15 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in California
Summer is a great time for middle school students to explore new interests, build skills, and gain confidence outside the classroom, and structured programs can help you do all of that. Summer programs typically let you dive into advanced academics, extracurriculars, and skill-building activities that can help you prepare for high school and beyond. As a participant, you will learn from experts, professionals, and academics, and you will also connect with other middle schoolers who share your interests.
Why should you attend a program in California?
California offers a wide range of summer programs that help young learners explore subjects like science, technology, engineering, arts, and leadership in innovative and engaging ways. Whether you are into day camps, immersive academies, or experiential workshops, you will find programs in the state that are designed to spark curiosity andintroduce you to new ideas that can shape your academic and personal growth.
To help you find the right option, here is a list of 15 summer programs for middle school students in California.
If you are looking for online programs, check out our blog here.
1. Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp @ USC
Location: University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 14 – 25
Eligibility: Middle school students (rising 6th – 8th graders) from Los Angeles with a B average or higher in math and science
Application deadline: May 5
This free program offers middle school students practical learning experiences, focusing on fields like aerospace, electrical, civil, environmental, and mechanical engineering. At camp, you will participate in activities like building model rockets, bridges, and robots, and learn basic computer programming and app design through structured activities and group projects. You will access the mentorship of university faculty and Northrop Grumman professionals throughout the program. You will also attend workshops covering coding and engineering basics, as well as go on tours of the university’s research facilities. At the end of the program, you will participate in a team-based design showcase and receive feedback from industry professionals.
2. Veritas AI Trailblazers
Location: Online
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Dates: Cohorts offered year-round, including in the summer
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Application deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here.
Veritas AI Trailblazers is a 25-hour, mentor-led introduction to artificial intelligence designed specifically for middle school students who want to explore how AI is used across real-world fields. You will begin by building a foundation in Python and data science, then move on to hands-on projects that apply AI to areas such as gaming, healthcare, political science, sports analytics, and education. The program is designed and taught by Harvard graduate students and alumni, placing a strong emphasis on guided learning, practical experimentation, and understanding how AI tools are built, not just used. You will learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio.
3. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person (sites can vary, with previous camps hosted at various sites in the U.S., including San Francisco, CA)
Cost: Free
Dates: Two weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens, ages 13 – 18
Application deadline: TBA
Kode With Klossy runs free coding camps designed for young women and gender-expansive teens. You will learn through one of four specialized tracks: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, or Data Science. Each track offers hands-on project work, instruction, and expert mentorship to help you learn how to code and gain experience in working with emerging tech tools. Depending on the track, you may work on building an app or website, working with datasets, or training a chatbot. You will also attend sessions led by women in technology.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Summer cohorts begin in June/July and run for eight weeks
Eligibility: Middle school students with strong academic backgrounds
Application deadline: May/June deadlines
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a research-focused experience for middle school students interested in exploring a subject area in detail. During the program, you will work with Ph.D.-level mentors from leading universities to develop research projects based on your interests. You will start by exploring multiple topics, then narrow down one topic that you would like to investigate in your project. You can choose from areas like STEM, social sciences, business, and various other disciplines and pick a topic for your project, which could be a research report, presentation, or anything else that reflects your skills and knowledge. This experience can help you refine critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and research skills and prepare for academic competitions and research opportunities.
5. Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer program: July 6 – 24 + Fall weekly sessions: August 26 – December 9
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6 and 7 who are U.S. residents attending school in the U.S. and are from low-income households
Application deadline: March 25
SMSSP is a selective, tuition-free academic enrichment experience designed to prepare middle school students for rigorous high school pathways. Through a three-week online summer course followed by weekly after-school meetings in the fall, you will work on refining academic writing, math skills, and high school planning while learning alongside a small cohort of peers from across the U.S. You will work with Stanford Online High School instructors to build skills for future education. The program also serves as a resource if you are interested in applying to Stanford Online High School and other academically demanding high schools.
