15 Summer Camps for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student looking to spend your summer productively, summer camps can be a practical way to explore your interests outside of the regular school year. These camps offer focused time to gain experience in areas such as coding, engineering, creative writing, law, music, research, and mathematics. You’ll also get the chance to build concrete skills like problem-solving, collaboration, public speaking, and presentation.
How are camps different from other middle school programs?
Unlike regular middle school programs, camps are typically shorter, more immersive experiences that center on projects such as coding robots, participating in ensemble performances, and mock legal activities. You will often leave with a tangible outcome, such as a certificate of completion or an experience you can describe in future applications and personal statements. These camps also emphasize small-group collaboration, giving you regular opportunities to practice teamwork and communication with peers who share your interests.
To help you make the right choice, here’s a list of 15 summer camps for middle school students.
If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. USC’s Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 32 students each year
Program Dates: July 13 – 2
Application Deadline: May 4
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8 who have at least a B average in science and math classes (priority will be given to active MESA and Mission Science students, and students at schools affiliated with the K-12 STEM Center)
The Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp at USC is a hands-on summer camp that introduces you to multiple engineering disciplines and basic computer science through project-based learning. As a participant, you will explore aerospace, civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering by building and testing rockets, circuits, bridges, and simple robots. You will also spend time learning to code and develop basic apps. The camp emphasizes collaboration with USC instructors and Northrop Grumman engineers, giving you direct exposure to how professionals approach engineering design and problem-solving.
2. Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by session; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Rolling; You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning while you’re still in middle school. Over the course of 25 hours, you will gain foundational knowledge in Python programming, along with topics such as data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Learning is facilitated through lectures and group sessions, with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Past student projects have included developing a machine learning model to classify music genres and creating an algorithm to generate a personalized list of educational resources based on user preferences.
3. UT Southwestern’s STARS Middle School Camp
Location: UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 30 students per camp
Program Dates: June 26 – July 2 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Current 7th graders
The STARS Middle School Camp at UT Southwestern is an in-person science program for current 7th-grade students that focuses on hands-on laboratory and classroom-based learning. You will work directly with microscopes and conduct experiments on topics such as muscle fatigue, chemical reactions, and the science of ice cream production. You will also use scientific tools, such as dichotomous keys and phylogenetic trees, to identify organisms and their evolutionary relationships. The curriculum includes structured lab exercises and afternoon activities that develop skills in observation, data interpretation, and problem-solving through challenges such as scavenger hunts and an academic escape room. You will also attend tour lectures and guest sessions led by UT Southwestern staff and faculty, providing insight into real-world scientific and medical research environments.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a virtual research program that introduces you to the fundamentals of academic research across a range of subjects while you’re still in middle school. Over eight weeks, you will work under the guidance of a mentor who holds or is pursuing a Ph.D. at a research university to explore a topic of your choice, such as artificial intelligence, environmental science, history, or business. Weekly one-on-one meetings will guide you through developing research questions, organizing sources, and structuring your ideas. The program emphasizes step-by-step project development, moving from topic selection to outlining, drafting, and revising. By the end of the program, you will complete a short research paper that reflects your research process and findings.
5. Manchester Tech Camp – TechSplorers Track
Location: University of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Limited number of spots available
Program Dates: August 3 – 14
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Priority given to students entering grades 5-12 who are currently attending school in Manchester (students from outside of Manchester can also apply, but will only be accepted on a space-available basis)
Manchester Tech Camp, hosted by the University of New Hampshire’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, offers a weeklong STEAM program focused on hands-on exploration of science and technology. In the TechSplorers track, you will work on projects related to physics, engineering, sound, and circuitry, using real materials to test how theoretical concepts apply in practical settings. Activities may include building and troubleshooting electrical circuits, examining basic forensic science methods, and studying how waves and sound behave in different environments. Sessions are led by university instructors and take place in campus labs, giving you access to academic spaces and research tools typically used by college students. The program is supported by the U.S. Economic Development Administration and is designed to provide structured, skill-based STEM learning at no cost to participants.
6. Just The Beginning (JTB) – A Pipeline Organization’s Middle School Law Camp
Location: Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 27 – 28
Application Deadline: Typically, 1 month before the camp’s start date
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
JTB Middle School Law Camp is a free, in-person program that introduces you to legal careers through structured classes and interactive activities. You will take part in a mock law school session where you learn how to analyze legal issues using the IRAC method. The curriculum also includes hands-on exercises in financial literacy, such as budgeting and saving, as well as contract negotiation activities that focus on communication and professional skills. You will also meet and learn from judges, lawyers, and legal professionals who share their career pathways.
