14 Online Camps for High School Students
As a high school student, participating in an online camp is a solid way to explore subject areas or careers of interest, whether that’s STEM, medicine, journalism, or writing. They also give you the chance to develop industry-relevant skills, as well as practical professional skills like communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and more. You’ll also get to gain important industry exposure and experience, and develop valuable connections. Online camps offer the flexibility that a lot of other camps or structured programs don’t offer; they allow you to work from home during the summer or even during the academic year and save on travel fees.
How are camps different from other programs in high school?
Unlike internships, research programs, or semester-long academic courses, camps are typically shorter and more focused on introducing you to a specific subject area through structured activities and guided instruction. They often combine skill-building with interactive projects, allowing you to explore topics such as AI, medicine, journalism, mathematics, architecture, or creative writing without a long-term commitment. Since most camps run over a few days or weeks, they can be a practical option if you want to explore new interests, gain exposure to a field, or build foundational skills while maintaining flexibility during the summer.
With that, here are 14 online camps for high school students that are worth exploring.
If you’re looking for online courses, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free, including Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology ($500 stipend), Girls Who Code Pathways, Summer Journalism Bootcamp, RNS NeuroCamp, and Kode With Klossy, while programs like Stanford AIMI, Veritas AI, and Lumiere offer full or substantial financial aid.
Programs span a wide range of disciplines including AI and machine learning (Veritas AI, Kode With Klossy, Stanford AIMI), mathematics (SUMaC, AoPS Virtual Camps), biomedical and cancer research (Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology, DNA Learning Center), neuroscience (RNS NeuroCamp), journalism and writing (Summer Journalism Bootcamp, Young Writers Workshops), architecture and 3D design (UW-Milwaukee Architecture Camp, OSU Blender Camp), and independent research (Lumiere).
Programs vary significantly in length and intensity, from two-day events (RNS NeuroCamp) and one-week camps (OSU Blender, Architecture Summer Camp Academy) to multi-week boot camps (Veritas AI, Kode With Klossy, AIMI, SUMaC) and 12-week research programs (Lumiere), giving students flexible options depending on their schedule and goals.
Students looking for programs that lead to a tangible portfolio piece or credential can apply to Summer Journalism Bootcamp (published reporting), Lumiere Research Scholar Program (research paper), Veritas AI Fellowship (published research), Young Writers Workshops (finished writing portfolio), and Stanford AIMI (certificate of attendance).
Deadlines range from December through August, with AIMI closing as early as February 20, SUMaC closing February 2, and Summer Journalism Bootcamp closing as late as August 1, so the window for applications is spread across most of the calendar year.
1. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free; $500 taxable stipend offered
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Dates: July 13 – 25
Application Deadline: March 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students with a strong interest in a career in scientific research or medicine; Must reside in Cook, Lake, Will, or DuPage counties in Illinois or Lake County in Indiana
During the Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology program, you will explore biomedical career paths, especially those within the field of cancer. The program gives you the chance to gain hands-on experience with a genetics-based research project and a patient case study project. You'll also receive a home laboratory kit and will get to learn about cancer science and care. Aside from this, you'll also have the chance to attend daily faculty lectures, panel discussions, and workshops focused on building skills and advancing your career, all led by experts from various areas in cancer research and care. The program also allows you to build a solid network of peers and mentors.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; 100% financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Apply here
Eligibility: High school students
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with 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 get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance 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. Stanford University Mathematics Camp
Location: Virtual (in-person available too)
Cost: $3,750; Financial aid offered
Cohort Size: 64 participants
Dates: Varies by session and program
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders experienced with writing and reading mathematical proofs; Must have a mastery of high school geometry and algebra; Familiarity with number theory and modular arithmetic is recommended
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (or SUMaC) allows you to participate in intensive study in advanced mathematics through lectures, guided research, and group problem solving. As a participant, you will explore current mathematical research, the history of mathematics, and even its applications across scientific disciplines. Some topics you’ll learn more about include abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology. The program also gives you the chance to engage in college-level coursework and interact with undergraduate and graduate students who will offer instruction and guidance.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a challenging research program designed for high school students. It offers plenty of one-on-one research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas, including artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, engineering, psychology, physics, economics, chemistry, international relations, and more. During the program, you will be paired with a Ph.D. mentor, who will work closely with you on an independent research project. By the end of the 12-week program, you'll have a finished independent research paper! You can find more details about the application here, and check out reviews from students about the program here and here.
5. Girls Who Code: Pathways
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29 – August 14
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students who identify as girls or gender non-conforming
The Girls Who Code’s Pathways program gives you the chance to develop computer science and problem-solving skills, explore potential tech careers, and grow your professional network. As a participant, you can choose from several tracks, including data science, AI, cybersecurity, and web development, where you will work on hands-on, real-world projects. You’ll also have access to a Discord community, where you’ll make meaningful connections and become a part of a lifelong alumni network. Aside from this, you will attend corporate partner events, career panels, and advisor-led workshops on emerging technologies.