6. UC Berkeley’s ATDP Secondary Division Summer Programs
Location: Online or in-person at UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Varies by course (cost includes tuition + program fee; textbooks, supplies, and transportation not included); financial aid available
Dates: June 22 – July 31 (most courses, 6 weeks; some 4-week compressed options)
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 7 – 11
Application deadline: Early: February 25 | Standard: March 23 | Extended: May 29
ATDP’s Secondary Division summer programs offer middle and high school students the opportunity to explore advanced academic topics in STEM, the humanities, and the social sciences. You can choose from about 40 courses here. Through a mix of live online classes and self-directed work, you will tackle challenging coursework, develop critical thinking skills, and prepare for high school and college-level study. Classes are interactive, with opportunities to collaborate with peers from across the country, ask expert instructors questions, and engage in hands-on projects. Half-year courses cover one semester of content in six weeks, while full-year courses cover two semesters, offering you a chance to accelerate your learning in a structured environment.
7. UC Davis Youth Programs Summer Camps
Location: University of California at Davis, CA
Cost: Varies by camp
Dates: June–August; multiple sessions with varying dates based on the camp you choose
Eligibility: C Camps: Students in grades 6 and 7 | Teen Camps: Students in grades 7 and 9
Application deadline: TBA
UC Davis runs various camps for students of varying ages and grade levels. You can choose from traditional day camps, craft camps, and specialty camps to engage in recreational, co-curricular, and art-based summer experiences over one or two weeks. Each camp follows a project-based learning curriculum. For instance, you can design paper jewelry or bracelets at the Fashion and Accessories camp, create your own beanie, scrunchies, or stuffed animals at the Crocheting camp, or observe birds and explore nature with scientists at the Bio Boot Camp. You can also participate in sports such as floorball, water polo, basketball, bowling, and tennis, depending on the camp you choose.
8. UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy
Location: UC San Diego, CA
Cost: Not publicly listed
Dates: July 6 – 24
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Application deadline: Not specified
The Sally Ride Science Academy runs workshops that can help middle school students explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through real-world roles and projects. You will engage in activities spanning fields like robotics, engineering, marine biology, entrepreneurship, geology, and creative disciplines such as art, virtual reality, and screenwriting. Led by experienced STEAM instructors who also serve as role models, you will learn about women actively working in these fields. This can be an opportunity to explore multiple disciplines in a short, focused hands-on format.
9. The Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley) Teen Research Programs: Animal Behavior and Investigations
Location: UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1,550 tuition + $1,350 optional residential add-on; financial aid available
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 6 – 10
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 – 9
Application deadline: Varies by session; registration opens on December 10.
This is a hands-on program designed to introduce students to the science of animal behavior, where biology and psychology intersect to explain why animals act the way they do. You will learn how researchers observe, document, and analyze animal behavior in both natural and experimental settings, while developing core research and critical thinking skills. You will also design and conduct your own animal observation study, participate in wildlife and birds-of-prey explorations, tour a research lab, and present your findings at the end of the program. The experience additionally provides opportunities to connect with STEM professionals and offers a UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science completion certificate.
10. The Lawrence Hall of Science (UC Berkeley) Teen Research Programs: Body Systems and Biomedical Innovations
Location: UC Berkeley Campus, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1,550 tuition + $1,350 optional residential add-on; financial aid available
Dates: June 22 – 26 | July 6 – 10 | July 20 – 24 | July 27 – 31
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 – 9
Application deadline: Varies by session; registration opens on December 10.
This program, offered by UC Berkeley, explores how doctors, scientists, and engineers understand, diagnose, and treat disease by studying human body systems. You will investigate how systems such as the heart, brain, lungs, and blood vessels function and what happens when they break down through hands-on experiments and exposure to real diagnostic techniques. You will also get to dissect a sheep heart, extract DNA, build organ models, explore cells and blood vessels in the Planetarium, and solve medical mysteries using fictitious patient cases. The schedule includes conversations with practicing doctors, lab tours, and a final project showcase for families.
