10 Free Summer Camps for High School Students
Summer camps for high school students are a great way to gain practical skills, explore career paths, and build connections. Many top colleges and organizations offer fully funded programs that focus on hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world experience.
Unlike regular school classes or pre-college courses, these camps are shorter, more focused, and often led by professionals in the field. They’re ideal for students who want to explore a subject in depth, whether it’s STEM, business, the arts, or social sciences.
Importantly, many of these programs are free or offer full financial aid, making them more accessible. Some are even available online. To help narrow your search down, here’s a list of 10 fully funded summer camps for high school students.
1. University of Minnesota’s IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 - June 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a full year of single variable calculus
This camp emphasizes the application of mathematical models to solve real-world challenges. During the sessions, you will explore how math helps forecast patterns in population growth and disease spread, assess the influence of climate on resource availability, or examine how traffic flow affects the stability of a bridge. In previous years, participants have undertaken projects such as evaluating various route options for a potential light rail system. This summer camp is held in person, though it does not offer housing arrangements. However, based on interest and availability, a limited number of students might be allowed to join remotely.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars
Dates: Offered in multiple 12–15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Programs are offered on a rolling basis, with cohorts starting in Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Open to ambitious high school students worldwide; AI Fellowship applicants should have either completed the AI Scholars program or demonstrate prior experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, offers specialized programs for high schoolers interested in artificial intelligence. For those looking for summer camps for high school students and just getting started with AI, machine learning, or data science, the AI Scholars program is a solid entry point. This 10-session boot camp covers foundational concepts and gives students the chance to apply their learning through hands-on, real-world projects.
For students with a stronger background in the field, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase offers a more advanced experience. Participants work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on a personalized research project. An added benefit of the program is access to Veritas AI’s publication team, which supports students in submitting their work to high school research journals. Examples of past projects are also available for reference.
Location: University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington State
Cost: Free for families earning under $100,000; for everyone else, the base cost is $5,500, which includes tuition, room and board, activities, and transport to/from Seattle-Tacoma Airport; financial aid is available
Dates: June 29 - August 3
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Students between 13 and 18 years of age, including international students
This five-week camp is for students who want to explore math beyond the school curriculum. It covers advanced topics such as abstract algebra, topology, real analysis in addition to physics, linguistics, and quantum computing. At Mathcamp, you’ll spend a few hours each day in classes and participate in fun activities in the evenings. The camp includes problem-solving sessions, weekly competitions, and chances to work on projects—either solo or with others—and share what you’ve developed at the end of the camp. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend Colloquia, which feature talks on a wide range of topics, including string theory, origami math, and cognitive science.
4. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote. Students can join this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Free!
Dates: Dates vary by cohort, with multiple 12-week sessions held throughout the year in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Applicants must be current high school students or planning to start college in fall 2023. A strong academic record is expected. Most accepted students have an unweighted GPA of at least 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. No prior experience in your field of interest is required.
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit program created to support high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with a strong interest in research. It builds on the well-known Lumiere Research Scholar Program, offering the same in-depth, one-on-one research experience. Completely free of cost.
Its core offering, the Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program, mirrors the Individual Research Scholar Program at Lumiere Education. Over 12 weeks, selected students are paired with Ph.D. mentors to work one-on-one on a personalized research project, resulting in a full research paper by the end of the program. In this summer camp for high school students, you can explore topics across a wide range of fields, including psychology, physics, economics, computer science, data science, international relations, and more.
This is a strong option for students interested in interdisciplinary research who want to build a substantial, independent academic project. You can apply here!
5. UMKC’s GenCyber Camps for High School Students
Location: UMKC Campus, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Dates: Camp 1: July 22 – July 26; Camp 2: July 29 – August 2
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders
This summer camp for high school students is backed by the National Security Agency’s (NSA) GenCyber initiative and takes place at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The GenCyber Camp is a one-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to cybersecurity. It covers a range of topics, including internet safety, cryptography, ethical practices, network scanning, and deepfakes. The curriculum combines theoretical learning with hands-on activities, enabling you to develop technical skills and critical thinking. It provides a structured environment to explore cybersecurity.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, Massachusets
Cost: Free
Dates: July 1 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14–18 who have not yet started their final year are eligible to apply. Review all eligibility criteria before submitting your application.
This camp features classes, collaborative activities, and lectures on creative problem-solving, the fundamentals of mathematical proof, and approachable concepts in math. The instructors have experience in both math competitions and academic research. You will get the chance to work with peers who share your interest in mathematics. The program fosters a supportive learning environment that encourages curiosity and critical thinking. The camp especially welcomes applications from students who come from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds in mathematics.
7. National Youth Science Camp (NYSC)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Cost: Free
Dates: July 10 - August 2
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school seniors
NYSC is a residential science education program for high school seniors. This prestigious opportunity will challenge you through lectures, studies led by experts, seminars, and outdoor adventures. Beyond academics, the program offers the chance to interact with distinguished figures in science and beyond—past guests have included astronaut Neil Armstrong, Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash, test pilot General Chuck Yeager, and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.
8. Florida Atlantic University - Ocean Engineering Summer Workshop
Location: Florida Atlantic University's SeaTech Campus, Dania Beach, Florida
Cost: Free
Dates: June 9 - June 12
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 14 to 17
The Ocean Engineering Summer Program at Florida Atlantic University is a four-day experience that explores the intersection of engineering and marine science. Throughout the program, you’ll explore topics like underwater robotics, ocean exploration, and sustainable technologies, applying core engineering concepts to real-world marine problems. Guided by FAU faculty, you’ll work on projects and brainstorm solutions using ocean engineering principles. This summer camp provides access to cutting-edge labs and equipment, offering an opportunity to develop technical skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the marine technology industry.
9. Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC) by Mathworks at Texas State University
Location: Texas State University campus, San Marcos, Texas (Residential)
Cost: The cost is $6,000, covering housing, meals, and supplies. Need-based financial aid is available
Dates: June 15 - July 26
Application Deadline: Round 1 - February 15; Round 2 - March 15; Round 3 - April 16
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
HSMC is a 6-week residential program for high school students aiming to pursue a future in mathematics. It covers core topics such as elementary number theory, combinatorics, abstract algebra, and analysis while introducing students to problem-solving using the Mathematica software. The program encourages students to return for a second year. Returning participants have the opportunity to work on a math research project. This summer camp for high school students is competitive, with a 15% acceptance rate for first-time applicants. It admits 72 students annually, including around 40 returning students.
10. Camp Business at Drexel University
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cost: Commuter Session: $950 | Residential Session: $2,000. A limited number of alumni-sponsored, need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Commuter: July 20 - July 25 | Residential Blue: July 13 - July 18 | Residential Gold: July 27 - August 1
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, including international students
Camp Business is a one-week program designed to expand your knowledge of the business world. It’s designed to provide a closer look at how business operates, both in college classrooms and in real-world companies. The curriculum explores accounting, marketing, finance, and management, helping you understand how these pieces fit together in the bigger picture. Throughout the week, you'll collaborate with a team to develop a business idea, which you’ll present in a pitch competition at the program’s end. It’s a hands-on approach to business that refines your teamwork and presentation skills.
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