12 Computer Science Camps for High School Students in California
Computer science camps can be a useful way for you to explore programming and technology while you are still in high school. They allow you to build skills in areas like coding, data science, and problem-solving through structured activities and projects. You can also gain exposure to different areas of computer science and connect with peers and mentors who share similar interests.
Why should you attend a camp in California?
California is home to universities and organizations that offer a wide range of computer science camps across different topics. Depending on the camp, you might learn programming languages, explore artificial intelligence, or work on technical projects while developing relevant skills. These opportunities can be worth considering, whether you are a local student looking for options nearby or an out-of-state student interested in exploring programs in a new academic environment.
Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual.
Eligibility: Applicants can be anywhere in the world. For the AI Scholars program, no prior experience is required; applicants must demonstrate a keen interest in AI. For the AI Fellowship program, applicants must either complete the AI Scholars program or have prior experience with AI concepts or Python.
Application Deadline: Program runs in cohorts throughout the year. You can apply here.
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Fee: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
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.
Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP)
Location: Fremont, CA (in-person) and remote options available
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
Application deadline: February 1, March 1, and April 15 (multiple priority deadlines for summer)
Program dates: June 1 – August 30
Fee: $1,070 program fee (financial aid and full scholarships available)
The Aspiring Scholars Directed Research Program (ASDRP) is a research-focused program in which high school students conduct original scientific projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. Students join research groups across fields such as biology, computer science, physics, and engineering, contributing to ongoing investigations rather than predefined classroom experiments. The program emphasizes independent thinking, with participants designing experiments, analyzing data, and developing research papers based on their findings. Through mentorship, collaboration, and presentations, students gain exposure to real scientific research and build skills in communication, problem-solving, and academic writing.
Immerse Education’s Computer Science Summer School
Location: Oxford, Cambridge
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Application deadline: Rolling, with multiple summer cohorts throughout the year
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
The Computer Science Academic Insights Program enables high school students to study computer science through undergraduate-level instruction at leading universities worldwide. The programme pairs you with academics from universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4–10 students. You'll attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with your tutor, focusing on computational thinking, algorithms, and problem-solving. The programme includes practical experiences such as coding projects, software design tasks, and analytical challenges that reflect how computer science is taught at university. You can explore core areas of computer science, including programming, data structures, foundations of artificial intelligence, and systems thinking, while developing technical confidence and academic depth. By the programme’s end, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion.
UCLA Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA, and virtual options available
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-12 in Spring can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically open in winter and close before each session fills
Program dates: Track 1 and Track 2: June 22 to July 10 | Track 3 and Track 4: July 13 to July 31
Fee: Varies by track. Financial aid available.
The UCLA Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) is a three-week pre-college program in which high school students engage in intensive coursework across data science, artificial intelligence, and programming. Students learn through hands-on coding assignments, guided instruction, and structured coursework led by UCLA faculty and supported by PhD students and trained tutors. The program emphasizes applied learning, with participants working in teams to complete a capstone project that integrates the techniques covered during the session. Through lectures, assignments, and collaborative work, students build technical skills while gaining exposure to university-level computer science and real-world applications of data-driven technologies.
Computer Science Academy at the University of Berkeley’s Summer Sessions
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Eligibility: The program is open to domestic and international high school students | Students must be at least 16 years old by the start of the program | Students applying must have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program and have an overall B average (3.0, weighted or unweighted) in all their high school coursework.
Application deadline: March 17
Program dates: June 21 - July 3
Fee: $5,197 (this includes tuition, fees, housing, meals, orientation, excursions & activities, basic health insurance, and on-site support) + $25 (application fee)
This rigorous 2-week program is for motivated high school students interested in computer science and seeking a solid understanding of college-level student life. Students with no prior coding experience are welcome to apply! During the program, you will learn key computer science concepts, collaborate on programming projects, and solve problems. The program is based on the well-known Beauty and Joy of Computing (BJC) curriculum – the introductory computer science course that Berkeley undergraduates use. Throughout the program, students will only use Snap!, a visual programming language. You will also pursue a programming project of your own design and interest. You’ll present your project at the end of the program, at the ‘Code Celebration’ event.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes(Computer Science courses)
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are eligible to apply. Students in 8th grade are eligible for certain courses.
Application deadline: Applications close in March (tentative, based on previous years).
Program dates: All courses will be held over the summer. Computer science courses are typically conducted in June and July.
Fee: $3,200. Need-based financial aid is offered.
Stanford offers a range of programs for high school students seeking a challenging pre-college experience. The Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute is designed for academic, social, and extracurricular enrichment, featuring instructors and engaging programs tailored to your interests. This virtual program concentrates on intensive study in a single online course. However, it does not offer college credit. You have a wide range of subjects to choose from, including several in the field of computer science. Some of these are Introduction to Data Science, Introduction to C++, Artificial Intelligence, and Introduction to Machine Learning. These courses give you insight into key computer science principles, helping you lay a foundation for your future academic and career work in the field. On successfully completing the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Summer Camps at the University of California, San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
Eligibility: Some camps are open to all middle school students, and others to all high school students.
Fee: Fees vary by camp, ranging from $205 to $340.
