13 Camps for High School Students in Chicago
If you're a high school student looking for a focused way to build skills over a short period, a camp is worth considering. They're different from longer pre-college programs, less structured academically and more built around active participation, whether that's in a lab, a studio, a workshop, or out in the field. Most run for a few days to two weeks, making them easier to fit into a busy schedule. A lot of them are also run by well-known universities and organizations, so you get access to facilities and instructors that you wouldn't normally encounter in a typical high school setting. And beyond the skills, camps tend to be a practical way to test out whether a particular field is something you actually want to pursue.
So, why should you attend a camp in Chicago?
Chicago has various organizations and universities that put together camps specifically for high school students. Depending on what you sign up for, you could be doing anything from science research and engineering challenges to creative writing, business simulations, performing arts intensives, or pre-med workshops. Whether you're a local or traveling to the city, the range of subjects and formats available there makes it a reasonable destination to consider.
To help you get started, we have put together a list of 13 camps for high school students in Chicago.
If you’re looking for programs in Chicago, check out our blog here.
1. Hyde Park Art Center’s Teen Programs
Location: Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Free
Dates: Multiple programs running throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Open to teens; some programs require prior participation in Hyde Park Art Center teen programs
Hyde Park Art Center runs a range of structured short-term programs for teens throughout the year across art, photography, music, and design. Offerings include Teen Ceramics, covering hand sculpting, wheel throwing, and glazing; High School Photo, an all-levels digital photography program teaching fundamentals of artistic photography and photo editing. Studio Photography, which focuses on portrait, still-life, and studio lighting techniques; Music Production with ISPro Academy, covering music production, sound design, and the music business; and Building Character, a mixed-media program using watercolor, sketching, and Sculpey clay to develop character design and storytelling. All supplies and software are provided across programs, and finished work is exhibited during the annual Teen Programs Exhibition.
2. Veritas AI Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Deadline: Rolling basis. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students; no prior experience required for AI Scholars; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed AI Scholars or have prior experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. University of Chicago’s Enrichment Programs
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Not specified
Dates: One week in the summer
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Open to students who are at least 14 years old; eligibility varies by program, options available for current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders
UChicago's one-week enrichment programs are residential, non-credit programs that give you a firsthand look at the academic culture at one of the country's leading research universities. Programs available to high school students cover a range of areas, including quantum science, innovation and entrepreneurship, climate and energy policy, STEM research, and civic leadership, among others. Each program is designed around a specific focus area and led by UChicago faculty and staff. Class sizes are small, and the experience is structured to help you develop skills you can carry into high school, college, and beyond.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote; open to students worldwide
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts; 12 weeks to one year, depending on program tier
Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, 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.
5. University of Chicago’s 2 Week Experience Programs
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Financial aid available covering some or all of the program fee; exact tuition not specified
Dates: Two weeks in summer
Application Deadline: March 12
Eligibility: Open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students who are at least 14 years old
UChicago's two-week Experience programs combine academic instruction with practical learning led by faculty, university professionals, and industry leaders. Five tracks are available for high school students: Career Insight in Business and Entrepreneurship, Career Insight in Healthcare and Biological Sciences, Career Insight in Law and Social Impact, Career Insight in Technology and Innovation, and Leadership Engagement and Discourse. Each track is designed to help you explore potential career paths while developing skills like critical thinking, quantitative analysis, and constructive discourse. These programs are non-credit, but you’ll receive a certificate upon successful completion.
6. Northwestern Center for Talent Development Academic Summer Camps
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Cost: One-week day camp: $1,005 | One-week residential camp: $1,830 | Three-week day camp: $3,025 | Three-week residential camp: $5,430
Dates: Multiple dates
Application Deadline: One week before the selected session start date
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 6–12; academic eligibility requirements apply based on course tier
Northwestern CTD's Academic Summer Camps courses are fast-paced and taught by master instructors, community partners, and industry experts, covering subjects ranging from math and science to writing, technology, and leadership. Depending on the course, you might produce a writing portfolio, build an original iOS app, or develop a community action plan. Three-week courses are accelerated and credit-bearing, while one-week courses offer intensive exploration of a subject area.
7. Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep Summer Programs
Location: Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: June 22–July 31, varies by program
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Open to rising freshmen through rising seniors
Illinois Tech's Elevate College Prep summer programs are day camps held on the Illinois Tech campus and run across multiple weeks throughout the summer. You can choose from a range of focused one-week and multi-week programs. Chemistry Scholars pairs you with a faculty adviser to conduct research in areas including bioanalytical, environmental, forensic, and materials chemistry. From Lab to Life: A Chemistry Career Exploration builds practical lab skills, including chemical reactions, chemoinformatics, and analytical devices, while connecting chemistry to biology, physics, and medicine. Other offerings include Coding Bootcamp: Introduction to Python, Build Your Own Robot using Arduino, Rocket Engineering 101, Game Design from the Ground Up, Decision Leadership, Exploring the Mathematics of the Musical Scale via Quantum Mechanics and Geometry, and Social Media 101. Each program runs during specific weeks, so you can choose the one that fits your schedule and interests.
