15 Best Summer Camps for High School Students
Summer is the perfect time for high school students to recharge, explore new interests, and maybe even get a head start on future goals. Summer camps for high school students offer an incredible opportunity to dive into fields like science, technology, medicine, business, and the arts in an engaging way.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve put together a well-rounded list of summer camps for high school students that provide exposure to exciting industries, practical experience, and networking opportunities! Whether you’re looking to conduct medical simulations, build robots, debate like a pro, or create your own app, these programs offer a unique way to explore potential career paths in a supportive and immersive environment.
1. U.S. Space & Rocket Center’s Advanced Space Academy
Cost: $1,999
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Varies by expedition
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 – 18 years old
One of the best summer camps for high school students, the Advanced Space Academy is a week-long space camp for high school students looking for an immersive experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
You’ll get the opportunity to train like astronauts using equipment like the 1/6th Gravity Chair and the Multi-Axis Trainer. You’ll also design, build, and launch rockets, as well as experience neutral buoyancy through SCUBA diving in the Underwater Astronaut Trainer (with medical approval). You’ll practice team-building skills on the Space Camp Challenge Course, construct a heat shield and build a Rover in the Engineering Challenges, and fly jet aircraft simulators before going to Mars on an extended-duration mission simulation!
2. Veritas AI
Cost:
$2,290: 10-week AI Scholars program (need-based financial aid is available)
$5,400: 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
$6,900 for both
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: April 27 is the regular summer application deadline
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; see dates here
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should have either completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and led by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for high school students passionate about artificial intelligence. If you’re interested in exploring AI, machine learning, and data science, then start with the AI Scholars Program—a 10-session boot camp that introduces foundational AI concepts and provides hands-on experience with real-world projects.
If you have prior experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers the opportunity to work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on an independent AI project. In addition, you’ll get access to an in-house publication team that will support you in submitting your work to high school research journals. You can apply here!
3. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Cost: None
Location: CDC headquarters
Application Deadline: March 7
Program Dates: June 23 – 27 and July 21 – 25
Cohort Size: 27 slots/camp
Eligibility: Highly motivated high school students who are currently sophomores or juniors (must be at least 16 years old on the first day of camp)
The Disease Detective Camp is one of the best summer camps for high school students. It is a competitive, in-person summer camp for high school students interested in public health and epidemiology. You’ll be in a fast-paced, academically demanding environment where you work with others as a team of “disease detectives.” Camp activities include lectures, hands-on exercises, and simulations that mirror the work of CDC staff.
The topics covered typically include public health interventions, global health, infectious and chronic diseases, injury prevention, data analysis, environmental health, and public health law, as well as an overview of how the CDC uses research, data collection, and scientific communication to improve population health.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) and $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Financial aid is available
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: April 13 is the summer cohort I application deadline
Program Dates:
Summer: June – August
Fall: September – December
Winter: December – February
Spring: March – June
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Eligibility: High school students with a high level of academic achievement (accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Program is an intensive online experience designed for high school students eager to conduct advanced, undergraduate-level research. Established by scholars from Oxford and Harvard, this program will pair you with PhD mentors from top universities to guide you through the process of developing an independent research paper in your chosen field. In addition to mentorship, you’ll receive structured support to refine your research writing skills.
You can explore a wide range of topics, including biology, psychology, economics, physics, data science, computer science, gender studies, engineering, business and entrepreneurship, international relations, environmental studies, and more. Over the course of 12 weeks, you’ll complete a full research paper and have the opportunity to present your findings at a symposium, with potential avenues for publication.
5. Auburn University's Emergency Medical Response Camp
Cost: $1,165
Location: Auburn University
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: June 2 – 6
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders
Auburn University's Emergency Medical Response Camp offers high school students a comprehensive introduction to emergency medicine led by experienced paramedics and local emergency medicine leaders. This interactive program covers essential topics such as medical terminology, effective communication, and basic patient assessment techniques.
You’ll gain hands-on experience in taking vital signs, proper lifting and moving skills, and treating various common emergencies. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to earn healthcare-level certifications, including the American Heart Association Basic Life Support certification.
6. GRAMMY Camp
Cost: $3,000 (scholarships available)
Location: Varies by camp
Application Deadline: March 31
Program Dates:
GRAMMY Camp Miami: June 8 – 14
GRAMMY Camp Los Angeles: July 13 – 19
GRAMMY Camp New York: July 27 – August 2
Cohort Size:
GRAMMY Camp Miami: 40-45
GRAMMY Camp Los Angeles: 75-85
GRAMMY Camp New York: 40-45
Eligibility: U.S. residents currently enrolled in grades 9-12 and who are seriously interested in music as a career
GRAMMY Camp is one of the best summer camps for high school students. It is a seven-day, non-residential music industry program designed for high school students interested in pursuing careers in music. You’ll get to choose from a range of specialized career tracks, each led by industry professionals—including GRAMMY nominees, winners, and guest experts.
These tracks include Electronic Music Audio Production, Music Production with a DJ Emphasis, Songwriting, Music Business, Vocal and Instrumental Performance (with options for Jazz and Latin/Movement), Musical Theater, and Screen Scoring. You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, workshops, and practical sessions that provide insight into various facets of the music industry and help you build the skills needed for a career in the field.
7. Illinois Tech Code Creators Camp: App Building
Cost: $550
Location: Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 21 – 25
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th graders; no prior experience needed!
This summer camp for high school students covers the fundamentals of creating real-life applications using a user-friendly app development tool. Over the course of five days, you will gain hands-on experience in designing, developing, and testing your own applications while exploring essential software development processes. Daily activities include creating apps, participating in app expos, engaging in peer reviews, and completing informal assessments.
