while making friends and enjoying summer in coastal New Hampshire. Award winning faculty Nick Smith (UNH Philosophy) and Eden Suoth (Oyster River Social Studies and Fulbright Scholar) bring interdisciplinary and highly interactive learning approaches to immerse students in social and political philosophy and coach them to apply these powerful tools to current issues.
The theme for 2026 is Governing AI. We will discuss how we should govern AI, and how AI governs us. AI has proven remarkably transformative for humanity in a very short time and has impacted life in complex ways. Efforts to govern AI use in the classroom have been disruptive and challenging for educators, for example, but always-on AI surveillance technologies are increasingly effective at controlling populations and conducting police and military operations. Some envision an “AI Boom.” Others predict “AI Doom.” How should we steer this powerful technology toward positive outcomes, while mitigating the risks it poses? We will discuss authors with a wide range of views such as Ruha Benjamin, Sarah Brayne, Brian Christian, Kai Fu-Lee, Yuval Harari, Alex Karp, Ray Kurzweil, Will MacAskill, Stuart Russell, Peter Thiel, Eliezer Yudkowsky, Soshana Zuboff, and other voices in this rapidly evolving research. Daily sessions will include debates and original Ethics Bowl case studies, as well as evening discussions, films, and games related to daily themes. See “Camp Schedule” below for an example of how we structure our days.
We aim to introduce students to challenging ideas while creating an emotionally comfortable “pre-college” environment. Past participants have flourished in their cohorts, and we channel this infectious energy toward building leadership and social skills that will serve them well in college and beyond. FLI tends to be an especially good fit for students interested in Ethics Bowl, Socratic Society, Model United Nations, debate, and similar activities.
The Future Leaders Institute is generously supported by the Responsible Governance and Sustainable Citizenship Project (RGSCP). Thanks to this support, FLI provides full academic scholarships to all accepted participants. To cover additional expenses, accepted New Hampshire residents will submit a $200 non-refundable deposit and non-New Hampshire residents will submit a $400 non-refundable deposit to hold their spots. We are committed to making FLI accessible to all eligible students, so if the deposit fee presents considerable hardship, please email Nick Smith.
FLI Faculty
Scott Smith and Nick Smith (not related!) founded FLI in 2014. Scott is professor in UNH’s department of Classics, Humanities, and Italian Studies and Director of the Responsible Governance and Sustainable Citizenship Project. A self-described “weird child,” he has published extensively in ancient mythography (the way the Greeks and Romans organized and interpreted their own mythical stories) and the philosopher-poet Seneca the Younger. He has received every major teaching award at UNH. His efforts leading the Responsible Governance and Sustainable Citizenship Project make FLI financially possible. For an article on Scott, see An Accidental Professor.
Nick Smith founded FLI with Scott. Before becoming a UNH Philosophy Professor, Nick worked as a litigator for a major NYC law firm and as a judicial clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He authored two books on apologies, and he regularly appears in places like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, NPR, BBC and elsewhere to discuss issues of remorse when people mess up. He is obsessed with the craft of “student-centered” teaching, and he often finds himself refereeing discussions for students ranging from preschoolers to retirees. Nick’s kids attend FLI, so he’s especially invested in the quality of the program and he relishes his role as the resident camp dad. For more on Nick, check out "Philosophy Matters: Think philosophy is just an intellectual exercise? Try sitting in on one of Nick Smith's classes." Here’s Nick on Radiolab.
Eden Suoth is a UNH Philosophy alum, and a Fulbright Scholar who studies transitional justice and the Indonesian genocide. An exceptionally gifted leader and educator, Eden currently teaches philosophy and social studies at Oyster River High School down the road from UNH. Here’s Eden’s profile as a UNH student and his Takeover of UNH Snapchat.
