If you’re a high schooler interested in a subject, summer camps offer a structured way to explore academic and professional interests beyond the school year. Unlike regular extracurricular programs, camps are typically shorter in length, highly organized, and focused on a single area of study. This format allows you to concentrate deeply on one subject, whether it’s engineering, computer science, biomedical research, or the arts, and build a set of skills that may not be part of your regular coursework. Houston is home to many organizations that offer summer camps each year, across STEM and non-STEM subjects. If you’re a local, choosing a program close to home is a much more affordable option than having to travel/move to another city or state.
Because of their immersive nature, summer camps often combine classroom learning with hands-on projects, lab work, or site visits. This can give you practical exposure to tools, methods, and concepts that mirror real-world applications.
Here’s a list of 13 summer camps in Houston for high school students!
1. Digital Health Young Scholars Program
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: June 9 – 26
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Current 10th to 11th graders who reside in the Houston area
This three-week program introduces you to engineering research with a focus on digital health. You will work in small teams on projects that involve applying problem-solving approaches to real-world challenges. The structure includes both technical research activities and practice in communicating results through reports and presentations. Faculty and graduate mentors guide you through the process, giving you a sense of how engineering research is conducted at the university level.
2. Sustainable Futures Academy – Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: Free (scholarships available)
Dates: July 8 – 12
Application Deadline: June 7
Eligibility: High school girls (10th-11th grade); Boys and non-binary students welcome
This one-week program engages you in physics and engineering projects that address environmental and sustainability challenges. Activities include designing energy-efficient systems, building models like roller coasters or landing capsules, and experimenting with circuits using Microbits. You will also work with TI Nspire Rovers to explore motion and apply fundamental physics concepts to engineering contexts. With its small cohort size, you’ll have the chance to contribute actively to group problem-solving while gaining a practical view of sustainability in STEM fields.
3. University of Houston (Sugar Land): Code Cougars
Location: University of Houston at Sugar Land, Sugar Land, TX
Cost: $400 (scholarships available)
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12; No prior coding experience required
This one-week camp introduces you to computer science through applied projects in coding and digital design. You will work on activities ranging from web development and game design to Python programming, Microbit applications, and basic cybersecurity. Sessions are divided for middle school and high school students, allowing you to learn at an appropriate pace. The structure emphasizes problem-solving as you design, test, and refine your own projects. By the end of the week, you will have built a foundation in core coding skills while gaining practice in applying them to practical challenges.
4. Young Leaders Institute (YLI)
Location: Asia Society Texas Center, Houston, TX
Cost: $2,000; Need-based scholarships available
Dates: Different dates for different sessions; Typically, between June and August
Application Deadline: May 31; Rolling basis (early submission encouraged)
Eligibility: High school students in the Greater Houston area; Must be enrolled in high school in the fall
The Young Leaders Institute is a week-long program where you collaborate with peers to analyze and propose solutions to global challenges. Each session focuses on themes such as human rights, renewable energy, or international security, allowing you to study issues from multiple perspectives. You will work in teams to research, debate, and deliver presentations that synthesize your findings. The program also emphasizes leadership and communication, with guidance from Asia Society Texas staff and opportunities to engage with guest speakers.
5. Kode With Klossy Summer Camp
Location: Dallas, TX (virtual options also available)
Cost: Free
Dates: June 2 – 13
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens ages 13-18; No prior coding experience required
This free two-week camp introduces you to computer science through project-based learning in web development, mobile applications, artificial intelligence, or data science. You will gain practice in coding by building apps, designing digital tools, and training machine learning models. The program also incorporates talks from women working in technology, offering a perspective on professional pathways in the field. In addition to technical skills, you will work collaboratively with peers, receive structured guidance from instructors, and complete a portfolio-ready project that reflects both coding fundamentals and creative application.
6. UTSA High School Summer Camps
Location: University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX
Cost: Typically $250 – $1,200
Dates: June – August (finalized offerings posted in May)
Application Deadline: Varies by camp; check UTSA Summer Camps page for updates
Eligibility: High school students; Some camps specify rising juniors/seniors or include middle schoolers
The University of Texas at San Antonio offers a series of summer camps across disciplines such as engineering, architecture, music, and criminal justice. Each program emphasizes applied learning, with activities ranging from architectural model building and biomechanical analysis to ensemble performance and mock trial exercises. Most camps run one to two weeks and include structured instruction from UTSA faculty or professionals in the field. Depending on your focus, you may work in labs, studios, or courtroom settings to practice relevant techniques. Many camps conclude with presentations, recitals, or competitions, giving you a chance to share your work with peers and instructors.
