12 College Summer Camps for High School Students
Exploring academic and career interests doesn’t have to wait until college. Summer camps for high school students provide a focused, hands-on environment where you can delve into subjects that spark your curiosity, whether that’s biomedical science, visual arts, or artificial intelligence. These experiences go beyond enrichment and can help you apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, build practical skills, and connect with peers who share your interests.
Many of these summer camps for high school students are hosted by top universities and research institutions, which offer a preview of college-level learning. For students interested in pursuing a particular discipline, these short-term programs offer an ideal setting to deepen knowledge, assess long-term goals, and build meaningful peer and mentor relationships. Whether held in person or virtually, each of these carefully selected summer camps emphasizes skill-building, exploration, and personal growth.
The following list highlights 12 summer camps for high school students, each one thoughtfully designed and scheduled to run during the summer months.
1. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford University, California, and online
Dates: Session One (Online): June 16 – July 4 | Session One (Residential): June 22 – July 18 | Session Two (Online): July 7 – July 25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (grades 10–11)
Cost: Varies based on session
SUMaC is one of the most academically rigorous summer camps for high school students interested in advanced mathematics and theoretical concepts. Through lectures, problem sets, and collaborative projects, you'll study advanced topics that extend beyond the standard high school curriculum, such as group theory, combinatorics, and number theory. The program also encourages research-style thinking and offers exposure to the historical and interdisciplinary aspects of mathematics.
Location: Multiple campuses, including New York, Los Angeles, and online.
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; class sizes vary
Dates: Sessions vary by location; typically June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Ages 14–17
Cost: Varies by program and location
NYFA offers creative summer camps for high school students who are serious about pursuing the visual and performing arts in a structured, immersive setting. You can choose to focus on filmmaking, acting, screenwriting, photography, or other disciplines, depending on your interest.
Throughout the program, you’ll work with professional equipment, develop technical skills, and gain insight into the production process from experienced mentors. Sessions are designed to be immersive and project-based, allowing you to produce work that reflects your individual growth. Locations include New York, Los Angeles, and a virtual option for added flexibility.
3. Illinois Tech Code Creators Camp: App Building
Location: Daniel F. and Ada L. Rice Campus, Wheaton, Illinois
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders; no experience needed
Cost: $550
This program introduces students to app development through a structured, beginner-friendly platform that emphasizes logic, design, and real-world application. Over five days, you will learn how to conceptualize, build, and refine mobile applications through daily challenges, peer feedback, and instructor-led workshops. No prior experience is required, making it a great introduction for students interested in software development, UI/UX design, or entrepreneurship.
4. Janice Wyatt Mississippi Summer Arts Institute – CORE Arts Camp
Location: Delta State University, Cleveland, Mississippi
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 100 students
Dates: June 15 – 28
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising 7th graders through graduating high school seniors
Cost: $1,050 for the day camp; $1,400 for the residential option
This summer camp at Delta State University is designed to foster artistic development in high school students. If you have an interest in music, theater, or the visual arts, this program allows you to work alongside professional instructors and faculty in a focused, collaborative setting. You’ll participate in workshops, rehearsals, and guided projects, all of which culminate in a final presentation. The environment is structured to encourage both individual expression and teamwork.
5. Mississippi State University’s Veterinary Camp
Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots available
Dates: Varying dates, typically 4–5 days
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: Students aged 10–17
Cost: $750
This program is among the few summer camps for high school students that offer hands-on exposure to clinical veterinary science in a university-led environment. You'll participate in clinical labs, diagnostic simulations, and structured fieldwork under the guidance of veterinary professionals and faculty.
Sessions cover topics such as radiology, anatomy, and microbiology while also exposing you to broader career paths in animal health and public health. The experience provides a solid overview of the discipline’s academic and practical dimensions.
6. KU School of Engineering Summer Camps
Location: University of Kansas, School of Engineering, Lawrence, Kansas
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited enrollment; early application encouraged
Dates: Session 1 (Rising 9th - 10th graders): July 6 – 11 | Session 2 (Rising 11th - 12th graders): July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Cost: $750 per session (includes meals, housing, materials, and events)
Hosted by the University of Kansas, this week-long residential camp is designed for high school students with a strong interest in engineering and applied sciences. Participants select from a range of academic tracks — such as Aerospace, Bioengineering, Mechanical, Civil and architectural, Chemical and petroleum, Computer Science, and Computer Engineering.
