14 Camps for Middle School Students in New York State
If you are a middle school student looking to explore your interests in a focused and practical way, camps can be an effective starting point. Camps are typically shorter and more concentrated than other pre-college options, allowing you to spend several days or weeks immersed in a specific subject without a long-term commitment. Depending on the camp, you might conduct laboratory experiments, design fashion pieces, build sustainability projects, participate in debate simulations, or develop an independent research project under the guidance of a PhD scholar.
Why should you attend a camp in New York State?
New York State offers access to universities, research institutions, cultural centers, and specialized organizations that host camps designed specifically for middle school students. These camps give you the chance to explore subjects such as STEM, the arts, leadership, and design through structured activities and guided instruction. Whether you are a local or out-of-state student, these camps provide a strong environment to explore your interests in a focused setting.
We’ve carefully researched and curated a list of 14 camps for middle school students in New York State to help you get started.
If you’re looking for programs in New York State, check out our blog here.
1. The City College of New York (CCNY)’s Science Explorers Mini-Camp
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: November 10, 17, 24, and December 1
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
The CCNY Science Explorers Mini-Camp is a four-session, after-school STEM program for middle school students in grades 6–8, hosted at CCNY’s STEM Institute in partnership with the CCNY Graduate Science Education Program. Throughout the camp, you will participate in hands-on science activities and small-group challenges led by graduate students who are preparing to become science teachers. You will invent, build, and test ideas through projects designed to strengthen problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills. The sessions focus on connecting science and technology concepts to everyday life, helping you see how STEM ideas apply beyond the classroom. You will also have the opportunity to share your findings and solutions with peers and mentors, reinforcing what you’ve learned through active discussions and collaboration.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and developing a machine-learning algorithm to generate a custom list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
3. National Grid Young Innovators Engineering Camp
Location: University at Buffalo (North Campus), Getzville, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 20 students
Program dates: August 3 – 7
Application deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Western New York students entering grades 6–7
The National Grid Young Innovators Engineering Camp is a free, five-day summer camp for Western New York students entering grades 6–7, focusing on engineering, creativity, and critical thinking. During the camp, you will work alongside university students and staff to explore how engineering connects to everyday life through hands-on activities and collaborative challenges. You will develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills while using creativity to better understand basic science concepts. The camp emphasizes teamwork in small-group settings, with enrollment capped at 20 students, creating space for active participation and mentorship. The program is fully funded by National Grid, and transportation is available for City of Buffalo residents, making it accessible to local middle school students. Acceptance does not depend on prior academic achievement, but rather on your interest and enthusiasm for STEM fields.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program offers middle school students a structured introduction to independent research through 1-on-1 mentorship. You’ll start by exploring four subject areas within your chosen track, building foundational knowledge before selecting one topic for deeper study. With the help of a mentor affiliated with institutions such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, or Yale, you’ll decide on a focused research question and develop a research plan. The program emphasizes analytical thinking, academic writing, and project design, with regular feedback to guide your progress. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a research project that demonstrates your understanding of the topic and your academic interests.
5. National Grid Sustainability Camp
Location: University at Buffalo (North Campus), Getzville, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students
Program dates: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8 and 9
The National Grid Sustainability Camp at the University at Buffalo offers a five-day STEM-focused learning experience for students entering 8th and 9th grade. You’ll participate in hands-on laboratory activities and team challenges centered on topics such as energy systems, ecology, product lifecycles, and carbon footprints. The camp combines structured lessons with field experiences, including guided outdoor tours of UB’s North Campus to explore sites like the UB Solar Strand and surrounding natural areas. You’ll learn how to calculate and reduce your own carbon footprint while considering the broader social, economic, and environmental impacts of sustainability. The camp is offered free of charge and open to students regardless of academic achievement or prior knowledge.
