UNH Summer Camp in Philosophy, Politics, Ethics, and Global Justice
Summer 2025 Dates
Sunday, July 27th to Sunday, August 3rd
2025 Theme: law and justice
Founded in 2014, The Future Leaders Institute (FLI) 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 2025 is Law and Justice. We will discuss debates related to whether humanity is progressing toward justice, the objectives of punishment, remorseful vs. remorseless offenders, liberty vs. equality in law, immigration policy, freedom of speech, race and class in criminal justice, white collar crime, and the role of artificial intelligence in surveillance and crime control. Daily sessions will include debates and original Ethics Bowl case studies, as well as evening discussions, films, and games related to daily themes. See “2024 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 will be FREE for all accepted participants. Accepted participants will submit a $200 deposit to hold their spot, and this will be returned at the completion of the camp.
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.
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 April 1. 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.
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 is the most significant injustice occurring to humanity in your lifetime and explain why you believe this is so unjust. We already know how ChatGPT answers, so respond with your own thoughts so we learn what and how you think! (Limit: 1300 characters, ~200words)
2025 Future Leaders Institute Application
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.
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!
