14 Camps for High School Students in New York City (NYC)
Camps can be a smart way to explore an interest in high school without committing to a long, intensive pre-college program. Camps are usually shorter and more focused, so they let you build practical skills in a specific area while still giving you meaningful exposure to how the field is studied and applied in real academic, creative, or professional settings. Depending on the camp, you may work on projects involving coding, building a robot, writing a screenplay, solving advanced math problems, or producing a short film. Many of these experiences also introduce you to instructors, mentors, and like-minded peers, helping you build your network early.
Why should you attend a camp in New York City?
New York City offers high schoolers a variety of learning experiences thanks to its concentration of creative organizations, universities, and research centers, which provide year-round opportunities. In the city, you may find yourself designing a prototype in an engineering lab, training a basic machine learning model, drafting a screenplay, or solving advanced math problems alongside peers who share similar interests. These camps focus heavily on doing rather than observing, so most sessions are built around project work, with iteration, feedback, and revision guided by critique. NYC-based camps can work well for students already in the area who want access to strong programs without relocating, but many are also great for those willing to travel for a more concentrated academic and creative environment.
We have shortlisted 14 camps for high school students in New York City to help you get started.
If you’re looking for programs in New York City, check out our blog here.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the programhere.
Eligibility: High school students;AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previousAI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose theAI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is theAI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projectshere and read about a student’s experience in the programhere.
2. Manhattan University’s Summer Engineering Awareness Program
Location: Manhattan University, Bronx, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; selection based on math and science skills and interest in engineering
Dates: 10-day program: July 6 – 17 | 6-day program option 1: June 25–July 1; 6-day program option 2: July 20–27
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; the program is geared toward minority and female students in the NYC metro area.
The Summer Engineering Awareness Program is a free 10-day (or 6-day) camp at Manhattan University designed to introduce high school students to engineering, math, and science careers. Each day, you will get hands-on experience in chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering through lab experiments covering topics like robotics, AI, green buildings, and computer-aided design. You will hear from guest speakers and participate in a field trip to a structural design company. Additionally, you will learn about scholarships, financial aid, and college admissions during the program.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as data science, psychology, physics, economics, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
4. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s DNA Learning Center NYC Summer Science Camps
Location: DNA Learning Center (DNALC), Brooklyn/NYC, NY
Cost: $600 or 700/week for most camps; no fee for STARS camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – September 4 (one-week sessions within the window) | STARS: August 10 – 21
Application deadline: April 10 (STARS only); rolling enrollment for all other campsEligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12; some advanced camps require prior completion of DNA Science camp or AP Biology.
DNALC, part of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, offers a series of one-week science camps at its Brooklyn location for high school students interested in biology, genetics, and biotechnology. Depending on your experience level, you can choose from camps like DNA Science, DNA Barcoding, Synthetic Biology, and Genome Science, each focused on a different area of molecular biology with hands-on lab work at the center of every program. You will use real scientific tools and techniques, such as PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA sequencing, and bioinformatics software, that go well beyond what's typically taught in a high school classroom. One option is STARS, a free two-week program for students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM that covers molecular biology, Python coding, and science career skills. STARS also includes university field trips and mentorship connections.
5. NYU’s Machine Learning Program
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York, NY
Cost: $3,180 + optional housing and meal costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 27 | Session 2: July 6 – 17 | Session 3: July 20 – 31 + one-day online orientation scheduled before each session begins
Application Deadline: Session 1: April 17 | Session 2 and 3: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12 who are 15 years old or above; open to U.S. and international students
This two-week NYU program gives you a comprehensive introduction to the mathematical and computational ideas behind machine learning. You will engage with topics such as regression, neural networks, model testing, and evaluation to build an understanding of how algorithms learn from data. Lessons will be paired with programming-based assignments so you can apply theory to concrete problems. The coursework also highlights the role of machine learning in areas such as image recognition, transportation systems, and healthcare technologies.
6. Vogue Winter Break
Location: Vogue College of Fashion, New York, NY
Cost: $3,945 (residential) | $3,100 (day/commuter); flexible payment plans and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: January 4 – 9
Application deadline: TBA for next cycle
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 12 and graduating seniors, ages 15 and up
Vogue Winter Break is a one-week fashion business intensive in New York City for high school students interested in exploring the fashion industry. During the program, you will learn about key topics such as marketing, branding, product development, sustainability, and retail from Vogue staff, industry experts, and guest speakers, including fashion designers, journalists, and museum curators. You will work in small teams to develop and pitch a fashion brand concept, gaining hands-on experience with the business side of fashion. Site visits are a core part of the program; you may visit Vogue HQ, The Costume Institute at the Met, flagship stores along Fifth Avenue, and designer studios and ateliers around the city. You can choose between a residential option, where you live in dorm-style housing, or a day/commuter option, based on your preferences.
7. NYU’s Design, Invent & Innovate (DII)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,230 tuition + additional housing and dining costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 27
Application deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 who have completed Algebra 2 (or its equivalent), have some experience in programming (in any language), and preferably hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher
DII is a two-week program that focuses on practical engineering skills and the process of building solutions to real-world problems. You will gain exposure to CAD modeling, prototyping, and fabrication at NYU Tandon's Makerspace, while learning how design ideas move from concept to execution. You will also study examples of successful innovation across fields such as medicine, transportation, and electronics. The camp emphasizes observation and fieldwork in identifying meaningful problems to solve. As the session progresses, you will use what you learn to build a prototype of your own.
