12 Free Medical Camps for High School Students
Medical camps can be a useful way for you to explore healthcare and medicine while you are still in high school. They allow you to build skills through structured activities, clinical simulations, research discussions, and collaborative projects while learning more about different medical fields. Many of these camps are free or offer financial aid, making them more accessible while still giving you exposure to healthcare environments and mentorship.
How are medical camps different from other programs in high school?
Medical camps are usually shorter and more focused than long-term academic programs, allowing you to explore healthcare topics in a condensed format. Depending on the camp, activities can include case studies, lab exercises, CPR training, or public health projects, while helping you develop analytical and communication skills. These experiences can help you explore different areas of medicine without committing to a longer program.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 12 free medical camps for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 27 participants per session chosen from 650 - 750 applications
Dates: June 22 - 26 | July 20 - 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors in high school, aged 16 years or above
Hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters, this fast-paced, free medical camp for high school students places them in applied public health problem-solving. You will work through outbreak simulations, analyze disease patterns, and interpret datasets the way epidemiologists do. Case-based sessions emphasize critical thinking about how illnesses spread and how they can be contained. Along the way, short lectures and lab-style activities introduce core tools used in public health research. You will collaborate with peers to investigate scenarios and present findings through structured formats such as mock press briefings. Interactions with CDC professionals provide insight into how scientific research informs public health policy and community-level health decisions.
2. Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type | full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple 12 - 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling – spring (January), summer (May), fall (September), and winter (November) | You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world | AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI’s AI + Medicine Deep Dive connects artificial intelligence with real healthcare challenges, allowing you to explore how technology is transforming modern medicine. You will study core machine learning concepts and examine how they apply to applications in diagnostics, medical imaging, and drug discovery. Guided assignments introduce Python programming while helping you understand how models are trained and evaluated. As you progress, you will examine how computational systems support clinical decision-making and biomedical research. Mentors provide structured guidance as you navigate both the technical and healthcare domains. The program concludes with a research project in which you apply AI methodologies to address a defined medical problem.
3. Camp CHLA – Health Care Career Exploration Camp
Location: Children’s Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive | small cohort
Dates: Session 1: June 15 - 19 | Session 2: July 27 - 31
Application Deadline: January 19
Eligibility: Freshmen, sophomores, or juniors living in Los Angeles County
Conducted within a leading pediatric hospital environment, this program provides direct exposure to how healthcare teams operate. You will explore different specialties while learning how professionals collaborate to care for patients. Training sessions cover essential skills, including CPR and emergency response techniques. As the week progresses, discussions focus on patient needs, communication, and decision-making in clinical environments. You will also engage with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to understand their career journeys, while interactive activities further help you understand both the scientific and human dimensions of medical practice.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote (you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world)
Cost/Stipend: 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: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Education medical camp for high school students guides them through developing and completing an independent project in a medical or health-related field. Working one-on-one with a PhD mentor, you will define a research question and execute it through each stage of investigation. Workshops support your progress by covering research methodology, data analysis, and academic writing. Regular mentor feedback helps refine your approach and strengthen your conclusions. Projects often explore topics such as biomedicine, neuroscience, and public health. You will also gain experience interpreting findings and presenting them clearly. The program concludes with a formal research paper and a structured presentation of your work. You can find more details about the application here.
5. American Cancer Society - High School Program
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free | $500 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 20 participants
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer, starting in July
Application Deadline: Varies by institute
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old when the program starts
This virtual program introduces students to how cancer research is conducted and applied. You will work through guided case studies and collaborative projects exploring cancer biology and treatment challenges. Sessions emphasize research methodologies while showing how discoveries translate into patient care and prevention strategies. You will engage with peers to discuss findings and explore different approaches to complex problems. Industry professionals share insights into careers in cancer research and healthcare. The program also emphasizes communication and teamwork in scientific environments. Opportunities for continued networking extend learning beyond program completion.
6. University of Illinois College of Medicine STEM Camp
Location: College of Medicine, University of Illinois, Rockford, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 1-week day camp
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High-school students who are 16 years old by May 1
This week-long free medical camp for high school students explores how science and technology contribute to medical innovation. You will gain hands-on experience with laboratory tools while adhering to standard safety protocols and research practices. Camp activities guide you through designing experiments and analyzing results, providing an insight into how scientific studies are executed. Instructors present current challenges in biomedical research and how researchers approach them. Live demonstrations showcase emerging technologies used in medicine and biomedical engineering. You will also examine how research discoveries translate into real-world healthcare solutions.