6. Summer Journalism Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: August 5, 12, & 19
Application Deadline: August 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer Journalism Bootcamp, offered by the Daily Free Press, gives you the chance to attend workshops and panels and gain journalism experience. During the program, FreeP editors will work closely with you, offering one-on-one mentorship. Some of the webinars you’ll attend will also be led by FreeP alumni who currently work at institutions like The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, or The New York Times. The program is split into three sessions that are a week apart. In between sessions, you will work on assignments, which will culminate in a piece of reporting that you can eventually add to your portfolio. You might also get to have your work published in the FreeP! This program aims to give you the confidence and foundational knowledge needed to start your college journalism career.
7. RNS NeuroCamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Dates: July 18 –19
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students
During the RNS NeuroCamp, you will participate in lectures, discussions, and hands-on bench science, and explore topics such as neurons and neurotransmission, neurological diseases, and neuroanatomy. The program allows you to learn about the college application process and life at college while also exploring various undergraduate STEM pathways via panels and discussions with current Rice students. It also gives you the chance to learn basic lab skills through independent experiments. You will also receive mentorship from experts from Rice, who will help you develop necessary STEM skills, as well as general professional skills.
8. Kode With Klossy: Summer Camps
Location: Virtual (in-person options available)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not mentioned
Dates: 2 weeks (varies by location)
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentative)
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive teens (13-18)
Kode With Klossy offers several summer camps across the U.S., as well as online, for students interested in learning about coding. As a participant, you can choose one of several tracks: AI, data science, web dev, and more. As part of the AI track, you will learn about the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and the role it plays in modern technology. This track covers topics like machine learning, algorithms, data sets, and natural language processing. You’ll also learn to train a chatbot using Python. During the data science track, you will learn how to examine and extract meaningful data using SQL, Python, and other data visualization tools. You will also get to work on a project of your own using these newfound skills. The web dev track will have you learn how to build a website using three programming languages: JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. You will also learn about responsive design, accessibility, and UI/UX.
9. Architecture Summer Camp Academy
Location: Virtual (optional in-person day in Milwaukee)
Cost: $625
Cohort Size: Limited by capacity
Dates: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18
The UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning offers an Architecture Summer Camp Academy that gives you the chance to explore the world of architecture, design, and 3D design technologies. During this camp, you will learn the basics of architectural design and receive guidance from SARUP faculty member Alex Timmer, as well as other SARUP graduate students, faculty, and staff. The camp introduces a hands-on learning module, giving you different scenarios for which you will have to develop architectural solutions. Through this method, you will learn how to communicate their design ideas using models, drawings, text, and verbal presentation. You’ll also get to attend workshops that teach you how to use digital modeling tools, read architectural drawings, and document your work using 2D representation. While mostly virtual, the program offers an optional in-person experience on the final day of camp, where you will visit Milwaukee, go on architecture tours, and have lunch at the School of Architecture & Urban Planning.
10. AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $45 application fee + $2,000 program fee; Up to 100% financial aid offered
Cohort Size: 50 students
Dates: Session A: June 15 – 26; Session B: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: December 15 – February 20
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with strong math or computer programming skills or experience with a healthcare project
During the AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp, you will learn about how machine learning impacts healthcare and the benefits that come with it. As a participant, you will gain access to several online modules covering fundamental concepts, principles, and metrics used to evaluate machine learning in healthcare. You will also learn about how foundation models and generative AI are transforming the healthcare landscape. The program emphasizes practical learning through group discussions and breakout activities with your peers. Additionally, you will have opportunities to attend "Meet the Expert" sessions, where you will hear from professionals in academia, industry, and government. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
11. Young Writers Summer Online Workshops
Location: Virtual
Cost: $995; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 2-14 students
Dates: June 14 – 19
Application Deadline: March 6 – April 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors (ages 16-18)
The Young Writers Summer Online Workshops provide an environment in which, as a young writer, you can develop your talent, discover new strengths, and connect with peers who also share the same passion for writing. These workshops give you the chance to produce new work, explore the craft of writing, and learn how to find your voice across various genres like poems, essays, short stories, and more. For three weeks, you will attend sessions where you will spend time freewriting, responding to writing prompts and assignments, discussing assigned readings, and sharing and discussing your work and others’. Aside from this, you will also attend one-on-one meetings with your instructor, who are teachers from around the country with advanced degrees in creative writing.