11. Young Artist Studio Program (YASP) @ California College of the Arts
Location: California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $650 (includes all art supplies, lab fees, lunch, and snacks)
Dates: June 8 – 12 | July 13 – 17 | August 3 – 7
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 7
Application deadline: Registration closes two weeks before each session; scholarship deadline: May 1
YASP is a week-long and immersive summer program designed for middle school students who want to dive into the arts outside the classroom. You can choose one studio (track) to focus on, with options ranging from Animation, Ceramics, Fashion Design, Film & Photography, to Printmaking. Each studio offers hands-on learning opportunities and instruction led by practicing artists and designers. Each day, you will attend morning and afternoon studio sessions, and conclude the week with an exhibition where family and friends can learn about the work you engaged in during the program. This program focuses on refining creativity, skill development, and collaboration while giving you a taste of art school education.
12. Young Scientists Camp @ California State University, Long Beach
Location: California State University’s Long Beach campus, Long Beach, CA
Cost: $500
Dates: July 14 – 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–8
Application deadline: TBA
The Young Scientists Camp is a two-week program for students interested in diving into science-based activities and learning how to think like a scientist. Here, you will conduct scientific investigations, work in laboratories, and interact with scientists. You will focus on a broad science topic assigned based on your grade level. In the past, the program has covered topics like ocean science and fundamentals of light and sound. At camp, you will also participate in field trips focused on scientific exploration.
13. California Science Center’s Hands-On Science Camp
Location: California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Half-day camp: $230 | Full-day camp: $460; scholarships available
Dates: June 16 – August 8; multiple one-week camps available within the specified window.
Application deadline: Open till full
Eligibility: Students in Pre-K – 8th grade
The Hands-On Science Camp offers students weeklong in-person sessions focused on topics such as biology, chemistry, robotics, and astronomy. You will participate in inquiry-driven lab activities and collaborative projects, all designed to help you build scientific and engineering skills. Classes are led by experienced educators and conducted in real science labs and exhibit spaces. The program focuses on experimentation, creativity, and teamwork, helping you meet and learn with peers who share your curiosity.
14. Camp SEA Lab Summer Camp
Location: Monterey Bay, CA
Cost: Day camp: $595 | Overnight camp and Voyage Seaward: $1,495; scholarships available
Dates: Various sessions in the summer; dates vary by camp
Eligibility: Students, ages 8 – 16, who can swim; specific camps are split into smaller age groups.
Application deadline: Rolling
Camp SEA Lab runs various marine science summer camps that combine ocean education with real water-based adventure. Designed for students who learn best by doing, the camp combines marine biology lessons with activities like snorkeling, kayaking, surfing, boogie boarding, and coastal exploration. You can choose between day camps, overnight camps, or the extended Voyage Seaward experience, each offering multiple themed sessions focused on Monterey Bay ecosystems. Led by experienced marine educators, the camps emphasize environmental awareness, teamwork, and confidence in the ocean.
15. Marine Science Institute’s Summer Marine Science Camp
Location: Redwood City, CA
Cost: $720 – $910/week (prorated fees applicable to account for holidays)
Dates: June 8 – August 7 (multiple one-week sessions within the specified window)
Eligibility: Students entering grades K – 8
Application deadline: Not specified; early registration begins January 28
This program offers school students immersive marine science-focused learning experiences. Over the course of a week, you will explore local marine habitats, encounter live animals, and participate in themed activities both at the MSI campus and aboard the 90-foot research vessel, Robert G. Brownlee. Programs are designed to spark curiosity and build environmental stewardship while allowing you to participate in field trips, interactive stations, and outdoor adventures. The program runs various sessions tailored to students from different age groups, from Plankton Pioneers for K–1st graders to Underwater Investigators for grades 6-8, helping you access age-appropriate learning.
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