15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Arizona

Summer break is a great time to try something new or learn more about a subject you’re curious about. If you're looking to keep your summer both fun and productive, there are plenty of summer programs for middle school students in Arizona that offer practical learning.

Whether you're interested in science, technology, the arts, or something in between, these programs offer a chance to explore new subjects, meet like-minded peers, and build skills you’ll use in and out of the classroom. Many are hosted by Arizona’s top universities and organizations, giving you access to tools, spaces, and mentors you might not encounter during the school year. Some programs are highly structured and academic, while others focus more on creativity, exploration, or teamwork. 

With so many summer programs for middle school students in Arizona, this list highlights 15 options to consider.

1. University of Arizona - GenCyber Middle School Camp

Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Cost: Free!
Cohort size: 40 students.
Dates: June 2 – 6.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 7-9 are eligible to apply.

At the GenCyber Middle School Camp, you’ll spend five days exploring the world of cybersecurity through hands-on projects and interactive lessons. Hosted by University of Arizona faculty and cybersecurity professionals, the camp covers foundational topics like Python programming, cryptography, confidentiality, and system integrity. During camp, you’ll learn how digital systems work, how they're attacked, and how to protect them using real tools and techniques. You'll also get to use a Raspberry Pi 400, a portable computer you take home to keep practicing what you learn.

2. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers and AI Junior Fellowship

Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Weekend Cohort: June 8 - August 10 (Sundays) | Weekday I: June 9 - 20 | Weekday II: July 14 - 25.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Ambitious middle school students are eligible to apply. Students interested in the AI Junior Fellowship must have completed the AI Trailblazers program or have prior experience in Python.

AI Trailblazers is a virtual summer program for middle school students designed to introduce you to artificial intelligence and machine learning through guided, project-based learning. Over 10 weeks, you'll build a foundation in Python programming, explore core AI topics like regression, classification, and image recognition, and learn how neural networks operate, culminating in a guided group project. Students interested in the AI Junior Fellowship will spend 12 weeks building a unique AI model or research paper with 1-on-1 mentorship.

3. University of Arizona - Cummings Aerospace Middle School Engineering Camp

Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Cost: Free!
Cohort size: 100 students.
Dates: June 3 – 7.
Application Deadline: February 24 - March 28.
Eligibility: Rising 6th to 8th graders from select Title 1 schools in Tucson are eligible to apply.

This summer program for middle school students in Arizona introduces you to key engineering concepts through hands-on projects in 3D design, Python coding, and robotics. Hosted by the University of Arizona College of Engineering and Cummings Aerospace, the camp helps you understand how engineers approach problem-solving. You'll work on practical tasks like designing objects for 3D printing and programming simple robotic systems, all while collaborating with other students in team-based activities. You’ll also get a look at how these tools are used in real-world technology and aerospace applications.

4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual.
Cost: Varies by program type. Need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: Several cohorts year-round, including summer.
Application Deadline: May.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply. 

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a unique opportunity for middle school students to explore academic topics through personalized research. Over eight weeks, you'll work one-on-one with a mentor from a top global university, like Harvard, Yale, or Stanford, to study subjects that interest you and develop a research-based project from scratch. Topics range from AI and medicine to history, economics, and more. The first few weeks focus on exploring different fields, followed by choosing one area to dive into more deeply. In the final phase, you’ll build and refine a project with your mentor’s guidance.

5. Sandra Day O'Connor Institute - Camp O’Connor USA

Location: ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Phoenix, AZ.
Cost: Free!
Acceptance rate: Highly selective.
Dates: June 10 – 14.
Application Deadline: April 1.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7th and 8th are eligible to apply.

At Camp O’Connor USA, you’ll spend five days immersed in civics and government, exploring what it really means to participate in a democracy. Each day focuses on one branch (executive, legislative, or judicial) through activities like mock debates, court case analysis, and visits to places like the state capitol and supreme court. You’ll also examine topics like voting rights, civic responsibility, and leadership through simulations and guest talks from elected officials and judges. The camp closes with a mock political convention, where you and your peers form parties, campaign, and vote for candidates.

6. Arizona State University - Digital Culture Summer Institute

Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Cost: $150 – $250.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: June 9 – 20.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12 – 14 years are eligible to apply.

This summer program for middle school students in Arizona offers hands-on workshops that blend art, science, and technology. Hosted by ASU’s School of Arts, Media and Engineering, you can choose from classes like Minecraft coding, 3D printing, green screen video production, or animation with Blender. Each session is five days long and designed to help you explore real-world applications of digital tools and creative technology. You’ll work directly with university faculty and grad students who guide you through projects in areas like game design, music tech, and AI.

7. Arizona State University - 7Up Summer Robotics Camp

Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Cost: $900. Need-based scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: June 16 – 27.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 7 and 8 are eligible to apply.

ASU 7Up Summer Robotics Camp is a summer program for middle school students in Arizona where you dive into everything from 3D animation to robot design. Over two weeks, you’ll learn programming in the Alice environment, build EV3‑based robots, and explore web and phone app development as vehicles for engineering design. Instructors from ASU’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence guide you through each module, ensuring you grasp core concepts in computing technologies and robotics programming. By the end, you’ll put your new skills to the test in a robotics challenge and demonstration modeled on the FIRST Lego League competition.

