15 Online Camps for Middle School Students
If you want to learn beyond school, academic or extracurricular camps can be short, structured options to explore. Many of these camps are conducted entirely online, giving you the chance to explore new interests without having to travel. Through virtual camps, you can dive into practical skills like coding, science, artificial intelligence, debate, and creative problem-solving while exploring how these subjects connect to careers. The online format offers flexibility, allowing you to access college-level resources while learning from home and save on travel, housing, and program costs, making advanced learning more accessible.
How are camps different from other programs in middle school?
Camps are usually shorter and more focused than traditional programs, so you get to concentrate on one subject without feeling overwhelmed. Instead of long-term coursework, camps focus on projects such as building an app, running a science experiment, analyzing data, or preparing for a debate. This project-based structure helps you see progress quickly and understand how ideas turn into real outcomes. Many online camps are led by universities, research labs, and experienced educators, offering early exposure to how professionals work in these fields.
To make your search easier, we have narrowed our list down to 15 online camps for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~12 students/year
Dates: Three-week summer course (July) followed by weekly online meetings from mid-August through December
Application deadline: March 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 and 7 from low-income families (typically, a household income under $90,000 annually) who reside in and attend school in the United States
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program is a tuition-free academic initiative that combines a three-week summer learning experience with continued support during the fall. You will begin with a summer course taught by experienced instructors in subjects such as math, philosophy, or media literacy. Following the summer session, weekly virtual meetings from August to December will focus on academic writing, study strategies, and preparation for selective high schools. Classes are conducted in small cohorts to encourage discussion and personalized feedback. Families will remain involved through regular check-ins and informational meetings that support student progress.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Cost: Varies depending on program
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring | 25 hours over two weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort.
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines; you can check details and apply to the program here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is a 25-hour online program that introduces you to artificial intelligence through structured instruction and hands-on coding work. The program begins with Python programming fundamentals before moving into data analysis, regression, classification, and neural networks. Instruction takes place in small groups, allowing you to receive consistent feedback and ask questions during live sessions. You will work with real datasets to better understand how machine learning models are trained and evaluated. Ethical topics such as algorithmic bias, fairness, and responsible AI use are integrated throughout the curriculum. The program concludes with a guided project that demonstrates your understanding of core AI and data science concepts.
3. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Various two-week sessions in the summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens who are 13 – 18 years old
Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camps are free, two-week programs designed for students from underrepresented genders in technology. You will learn through one of four tracks: web development, mobile app development, data science, or machine learning. The curriculum covers programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, Swift, and HTML/CSS. You will collaborate in small teams to build functional projects such as websites, mobile apps, or data-driven tools. You will also engage with broader topics like algorithmic bias and digital accessibility. At the end of this online camp, you will complete a portfolio-ready project that demonstrates applied coding and teamwork skills.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Cost: Varies depending on program; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year; you can apply here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week online research experience where you will work individually with a Ph.D. mentor. In the first part of the program, you will explore multiple subject areas to understand different academic approaches and research styles. Weekly meetings will introduce skills such as formulating research questions, evaluating sources, and organizing findings. After selecting a focus area, you will develop a structured research plan under the guidance of your mentor. You will finish by completing a research paper, case study, or presentation that reflects the full research process.
5. Rosetta Institute’s Biomedical Camps
Cost: FutureMD: $490 | Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine; $520 | Medicinal Chemistry: $680 | Medical Bioinformatics; $1,070
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: Summer camps; dates vary by camp
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students, ages 11 – 18
Rosetta Institute offers various workshop-based camps in biomedical science, including tracks in biology, bioinformatics, and medical chemistry. The program combines live lectures, small-group discussions, and lab-style simulations to offer an introduction to fields in biomedicine. Classes are led by Ph.D.-level instructors. During the program, you will work on assignments that mimic real biomedical research. You can also indicate your preference for engaging in research or working on a project.
6. New York Film Academy's 1-Week Online Summer Filmmaking Camp for Kids
Cost: $724
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 3 – 7
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students, ages 10 – 13
NYFA’s one-week filmmaking camp covers the basics of visual storytelling through live online sessions. You will learn about direction, story structure, camera techniques using your phone or any available camera, and editing using Adobe Rush. Throughout the week, you will engage in production exercises and complete assignments during weekday evenings to build skills in cinematography and post-production. At the end of the camp, you will have created a film that will be screened. The program also offers an opportunity for peer collaboration and provides instructor feedback.
7. NYFA's 1-Week Online Acting for Film Camps for Kids
Cost: $742
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 3 – 7
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students, ages 10 – 13
This one-week camp allows you to experiment with on-screen performance and study fundamental acting techniques with support from New York Film Academy instructors, who are professional film, TV, and stage actors. At camp, you will learn about monologues, improv, film acting, acting for different frame sizes, rehearsing, and analyzing your character. The camp also offers an introduction to the business aspect of acting and auditioning. You will leave the camp with a completed monologue, on tape, that you can use for future acting opportunities.