Application Deadline: Registrations open in February. There is no information available at the moment on when they close.
Program Dates: All camps are 4 days long and will be conducted in June and July.
The University of California, San Diego, offers a variety of summer camps for middle and high school students. These camps cover engineering, Python, Java, graphic arts, robotics, and more.
High school students interested in computer science can choose from these camps:
1. Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java
2. Introduction to Data Visualization with Python
3. Data Science Discovery BootcampYou can take a look at all the available camps here. These camps will give students an opportunity to learn and build skills and knowledge in basic computer science concepts, including programming in Java and Python, data science, and data visualization. The camps offer valuable insight into the fundamentals of various technologies, computer science, and engineering concepts, providing a strong foundation for your computer science journey.
UC Berkeley Pre-College Scholars (Credit Tracks)
Location: University of California, Berkeley. CA. There is a virtual track option as well.
Eligibility: Students who have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of summer classes and are 16-17 years old by the start of the program are eligible to apply.
Application deadline: March 17 (residential track) | June 1 (commuter track) | June 1 (virtual track)
Program dates: Session C – June 22 – August 14 | Session D – July 6 – August 14 | Students on the commuter and virtual tracks can choose the courses they wish to attend.
Fee: $25 application fee + $15,987 (residential track, session C) | $14,687 (residential track, session D) | $595 + $500 + $65 (per unit fee, commuter and virtual tracks). Financial aid is available.
This program offers a diverse array of experiences, with options to suit a wide range of subject interests. You can choose from three tracks: residential, commuter, and virtual. For those interested in computer science, a range of courses await – here are a few: The Beauty & Joy of Computing, Programming Methodology, Data Structures, Machine Structures, and Computer Security. Each course will encourage you to deepen your understanding of the field, aid you in your future academics, and help you plan your career in your chosen industry.
COSMOS UCSD University of California, San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Eligibility: California students completing grades 8–12 with strong achievement in math and science
Application deadline: February 6
Program dates: July 5 – July 31
Fee: $46 application fee + $5,518. Financial aid is available for California residents.
Note: This program is held simultaneously across UC San Diego, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and UC Santa Cruz.
The California State Summer School for Mathematics and Science (COSMOS) at UC San Diego is a four-week residential program in which high school students explore advanced STEM topics through intensive coursework. Students enroll in a single “cluster” focused on areas such as engineering, machine learning, climate science, or physics, working closely with university faculty and researchers. The program combines lectures, lab work, and field experiences, allowing students to apply concepts through hands-on projects and experimentation. Students complete a final research project and present their work, gaining experience in scientific communication while engaging with a community of peers interested in advanced STEM study.
Research Mentorship Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA.
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 (outstanding 9th graders may be accepted on a case-by-case basis) with a minimum weighted GPA of 3.80 may apply.
Application Deadline: March 9
Program Dates: June 15 – July 31
Fee: $5,675 (commuter) or $13,274 (residential, including housing and meals); limited need-based scholarships available
The Research Mentorship Program (RMP) at UC Santa Barbara places high school students into university-level research projects across disciplines such as physics, biology, computer science, and engineering. Students are matched with mentors and spend 35–50 hours per week conducting research, collecting data, conducting fieldwork, and analyzing data while learning advanced research methods. Alongside their project work, participants complete coursework focused on writing technical research papers and delivering presentations in academic settings. The program concludes with a formal research symposium, where students present their findings and gain experience communicating complex ideas to a scholarly audience.
Stanford AI4ALL | Stanford HAI
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA, and virtual options available
Eligibility: Students currently in grade 9, typically ages 14–16
Application deadline: February 6
Program dates: June 15–June 26 (online) and July 19–July 31 (residential)
Fee: $4,120 (online) and $9,800 (residential), with financial aid available
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence through a combination of lectures, research projects, and mentorship. Students explore areas such as computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics while working in small groups to apply AI techniques to real-world challenges. The program emphasizes both technical learning and the societal impact of AI, with projects focused on issues like healthcare, disaster response, and global development. Through collaboration with Stanford researchers and industry professionals, participants gain exposure to how AI is used in practice and develop foundational skills in data-driven problem solving.
Machine Learning for Beginners at Purdue University
Location: Virtual.
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 who have taken high school algebra 2 can apply. Calculus 1 is recommended, but not required.
Application Deadline: July (Tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: July (Tentatively, based on previous years)
Fee: $200
Machine learning for beginners by Purdue University, with support from the National Science Foundation 5-day crash course that introduces students to AI and ML. You will learn the fundamentals of AI & ML, Python, regression types, pattern recognition, and image processing. This is a great fit for students looking to get started on their ML journey and leave the course with proficiency in Python programming, while gaining insights into practical applications such as building software and programming robots.
Here's what 5 days at this machine learning crash course looks like!Key Takeaways
Best virtual picks: Veritas AI, Stanford Pre-Collegiate, and Purdue
Best in-person or residential picks: COSMOS, UC Santa Barbara RMP, and UC Berkeley Summer Sessions
Best beginner-friendly options: Veritas AI, UC Berkeley Summer Sessions, and Purdue
Image source: Stanford University Logo