10 Best Coding Camps for High School Students
If you are a high school student looking for a way to learn something new during your summer break, a coding camp might be worth considering!
Whether you are just getting started with programming languages or already experimenting with AI, coding camps can help you sharpen your skills, build something real, and connect with like-minded peers. Camps are also great opportunities to ease into the world of coding. Compared to structured programs, camps can be more interactive, accessible, and fun. They are also typically more affordable than regular programs.
At a coding camp, you will also get to explore machine learning, computer science, and programming through collaborative, hands-on experiences, often focused on solving real-world problems. From virtual AI-based experiences to in-person summer coding bootcamps, there’s a camp you can find that aligns with your interests and skill level.
To help you get started, in this blog, we have rounded up the 10 best coding camps for high school students.
1. Arizona State University's SUCCESS Camp
Location: Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 27 – 30
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
Cost: $300 | Partial and full scholarships available
ASU’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence offers multiple camps to middle and high school students. Its SUCCESS (A Survey of Computing, Coding, and Engineering Software Systems) camp is a four-day summer camp for students interested in learning about computing. At camp, you will explore different computing fields, including mobile/web development, cybersecurity, AI, augmented/virtual reality, game development, and embedded systems. The beginner-friendly program also offers various hands-on activities to help you become familiar with coding and programming. For instance, you will get to build a game, use a virtual reality headset, develop an AI-based app, and even build an LED message wall at camp!
2. Veritas AI: AI Scholars
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary depending on the program and format you choose. Most programs are conducted over 10 weeks.
Application deadline: Multiple application windows throughout the year; the upcoming summer cohort’s deadline is May 25
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $2,290 | Financial aid is available
Veritas AI offers multiple programs for high school students interested in exploring the field of AI. Its AI Scholars program is a 10-week boot camp offering you a beginner-friendly introduction to AI, machine learning, and data science. Created by Harvard graduate students, this boot camp also covers the real-world applications of AI and Python as well as coding basics. You will also explore concepts like computer vision, natural language processing, and ethical issues in AI. You will work closely with mentors from top universities, develop a capstone project in small groups, and present your work to a live audience.
3. University of the Pacific’s Coding Camp
Location: University of the Pacific's Stockton Campus, Stockton, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – 12 | Session 2: June 17 – 27
Application deadline: Session 1: May 11 | Session 2: May 25
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $3,650 | A discount of $500 is offered to eligible applicants. Check details here.
The two-week in-person Coding Camp is part of the University of the Pacific’s High School Summer Institute—a residential pre-college experience. Here, you will first get an introduction to coding and Python and explore concepts like algorithmic and computational thinking, flow control structures, variables, functions and parameter passing, and arrays. Then you will use what you have learned to code a solution to a given problem. You will also engage in coding competitions at camp. As the program is structured like a summer camp, social activities like karaoke, movie nights, and sports are also part of the experience.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Start and end dates vary based on the program format and cohort. The Summer cohort, which runs from June to August
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Summer cohort’s applications are typically due in May.
Eligibility: High school students with a strong academic background | An unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4 is preferable
Cost: $2,990 | Need-based financial aid is available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective program designed for high school students who want to conduct their own research. Here, you can choose from multiple subject areas, including coding, programming, and AI, and work on a research topic in the field of choice. During the program, you will get to work with a writing coach and engage in 1-on-1 discussions with a Ph.D mentor, who will help you complete the research project. At the end of the program, you will have a college-level research paper! You can find out more about the research program formats and structure on the application form here.
5. Purdue University Northwest’s Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Summer Camp
Location: Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond Campus, Hammond, IN
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $130
The Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Summer Camp is a week-long opportunity to explore the real-world applications of AI/ML tech. At camp, you will engage in Python-based exercises to understand how AI functions. You will also explore topics like ML project workflow, neural networks, ML performance metrics, linear regression, K-means, and more. Through this experience, you will develop a clearer understanding of how AI/ML is used to solve real-world problems in engineering, trading, and even e-commerce. The program can also help you get insights into the future of AI.
6. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual and in-person camps in various U.S. cities
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; ~20 students per camp
Dates: June 2 – 13 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – August 1 | August 4 – 15
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens who are 13 to 18 years old
Cost: Free
Kode With Klossy is a nonprofit that offers various programs to help high school students build coding skills. The Kode With Klossy Summer Camp is a free, two-week program that offers insights into coding and hands-on coding experiences. You will learn how to code through one of the four broad curricular paths—web development, data science, machine learning, or mobile app. If you are assigned the web development curriculum, you will learn about and work with JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. If you work with the mobile app curriculum, you will learn how to code in Swift—Apple’s programming language—using the SwiftUI framework and create an iOS mobile app.
7. University of Minnesota’s Summer Computing Academy
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Two-week camp: June 9 – 20; One-week camp: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
Cost: Two-week camp: $125; One-week camp: $75 | Scholarships available upon request
The Summer Computing Academy is a residential camp for students interested in learning how to code using Python. It offers two camp lengths—a one-week format for beginners and a two-week session for those familiar with coding. At the camp, you will attend lectures on the basics of Python and programming and get to practice coding in a computer lab. Career planning activities are also part of the program. You will also work on projects like developing small robots, creating apps, and processing images. At the end of the session, you will present your projects.
8. TechGirls Exchange Program
Location: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, and Washington, D.C.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 10 – August 3
Application deadline: December 6
Eligibility: Girls from selected countries who are 15–17 years old with leadership potential and tech interest
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and travel)
The TechGirls Exchange Program is a summer experience for high schoolers who want to build coding and leadership skills. The program brings together high school girls from the U.S. and around the world for four weeks of technology and cultural exchange experiences. Here, you will attend classes at Virginia Tech, engage in workshops in HTML, Python, and Java, build leadership skills, and visit tech companies and innovation hubs, all while connecting with students from different countries. Hosted in collaboration with Virginia Tech, this coding camp blends tech education with international collaboration.
9. AI Bootcamp by Mark Cuban Foundation
Location: Multiple locations in the U.S.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: November 1, 8, and 15
Application deadline: September 30
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–12); underrepresented or underserved communities prioritized
Cost: Free
The AI Bootcamp offered by the Mark Cuban Foundation is a free 20-hour introduction to artificial intelligence. Here, you will explore topics like ethics in AI, computer vision, and real-world applications of AI while working in a small team on case studies. You will also work on a capstone project during the program using AI and coding. You will also get insights into how AI plays a role in different industries like sports, healthcare, and entertainment. The program also offers career-related insights.
10. Google’s Code Next Program
Location: Virtual or in-person at Code Next Labs in Oakland, CA; Chelsea, NY; Detroit, MI; 4) Inglewood, CA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: October in the current year – June next year
Application deadline: June 30
Eligibility: High school students who live close to the program sites
Cost: Free
Google’s Code Next is a free program that can help you build real coding skills while connecting with professional developers who work at Google. At this camp-like program, you will work on projects involving game design, designing and programming robots, or building a 3D printed chess set. You will also get access to Google mentors and industry experts to explore career paths in tech. The program also covers key tech concepts like game design, coding, AI/machine learning, and working with hardware. The program will also help you become familiar with tools like virtual and augmented reality.
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