7. Boston University’s Middle School Model UN Camp
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost: Day Camp starts at $1,200; Overnight Camp starts at $2,550 (tentative); Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Up to 34 students per class
Program Dates: August 2 – 8 (Overnight Camp); August 3 – 7 (Day Camp)
Application Deadline: Rolling (the earlier you apply, the higher your chances of getting in)
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 11-13
The Middle School Model UN Camp is a weeklong day or overnight camp that introduces you to global issues, diplomacy, and public speaking through structured simulations and guided activities. You will take part in daily Model UN role-play sessions where you’ll represent different countries, practice delivering opening speeches, debate current topics, and work with peers to draft resolutions. You will receive daily feedback and small-group mentoring from trained Model UN instructors who focus on building skills in negotiation, collaboration, and clear communication. The curriculum also includes interactive lessons on navigating global politics, forming alliances, and conducting diplomatic debates, along with games and public speaking labs. On the final day, you will participate in a full-length simulation that parents are invited to observe, providing you with a chance to present your work in a formal setting. Camp activities take place on Boston University’s campus, with options for dining hall meals, campus tours, and residence hall living for overnight participants.
8. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Middle School Science Camp
Location: NOAA’s Sand Point Facility, Seattle, WA
Cost: $450; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6 – 10
Application Deadline: Rolling; Registration opens on February 11
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8
At the NOAA Middle School Science Camp, you will take part in hands-on sessions designed to build your understanding of Earth and ocean sciences through real-world applications. You will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience analyzing water samples, reading marine navigation charts, and identifying marine mammals using physical markers such as skulls and tags. You will also explore how climate data is collected and interpreted by learning how buoys help predict large-scale weather and ocean events. Throughout the week, you will visit NOAA science offices at the Seattle Sand Point facility and work alongside NOAA scientists to see how research and environmental response are carried out in professional settings. These activities emphasize observation, teamwork, and problem-solving as you apply what you’ve learned to practical environmental challenges.
9. USC Viterbi’s CS@SC Summer Camps
Location: USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA (virtual options available)
Cost: $200 (virtual); $600 (in-person)
Cohort Size: 5-8 students (virtual sessions); 6-8 students (in-person sessions)
Program Dates: Multiple sessions (varies by format)
Application Deadline: May 2 (tentative)
Eligibility: Middle school students; check individual course pages here for course-specific prerequisites
USC Viterbi’s CS@SC Summer Camps are a flexible computer science program that allows you to choose from a range of technical courses offered both in person and online. You can enroll in subjects such as Python or Java programming, web development, mobile app development, game design, robo battles, cybersecurity, or drone programming, depending on your interests and experience level. Many of these courses are organized into beginner, intermediate, and advanced tracks, so you can progress from foundational concepts like variables and loops to topics such as object-oriented programming, responsive web design, or sensor-based robotics. Throughout the camp, you will work on hands-on projects such as building apps, coding robots, creating simple games, or programming drones. Instruction is led by CS@SC instructors through live sessions and guided platform-based work using tools like Replit, MIT App Inventor, and Unity. The camps emphasize structured skill development and independent problem-solving across different areas of computer science.
10. UIC Engineering Summer Camp
Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $500 per student; 10% discount offered to select applicants
Cohort Size: Each track consists of five sub-groups of up to 30 students each
Program Dates: July 13 – 17 (Track 1); July 20 – 24 (Track 2)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school students
At the UIC Engineering Summer Camp, you will spend a week exploring multiple engineering fields through daily, hands-on challenges designed by UIC faculty and graduate students in real research labs. The camp is organized around five engineering disciplines, allowing you to rotate through areas such as chemical, mechanical, computer science, materials, and environmental engineering. Each day, you will work in small teams to design, build, and test solutions, which may include writing basic code, creating robotics systems, or experimenting with biomechanics concepts. Faculty members, graduate students, and trained undergraduate mentors will guide your work and shed light on how engineers approach problem-solving and design. You will also learn about engineering careers in areas such as nanotechnology, autonomous vehicles, and medical technology, connecting your hands-on camp experience to real-world professional pathways.