The application period for FLI 2026 will open on January 15
Admissions to FLI is highly selective and cohorts are comprised of exceptionally thoughtful and friendly students from a pool of domestic and international applicants. Applications open January 15. Application deadline to ensure full consideration is March 27. If families are eager to learn of admissions decision prior to early April in order to make summer plans, please contact Professor Smith at nick.smith@unh.edu.
Please note that once you begin the application, you will not be able to save your progress if you do not complete the application in the same session. In addition to your own contact and family information, you will also be asked to provide names and contact information for two academic or extracurricular references as well as answering the two short essay questions below. It is strongly recommended to prepare your responses prior to starting the application!
Question 1: Why do you hope to participate in the FLI philosophy program? (Limit: 1300 characters, ~200 words)
Question 2: In 200 words or less, explain what you think should be the AI policy for student work in your high school. We already know how ChatGPT answers, so respond with your own thoughts so we learn what and how you think! (Limit: 1300 characters, ~200words)
Accepted applicants will receive additional communication on how to complete their registration in early April.
About UNH
You can find more information about our wonderful UNH and Seacoast New Hampshire Community on the Visit Campus page, and we especially enjoy this Virtual Campus Tour.
My experience at FLI was nothing short of life changing. Everybody that I met during the camp became somebody that I consider a friend. Throughout the week, I learned many different philosophical and ethics-based concepts that I will look back on in years to come.
FLI was such an incredible experience for me. I completely underestimated how much fun I would have and the friendships I would form with people. The TAs immediately made everyone feel welcome. I also appreciated the returning students reaching out to newcomers, like myself, to make us feel welcome. The learning atmosphere was incredible as well. I enjoyed the discussion-style learning and how the educational sessions were broken up throughout the day.
My experience was amazing. It was the most enjoyable week I’ve ever had and the people were awesome. It felt wonderful to have difficult discussions with smart people who could help understand different viewpoints.
I had an incredible experience at FLI to say the least. Entering the camp, I was scared I wouldn't make any friends, and I left with 31 new ones (plus the awesome TAs as mentors!) Being able to engage in though-provoking discussions with like-minded peers was an invaluable opportunity that I can truly say has changed me as a person for the better. Being a part of this camp has instilled a new hope for the future in me and I wouldn't trade that for the world. I really hope I get to come back next year. Thank you, FLI!
Amazing!! I’ve never felt more connected to a group of people in my life. Everybody was so supportive and so willing to discuss controversial topics. Actual breath of fresh air especially with the current state of the world. The staff were awesome as well! Always offering a helping hand and making sure us students stayed as happy and healthy as possible. Best experience of my life honestly
It was such an amazing experience that I don’t think I will ever be able to articulate. I feel that I learned so much about law and justice but also myself. I was also able to make some of the best friendships in such a short amount of time.
FLI was truly an altering experience for me. It’s so hard to describe how amazing it was because truly, I don’t think words can describe it. The community I was surrounded by has got to be the most amazing people I’ve ever met, that I call them family. The Socratic discussions and ethics sessions I’ve gained so much on. What I appreciate the most was that there was always room for growth and improvement without judgement. FLI week was by far one of the best weeks of my life.
My experience at FLI was the best ever! I got to think and talk about hard things that allowed me to grow tremendously over the short time period. I’m happy about all of the connections I made and all of the things I learned through other people. There is no way to put into writing how much this camp and this group means to me.
FLI was absolutely the best week of my life. I don't think anyone could have accumulated a more inclusive, interesting, kind, thoughtful group of people. I spent every possible moment socializing, from 7:30 AM to 11 PM and even so I STILL felt like there was much more to do and talk about. I thought the structure of the days was exactly what I needed, and shout-out TAs! I find it so valuable to socialize with them in addition to my fellow campers. The energy at UNH last week was everything I hope for in life and I cannot wait for next year. Thank you so much everyone for making FLI 2024 happen!!!
