15 Summer Camps for High School Students
Summer camps are a solid option for high school students who want to explore their interests, build new skills, and connect with like-minded peers outside of a traditional classroom setting. Whether you are curious about science, technology, the arts, leadership, or entrepreneurship, there is a camp designed to give you exposure to that field. Camps can help you develop practical skills, gain early industry experience, and build connections with mentors, professionals, and fellow students who share your passions. Attending a summer camp can also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to invest time and effort in your own growth.
How are summer camps different from other programs in high school?
Unlike semester-long electives or year-round extracurriculars, summer camps are short, focused programs that pack a lot of learning into a condensed timeframe, typically ranging from a few days to a few weeks. Because of this structure, camps tend to be highly immersive: you may spend your days building and launching a robotics project, working on a creative writing portfolio, conducting science experiments, rehearsing for a performance, or collaborating on a business pitch. The goal of camps is active participation rather than passive learning, which means you walk away with tangible work, new skills, and real experiences to show for your time. This also makes summer camps a great way to test out an interest before committing to it as a major or career path.
To help you find the right fit, we have narrowed down 15 summer camps for high school students across a range of fields and interests.
If you’re looking for free online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Virtual and in-person camps (sites vary by year)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 12 | July 6 – 17 | July 20 – 31 | August 3 – 14
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Kode With Klossy runs free, two-week coding camps for teens who want to learn how to code. You will join tracks such as web development, data science, or AI and ML to learn to use languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, work with tools like SQL and Python, or study algorithms and natural language processing. Beyond track-specific learning, you will attend a speaker series featuring women in tech, who will share insights into what careers in the field look like. You will also gain access to the broader Kode With Klossy alumni community upon completing the program.
2. Veritas AI Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple 12 – 15-week cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Rolling enrollment; deadlines vary by cohort: Spring (January), Fall (September), Summer (May), and Winter (November). You can check details and apply to the programhere.
Eligibility: High school students;AI Fellowship with Publication and Showcase accepts previousAI Scholars participants or those with some experience working with AI or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers a range of online programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science, you can choose the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will learn about the fundamentals of AI and data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another track for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. During this program, you will work 1-on-1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A key feature of this program is that it offers you access to the in-house publication team to help you secure publications in high school research journals. You can check out some examples of past projects here and read about a student’s experience in the program here.
3. SAGE Camp
Location: SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford Campuses, Menlo Park and Palo Alto, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 21– 27
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade in Northern California high schools who are under 18 years of age
SAGE Camp at SLAC is a weeklong residential camp designed to provide high school students with hands-on STEM exposure. You will spend the week attending technology and career talks led by scientists and engineers, small-group job shadowing sessions, team-based hands-on projects, and facility tours. In the process, you will see STEM professionals carry out their day-to-day work and explore modern tools and technologies used in labs. Evening programming is designed to help you build connections with peers and engage with researchers and engineers in a more informal setting. Professional development is part of the curriculum, covering skills like scientific communication and confidence-building. Upon completing the camp, you may have access to events and community support to continue exploring STEM careers.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote! You can participate in the program from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring; cohorts run from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in high school who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a wide range of subject areas for high schoolers to explore. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you will have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as economics, data science, psychology, physics, 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. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, GA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~ 7.7%; up to 27 students/session
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Typically, March; you can check the website for updated details
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up
The CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is a five-day program focused on public health for high school students entering their junior or senior year. The camp will introduce you to epidemiology and the CDC's work through lectures and hands-on activities led by CDC scientists and staff. You will learn how public health professionals look for disease patterns and tackle outbreaks by participating in simulations and mock press conferences. The camp curriculum typically covers topics such as emergency preparedness, global health, injury and violence prevention, environmental health, and public health law. You will also engage in activities such as data analysis exercises, lab sessions, and discussions on disease surveillance and health data.
6. Drexel University’s Neuroscience Camp for High School Students
Location: Drexel University College of Medicine, Queen Lane Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – August 31
Application deadline: April 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with a background in chemistry, biology, or research
This two-week, non-residential camp at Drexel University's College of Medicine focuses on neuroscience and research. Every day at camp, you will attend a morning lecture led by faculty or senior graduate students on topics like electrophysiology, brain anatomy, and neuropharmacology. Then, you will participate in an afternoon lab session to work on a group project using real neuroscience lab techniques. You will also receive instruction in reviewing scientific literature. The program includes trips to the Academy of Natural Sciences and the Franklin Institute. At the end, you will present your project and receive a certificate of completion.
7. Cardiac Camp @ University of California, San Francisco
Location: UCSF Parnassus Campus, San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application deadline: Priority: March 6; Regular: April 4
Eligibility: Current 9th and 10th graders who have completed at least one high school science course by July and are from low-income and/or educationally disadvantaged students
Cardiac Camp at UCSF is a free, weeklong experience designed for high school students interested in medicine and the health sciences. You will spend five days exploring the cardiovascular system in depth, including anatomy, heart function, and the broader implications of cardiovascular disease in underserved communities, while learning from undergraduate counselors and camp instructors. The camp offers opportunities to connect with medical educators and healthcare professionals. You will gain real exposure to clinical and research environments and what a career in medicine might look like
8. Virginia Tech Explore Life Science Camp
Location: Virginia Tech Campus, Blacksburg, VA
Cost: $1,150
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 5 – 9
Application deadline: June 1 or when camp is full, whichever is earlier
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
Explore Life Science is a five-day residential camp at Virginia Tech designed for students interested in exploring biology and life sciences beyond the high school curriculum. You spend the week running experiments in neuroscience and psychology, bacterial evolution, virology, and biotechnology, exploring ancient life forms in Virginia Tech's Geoscience Museum, and studying fermentation in the food science kitchen. The schedule combines structured lab sessions with open-ended exploration, including ecology fieldwork at the campus Duck Pond and stream biology studies. Beyond the science, the camp includes sessions on how to write a college essay and how to apply to and prepare for college. Career networking is built into the final evening, offering you a chance to speak informally with professionals in STEM fields.