11. Grainger Engineering Summer Camps
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: Varies by camp; Scholarships available
Acceptance Rate: 25-40%
Program Dates: Varies by camp
Application Deadline: Opens on February 1; The priority deadline is usually towards the end of March each year
Eligibility: 7th-12th graders
Grainger Engineering Summer Camps offer in-person day programs where you can explore different branches of engineering through hands-on projects and guided instruction at the University of Illinois. You can choose tracks such as Materials Science or Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), each built around daily lab activities, classroom sessions, and campus facility visits. In the materials science track, you will study how everyday materials like plastics and metals are designed, tested, and improved for strength and efficiency. In the ECE track, you will learn about circuits and digital logic and work in small teams on mentored projects that you will present at the end of the camp. Faculty members and undergraduate mentors will guide your work and provide regular feedback on problem-solving and technical skills.
12. MathCON Summer Camp
Location: Loyola Water Tower Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,450 (with housing); $2,150 (without housing)
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Program Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-12 who have competed in MathCON
MathCON Summer Camp at Loyola University Chicago is a weeklong, residential program for students who have qualified through the MathCON Online Round and want to study mathematics in a focused, competitive setting. As a participant, you will attend faculty-led sessions covering number theory, algebra, combinatorics, and geometry, with an emphasis on problem-solving strategies used in math competitions. You will work through challenging problem sets and participate in collaborative group activities that prepare you for contests such as the AMC 8, AMC 10, and AMC 12. Outside of academic sessions, the program includes structured excursions and social activities in Chicago, such as an escape room challenge and a Lake Michigan fireworks cruise. These experiences are designed to balance intensive math study with opportunities to interact and collaborate with other students who share similar interests.
13. Cazadero Summer Music Camp
Location: Cazadero Music Camp, Cazadero, CA
Cost: Varies; Scholarships and discounts available
Cohort Size: 100 – 180 campers per session
Program Dates: 1 or 2-week sessions in June and July (exact dates vary by session)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Middle school students; Students must have at least one year of experience with their instrument to join most of the summer sessions (beginners can join the NEW World Beat Ensemble track)
Cazadero Summer Music Camp is a residential program for students ages 9-18, where they study music on a forested campus near the Russian River in Sonoma County. You will be placed in a major ensemble—Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, or the World Beat program—and take part in multiple daily rehearsals led by guest conductors and music faculty. Each week, you will learn new repertoire and prepare for a weekend concert to perform for family and friends, providing a structured experience presenting your work on stage. You will receive small-group and individual instruction from professional musicians and university-level mentors who focus on technique, tone, and ensemble skills. The curriculum also includes elective classes such as composition, music theory, chamber groups, and jazz improvisation, along with optional non-music activities like nature studies and arts and crafts.
14. WriCampia
Location: Camp Danbee, Peru, MA
Cost: $4,200; Limited financial aid is available
Cohort Size: Around 200 campers, with 8-14 campers per bunk
Program Dates: August 10 – 21
Application Deadline: Rolling, until camp fills up
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5-12
WriCampia is a residential camp focused on creative writing, where you’ll spend each morning in small workshops led by published authors and produced playwrights. You will work on original pieces through guided writing exercises, peer discussion, and revision sessions designed to build skills in storytelling, character development, and voice. In the afternoons, you will select from a range of electives and project tracks, such as filmmaking, songwriting, portfolio writing, or role-playing games, which culminate in a final product or group showcase. You’ll also have the option to submit completed work to an annual anthology, offering a way to share your writing beyond the workshop setting. The camp balances structured writing instruction with recreational and arts-based activities around the camp’s outdoor and waterfront spaces.
15. Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: 20 students
Program Dates: July 26 – 31
Application Deadline: July 6
Eligibility: Middle school girls and gender-nonconforming youth aged 11-14
The Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp is a one-week program for students seeking to build programming and computational thinking skills. As a participant, you will learn to code using the Wolfram Language through guided exercises, short lectures, and mini projects that introduce you to core concepts in design, problem-solving, and computer science. Hands-on challenges may include activities in data science, basic machine learning, and computational art or music, allowing you to apply coding skills across different subjects. You will also participate in small-group Q&A sessions and panel discussions with Stephen Wolfram and Wolfram Research staff, who will provide insights into careers, research, and the latest advances in computational research. Instruction and mentoring are led by Wolfram Education experts and program alumni who provide feedback and support during coding activities. Outside of academic sessions, you will join optional online social events such as trivia, live coding challenges, and group discussions to collaborate with peers in a structured virtual setting.
Image source - Uni of Illinois