6. Cornell Cooperative Extension – Summer Camp at the Farm
Location: Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, Yaphank, NY
Cost: $385/week + optional $175/week for Before and After Care | Leader-In-Training Camps cost $770/two-week session | $210/week for Farm Animal Care 101 and Survival Skills camp | Discounts and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: One-week sessions throughout July and August
Application deadline: Rolling; applications open on January 26
Eligibility: Open to middle school students
The Summer Camp at the Farm, offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension, introduces middle school students to agriculture, animal science, and environmental skills on a 150-year-old working farm. If you’re entering grades 5–6, you can participate in hands-on farm activities such as animal care, environmental activities, gardening, and science-based projects that explore how food is grown and how farms operate. Students entering grades 7–9 can join the LIT program, where they take part in daily camp activities while developing leadership, mentoring, and teamwork skills through structured reflection and guidance from camp staff. Specialty options like Farm Animal Care 101 and Survival Skills allow you to focus on technical areas, including livestock handling, feeding and grooming animals, shelter building, and outdoor safety practices.
7. Octavia Project Summer Camp
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: 4 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Early deadline: April 15 | Rolling deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Young women and trans, nonbinary, and/or gender non-conforming youth entering grades 6–8 | Must be from Brooklyn or be able to travel to Brooklyn daily
The Octavia Project Summer Camp is a free, four-week program in Brooklyn for students entering grades 6–8 who identify as young women, trans, nonbinary, or gender non-conforming. During the camp, you will participate in daily workshops that integrate science, technology, art, and writing to create multimedia projects, including stories, comics, games, or digital work. You will build STEM and creative expression skills while developing a portfolio of projects completed throughout the camp. The camp also includes field trips around NYC that connect art and STEM learning to real-world spaces and institutions. Throughout the four weeks, you will collaborate with peers and connect with professionals from fields such as art, technology, science, and writing. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks are provided, and the camp is free for participants.
8. Kopernik Observatory & Science Center Summer STEM Exploration camps
Location: Kopernik Observatory & Science Center, Vestal, NY
Cost: Exact amount not specified; additional fee for early drop off and pick up, in addition to a materials fee for some camps, might apply
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited number of spots per camp
Program dates: Varies by camp
Application deadline: Rolling until spots fill up
Eligibility: Open to middle school students (check individual camp descriptions for camp-specific prerequisites)
Summer STEM Exploration camps at the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center are weeklong programs designed for students entering grades 2–12 who want to explore science and technology through structured, hands-on learning. The curriculum varies by session and may include astrobiology, virtual reality, computer-aided design using Onshape, and geology, with an emphasis on applying STEM concepts through guided projects. In technology-focused camps, you’ll build 3D models or design immersive VR environments, while science-based sessions involve laboratory analysis, microscope investigations, and field exploration. The small-group workshops will allow you to experiment with professional tools, including VR headsets, 3D printing, and polarizing microscopes, while working collaboratively with peers. Camps run Monday through Friday during the summer and combine indoor lab work with outdoor exploration on the observatory grounds.
9. Camp Invention Leaders-in-Training (LIT)
Location: Several Camp Invention locations across the country, including New York State
Cost: Starts at $185
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort of LITs per camp
Program dates: Program dates and hours vary by location
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–9
The LIT program at Camp Invention offers middle school students a structured introduction to leadership within a STEM camp setting. You’ll mentor a small group of younger students as they work on hands-on projects, such as building DIY rockets, while supporting instructors during daily activities. Alongside your mentoring responsibilities, you’ll participate in a separate curriculum focused on professional communication, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. The program also introduces you to the organizational side of running an innovation lab, including supply logistics and group motivation techniques. By combining leadership responsibilities with continuous engagement in STEM projects, the LIT program provides an opportunity to build practical skills while earning volunteer experience.
