11 Summer Programs for Middle School Students in Maryland

If you’re a middle school student looking to stay engaged over the summer, joining a structured program can be a great way to build new skills, explore academic interests, and connect with motivated peers. These programs provide activities that extend beyond the regular school year, whether it’s solving engineering challenges, conducting science experiments, learning to code, or exploring the arts. You’ll also develop important habits, such as collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking, in a fun and supportive environment.

Why should you attend a program in Maryland?

Maryland is a strong choice for summer learning, thanks to its concentration of top universities, cultural institutions, and research centers. From Washington College to the University of Maryland, many institutions across the state run summer programs designed specifically for middle school students. In addition to university-led initiatives, you’ll find opportunities at museums, science centers, and nonprofit organizations that introduce topics in age-appropriate and engaging ways. 

To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 11 summer programs for middle school students in Maryland.

If you’re looking for online programs, check out our blog here.

1. CompSciConnect – Computing Catalyst 

Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Cost: $400, financial aid available

Acceptance rate: Limited enrollment, approximately 45–50 students per cohort

Dates: Session 1: June 22 – July 2 | Session 2: July 13 – July 24

Application Deadline: March 27

Eligibility: Rising grades 6–8

CompSciConnect introduces rising 6th–8th graders to foundational computer science concepts through project‑based activities and collaborative problem solving. During the camp, students work with undergraduate mentors to explore computational thinking, basic programming logic, and algorithm design using beginner‑friendly tools. The curriculum blends guided instruction with coding exercises, enabling participants to build simple interactive programs and understand how software solves real-world problems. Optional school‑year activities help sustain engagement and deepen skills beyond the summer session.

2. Veritas AI

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid available

Acceptance rate: Highly selective

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Rolling, varies by cohort

Eligibility: High school students

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students looking to get started in AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and have the opportunity to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students have the opportunity to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here. 

3. Secure IT Summer Academy 

Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Cost: $400, need-based financial aid available

Acceptance rate: Not publicly stated, limited cohort size

Dates: Session 1 (Beginner/Intermediate): July 28 – August 1 | Session 2 (Intermediate/Advanced): August 4 – 8

Application Deadline: Typically rolling until full

Eligibility: Middle school students, grades 6–8

Secure IT Summer Academy provides middle school campers with a week of structured exploration of cybersecurity principles and digital systems protection. Throughout the program, students investigate how networks communicate, how operating systems work, and how ethical cybersecurity frameworks safeguard data and infrastructure. The curriculum focuses on real‑world scenarios that illustrate common vulnerabilities and defensive responses, such as understanding malware behavior and configuring basic safeguards. By the end of the week, participants develop a clearer understanding of digital safety, ethical computing practices, and the broad field of cybersecurity careers.

4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies depending on program; financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective

Application deadline: Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year; you can apply here.

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year

Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8

The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is an eight-week, virtual, research-focused experience in which you will work one-on-one 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 help you build skills in formulating research questions, evaluating sources, and organizing findings. After choosing 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. analytical, and writing skills that support academic growth as you prepare for high school and future coursework.

5. Prince George’s County Public Schools – Middle School Summer Programs

Location: Prince George’s County, MD

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate: Open to eligible county students

Dates: Varies depending on program; typically from June to August

Application Deadline: Through PGCPS registration

Eligibility: Rising grades 6–8 in PGCPS

Prince George’s County Public Schools offers a mix of enrichment and academic acceleration programs, including options focused on STEM exploration, arts integration, or academic reinforcement. Courses are designed to align with county curriculum standards while adding interactive, hands‑on elements to support deeper engagement with subject matter. Certified educators lead lessons that integrate project work, experiments, and collaborative problem-solving, tailored to students' interests and learning levels. Daily schedules balance structured instruction with exploratory tasks that encourage curiosity and connection to real‑world applications.

6. UMBC Summer Enrichment Academy (SEA) 

Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Cost: $374 – $499, depending on workshop

Acceptance rate: First-come, first-served with small class sizes

Dates: Multiple one-week sessions from June 22 to July 31

Application Deadline: Rolling, early registration encouraged

Eligibility: Rising grades 6–8

UMBC’s Summer Enrichment Academy offers a menu of one‑week workshops where middle schoolers can engage with focused topics such as coding, engineering, science, and creative problem solving. Each workshop engages students in interactive activities that go beyond typical classroom lessons, such as designing and testing engineering prototypes or creating simple programs to address challenges. Small group sizes enable instructors to provide individualized feedback and support as learners refine ideas and collaborate on projects. The week concludes with a project or presentation that showcases how participants applied what they learned in real time.