8. Arizona State University - Young Adult Writing Program 

Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Cost: $300 tuition and $25 booking fee.
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: Session A: June 2 – 13 | Session B: June 16 – 27.
Application Deadline: Session A: May 23 | Session B:  June 6.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.

If you're looking for summer programs for middle school students in Arizona that center creative writing, YAWP gives you space to experiment with your voice. Run by the Central Arizona Writing Project, YAWP emphasizes a non-evaluative environment where you write freely and share works in progress with fellow young writers. Depending on the camp theme, you might craft fan-zines, personal essays, short stories, or illustrated narratives based on your identity and experiences. Each session ends with a published anthology featuring writing from everyone in the group.

9. University of Arizona - Toxic Detectives

Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Cost: $275. Need-based financial aid is available. University of Arizona employees receive a 25% discount.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: June 2 – 6.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students entering 6th-8th grades in Fall are eligible to apply.

Toxic Detectives is a weeklong summer program for middle school students in Arizona that introduces you to environmental health and toxicology. You’ll investigate how toxins affect the world around you by conducting experiments, touring research labs, and listening to guest speakers working in STEM fields. The program also includes field trips and time exploring the University of Arizona campus, giving you a closer look at how science is applied outside the classroom. Throughout the week, you’ll choose a toxin to research and present your findings at a final showcase.

10. Arizona State University - SUCCESS: A Survey of Computing, Coding, and Engineering Software Systems

Location: Arizona State University, Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ.
Cost: $300. Full and partial scholarships are available.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: May 27 – 30.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.

SUCCESS is a weeklong summer program for middle school students in Arizona that introduces you to six major areas of computing through daily projects. Each day, you’ll explore a new topic, such as AI, AR/VR, mobile and web development, game design, embedded systems, and cybersecurity, giving you a broad look at what computing can involve. Projects include building a simple game, programming an LED message wall, using a VR headset, and designing a basic AI-powered app. You’ll also try your hand at digital security tools and concepts. 

11. University of Arizona - Summer Music Camp

Location: University of Arizona School of Music, Tucson, AZ.
Cost: $200 - $225.
Cohort size: 80 students in band, 60 students in chorus, and 60 students in orchestra.
Dates: June 16 – 20.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students completing 5th-8th grade in the Greater Tucson Area who have at least one year of music instruction in Band, Choir, or Orchestra are eligible to apply.

This summer program for middle school students in Arizona offers a week of large ensemble rehearsals, sectional coaching, and electives that explore non-Western and non-traditional music styles. You'll receive specialized instruction on your instrument or voice while expanding your perspective through exposure to global music traditions. Daily activities include both structured rehearsals and lighter, camp-style events that let you connect with other young musicians.

12. Arizona State University - Integrated Engineering Design Camp

Location: Arizona State University, West Valley Campus, Glendale, AZ.
Cost: $125.
Acceptance rate: Selective.
Dates: June 9 – 13.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6–8 are eligible to apply.

At the Integrated Engineering Design Camp, you’ll spend a week learning how engineers solve real-world problems by working through the full design process, from brainstorming to prototyping. This program is structured around hands-on challenges where you’ll build and test your own creations, then refine them based on what works and what doesn’t. The activities are designed to show how engineering applies to everyday problems and future innovations.

13. University of Arizona - Summer Fusion Camp: Universe of Science Revealed

Location: University of Arizona, Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, Tucson, AZ.
Cost: Non-Members: $395 | Flandrau Members: $355.
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment.
Dates: June 30 – July 3.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students entering 6th-8th grades are eligible to apply.

The Universe of Science Revealed session is a four-day summer program for middle school students in Arizona that explores everything from galaxies to the human brain. Each day focuses on a different theme tied to the center’s new exhibit, giving you the chance to learn directly from University of Arizona researchers. You'll participate in interactive activities and science experiments that help connect complex topics to real-world discovery. The approach is hands-on and fast-paced, offering a broad view of science across space, biology, and invention.

14. Arizona State University - Camp Broadway

Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.
Cost: $700. Limited full and partial scholarships are available. ASU staff/students receive a 15% discount.
Cohort size: 80 students.
Dates: June 16 – 20.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply.

Camp Broadway is a five-day summer program for middle school students in Arizona who are interested in theater. This camp blends instruction in acting, singing, dancing, and improvisation with group rehearsals and scene work led by Broadway professionals. Each day, you’ll take part in interactive classes that build your performance skills while also helping you grow in confidence and teamwork. Midweek, you’ll attend a live Broadway performance and meet cast members over lunch, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at professional theater. The week ends with a Family Finale where you’ll perform scenes and musical numbers learned throughout the camp.

15. Berkeley Coding Academy - Data Science: The AI Journey

Location: Virtual.
Cost: Starts at $2,699. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Cohort size: 8 students per cohort.
Dates: July 14 – August 1.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines.
Eligibility: Middle school students aged 12–14 years who are able to write their own Python functions are eligible to apply.

This virtual summer program teaches you how to code in Python, create your own data visualizations, and build machine learning models from scratch using libraries like Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, and Scikit-learn. The program includes daily live lectures followed by small cohort sessions, where you work on collaborative projects and apply what you've learned with support from instructors. Each student wraps up with a final portfolio project that tells a story using real data, visualizations, and predictive models. You’ll also be introduced to advanced tools like XGBoost and neural networks while exploring ethical and practical applications of AI.