12 Summer Camps for High School Students in New York State
If you're a high school student looking to make the most of your summer break, camps can offer you the focused, immersive experiences that build practical skills. These camps focus on specific subjects or skills, such as STEM research, performing arts, outdoor leadership, technology, or creative writing, allowing you to explore the broader academic structure of a college program. You'll gain experience, work directly with professionals and instructors passionate about their fields, and connect with peers who share your interests, making valuable connections for your future career and academics.
Why should you attend a summer camp in New York State?
Organizations across New York State offer camps in STEM, performing arts, outdoor adventure, and creative pursuits like filmmaking, visual arts, and creative writing for high school students. Depending on the program, you might build and program robots, conduct forensic investigations, analyze environmental data, design engineering prototypes, or write and workshop original creative pieces. These camps suit both New York State residents seeking experiences close to home and out-of-state students eager to explore New York's unique educational and cultural resources.
To help you get started, we have listed 12 summer camps for high school students in New York State below.
If you're looking for STEM programs in New York State, check our blog here.
1. University at Buffalo CSExplore Camp
Location: University at Buffalo North Campus, Buffalo, NY
Cost: None
Dates: August 5–8
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12; no prior programming or engineering experience required.
The Computer Science and Engineering department's CSExplore Camp is a 3-day youth program giving high school students an engaging, hands-on summer experience in computing. This day camp takes place on UB's North campus with occasional trips to campus research labs that apply computing to solve real-world problems. You'll explore computing fundamentals from low-level hardware circuits all the way to high-level logic of writing software, embracing the field's diversity through varied activities. The hands-on format includes programming robots and designing video games, making abstract computing concepts tangible and exciting. Through project-based learning, you'll gain a foundational understanding of how computing works at multiple levels, from physical circuits to software applications.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered year-round, including Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
Application Deadline: Rolling basis; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: AI Scholars: All high school students | AI Fellowship applicants must have completed AI Scholars or show experience with Python/AI concepts
The Veritas AI Scholars provides a structured online introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning designed for high school students seeking hands-on exposure to applied AI. You'll build a foundation in Python programming and data science workflows, learning how to approach and execute AI-driven projects systematically. The curriculum progresses through three phases: initially covering Python fundamentals and AI basics; then introducing core concepts such as regression models, neural network architectures, and natural language processing; and finally advancing to deep learning, image classification, sentiment analysis, and AI ethics considerations. Working in teams of three to five students, you'll complete a final group project applying AI techniques to domains such as healthcare diagnostics, education technology, sports analytics, and more.
3. Summer Engineering Awareness Program
Location: Manhattan University Leo Engineering Building, Bronx, NY
Cost: None
Dates: Multiple 10-day and 6-day cohorts available between July 6 and 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; geared toward minority and female students in the NYC metro area.
This program focuses on science, engineering, and the college admission process. You'll learn about chemical, civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering, plus physics, through hands-on experiments in laboratories. Specific topics include AI strategies, robotics, green buildings and sustainability, geotechnical engineering, and computer-aided design, amongst others. The program also explores engineering careers beyond traditional roles, including opportunities in law, business, medicine, and education. You'll hear from various guest speakers and lecturers, take field trips to structural design companies, receive information on scholarships and financial aid, and learn about Air Force ROTC opportunities.
4. Lumiere Research Scholars Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round, including Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November). You can apply here.
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
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. Hofstra Summer Camp’s Forensics
Location: Nassau BOCES Joseph M. Barry Career & Technical Education Center, NY
Cost: $2,300
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-11
Hofstra's Forensics Camp is a two-week camp where you'll learn how law enforcement professionals solve crimes, meet real law enforcement agents, and explore forensic science through simulated crime scene investigations. The forensic science component includes simulated crime scene investigations in which you'll dust for fingerprints, measure crime scenes, create diagrams, and photograph evidence. You'll conduct various forensic evidence examinations, including blood spatter analysis, handwriting analysis, tire and tool mark identification, DNA fingerprinting, analysis of hair, fibers, and textiles, and examination of the meaning, manner, mechanism, cause, and time of death, as well as forensic anthropology. You'll learn about various law enforcement careers and hear from professionals in those fields, gaining realistic insights into what these jobs actually entail.
6. Camp Tech Revolution at NYU
Location: NYU Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Varies by camp between $929 – $1,299; discounts and referrals are available
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions from June 22 to August 21
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Ages 6-14
Camp Tech Revolution is a premier STEM summer camp offering weekly programs in cutting-edge tech topics at NYU's Manhattan campus. STEM-focused courses for ages 10-14 include AI Innovators: Machine Learning, ChatGPT & More; Agentic AI & Machine Learning; Robotics with AI Take-Home Robot; Python & Artificial Intelligence; Fintech & Digital Banking, and many more. With staff-to-camper ratios of approximately 1:4 to 1:8, you'll receive personalized attention in captivating STEM-focused learning spaces. Proprietary curricula are student-focused at every level, ensuring you'll learn new, in-demand skills and prepare you for the future.
