If you’re a high school student and want to spend your summer learning without spending a ton of money or moving too far from home, free online camps are a great option. You can explore subjects like coding, science, writing, or entrepreneurship from anywhere.
Online summer camps are different from regular programs or classes. They usually last a few weeks and are tightly organized, so you spend your time doing activities that actually build skills, instead of just listening to lectures. Each camp focuses on a specific subject, giving you a chance to go deeper and practice things you might only read about in school. You could be building a small app, running a mini research experiment, creating a project for a competition, or learning techniques used by professionals in the field.
Joining these camps helps you work on advanced skills and gives you a sense of how the subject works in the real world. You’ll see what projects and problem-solving in that field actually look like, and you’ll be able to add concrete experience to your resume or college applications. Because they are short, focused, and structured, free online camps are a smart way to get serious about a topic while keeping it flexible and affordable.
To make it easier for you, here’s a list of 15 free online summer camps for high school students!
15 Free Online Summer Camps for High School Students
1. Girls Who Code – Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Round 1: July 7–July 18, Round 2: July 28–August 8
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Open to current 9th–11th graders worldwide
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program (SIP) is a free, two-week virtual course for high school students in grades 9–11 (ages 14–18 internationally). You’ll learn computer science through live weekday classes, hands-on coding projects, and real-world applications. The curriculum covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UX design, and AI concepts. You’ll build interactive games, collaborate with peers, and strengthen your problem-solving and teamwork skills. The program also includes workshops and Q&A sessions with engineers and tech professionals from top companies. At the end, you’ll have a portfolio of projects and a deeper understanding of coding and tech careers.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Remote – fully online
Cost: Financial aid is available
Dates: 10–15 week cohorts offered throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines; Winter session closes October 19
Eligibility: Open to ambitious high school students worldwide
Horizon runs trimester-long research programs for high school students in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, and more. You can choose to focus on either quantitative or qualitative research, which makes the program flexible depending on your interests. After selecting a subject track, you are paired with a professor or PhD scholar who mentors you through the process. Over the course of the program, you are expected to complete a 20-page research paper that you can submit to journals for possible publication. Horizon also gives you a detailed project review and a letter of recommendation that you can use for future applications or research work.
3. Kode with Klossy – Summer Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: June 2 – 13 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – Aug 1 | Aug 4 – 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school girls and gender-expansive teens aged 13–18 from anywhere in the world
Kode with Klossy offers free, two-week summer coding camps for young women and gender-expansive youth ages 13–18, with no prior coding experience required. You can apply for tracks in web development, mobile apps, machine learning, and data science. The program is entirely project-based, meaning you’ll spend most of your time building websites, apps, or AI models with guidance from trained instructors. Alongside coding, you’ll attend guest speaker sessions with tech professionals who share insights into careers in programming, design, and entrepreneurship. By the end of the camp, you’ll have tangible work samples to showcase your skills, plus access to a supportive alumni network and continued learning opportunities.
4. Summer Journalism Bootcamp
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Program Dates: Aug 5, 12, and 19 (workshops + assignments in between)
Application Deadline: Aug 1
Eligibility: High school and college students nationwide
The Daily Free Press offers a free, two-week virtual bootcamp designed for high school and college students interested in journalism. Participants attend workshops and panels covering everything from ethics of reporting and story development to hard news, features, photojournalism, and newsroom diversity. You will receive one-on-one mentorship from FreeP editors and guidance from professional journalists at top outlets like The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post. The program culminates in a published-quality article that you can include in your portfolio, with the possibility of being featured in the FreeP itself. No prior journalism experience or Boston University affiliation is required.
5. Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation
Location: Remote – join from anywhere
Cost: Free
Dates: 12-week cohorts across Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance (most admitted students have a GPA of 3.3 or higher).
The Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation is a non-profit program that gives gifted students from low-income backgrounds access to independent research opportunities at no cost. It comes from the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, which is known for one-on-one research opportunities for high school students. Through the Lumiere Breakthrough Scholar Program, you can join the same structure as Lumiere Education’s Individual Research Scholar Program. Over 12 weeks, you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on a topic of your choice and develop an independent research paper. You can pick from fields like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. By the end, you will have completed a paper that reflects your research and analysis.
6. University of Hawaiʻi GenCyber Virtual Pre-Camps
Cost: Free
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Program Dates: May 3 and May 10 (9 a.m.–1 p.m. HST)
Application Deadline: April 18
Eligibility: Current 6th–12th graders nationwide
The University of Hawaiʻi is hosting GenCyber, a cybersecurity education program funded by the NSA and NSF. The virtual pre-camps are designed for middle and high school students with no prior experience required. You will explore cybersecurity through hands-on activities like coding, encryption, and digital problem-solving, guided by UH cybersecurity experts. The program also introduces you to possible future study and career paths in the field. Students who complete the pre-camp can later apply for in-person summer camps across Hawaiʻi. Space is limited and registration closes quickly.
7. Engineering Tomorrow Virtual Summer Camp
Cost: Free
Location: Online
Program Dates: July 12–16, July 19–23, July 26–30 (9 a.m.–12 p.m. EST)
Application Deadline: May 21 (or earlier if filled)
Eligibility: High school students
Engineering Tomorrow offers a free virtual summer camp designed to introduce high school students to realistic engineering challenges. Each week focuses on a different theme—Product Development, Power & Energy, and Engineering in Medicine—delivered through live sessions and interactive projects. All sessions are led by professional engineers, giving students direct insight into how engineering shapes technology, health, and sustainability. Students may register for one week of camp and will select their preferred theme when applying. Camp days run in the mornings, keeping the schedule accessible and manageable. Space is limited, and applications close once capacity is filled.