8. ASU Underwater Robotics Camp
Cost: $600
Location: Arizona State University – Polytechnic campus
Application Deadline: April 12
Program Dates: June 3 – 8
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders with good academic standing residing in Arizona, either full-time or over the summer
As one of the top summer camps for high school students, the ASU Underwater Robotics Camp will allow you to explore engineering, robotics, and teamwork in a hands-on environment. Over four days, you’ll work in teams to design, build, and test an underwater robot, applying concepts like buoyancy, electrical wiring, and autonomy. You’ll be guided by ASU’s Fulton Schools of Engineering faculty and meet Desert WAVE, the world’s top-ranked underwater robotics team.
The camp culminates in participation at the National Underwater Robotics Competition, where teams simulate a time-travel mission to the Cretaceous era to collect dinosaur eggs.
9. Bentley University’s Wall Street 101
Cost: Varies by course
Location: Virtual and on-site at Bentley University
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Varies by course
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Eligibility: Students entering their junior or senior year who have completed at least two years of college preparatory coursework at the high school level. Prerequisites for individual courses vary.
Bentley University’s Wall Street 101 Program offers a dynamic, hands-on introduction to the world of finance for high school students. The courses offered are Stock Market and Investment Research, Macroeconomics and Financial Markets, Investment and Trading Strategies, Introduction to FinTech, and Artificial Intelligence in Finance.
While not a traditional summer camp, this intensive, short-term program provides an immersive experience that combines interactive simulations, stock valuation exercises, investment research, and financial technology exploration. You’ll participate in small classes that emphasize experiential learning through macroeconomic simulations, policy debates, stock pitch competitions, and work with industry-standard databases like Bloomberg and FactSet.
10. University of Nebraska: College of Architecture High School Camp
Cost: $650
Location: University of Nebraska – Lincoln
Application Deadline: April 19
Program Dates: June 8 – 13
Cohort Size: 36 students
Eligibility: Students who have completed two or more years of high school and have an interest in architecture, landscape architecture, or interior design
The Career Explorations in Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture Workshop is an interactive summer camp designed for high school students of all levels. This workshop will introduce you to the design professions through discussions, design studio explorations, and video presentations.
The main focus of the camp is a hands-on design studio where you can investigate design issues, engage in simulated client/designer scenarios, and virtually tour architecturally significant buildings and iconic landscapes. You’ll develop the fundamental skills needed for the study of design while exploring a range of career opportunities in architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design.
11. Drew University’s Capitol Debate Camp
Cost: $3,999 (residential), $3,099 (commuter)
Location: Drew University
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 13 – 24
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Eligibility: Students aged 17 and below
Capitol Debate Camp at Drew University offers a summer experience designed to help you build confidence, critical thinking, and leadership skills through intensive debate and public speaking training. You’ll engage in interactive workshops, mock debates, and structured practice sessions that emphasize both individual skill development and teamwork. Overall, the camp provides a supportive environment where you can hone the fundamentals of argumentation, research, and effective communication.
12. National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) Medicine & Health Care
Cost: Varies by session and location. On average, $3,795 – $3,845 (commuter) and $4,395 – $4,445 (residential)
Location: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies
Program Dates: Varies by session and location
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9-12 who are interested in exploring medicine and healthcare career options
This program is one of the top summer camps for high school students that offers an immersive eight-day summer experience designed to explore a wide range of medical and clinical skills. You’ll get to visit accredited medical schools, test your medical knowledge during clinical skills rotations, and explore professional pathways in the fields of medicine and health care.
Throughout the program, you will participate in realistic simulations that mimic real-world emergency scenarios. The Outdoor Medicine Simulation teaches vital techniques such as patient extraction, wound care, bleeding control, and the proper use of splints. Additionally, the Triage Simulation challenges you to respond to disaster scenarios by assessing and sorting victims based on injury severity.
13. Stone Mountain Adventures
Cost: Varies by session; click here for prices
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: Varies by session; click here for dates
Cohort Size: 60 students per session
Eligibility: Students aged 12-16
If you’re looking for one of the best traditional summer camps for high school students, this is it! Stone Mountain Adventures (SMA) is a co-ed, overnight summer camp for teenagers that provides a mix of water sports, team and individual sports, adventure activities, creative arts, community service, and special trips. Every day, you’re given the freedom to choose your own activities—from horseback riding and rock climbing to wakeboarding and waterskiing—so you can tailor your experience.
14. Summer Physics Camp (Los Alamos National Laboratory)
Cost: None; stipend available upon completion
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: June 2 – 13
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Eligibility: Must be a student living in New Mexico, New Mexico tribal communities, or East Hawaii Island, and must have completed Algebra I or an equivalent high-level math course
This Summer Physics Camp for high school students is a two-week STEM program focused on energy security and hands-on learning. The camp covers physics, engineering, chemistry, robotics, coding, and environmental science through interactive activities, demonstrations, and team projects.
You’ll explore different energy sources, including solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear power, while working on a multiday engineering challenge. In addition, you’ll get the chance to connect with STEM professionals from Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and local colleges.
15. Camp Med-o-lark
Cost: $4,095 – $13,495 (depending on session)
Location: Washington, Maine
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; registrations are accepted up until 24 hours before each session starts
Program Dates: Varies by session
Acceptance Rate: Low selectivity
Eligibility: Students aged 16 and below
At Camp Med-o-lark, you can engage in over 100 different activities in visual and fine arts, performing arts, circus, music, culinary arts, digital media, and waterfront adventures. The program is non-competitive and focused on fostering collaboration, personal growth, and the discovery of new talents. All activities are led by trained professional artists to ensure both expertise and a strong commitment to camper safety.