8. UIC College of Engineering’s Engineering Summer Camp
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: $500 per student
Dates: July 27–July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Track 3 is open to rising 10th, 11th, and 12th-grade students
UIC's Engineering Summer Camp is a one-week day camp where you are divided into sub-groups of up to 30 students and rotate through engineering challenges across five topics over five days. For the high school track (Track 3), the program covers chemical engineering, mechanical and industrial engineering, computer science, and civil, materials, and environmental engineering, topics sponsored by departments within the UIC College of Engineering. Each day, you’ll work on a different hands-on project challenge in a real research lab setting, completing them as a team of two to three students. Rising 11th and 12th-graders also receive college preparation tips, campus tours, and lab tours as part of the week.
9. School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) Early College Program
Location: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Sessions available from June 15 onward
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students ages 14–18; students who have completed their sophomore year may enroll for college credit
SAIC's Early College Program offers short-term summer courses on campus for high school students across a wide range of art and design disciplines. Course options include 2D animation, advanced painting and drawing studio, fashion design and construction, and more, with additional subjects spanning architecture, comics and illustration, graphic design, photography, sculpture, and writing. Courses are taught by professional artists, designers, and scholars, and combine independent studio time with group critiques and faculty check-ins. You’ll also have access to the Art Institute of Chicago museum as part of the program. For those interested in building a portfolio for college-level art and design applications, the program is structured to support that goal.
10. Chicago Filmmakers’ Teen Filmmaking Camp
Location: Chicago Filmmakers, 1326 W Hollywood Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: $800
Dates: Session A: June 29–July 10 | Session B: July 27–August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling; limited availability per session
Eligibility: Open to ages 13–17
Chicago Filmmakers' Teen Filmmaking Camp is a two-week day camp where you learn filmmaking from the ground up, working alongside other budding filmmakers in a hands-on, collaborative environment. Over the two weeks, you'll cover shot-list creation, location scouting, camera angles, green screen techniques, post-production editing, and sound design. You’ll also be working toward writing, producing, and directing your own short film. The camp is taught by acclaimed filmmakers.
11. Chicago State University’s Career Exploration Camps
Location: Chicago State University, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Varies by program
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Not specified; seats are limited, so early application is recommended
Eligibility: Varies by program; high school students are generally eligible
Chicago State University hosts several summer career exploration camps on its campus for high school students. The Career Learning camp, Quantum Sensing, Health Professions Explorers, Art & Design, and Business Entrepreneurs are some of the few camps under this. Across all programs, highlights include small class sizes, in-person instruction by experienced CSU educators, field trips, college admissions and FAFSA workshops, and a camp kit and t-shirt.
12. The Second City’s Advanced Comedy Camp
Location: Second City Chicago Training Center, 230 W North Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Check website for updates
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to ages 14–18; must have completed two previous Second City summer camp sessions or one year of improv training classes
The Second City Advanced Comedy Camp is a comprehensive one-week program for teens that goes deep into the skills behind a Second City-style comedy revue. Mornings typically focus on improvisation, covering fundamentals like scene structure, storytelling, and character development through the study of classic Second City scenes and written materials. Afternoon sessions shift into comedy writing and specialty skills such as stand-up comedy, satire writing, or clowning, with breaks built into both the morning and afternoon. Throughout the week, you’ll develop skills including creative thinking, self-confidence, listening, brainstorming, team building, empathy, and communication.
13. CircEsteem’s Summer Circus Camp
Location: CircEsteem, Chicago, Illinois
Cost: Regular: $450/week | 4-day weeks: $360
Dates: June 8–August 21
Application Deadline: Rolling; early bird registration ends March 2
Eligibility: Open to ages 6–16
CircEsteem's Summer Circus Camp is a weekly circus arts program running across eleven themed sessions from June through August. Each week introduces a different set of circus disciplines; past skills have included aerial silks, trapeze, lyra, tightwire, gym wheel, mini trampoline, tumbling, partner acrobatics, clowning, stilts, juggling, rola bola, and diabolo, anchored by a unique weekly theme. Weekly themes for this year include Legendary Tales, Music Madness, Underwater Adventures, Time Travelers, Circus in WonderLand, Inventor's Workshop, Summerween, Outer Space, SuperHeroes to the Rescue, and Treasure Hunters, among others.
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