8. IUPUI Cybersecurity Summer Camp
Cost: Free
Location: Indianapolis, IN (in-person) or Online
Program Dates: June 3–7
Application Deadline: May 20
Eligibility: High school students
Hosted by Luddy Indianapolis, the IUPUI Cybersecurity Summer Camp gives high school students a full week of hands-on training in operating systems, networks, and security. You’ll learn how to detect and fix vulnerabilities using Windows and Ubuntu virtual machines, practicing techniques like system hardening and vulnerability mitigation. The program also uses Cisco Packet Tracer to let you design, configure, and secure complex networks with routers, switches, and servers. Workshops mirror the challenges faced by security professionals, introducing you to tools and environments used in the field. Along the way, you’ll connect with IU students and faculty, offering a glimpse into college-level tech education.
9. Northern Michigan University Cybersecurity Summer Camp
Cost Free
Location: Virtual + Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
Program Dates: Virtual sessions in June; Residential camp July 13–18
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–11
Northern Michigan University’s Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute invites students entering grades 9–11 to a free week-long residential camp with both virtual and in-person components. The program begins in June with online modules, including live sessions and independent activities, before transitioning to an on-campus experience in Marquette from July 13–18. Campers will explore ethical hacking, programming, IoT technologies, and cybersecurity careers through hands-on sessions led by experienced instructors. Participants stay in university residence halls, attend workshops at the Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center, and take part in evening recreational activities. Afterward, a final round of virtual activities helps reinforce the skills learned during camp.
10. CU Denver GenCyber Summer Camp
Location: Virtual (Colorado high school students receive hardware kits; out-of-state students may audit)
Cost: Free
Dates: July 15–19 (9 a.m.–4 p.m. MDT)
Application Deadline: Rolling (closes when full)
Eligibility: Current U.S. high school students (Colorado residents receive kits)
The CU Denver GenCyber Summer Camp is a five-day cybersecurity program for high school students funded by the NSA and NSF. You’ll explore ethical hacking, network defense, IoT security, and digital forensics through live labs, hands-on challenges, and team-based games. Each day includes capture-the-flag exercises that test your skills in real time. At the end of the week, you’ll earn a certificate of achievement recognizing your participation and progress.
11. UNLV GenCyber Camp
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free
Dates: July 21–25
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Current high school students nationwide
The UNLV GenCyber Camp is a five-day online cybersecurity program for high school students. You’ll learn core topics like cryptography, ethical hacking, and secure coding through live demos, breakout labs, and scenario-based drills. The camp is led by UNLV cybersecurity faculty and designed to build your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. You’ll work in teams, explore real-world challenges, and gain insight into cybersecurity careers. The program is free and supported by the NSA and NSF.
12. Bismarck State College GenCyber Camp
Location: Virtual (live via Webex)
Cost: Free
Dates: July 28–August 1
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (grades 9–12)
The Bismarck State College GenCyber Camp is a free, five-day virtual cybersecurity program for U.S. high school students in grades 9–12. Held live via Webex, the camp introduces you to key cybersecurity topics like network defense, ethical hacking, IoT vulnerabilities, and incident response. You’ll participate in interactive labs, mentor-led workshops, and a final team challenge that puts your skills to the test. The program is supported by the NSA and designed to build your technical knowledge, teamwork, and interest in cybersecurity careers.
13. What It Takes: Exploring Engineering Virtual Camp
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free (offered to schools at no charge)
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Current high school students worldwide
What It Takes: Exploring Engineering Virtual Camp is a five-day online program hosted by the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. You’ll explore key engineering fields like product design, power systems, and biomedical engineering through live labs, virtual team projects, and interactive sessions. The camp includes guest talks from practicing engineers, giving you insight into real-world applications and career paths. You’ll collaborate with peers, solve design challenges, and build foundational skills in engineering problem-solving. Sessions are held via Zoom, making it accessible from anywhere.
14. STEM Academy, Oregon State University High School Summer Camp
Location: Virtual via Canvas and Zoom
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7–18 (asynchronous modules with weekly live sessions)
Application Deadline: June 10
Eligibility: Current high school students in any country
The STEM Academy High School Summer Camp at Oregon State University is a two-week virtual program for high school students. You’ll explore robotics, environmental modeling, and computational biology through project-based modules. Hands-on kits are shipped to your home, and you’ll join live workshops twice a week to build skills and ask questions. You’ll work with peers on interdisciplinary capstone projects that apply STEM to real-world challenges.
15. What It Takes: Secondary Engineering Virtual Camp
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Cost: Free
Dates: June 29–July 3
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen and sophomores
What It Takes: Secondary Engineering Virtual Camp is a one-week online program for high school students interested in solving real-world problems through engineering. You’ll explore design thinking, prototype solutions in virtual labs, and work on sustainability-focused projects. The camp emphasizes interdisciplinary teamwork and creative problem-solving. At the end of the week, you’ll present your final project at a live virtual expo. This companion program builds on the main WIT camp and gives you a deeper experience with engineering innovation and environmental impact.
Image source – Oregon State University