7. UT Southwestern – Inspiring Careers in Mental Health Internship
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive | 15 - 20 students per session
Dates: Multiple sessions in June
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders who live either in the U.S. or on a U.S. armed forces base or diplomatic post
Focused on psychology and psychiatry, this online internship helps you explore pathways within mental health careers. You will learn topics such as neuroscience, therapeutic approaches, and patient care through guided sessions and applied projects. Participants also engage in activities that introduce core research methodologies, including how data is collected and interpreted in mental health studies. Faculty and clinicians share insights into their daily work and professional journeys, while lectures address real-world challenges in treating and supporting patients. You will engage with readings and case materials to deepen your conceptual understanding. The experience concludes with a presentation that reflects your learning and analysis.
8. Camp Med – Northwest AHEC
Location: Various locations across the Northwest AHEC region
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: First-come registration
Dates: Varies by location | virtual program runs for 20 hours from June 1 - July 31
Application Deadline: Varies by camp
Eligibility: 8th - 12th graders (virtual) | 9th - 12th graders (in-person)
Delivered by Area Health Education Centers (AHEC), this free medical camp for high school students provides multiple pathways to explore healthcare careers through self-paced virtual modules and structured in-person sessions. You will study topics such as human body systems, medical ethics, and community health, building a broad understanding of how clinical care is delivered. Interactive modules and workshops introduce you to a wide range of roles across clinical care and public health systems. In-person sessions may include site visits, demonstrations, and skill-based activities that provide practical exposure. Throughout the experience, you will also examine how healthcare systems adapt to the specific needs of specific communities. Reflection activities encourage you to think about where your interests might fit within the field.
9. John A. Burns School of Medicine – Oahu Teen Health Camp
Location: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, and other sessions on each of the Hawaiʻi islands, such as Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Big Island, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited seats
Dates: 1-day sessions in February | varies by location
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
This one-day program introduces students to clinical skills through a fast-paced, hands-on format. You will rotate through supervised stations where you practice skills such as suturing, casting, and CPR under guided supervision. Sessions are led by medical students and healthcare trainees, offering both instruction and insight into training experiences. Beyond skill-building, the program highlights how healthcare delivery varies across island communities and unique geographic environments. You will also have time to explore informational exhibits that showcase different health professions and educational pathways. Conversations with volunteers and professionals help to connect these experiences with real-world career options.
10. Mercer Medical Camp
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 100 participants
Dates: July 7 - 11 (tentative based on last year’s cohort)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rural Georgia middle and high school students
Mercer University’s free medical camp for high school students blends structured learning with interactive activities to introduce you to core medical concepts. Each day, you’ll join live sessions led by medical students, physicians, and researchers who break down key topics in accessible ways. Lessons are paired with hands-on experiments and activities using materials sent directly to you, allowing you to apply what you learn in real time. The program also incorporates games and collaborative discussions to reinforce concepts and keep sessions engaging. You’ll explore a range of subjects, from basic human biology to broader healthcare themes. Consistent interaction with instructors and peers creates a supportive and connected learning environment.
11. Heads Up – Behavioral Health Careers Camp
Location: Numerous sites across Montana
Cost/Stipend: $500 | multiple scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Helena: July 12 - 16 | Billings: August 2 - 6
Application Deadline: Typically in May
Eligibility: Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
The Behavioral Health Careers Camp introduces students to careers that focus on psychological well-being and community-based support. Through simulations and guided workshops, you will examine how professionals respond to challenges such as trauma, stress, and substance use disorders. Camp activities are designed to show both the clinical and human dimensions of behavioral health practice. A key component is certification in Teen Mental Health First Aid, which gives you practical tools to support peers in real-world situations. You will also interact with professionals working in rural and underserved communities, offering a perspective on access to and equity in care. Discussions explore different pathways within the field, including counseling, social work, and psychiatry.
12. Stanford AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Online
Cost: $2,000 and $45 as an application fee (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective | about 50 students per year
Dates: Session A: June 15 - 26 | Session B: July 6 - 17
Application Deadline: Financial Aid: February 13 | Standard: February 21
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who will be 14 years or older by the program start
The Stanford AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp is designed to demonstrate how AI is designed, evaluated, and applied within modern healthcare systems. You will begin by building a foundation in machine learning concepts, then move into understanding how these models are used in applications such as diagnostics, medical imaging, and clinical decision-making. Lectures are paired with case-based discussions that help you connect technical ideas to real-world patient care scenarios. As you progress, you will examine how datasets are constructed, how models are tested, and what makes an AI system reliable in a clinical environment. The program also examines challenges in healthcare data, including data bias, access, and variability across populations. Ethical considerations are integrated throughout, allowing you to think about responsibility, privacy, and fairness in medical AI. You will also attend expert-led sessions that introduce emerging topics such as generative AI and foundation models in medicine.