You’ll spend the week immersed in lab work, team-based projects, and interactive lectures. Instruction is led by KU faculty and graduate students, offering a preview of what college-level engineering looks and feels like. In addition to academic sessions, the camp incorporates recreational and social activities, providing a well-rounded campus experience.
7. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Headquarters, Atlanta, Georgia
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~7%; 27 participants per session
Dates: June 23 – 27 | July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (must be 16+ on first day of camp)
Cost: Free
Offered by the CDC’s David J. Sencer Museum, this highly competitive summer camp for high school students provides a rare opportunity to explore public health and epidemiology in a professional setting. Over the course of five days, you will analyze outbreak scenarios, engage in simulations, and examine key issues in chronic disease prevention, environmental health, and emergency response. The curriculum is both rigorous and collaborative, designed to mirror the investigative work carried out by public health professionals. The program is designed for students considering a future in medicine, science, or policy.
8. UT Health BEAT (Biomedical Excellence and Academic Training) Academy
Location: UTHSA Lozano Long Campus, San Antonio, Texas
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; only 20 students
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; 16+ years old
Cost: $1,000
This intensive summer program at UT Health San Antonio is designed to expose high school students to biomedical sciences and clinical medicine. The curriculum includes cadaver lab visits, molecular biology workshops, and simulation-based patient care training.
Participants also attend faculty-led sessions on neurodegeneration, physiology, and the biology of aging. In addition to its academic focus, the program incorporates leadership development and college preparation, creating a well-rounded pre-professional experience.
9. GRAMMY Camp
Location: Miami, Los Angeles, and New York
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 40–85 students depending on location
Dates: Miami: June 8 – 14 | Los Angeles: July 13 – 19 | New York: July 27 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: U.S. residents in grades 9–12 with interest in music careers
Cost: $3,000 (scholarships available)
GRAMMY Camp is a seven-day intensive program for students interested in pursuing careers in the music industry. The curriculum spans several specialized tracks, including songwriting, music production, vocal and instrumental performance, music business, and screen scoring.
Instruction is led by experienced professionals, including GRAMMY winners and nominees, with a focus on industry-relevant skills and portfolio development. The experience is collaborative and deeply focused, providing a practical foundation for students aspiring to work in music and related fields.
Location: California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, California
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; 12 students per instructor
Dates: Multiple sessions available between June 23 – August 15 (exact dates vary by selected course; refer to the program website for specifics)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early registration recommended
Eligibility: Ages 7–18 (courses segmented by age and skill level)
Cost: Varies by course; week-long camps start around $1,000. Scholarships available
At iD Tech Camps hosted at Caltech, you’ll engage in hands-on exploration of technology through curated courses in programming, artificial intelligence, game development, and robotics. With a low student-to-instructor ratio, each session provides tailored instruction to help you progress at your own pace. You'll have the opportunity to build projects, collaborate with peers, and interact with emerging technologies in a university setting. This experience is particularly beneficial if you're looking to strengthen your technical foundation in a structured format.
11. University of Nebraska: College of Architecture High School Camp
Location: University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; 36 students
Dates: June 8 – 13
Application Deadline: April 19
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least two years of high school
Cost: $650
This summer workshop introduces students to the interdisciplinary world of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design. You'll participate in design studio exercises, discussions, and critiques while working on site-based challenges and model-building. Virtual tours and lectures expose you to influential architectural spaces and professional practices. The camp emphasizes design thinking and spatial awareness, offering a structured preview of undergraduate-level design education.
12. Summer Physics Camp – Los Alamos National Laboratory
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Dates: June 2 – 13
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students from New Mexico, NM tribal communities, or East Hawaii Island who have completed Algebra I
Cost: None; stipend available upon completion
Hosted in partnership with the Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, this two-week camp is focused on applied physics, renewable energy, and engineering. Students will engage in experimental challenges, interactive demonstrations, and career sessions with scientists from national labs. Emphasis is placed on energy science, with topics including solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear power. The program is especially relevant for students interested in STEM careers, offering both academic depth and community-focused mentorship.
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