9. Ohio State University at Marion’s STEM Summer Camps—Horizons of Science: From Microbes to Megastructures
Location: Ohio State Marion’s Science and Engineering Building, Marion, OH
Cost: $185
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th graders enrolled in U.S. schools
Horizons of Science is a week-long day camp at Ohio State that blends biochemistry, engineering, and environmental science through a schedule of hands-on labs and design challenges. You will work on experiments focused on molecular gastronomy, blood-typing simulations, and crime-scene biochemistry, and engage in engineering activities, including building and programming a take-home robot and designing and racing cardboard boats in a campus regatta. You will also learn about ecosystem science through fieldwork at the Larry R. Yoder Prairie Learning Laboratory, where you will explore real outdoor environments as part of the curriculum.A full-day field trip to Recreation Unlimited is part of the experience; here, you will conduct stream exploration studies and apply engineering principles to build survival structures outdoors. The program emphasizes teamwork and real-world problem-solving, giving you a sense of how different scientific disciplines connect in practice.
10. Hamline University’s Young Physicist Camp
Location: Hamline University, Saint Paul, MN
Cost: $698; $100 discount available on applying before April 30
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application deadline: Open until spaces fill; early bird deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
The Young Physicist Camp is a week-long day camp at Hamline University's Saint Paul campus focused on renewable energy and the principles of scientific innovation. You will work with real energy conversion and storage devices, including solar cells, supercapacitors, and lithium-ion batteries, to conduct hands-on experiments. Throughout the week, you will also interact with local experts in renewable energy and the innovation process, gaining exposure to how scientific ideas move from concept to real-world application. A key deliverable of the program is a team-designed renewable energy system, which you will develop. You will also write and present a formal innovation plan, thereby building technical and communication skills.
11. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, WV
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Two delegates from each U.S. state and the District of Columbia, + up to two international delegates each from participating countries
Dates: July 11 – August 1
Application deadline: February 19 – March 15 (certain states may have a different due date)
Eligibility: Recent U.S. high school graduates, as well as current high school juniors and seniors with strong academic performance; international students ages 16– 18 from select countries can also apply.
The National Youth Science Camp is a fully-funded three-week residential STEAM program held in the mountains of West Virginia, where delegates from across the U.S. and select international countries come together for an immersive mix of science, outdoor adventure, and the arts. The academic centerpiece of the program is a daily lecture series featuring world-class STEM professionals speaking on innovative and relevant topics. This is paired with small-group directed studies that allow you to go deeper on a subject with expert mentors. Dedicated STEAM staff lead programming in physical, natural, and computer sciences, while informal seminars and performing arts ensembles add breadth to the experience. This outdoor program takes full advantage of West Virginia's setting, offering opportunities for hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, caving, kayaking, and overnight expeditions. You will also travel to Washington, D.C., to potentially meet with members of Congress, tour museums, and participate in panel discussions at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
12. University of the Pacific Economics Summer Camp
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $3,800
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 1 – 11 | Session 2: June 16 – 26
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
This summer camp at the University of the Pacific introduces high schoolers to personal finance and financial literacy through a hands-on curriculum. You will study topics such as credit scores, budgeting, saving, borrowing, taxes, investing, and risk management over the course of 11 days. Daily sessions typically combine videos, readings, case studies, games, and simulations, each helping you connect financial concepts to real-life situations. Hands-on activities include analyzing buying versus renting decisions, preparing a budget and cash flow statement, and using tax simulation tools. You will live on the University of the Pacific’s campus for the duration of the session, gaining exposure to student life.
13. University of South Florida’s CyberCamp
Location: University of South Florida’s Tampa campus, Tampa, FL
Cost: $650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/year
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Not specified; applications open on February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
USF’s CyberCamp is a five-day summer program designed to introduce high school students to cybersecurity through instruction and hands-on experiences. The program lets you choose your daily breakout session, with options available in hardware hacking, lockpicking, or critical infrastructure labs. You will learn from cybersecurity professionals and find opportunities to build technical skills and professional connections. The program also offers insights into diverse cyber domains, including physical security, web exploitation, AI, and social engineering.
14. Hofstra University’s Finance and Investment for Teens
Location: Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Cost: $780/week (additional fee for transportation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 17
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 – 12
This one-week camp at Hofstra University introduces high schoolers to core concepts in finance and investing. You will learn how companies make decisions, set their financial goals, and measure their performance. The curriculum also covers the stock market and its role in the economy and in personal finance. A key part of the experience is a stock market simulation game where you will act as a money manager and build a portfolio of stocks. Through this activity, you will apply investment strategies that you have learned throughout the week.
15. Hillsdale College’s Summer Science Camps
Location: Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI
Cost: $150 registration fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – 26
Application deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Hillsdale College runs science-focused week-long residential camps, with tracks in biology, chemistry and biochemistry, math, and physics, each designed to offer real laboratory and problem-solving experience in a college setting. In the biology track, you will explore photosynthesis and DNA using techniques like gel electrophoresis, PCR, and DNA sequencing. The chemistry track involves work with nanotechnology, organic synthesis, and protein expression. The math track allows you to investigate group theory and topology through puzzles and group projects. In the physics track, you will study mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, relativity, and optics through hands-on labs. At the end of the week, you can sit an optional exam to earn one hour of transferable college credit.