8. School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA) Summer Film Camps: Core Filmmaking
Location: SOCAPA Arts, New York, NY
Cost: Varies; typically $2,995 – $4,495 camp fee + additional accommodation fees (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with limited spots per location
Dates: Multiple two- and three-week sessions between June and August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18
SOCAPA’s Core Filmmaking camp is structured like an introductory college course, offering you practical exposure to major stages of film production. You will engage in writing, directing, cinematography, sound, and editing while creating multiple projects over the course of a two- or three-week session. Early exercises will build technical fluency, and later assignments will ask you to apply those tools in more developed narrative work. A major portion of the learning comes from rotating through production roles on classmates’ films, which can give you a wider view of how film crews operate. Class critiques and screenings will push you to evaluate both craft and storytelling choices with more precision. By the end, you will have an understanding of the filmmaking process with several finished pieces demonstrating your progress.
9. SOCAPA: Summer Screenwriting Camps
Location: SOCAPA Arts, New York, NY
Cost: Varies; typically $2,195 – $3,095 camp fee + additional accommodation fees (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment with limited spots per location
Dates: Multiple two- and three-week sessions between June and August
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 18
This screenwriting camp is designed for students who want to focus on story development for film and television in a workshop-based environment. You will spend time studying structure, character, visual storytelling, and screenplay form as you develop your own original material. Morning sessions will usually emphasize theory and analysis, while later writing labs will give you space to draft, revise, and troubleshoot narrative problems. Peer feedback plays a central role in helping you learn how to present ideas clearly and respond to critique productively. Depending on the session, you may complete several short scripts or develop part of a longer screenplay.
10. Art Studio NY Camps: Summer Art Safari
Location: Sites in Upper East Side/Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cost: $449 (3 days) | $499 (4 days) | $549 (5 days)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots per session
Dates: July 20 – 24; other weekly sessions also available
Application deadline: Open enrollment while spots remain
Eligibility: Students, ages 12 – 18
Summer Art Safari is a week-long afternoon art camp run by The Art Studio NY that uses New York City's museums and parks as its classroom. Each day of the week has its own theme and location; you might spend time sketching in the Asian Art Galleries at the Met, painting outdoors in Central Park, or creating mixed-media portraits at the Museum of the City of New York. You will explore and work within a range of styles, including impressionism, manga, portraiture, and landscape art, using materials like watercolors, pastels, colored pencils, and collage. Instruction is provided by professional NYC artists and art educators in a small group as well as one-on-one format. You will need to bring your own art supplies each day based on a list provided upon registration.
11. Manhattan University’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Summer Program
Location: Manhattan University, Bronx, NY
Cost: $400 (if registering before May 1) | $500 (if registering by July 1)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; enrollment is limited
Dates: July 27 – 30
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders (current sophomores and juniors)
The Electrical and Computer Engineering Summer Program is a four-day, full-day, on-campus program at Manhattan University designed for high school students interested in how technology and engineering shape the modern world. You will participate in workshops and labs covering areas like power and renewable energy, artificial intelligence, robotics, electronic design, cybersecurity, and bioengineering. The program also includes professional trips to technology companies, innovation labs, or engineering research centers. Throughout the program, you will have the chance to connect with ECE faculty, alumni, and industry professionals to learn about engineering careers and academic pathways.
12. Manhattan University’s Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
Location: Manhattan University, Bronx, NY
Cost: $1,400 tuition + $50 non-refundable registration fee; payment plans and early bird discounts available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 23
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students, ages 15 – 17
Youth Entrepreneurship Camp, a three-week in-person program offered by Manhattan University, is designed to help you build a real business from start to finish. In the first week, you will work with a group to develop your business idea, create a logo and brand, define your target audience, and outline a marketing strategy. Week two focuses on finding suppliers, pricing your product, developing a minimum viable product (MVP), and drafting your pitch. By the third week, you will finalize your product or service and present it to a live in-person and online audience invited to invest in your venture. You will meet with your instructor twice daily and spend the rest of the time working with your group. You will also hear from guest speakers, including entrepreneurs and representatives from sponsor companies throughout the program.
13. New York Film Academy ’s 1-Week Filmmaking Camp for Teens
Location: New York Film Academy, New York, NY
Cost: $1,725
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple sessions between July and August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students, ages 14 – 17
This filmmaking camp for high school students in New York City covers the fundamentals of visual storytelling through a fast-paced curriculum packed with exercises in writing, directing, shooting, and editing. Over the course of the week, you will learn how filmmakers use framing, pacing, lighting, and sound to build meaning on screen. The instruction covers the essentials of story structure as well as the technical basics of camera operation and post-production. Rather than focusing on just theory, the camp moves quickly into production so you can apply each concept in your own short film. You will also take on crew responsibilities on classmates’ projects, which will help you understand how collaborative film sets function. The final output will be your own completed non-dialogue film that uses image, music, and sound for storytelling.
14. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and in-person camps, including in NYC
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions between June and August
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens between the ages of 13 and 18
Kode With Klossy introduces you to coding through focused tracks that connect technical learning with real-world problem solving. Depending on your selected pathway, you might build websites, work with datasets, or explore the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The curriculum is designed around hands-on application, so each topic leads into an actual project rather than remaining abstract. You will also engage with broader questions around technology, including accessibility, representation, and bias in digital systems. Industry speakers and mentors add context by showing how these skills translate beyond the classroom. At the end of camp, you will walk away with a completed project.