LEADERSHIP & INNOVATION ACADEMY

Four young girls standing in a classroom, with one holding a poster about bananas, and another holding a yellow object, possibly a banana-shaped plush. They are positioned in front of a large white screen with a small black projector mounted above.
A classroom with students sitting at tables, some raising hands, others listening, with a skeleton model on the left and name tags on the tables.

Summer Camp Registration

June 16 - 20, 2025 (in the city): NOW CLOSED

August 11 - 15, 2025 (in the suburbs): NOW CLOSED

Check back again next year!!

“I enjoyed all the hands-on activities. The camp has helped me believe in myself and my ideas!”
— Lauren, 13
A group of young girls and a woman listen to a speaker in a classroom or museum setting. There is a skeleton model and a glass display behind them, with pink and yellow walls and modern lighting.
Two young girls sitting at a table, working on a project related to Minions, with papers, markers, and notebooks scattered on the table, in a room with a glass door and a large printer or copier in the background.
Group of girls sitting around a white table in a classroom, engaging in a discussion or activity. Some are writing, several have notebooks or papers, and a banana is on the table. The background shows storage shelves, equipment, and a door leading to another room.
“I most enjoyed making new friends and getting to be creative.”
— Destiny, 13
“I learned so much. I most enjoyed learning about the mindsets and the design thinking process”
— Vivian, 12
Group of seven smiling girls standing and sitting in front of a wall with colorful posters and drawings related to a project called Lakefront Looks.
“I loved doing all the activities and crafts.”
— Emma, 10
Smiling girl in a blue hoodie holding a craft project with three pom-poms and a felt grass scene, sitting at a table with craft supplies.
Young girl holding a collage project in front of a whiteboard with notes about problem-solving and mobilizing resources.
“I liked making my very first pitch!”
— Tess, 14
A young girl stands in front of a display board with colorful posters and drawings about a community project, including text about Lake Forest middle schoolers needing entertainment options, a story about a character named Poppy, and plans for creating new fun activities.
“I enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends!”
— Raleigh, 12
Two girls standing in front of a whiteboard, with one holding up a colorful sign that says, "A Banana a Day Keeps the Cramps Away!". The whiteboard has red and blue writing, including a goal to get paid and buy a banana.
Girl standing in front of whiteboard holding printed page, whiteboard has text about finding problems, solving, mobilizing resources, and mindsets. Girl wears gray sweatshirt and jeans.
“I liked learning how to start a business and about the design process”
— Avery, 13
A girl wearing a black t-shirt with pink floral design and pink shorts giving a presentation in front of posters on a wall, which include drawings, text, and descriptions about a project called 'LAKEFRONT LOOKS'.
Eight young girls sitting in a circle on the floor having a discussion in a room, with notebooks, pens, and game boxes nearby.

We also have 1 DAY workshops…

Children engaged in arts and crafts activities at a table, with colorful paper, scissors, and craft supplies.

FUTURE LEADERS LAB:

INNOVATION & DESIGN WORKSHOP

In this one-day workshop, students begin to learn how to think like innovators, changemakers, and entrepreneurs. They will engage in innovation activities and start to learn the design-thinking methodology created by Steve Jobs and currently taught at Stanford’s design school. Design thinking is a way to solve complex, messy problems creatively.

Four diverse girls sitting on a sofa with their hands stacked together, smiling happily.

Resilience Rising Workshop

Have you ever wondered…How entrepreneurs thrive through failure and rejection? How they recognize opportunities & take initiative? How they innovate in the face of challenges? Or how they stay optimistic when the outcome is fuzzy & uncertain?

With an entrepreneur’s mindset.

Join us for a one-day workshop to learn how to build this mindset, reframe failure into strength, and fearlessly put your ideas out into the world!

Plus, workshops on building strengths, confidence, financial literacy and positive social media use for girls

Yellow background with purple and black text about a women's financial workshop. A blue mini bucket with a illustrated money tree drawing and a pink watering can pouring onto it, set on green grass.

Money matters—at every age! That’s why we’ve designed this engaging, interactive, and empowering financial literacy workshop exclusively for teens. We believe it’s never too early to start building a strong financial foundation, and this workshop will equip girls with the knowledge and confidence to make smart money choices now and in the future.

This workshop is about empowerment, confidence, and taking control of your financial future. Whether you’re saving for a big goal, thinking about investing, or just want to be smarter with money, this workshop will give you the tools to succeed.

Because the earlier you start, the brighter your financial future will be!

A young woman with pink braided hair taking a selfie in front of a colorful mural. She is wearing a light blue hoodie and has pink braid extensions. She is making a puckered lips expression while holding her phone and tugging her braid.

Social media is powerful—but are you using it with purpose, confidence, and control?

This interactive workshop is designed exclusively for teen girls who want to take charge of their digital presence, media consumption, and online influence. We go beyond just scrolling and posting—we empower you to understand, assess, and harness social media in ways that align with your values, goals, and personal brand.

Take charge of your social media, amplify your voice, and use digital spaces in ways that uplift you and the world around you!

Silhouette of a girl jumping in a field at sunset, with clouds in the sky and text reading 'Girl Gonna Launch Workshop' in the top left corner and 'Strengths-first workshop' in a box at the bottom left.

Middle school marks a pivotal period; a period in which girls undergo significant cognitive, emotional, and social development. This makes it the ideal time to focus on excavating and building on her strengths. This workshop is designed to help girls ages 11 - 14 identify and leverage their strengths. This workshop is essential because knowing your strengths improves self esteem, motivation, and agency as well as increases academic achievement, personal happiness, and future success.

A smiling young woman with curly red hair and glasses holding books and a backpack stands against a purple background. Text on the image reads, 'An Introvert's Guide to Being Fearless' and 'A Girl Gonna Launch Workshop.'

Join us for an engaging, interactive, and empowering workshop designed just for middle school girls. Whether you want to feel more confident speaking in class, expressing your ideas, standing up for yourself, or embracing your unique strengths, this workshop will give you the tools to communicate with clarity, self-assurance, and authenticity.

Learn how to express yourself clearly and persuasively, whether you're presenting an idea, sharing your thoughts, or speaking in front of a group.

Develop the courage to ask for what you need, set boundaries, and speak up—all with confidence and self-compassion.

Tackle nerves, self-doubt, and the "what-if" worries that hold you back so you can step into every situation with courage and conviction.

Leave feeling inspired, motivated, and ready to take on any challenge—because your voice is your power!

Our workshops are specifically designed to help girls develop essential skills, including creative problem solving, critical thinking, informed decision making, perspective taking, teamwork, and communication. As well as helping them get comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity. By participating in our workshops, girls gain a fresh outlook on themselves and the world, developing effective strategies for tackling complex challenges.

We encourage the natural creative ability of our students and allow it to emerge, teaching girls how to stop self-censoring their most interesting ideas and to color outside the lines!

Workshops are all live, in person, and instructor led. No apps or virtual instruction! Just real, one-on-one education that is interactive, classroom tested, and practical. 

Do participants need to be female? No, Girl Gonna Launch welcomes all individuals passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation. Our programs are open to everyone, and we encourage all participation. As part of our mission to empower girls and help them see themselves as entrepreneurs, we aim to maintain a majority of female participants.

Invest in your child’s future today!

Wanna know where we’re headed next?

Stay in the know! Fill out some info and be the first to hear about new courses, locations, programs

Right now, we’re making magic happen right here in Chicago—but oh, just you wait! We’re dreaming BIG, and expansion is on the horizon. Stay tuned, because we’re just getting started!

Contact us if you want to bring Girl Gonna Launch to your community….