7.  Maryland Leadership Workshops – Middle School Program

Location: Washington College, Chestertown, MD

Cost: $1,250; limited scholarships available

Acceptance rate: Selective, limited residential spots

Dates: July 12 – 17

Application Deadline: Rolling until June 1

Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8

This residential workshop places rising 6th–8th graders on a college campus to explore leadership and communication through structured group activities and reflection sessions. Throughout the week, students delve into topics like teamwork, ethical decision‑making, and personal responsibility through interactive exercises and facilitated discussions. Activities are designed to help students practice presenting ideas, engage in respectful debate, and consider how leaders influence teams and communities. Public speaking sessions and group dialogues deepen comfort with expressing thoughts clearly and listening to others.

8.  Terrapin Music Camp 

Location: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, College Park, MD

Cost: $435 – $485

Acceptance rate: Open enrollment until capacity

Dates: July 13 – 18 | July 20 – 25

Application Deadline: Typically rolling until June

Eligibility: Students in grades 5–12 with at least one year of music experience

Terrapin Music Camp offers a week of concentrated ensemble rehearsals and performance‑oriented instruction for middle school musicians with at least one year of experience. Students engage in daily rehearsals focused on technique, musical interpretation, and ensemble cohesion, with opportunities for both small‑group coaching and larger ensemble experiences. Instruction from experienced music educators helps refine skills such as rhythm, intonation, and expressive performance. Peer collaboration improves listening and coordination, leading to a final camp performance where participants can showcase their work from the session.

9. MCPS Ignite Middle School Summer Academy

Location: Montgomery County Public Schools

Cost: $104.25 (Waivers available)

Acceptance rate: Open to MCPS students

Dates: July 7 – August 6

Application Deadline: Typically opens in March

Eligibility: MCPS middle school students

This project‑based academy for MCPS students focuses on math and literacy enrichment by aligning academic support with a range of tasks. Lessons include interactive challenges that require critical thinking, collaboration, and clear communication, helping students strengthen foundational skills for the upcoming school year. Teachers organize activities that link academic concepts to real-world situations, like data analysis or storytelling projects, to enhance engagement and relevance. Small-group work, combined with teacher guidance, fosters focused academic development and encourages teamwork and problem-solving skills.

10. Montgomery College Summer Youth Programs

Location: Montgomery College campuses, MD

Cost: Varies by course

Acceptance rate: Open enrollment until filled

Dates: Various sessions from June to August, depending on the  course

Application Deadline: Varies by course

Eligibility: Grades 1–12, middle school included

Montgomery College’s Summer Youth Programs allow students to select from a wide range of short courses across STEM, arts, and humanities disciplines, each designed to emphasize hands‑on learning and exploration. Course content is age‑appropriate and project‑oriented, including introductory engineering challenges, creative design tasks, and scientific problem-solving that encourages inquiry and innovation. Sessions vary in length and topic, enabling students to participate in multiple courses throughout the summer if desired. Instruction takes place in a college environment, giving students early exposure to campus resources, faculty, and peer collaboration.

11. UMD Bug Camp – Department of Entomology

Location: University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Cost: Session 1: June 22 - 26, 2026 | Session 2: July 6 -10, 2026

Acceptance rate: 15 slots per session

Dates: 2 one-week sessions in the summer

Application Deadline: Rolling

Eligibility: Ages 7–12, including middle school

Bug Camp, hosted by the University of Maryland’s Department of Entomology, immerses campers in the study of insects and their roles in ecosystems through hands‑on scientific exploration. Students observe live specimens, conduct guided investigations of insect anatomy and behavior, and learn ecological concepts such as food webs and habitat interactions. Classroom and field‑based activities emphasize observation, measurement, and scientific explanation, helping participants develop comfort with laboratory tools and inquiry methods. Campers also learn how entomologists conduct research and interpret data, gaining insight into how biological science informs environmental understanding.