Students actively participate in lectures from distinguished presenters, hands on learning activities, and complete cooperative group projects to increase their knowledge and experience in leadership, American history, and the free enterprise system. The total curriculum is divided fifty percent leadership education, thirty percent American heritage education, and twenty percent free enterprise system education.

The top three selected students at the San Diego YLC has the opportunity to compete in this national scholarship and essay. They are judged against the top students from Youth Leadership Conferences and Youth Leadership Seminars across the nation. Awards are given to the top three essays and range from $1000 to $4000.
The following San Diego YLC Students have received a Phoenician Awards:
Kenneth Hackworth, 2014 Winner
Paris Nguyen, 2016 Winner
Logan Wade Wilson, 2019 Winner
Adrian So, 2025 First Runner Up