I genuinely loved being at FLI. It changed me in ways I didn’t expect. I came into FLI just wanting to have a conversation that went beyond the usual small talk. I got so much more. The camp introduced me to all sorts of new ideas and people that helped me change for the better. The Socratic Society slogan “Late Night discussions in broad daylight” rang true in every interaction I had at UNH. Thanks for a great week!
I am still in shock, this camp was the BEST camp…I can’t believe that I made so many stronger relationships with kids my age, thank you so much for that wonderful experience!
It was a wonderful experience. Everything ran smoothly, the content was incredibly helpful and I learned so much, the selection of students and staff, the kindness and shared enthusiasm for learning was such a refreshing environment to be in. Wouldn’t have changed much at all, everything was just so well thought out and taught.
So amazing, genuinely life changing. Incredible staff, who truly cared about the campers and making sure they both learned and had a great time. Amazing community and so many opportunities to bond with one another and grow together. Also loved the ping pong.
Outstanding! [My child] was on cloud nine for the whole week. In his words "man, I don't want this to end. SHOUTOUT to FLI!" Once home he recounted a million things that light up a parent's heart, including: niceties and encouragement from the staff, inspirational discussions, thoughtful dialogue, appreciation for community, and a growing excitement for college life and the learning that happens there.
Amazing. She told me it was the best week of her life, best camp, and totally transformative.
[My child’s] experience was tremendous. "Best week of my life," she said. Observing the capstone event made clear that he group enjoyed each other and enjoyed challenging each other. Good, serious fun!
They raved about it for days (and continue to do so) and said it was the best experience of their lives. If a parent hears that, the program had to have been phenomenal. The friendships they made were meaningful and true. The last day was a great way to showcase for parents what the kids had been learning about and discussing all week and the camaraderie between students and TAs was evident. Important ideas woven throughout each "case" came through in these discussions and it was wonderful to see our kiddos shine as they made sense of these hard topics. The kids had a powerful experience of teamwork through intellectual exercises and the outcomes are priceless. Thank you for providing this opportunity for our children.
Amazing! My son has attended a lot of camps and he said this was his favorite. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect as he is a rising senior in high school and the friends he made and topics covered, along with being on the beautiful UNH campus made it a uniquely special experience. My husband and I are truly grateful.
[My child] can’t stop talking about what an amazing experience she had. The rich discussions, course presenters and friends she made were deeply impactful. She has said it was the highlight of her summer.
Excellent! I appreciated the clear directions, schedule, and suggestions for packing beforehand as well as the pictures and updates during. Then having the opportunity to see the students in action the final morning - that was priceless!
[Our child] was blown away by the opportunity to socialize and chat with professors. He felt heard and valued. Many of his fondest memories are of the conversations he had while there. And from what I can tell, the material was pitched at just the right level.
FLI was life changing for [our son] - an immersive experience that engaged and inspired all parts of him. When he got back, he had a kind of glow - the look every parent hopes their kid will eventually have. The one that says, "I have found my people, my place, my thing, my self." We were lucky he came home!
After UNH, [our child] went to a pre-college program at Brown University. He thought the UNH program exceeded the Brown program by far!
My favorite experience at FLI was the open debate and discussion of big problems. Being able to debate issues with people who had strongly differing philosophies opened and expanded my mind in a way that has never happened anywhere else. In particular, I enjoyed the organized debates where participants were separated into different sides.
Day 1
12:00-1:00 Check in. Everyone should be checked in, moved into their dorm room, and ready to discuss humanity’s future by 1:00.
1:00-1:15 Walk over to Hamilton Smith Hall
1:15-1:45 Welcome!
1:45-3:45 Opening “Debate”: Is humanity making progress? Or is that a myth? How do we measure progress: more people, longer lives, less suffering, more justice, or something else? What drives progress: reason, evolution, markets, god, or something else? Does a belief in progress commit us to viewing some cultures as more advanced than others? Can a civilization experience STEM progress but be in decline?