12. DNA Learning Center Science Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost: $420; Need-based scholarships and discounts may be offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Not specified (self-paced)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students; Specific requirements vary by camp
The DNA Learning Center Science Camps are offered both online and in-person for students interested in learning more about genetics. As a virtual participant, you will have access to pre-recorded daily lessons and materials, including kits that contain lab materials, camp-specific workbooks, and learning protocols. You will also get access to a DNALC educator with whom you can ask questions and share or troubleshoot lab results. As a high school student, you can participate in the Forensic Detectives camp, which offers an introduction to conventional forensic science; the DNA Barcoding camp, which focuses on using DNA barcoding to explore biodiversity; and the Genome Science camp, which allows you to analyze the genetic complement of several organisms.
13. OSU’s High School Summer Camps: Virtual “Blender” Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $200; Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th graders
Oregon State University offers several STEM-focused high school summer camps, including one offered virtually—the Virtual “Blender” Camp. During the Virtual “Blender” Camp, you will learn how to use the tool, Blender, which is often used to create the 3D computer graphics you sometimes see in games, movies, and TV shows. As a participant, you will learn to do things like 3D viewing, moving objects in 3D, creating 3D geometry, lighting, rendering, coloring, and even animation, through Blender. Since Blender is free software, you can also continue to use it after the camp ends.
14. AoPS Academy’s Virtual Summer Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850
Cohort Size: 10-16 students per camp
Dates: Multiple 2 to 4-week camps
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: 3rd-10th graders; Specific requirements vary by camp
AoPS Academy’s Virtual Summer Camps offer access to camps focused on math and language arts. Some of the camps open to high school students interested in math include Introduction to Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, Precalculus, Honors Calculus, and more. If you’re interested in participating in high school math competitions like AMC 10, AMC 12, and AIME, you can try the AMC 10/12 Comprehensive Training camp. Aside from this, you can also attend camps like Nonfiction Writing and Exposition, which focuses on teaching you to write like a journalist, essayist, documentarian, or scientist, or the Academic Essay Toolkit, which offers the tools needed to create polished, persuasive essays. These camps also give you the chance to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills through interactive activities and real-life problem scenarios.
Frequently asked questions
What types of online camps are available for high school students?
Options include AI and machine learning boot camps (Veritas AI, Kode With Klossy, AIMI), mathematics intensives (SUMaC, AoPS Virtual Camps), biomedical and cancer research programs (Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology, DNA Learning Center), neuroscience camps (RNS NeuroCamp), journalism boot camps (Summer Journalism Bootcamp), creative writing workshops (Young Writers Workshops), architecture and 3D design camps (UW-Milwaukee, OSU Blender), coding programs (Girls Who Code, Kode With Klossy), and independent research programs (Lumiere, Veritas AI Fellowship).
Are there free online camps for high school students?
Yes, several programs are free. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology is free and provides a $500 stipend. Girls Who Code Pathways, Summer Journalism Bootcamp, RNS NeuroCamp, and Kode With Klossy are all free to attend. Programs like Veritas AI, Lumiere, SUMaC, and AIMI charge tuition but offer substantial or full financial aid for eligible students.
Which online camps are best for students interested in AI or technology?
Veritas AI offers structured boot camps and advanced fellowship programs with 1-on-1 mentorship and publication support. Kode With Klossy provides free two-week camps in AI, data science, and web development for girls and gender expansive teens. Stanford AIMI focuses specifically on AI applications in healthcare and medical imaging. Girls Who Code Pathways covers AI, data science, cybersecurity, and web development through real-world project tracks.
Which programs are best for students interested in writing or journalism?
Summer Journalism Bootcamp offered by the Daily Free Press is free and includes mentorship from alumni at major outlets like the Washington Post and New York Times, culminating in a published piece. Young Writers Summer Online Workshops are selective and focus on developing voice and craft across poetry, essays, and fiction in small cohorts of 2 to 14 students. AoPS Academy's Nonfiction Writing and Exposition camp teaches writing in journalistic, essayistic, and scientific styles.
Which online camps are most selective or competitive?
SUMaC at Stanford accepts only 64 students for its online program and requires strong prior preparation in proofs, algebra, and geometry. Lumiere Research Scholar Program has an acceptance rate of approximately 12.5%. Young Writers Workshops are highly selective with cohorts of only 2 to 14 students. Summer Healthcare Experience in Oncology is competitive and restricted to students in specific Illinois and Indiana counties.
When should I apply to online camps for high school students?
AIMI has the earliest deadline, closing between December 15 and February 20. SUMaC closes February 2 and Kode With Klossy closes March 31. Girls Who Code closes April 15, Young Writers Workshops close between March 6 and April 13, and the Architecture Summer Camp Academy closes June 15. Summer Journalism Bootcamp has the latest deadline at August 1. Students should begin identifying programs in the fall and prioritize December and February deadline programs first.