7. Creative Writing Camp at Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX (also at select Houston-area schools; virtual options available)
Cost: In-person: $525 per session
Program Dates: Varies by location
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 8-12
This camp, run by Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies in partnership with Writers in the Schools (WITS), gives you a chance to focus on creative writing in a workshop setting. High school students can choose sessions like Just Write It, The Art of Essay, or Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writing, each emphasizing a particular genre or approach. You will draft and revise original pieces with guidance from published authors and instructors. Small-group sessions prioritize peer feedback, expressive writing, and analysis of narrative techniques. The curriculum highlights skills such as structure, figurative language, vocabulary use, and sentence variety, helping you refine both style and voice.
8. Aggie STEM Overnight Camps – Texas A&M University
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $1,699 per week; $500 deposit required at registration
Program Dates: May 31 – June 6; June 7 – 13; June 14 – 20; June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 in the fall
These one-week residential camps introduce you to STEM concepts through faculty-led classes and project-based learning. You will explore areas such as mathematical modeling, computational tools, and engineering design while working on applied projects. Daily workshops are led by Texas A&M faculty and STEM professionals, giving you exposure to both academic and practical perspectives. The structure emphasizes both technical learning and collaborative problem-solving within a residential setting.
9. McCombs High School Summer Programs – UT Austin
Location: University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business
Cost: Free
Program Dates: MFEA: June 1 – 6; Subiendo: June 8 – 12; DYNAMC: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: MFEA: March 1; Subiendo: January 31; MFEA & DYNAMC: March 1
Eligibility: MFEA & DYNAMC: Current high school sophomores and juniors; Subiendo: Current Texas high school juniors
The McCombs School of Business offers three one-week residential programs for high school students interested in business, leadership, and accounting. The McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA) emphasizes executive decision-making and problem-solving, while Subiendo focuses on civic leadership and policy. On the other hand, DYNAMC is structured around accounting, financial literacy, and career exploration in business fields. Each program includes workshops, guest speakers, and team-based projects. With one application, you may apply to all three programs and explore different aspects of business education at UT Austin.
10. Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC) – Texas State University
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $6,600; Scholarships available based on financial need
Dates: June 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: Opens on January 1; Rolling till full
Eligibility: High school students with strong mathematical backgrounds
During the Honors Summer Math Camp, you will study advanced topics such as number theory, combinatorics, and mathematical proofs while building abstract reasoning and problem-solving skills. The coursework is paired with collaborative projects that encourage exploration beyond standard high school math. As a returning participant, you may conduct faculty-mentored research with the option to submit work to national competitions or journals. The program emphasizes mathematical maturity and independent thinking, preparing you for future academic research.
11. The Idea Factory: Industrial Design Summer Experience – University of Houston
Location: University of Houston, Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, Houston, TX
Cost: $500 per session; $50 application fee; 10% tuition discount if registering for both sessions
Dates: June 9 – 13; June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: May 30 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12
This one-week program introduces you to industrial design through hands-on studio work and guided instruction. You will learn methods for sketching, prototyping, and fabrication while exploring how design thinking connects creativity with function. Daily sessions combine short lectures with team-based challenges and time in the workshop to test and refine ideas. Faculty from the College of Architecture and Design provide mentorship as you progress through each stage of the design process. By the end of the week, you will have developed prototypes that reflect both technical skills and creative problem-solving.
12. Tapia STEM Camps – Rice University
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $2,500; Limited scholarships available
Dates:
Session 1: July 6 – 11
Session 2: July 13 – 18
Session 3: July 20 – 25
Session 4: July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Current 7th-12th graders
This week-long residential camp engages you in STEM projects that link mathematics, science, and technology to real-world issues. You can work on applied challenges such as designing carbon storage systems or analyzing college admissions algorithms. One track, Techniques of a Pro Mathematician, focuses specifically on advanced mathematical methods. The program emphasizes not only solving technical problems but also explaining your reasoning through written and oral presentations. Throughout the week, you’ll receive structured feedback from faculty, peers, and professionals on how to refine both your approach and communication.
13. teachHOUSTON: Full STEM Ahead! Camp
Location: University of Houston, Houston, TX
Cost: Early bird $425; regular $450; Discount rate for UH faculty & staff $350; “Genius Hours” option $100
Program Dates: TBD
Application Deadline: Varies (registration opens in spring)
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-9 (in fall following the program)
This week-long STEM day camp invites “junior scientists” to dive into hands-on, themed modules in environmental science, biology (including dissections), physics, technology, and more. You’ll engage in experiments, design challenges, and inquiry-based investigations that help you explore how scientific principles play out in nature and engineered systems. Everyday activities are designed to be interactive and exploratory, giving you a chance to test ideas, build prototypes, and ask real scientific questions. In addition to academic sessions, there will be social and group experiences that foster collaboration, curiosity, and peer connection.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image Source – University of Texas at San Antonio logo