3:45-5:45 Guest Professor Chris Brooks: Leadership, Values, and Progress
6:00-7:00 Working Dinner on Leadership at Holloway Commons
7:15–8:00 TAs Share Rules and Expectations
8:00 Socratic Society Session: Utilitarianism, the Trolley Problem, and AI-Driving Cars
Game Night: Trial By Trolley
11:00 p.m. Lights Out (No Exceptions!)
Day 2
7:30-8:30 Breakfast at Holloway Commons
9:00-12:00 AI Calibers, Hopes, and Fears
12:00-2:00 Lunch at Holloway Commons/Pool/Rest
2:00-4:00 Ethics Bowl Rounds on AI
4:00-6:00 Reading/Free Time/Pool/Rest
4:00-5:00 Simulation Theory by Request (Optional)
5:00-6:00 Phil of Consciousness
6:00-7:00 Dinner at Holloway Commons
7:15-9:00 Socratic Society Session: AI and Consciousness
9:00 Watch and Discuss Yuval Harari on AI and The Future of Humanity
(Optional if your brain is overfull)
11:00 p.m. Lights Out (No Exceptions!)
Day 3
7:30-8:30 Breakfast at Holloway Commons
9:00-12:00 Capitalism and Technology
Case Studies on Weapons Development
12:00-2:00 Lunch at Holloway Commons/Pool/Rest
2:00-4:00 Ethics Bowl Rounds on Capitalism and Technology
4:00-6:00 Reading/Free Time/Pool/Rest
6:00-7:00 Dinner at Holloway Commons
7:15-8:30 Socratic Society Session: Ask Me Anything with Climate Scientist Stefan Sobolowski (NORCE, Norway)
8:30-9:45 Part I: What is College Like and How Can you Excel? Q&A with Nick,
Stefan, and Professor Mana Kia (Columbia University)
11:00 p.m. Lights Out (No Exceptions!)
Day 4
7:30-8:30 Breakfast at Holloway Commons
9:00-11:30 State Governance of Technology
Case Studies on Biotechnology
12:00-2:00 Lunch at Holloway Commons/Pool/Rest
2:00-4:00 Ethics Bowl Rounds on State Governance of Technology
4:00-6:00 Reading/Free Time/Pool/Rest
6:00-7:00 Dinner at Holloway Commons
7:15-8:00 TA Jesus La Paz’s McNair research on AI and Inequality
8:00-9:30 Movie Night and Discussion: Nosedive
9:30 TBD
11:00 p.m. Lights Out (No Exceptions!)
Day 5
7:30-8:30 Breakfast at Holloway Commons
9:00-12:00 Big Data and Social Media
12:00-12:45 Quick Lunch at Holloway Commons
1:00-5:30 Trip to UNH’s Mendum’s Pond: swimming, boating, chilling…
6:00-7:00 Dinner at Holloway Commons
7:15 Socratic Society Session: The Attention Economy and the Commercialization of Mindfulness
9:00 Part II: What is College Like and How Can you Excel?
Real Talk with TAs
11:00 p.m. Lights Out (No Exceptions!)
Day 6
7:30-8:30 Breakfast at Holloway Commons
9:00-12:00 NASA 2025, Space Colonization, and Alien Contact
12:00-2:00 Lunch at Holloway Commons/Pool/Rest
2:00-4:00 Ethics Bowl Rounds on Space and Alien Contact
4:00-6:00 Reading/Free Time/Pool/Rest
6:00-8:00 Dinner Groups in Durham with TAs and Faculty
(Tideline, Hop and Grind, Thai Smile…)
8:00-9:30 Team Prep for Saturday Cases
Game Night: Cosmic Encounter and Other Games
11:00 p.m. Lights Out (No Exceptions!)
Day 7
7:30-8:30 Breakfast at Holloway Commons
9:00-12:00 Concluding Ethics Bowl Tournament—Parents Welcome!
12:00-1:00 Catered Lunch in Hamilton Smith Hall
1:30 Checked out of Dorms—see you next year!