8. Girls Who Code Clubs
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all; no selection process
Dates: Ongoing during the school year; clubs typically meet 1–2 hours per week after school or on weekends
Application deadline: Rolling; students join through their local school or community club
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–12; no prior coding experience required
Girls Who Code Clubs are free programs where you get to learn foundational computer science skills in a collaborative environment, either online or at schools, libraries, and community centers. Depending on your prior experience, you may begin with block-based coding or transition directly into text-based languages such as Python or JavaScript. Meetings are focused on project-based learning, with activities that include building simple games, websites, or small applications. You will often solve problems in teams, which helps you practice teamwork, logical thinking, debugging, and communication skills. Some clubs also introduce basic concepts of artificial intelligence and explain how algorithms and digital systems shape everyday technology.
9. Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp
Cost: $500; up to 100% financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~20 students/year
Dates: July 26 – 31
Application deadline: July 6
Eligibility: Middle-school students who identify as girls and are 11 – 14 years of age
The Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp is a one-week online program focused on helping you explore programming and computational thinking using the Wolfram Language. Daily sessions combine instructor-led lessons with problem-solving activities and applied challenges. You will work on tasks that may involve analyzing data, building algorithms, or modeling real-world systems. Guest speakers will share insights into how computation is used in science and technology. As the week progresses, activities will encourage more independent exploration of ideas. Group discussions and collaborative sessions will support peer learning throughout this online camp for middle school students.
10. Capitol Debate’s Virtual Public Speaking & Debate Camp
Cost: $1,799
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 26 | Session 2: June 29 – July 10 | Session 3: July 12 – 23
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Middle school students
Capitol Debate’s Virtual Public Speaking and Debate Camp focuses on developing middle schoolers’ communication and argumentation skills through live, instructor-led online sessions. You will participate in interactive lessons that break down speech structure, evidence selection, and persuasive techniques used in competitive debate. Practice rounds will simulate real debate scenarios, giving you the chance to apply strategies, respond to opposing arguments, and think on your feet in real time. Coaches will provide detailed feedback during group sessions and individual meetings, helping you refine both your content and delivery. The curriculum also emphasizes critical thinking, active listening, and effective rebuttal construction.
11. National Symposium for Debate (NSD) Debate Camps
Cost: $1,995 (LD Online) | $1,695 (PF Online); financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30–300 students, depending on the camp; 1:4/5 faculty to student ratio
Dates: July 20 – 31 (LD Online) | June 29 – July 10 (PF Online)
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
NSD’s Debate Camps provide middle school students with public speaking training in either Public Forum (PF) or Lincoln-Douglas (LD) debate. You will be placed into a “lab” based on your experience and skills. Here, under the instruction of debate coaches and nationally-ranked ex-LD and PF debaters, you will refine public speaking and debate skills through activity-based study. Lab sessions offer instruction in cross-examination, argumentation, rhetoric, case writing, and strategic rebuttal preparation, with drills and daily practice rounds. The camp ends with a final tournament (divided into categories based on experience level), where you will apply your newly acquired skills to a friendly competition.
12. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory DNA Learning Center Virtual Camps
Cost: $420/camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Available on demand throughout the year
Application deadline: No formal deadline
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; specific grade requirements vary by camp.
The DNA Learning Center’s virtual camps allow you to explore genetics and molecular biology through instructor-led video lessons and hands-on lab activities at home. You will receive a laboratory kit containing the materials needed for experiments, including DNA extraction and enzyme analysis. This online camp for middle school students can be completed on a flexible schedule while still following the curriculum. You will also interact with educators through video calls or online classroom platforms to ask questions and review results. Some camps involve sending prepared samples back for professional processing.
13. Dartmouth University’s Regenerative Medicine
Cost: $1,895
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Sessions of one to four weeks available throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session; typically, closing one week before the session starts
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and above
Dartmouth University’s Regenerative Medicine course introduces you to the scientific principles behind repairing and replacing human tissues and organs. Through virtual lessons, you will study topics such as stem cells, tissue engineering, biomaterials, and 3D bioprinting. Course materials connect biological concepts to real-world medical challenges, such as organ shortages and chronic disease treatment, and case studies illustrate how regenerative technologies are developed and tested. The program also covers ethical and social considerations related to biomedical innovation. The course concludes with a capstone project that helps you apply regenerative medicine concepts in a structured way.
14. Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep Virtual Camps
Cost: Varies by camp; typically, ~$300/per camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week-long camps in June and July; dates vary by camp
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Middle and high school students
Elevate College Prep’s virtual summer camps allow you to explore topics in STEM, such as coding, robotics, AI, or data science. You can learn through multiple tracks to explore different parts of the tech and science world. Each camp offers hands-on experience solving real problems while introducing you to college-level STEM coursework. Additionally, you will work under the guidance of mentors as you develop skills in robotics, design, math, or engineering. You will also work on assignments and projects to link what you learn to real scenarios.
15. Lighthouse Writers Workshops
Cost: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by session, but all workshops only host a small number of students.
Dates: Vary by specific workshop
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Workshops available for different age groups, with many options open to middle schoolers
Lighthouse Writers Workshop runs year-round camps for young writers who want to explore genres like playwriting, fiction, and poetry. As a participant, you will spend a few hours to several weeks, depending on the program you choose, building creativity and self-expression through workshops led by authors across genres. Each workshop features writing exercises, feedback sessions, and community-based interaction. Online-only and after-school formats are typically offered, making the workshops accessible options.