10. Bronx Zoo Junior Scientist Summer Camp
Location: Bronx Zoo, Bronx, NY
Cost: $775 non-member and $700 for members
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: Multiple sessions throughout July and August (exact dates vary by camp and session)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–8
The Junior Scientist Summer Camp at the Bronx Zoo, organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society, is a weeklong program that introduces middle school students to wildlife science and conservation. During the camp, you will explore the zoo’s 265-acre campus through guided exhibit visits, animal encounters, and themed activities focused on biodiversity and climate challenges. You will participate in hands-on investigations, puzzles, and field-style challenges that highlight how animals survive and how scientists work to protect them. In camps such as Wild Survivors and Safari Scientists, you will learn about species’ habitats and threats while gaining practical experience using basic scientific tools and observation techniques. The camp emphasizes inquiry-based learning, encouraging you to think critically about conservation and global ecosystems.
11. Stony Brook University’s Middle School Math Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students
Program dates: July 20 – 23
Application deadline: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6 and 7
Stony Brook University’s Middle School Math Program is a four-day summer program for students entering 6th or 7th grade. You will participate in hands-on math activities designed to strengthen foundational skills while building confidence through active problem-solving. The curriculum includes Introduction to Algebra, Fun with Geometry, Fluency and Operations with Rational Numbers, Real World Statistics, and an Introduction to Probability, with an emphasis on applying concepts to real-world problems. Throughout the program, you will be expected to engage actively, work through challenging problems, and approach new material with curiosity and persistence. With enrollment capped at 24 students, the program maintains a small-group setting that supports focused instruction and peer collaboration.
12. Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Middle School Summer Workshops
Location: Remote or in person at FIT, New York, NY
Cost: $470 + $10 registration fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Program dates: July 13 – 16
Application deadline: February 4 – June 10
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7, 8, or 9
The Middle School Summer Workshops at FIT are four-day pre-college programs for students entering grades 7–9 who want to explore creative fields such as fashion, art, design, and entrepreneurship. You’ll enroll in one or more three-hour workshops that focus on a specific skill area, with options ranging from digital photography and fashion illustration to jewelry design, sneaker design, tactile techniques, and fashion styling with AI. Through hands-on studio work, you will practice as you complete guided projects in your chosen subject. Some sessions also introduce you to career pathways in fashion and design, highlighting how creative concepts move from sketch to finished product. Workshops emphasize learning a focused technique or creative process in a short, intensive format, allowing you to build practical skills over four consecutive days.
13. Stony Brook University’s Science Exploration Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 24 students per grade level
Program dates: June 29 – July 9
Application deadline: Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 or 8
The Science Exploration Program at Stony Brook University is a summer academic experience designed for students entering 7th or 8th grade who want to strengthen their foundation in laboratory science. Through daily lab-based investigations, you’ll study topics such as physics, chemistry, microbiology, ecology, biotechnology, and environmental chemistry, depending on your grade level. Seventh-grade participants will focus on developing core laboratory skills through guided scientific exploration, while eighth-grade students will examine case studies on cholera, bioremediation, and genetics with an emphasis on homeostasis and environmental systems. The program integrates reading, computer research, writing, and group collaboration to reinforce scientific reasoning and experimental design. Through small, grade-based cohorts, the program enables consistent hands-on work and focused engagement as you prepare for high school science coursework.
14. Junior Diplomat Model UN Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $449
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited number of spots available
Program dates: Multiple weeklong camps throughout June, July, and August
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students aged 11–13
This online summer camp introduces middle school students to the fundamentals of debate, global issues, and Model United Nations simulations. You’ll begin by learning how to research international topics, draft resolutions, and structure formal speeches while representing a specific country in committee sessions. As the camp progresses, you’ll participate in daily public speaking exercises, negotiation practice, and interactive lessons focused on analyzing and addressing global challenges. Throughout the camp, you’ll practice these skills through structured simulations that replicate real UN procedures. The camp ends with a multi-day final simulation focused on a current international issue, during which you’ll debate, collaborate, and propose solutions. Optional one-on-one mentoring sessions provide additional support in refining speeches and strengthening policy proposals.
Image source - Stony Brook Uni Logo