7. Residential Engineering Summer Program
Location: University campus, New York City, NY
Cost: $2,500
Dates: August 2–8
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 10 or 11 must be 16 years or older at the time of attendance.
The Residential Engineering Summer Program is a one-week intensive experience where you’ll explore multiple engineering disciplines while living on a university campus. It provides hands-on exposure to chemical, civil, environmental, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering through laboratory work and industry connections. Daily activities are structured around two engineering sessions, during which you'll participate in hands-on activities in engineering labs, learning fundamental concepts across different engineering fields. Each afternoon includes workshops and presentations where you'll meet industry professionals for career development, gaining insights into what engineers actually do and various career paths available. Evenings are about exploring NYC and taking tours, letting you experience the city while building connections with fellow participants.
8. Chemical Engineering Summer Program
Location: Manhattan University, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: $450; Early Registration (before June 1): $400 / $75 application fee waiver if applying to Manhattan University’s Chemical Engineering B.S. program upon completion
Dates: July 27–30
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This workshop helps you understand the broad array of fields where chemical engineers play vital roles, from biotechnology to renewable energy. The program demonstrates that chemical engineering extends far beyond chemistry, encompassing biotechnology and biochemical production, green and sustainable engineering, electronics and semiconductor materials processing, and many more. Through interactive hands-on activities and competitions, you'll understand how chemical engineers contribute to manufacturing virtually every product essential for improved quality of life. Alumni and practicing chemical engineers share their career experiences, offering real-world perspectives. The program also covers college application, admission, and financial aid processes, helping you prepare for the next steps.
9. Electrical and Computer Engineering Summer Program
Location: Manhattan University, Bronx, NY
Cost: $500
Dates: July 27–30
Application Deadline: July 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders
This program provides you with hands-on experience in ECE fields through engaging workshops, interactive labs, and real-world challenges. Program topics include Power & Renewable Energy, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Electronic Design, Cybersecurity, and Bioengineering. Beyond campus activities, you'll participate in exclusive professional trips visiting leading tech companies, innovation labs, or engineering research centers, seeing how ECE professionals work in real industry settings. You'll meet and network with ECE faculty, accomplished alumni, and industry professionals, gaining firsthand knowledge of emerging technologies and engineering career pathways. The hands-on approach means you're actively building, experimenting, and solving problems rather than just listening to presentations.
10. DEC Summer Camps
Location: Multiple locations across New York State
Cost: $350
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions between June 28 and August 14
Application Deadline: Registration opens March 22 and typically fills up within minutes of the portal opening; there is no specific deadline
Eligibility: Ages 11-17, different weeks designated for 11-13 year olds and 14-17 year olds
DEC Summer Camps incorporate STEM learning through environmental science, ecology, and biology activities led by counselors with science and education backgrounds. Throughout the week, you'll explore New York's diverse habitats and learn basic ecological concepts, including how organisms and habitats adapt to changes. STEM-focused activities include examining insects and flowers in fields, using nets along lakeshores to study macroinvertebrates, venturing into forests to learn about biodiversity and forestry practices, and considering environmental solutions through scenarios that encourage you to make decisions that mitigate environmental impacts. Beyond environmental science, you'll try outdoor activities such as archery, canoeing, fishing, and birding.
11. Webb Institute Summer Engineering Academy (SEA)
Location: Webb Institute, Glen Cove, NY
Cost: $1,800
Dates: Session 1: July 13– 24; Session 2: July 27 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8-12
Webb Institute's Summer Engineering Academy is a two-week program that introduces you to engineering and design through classroom instruction and challenging, team-oriented, hands-on laboratory activities. The program combines classroom lectures with hands-on laboratory activities and design-build-test experiences where you'll create, construct, and evaluate engineering solutions. You'll participate in local field trips to engineering-related sites, seeing how professionals apply engineering principles in real-world settings. The program culminates in a final boat race on the last Friday, where parents are invited to view your work. The program emphasizes team-oriented challenges, teaching you to collaborate with peers as you solve engineering problems.
12. Stony Brook University Southampton’s MAR 104 Oceanography
Location: Stony Brook Southampton campus, Southampton, NY
Cost: Estimated cost is ~$1,100 NY students and ~$3,300 for out-of-state students; the SoMAS Total Immersion Scholarship is available, which covers up to $2,000 for course enrollment and housing
Dates: July 7–20
Application Deadline: Mid-to-late April
Eligibility: Must have completed high school biology and must be at least 16 years old
Stony Brook's intensive Introduction to Oceanography course (MAR 104) examines the World Ocean and the chemical, geological, and physical processes controlling its major features and the life inhabiting it. The short-term course runs for two weeks, where content is delivered through lectures, in-class activities, including a live plankton lab where you'll observe living marine organisms, and two boat trips during which you'll explore nearby coastal habitats using oceanographic sampling equipment. You’ll explore human interactions with the marine environment, connecting scientific concepts to real-world applications and environmental challenges.
Image source - Stony Brook Logo