If you’re a high school student curious about how businesses operate or how new ideas turn into successful ventures, business camps can be a great way to explore that interest.
At such camps, you might work on developing startups, creating business models, analyzing investments, designing products, or exploring financial markets. Sessions are led by university faculty, industry professionals, and experienced mentors, giving you exposure to practical business applications as well as academic foundations. Many camps also provide access to campus resources, trading platforms, and design labs, offering a glimpse into both collegiate and corporate environments.
Why choose a camp over a program?
Unlike general academic programs or extracurricular activities, these camps are short, intensive, and designed to simulate real-world business experiences. They are designed to be short-term, often lasting just a few days to a few weeks, providing a highly concentrated learning experience. Unlike traditional, longer programs that cover broader concepts over extended periods. These camps focus on specific skills or topics, allowing students to delve deep quickly.
Below is a curated list of 13 business camps for high school students.
13 Business Camps for High School Students
1. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500 (full and partial scholarships available) + $75 application fee (fee waivers available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; up to 72 students
Dates: June 13 – 27
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 | International students are welcome to apply, but preference will be given to U.S.citizens and permanent residents and Canadian residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program for rising high school seniors interested in exploring business and management. Through classes, workshops, and field activities led by Ross School of Business faculty, you’ll study core areas such as business management, leadership, and strategic decision-making. The program emphasizes analytical thinking and problem-solving as you examine how leaders make decisions and what drives successful companies.
2. Tufts University’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp
Location: Tufts University, Medford/ Somerville Campus, MA
Cost: $4,225 (Commuter); $5,750 (Residential); limited, need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 60 students
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as graduating high school seniors
The Tufts University Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp is a two-week, in-person program for high school students interested in business development and problem-solving. The camp introduces you to the process of building a venture, from identifying a problem and designing a solution to developing a business model and presenting a pitch. You’ll learn how to build a business case and develop a go-to-market strategy and sales plan while collaborating in teams to create a startup, small business, or non-profit idea. Mentors from Tufts’ Derby Entrepreneurship Center and alumni network will guide you through prototyping and preparing investor-style presentations. The program concludes with a Demo-Days-style pitch event, where you’ll present your venture to a panel of judges.
3. Washington Business Week – Business & Leadership Summer Camp
Location: Northwest University, Eastern Washington University, or Renton Technical College
Cost: $650 – $1,250, depending on the university; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 50 – 100 students
Dates: One week camps in July and August; exact dates vary by university
Application Deadline: Typically early summer
Eligibility: All high school students
At the Washington Business Week’s Business & Leadership Summer Camp, you’ll join a small team of peers to run a simulated company, taking on roles such as CEO, CFO, and CMO to develop, market, and pitch a new product. Over one week, you’ll analyze business operations, make strategic and financial decisions, and present your findings in a Shark Tank–style investor meeting. The curriculum introduces you to core areas of business, including entrepreneurship, marketing, management, and finance, while emphasizing leadership and ethical decision-making in corporate contexts. You’ll also gain experience in professional communication, public speaking, and collaborative problem-solving under the guidance of leading business professionals, along with earning two elective college credits.
4. Rutgers Business School – Summer Business Camp
Location: Livingston Apartments and Rutgers Business School on the Livingston Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 90 students
Dates: July 6 – 12 or July 13 – 19 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until spots are filled
Eligibility: All high school students
The Rutgers Business School’s Summer Business Camp is a one-week residential program for high school students interested in exploring the fundamentals of business. During the camp, you’ll learn from Rutgers students, alumni, and faculty about core areas such as marketing, management, accounting, finance, and supply chain. You’ll apply these concepts by working in teams to design a business plan, analyze market data, and present your proposal in a final competition. Throughout the week, you’ll also gain exposure to real-world business environments through company visits and discussions with industry experts. The camp is residential, offering an immersive introduction to both business studies and college life.
5. Drexel University LeBow College of Business – Rising Starters Summer Camp
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 15 – 30 students
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
The Rising Starters Summer Camp at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business is a one-week program for high school sophomores and juniors interested in entrepreneurship and the fashion industry. Jointly hosted by Drexel’s Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship and the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, the camp introduces you to key concepts in business development, digital commerce, and sustainable fashion. You’ll study topics such as fashion market analysis, branding, and AI-driven marketing strategies. Throughout the week, you’ll participate in workshops, site visits, and team-based venture development activities. The camp concludes with a final pitch presentation, where teams present their business concepts to industry professionals.
6. Drexel University LeBow College of Business – Camp Business
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $950 – $2,000, depending on the type of session (click here for more information) | Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 30 – 50 students
Dates: Vary by type of session; typically one week in July
Application Deadline: Typically late spring (May – June)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Camp Business is a one-week summer program at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in exploring business education. The program introduces you to key areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing, and management through structured coursework and interactive sessions. You’ll also study core concepts like leadership, business strategy, and professional communication while also getting insight into how financial reports, stock market data, and technology support business decisions. In addition to academic sessions, the program includes group activities that emphasize teamwork and problem-solving.
7. University of Florida’s Bulls Startup Summer Camp
Location: USF Tampa – Muma College of Business
Cost: Typically between $550 and $995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling acceptance; 30 campers
Dates: Typically five days in June
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until all slots are filled
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10–12
The Bulls Startup Summer Camp at the University of South Florida introduces you to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship through a mix of workshops, mentorship, and practical projects. You’ll learn how to identify market opportunities, design business models, and develop product ideas using frameworks like the business model canvas. The program also covers emerging topics such as cryptocurrency, coding, and social media marketing to help you understand how technology shapes modern business strategy. Throughout the camp, you’ll receive guidance from faculty at the USF Nault Center for Entrepreneurship and industry mentors. The camp concludes with a pitch competition, where you’ll present your business concept to a panel of professionals and receive structured feedback on your work.
8. University of Florida’s Bulls Finance Summer Camp
Location: USF Tampa – Muma College of Business
Cost: Typically $650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling acceptance; 50 campers
Dates: Typically five days in July
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until all slots are filled
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
The Bulls Finance Summer Camp at the University of South Florida introduces high school students to core areas of business and finance through interactive, faculty-led sessions. You’ll study topics such as personal finance, corporate finance, financial planning, and FinTech while learning how financial systems and markets operate. The program includes practical training in financial analytics and stock trading using Bloomberg Terminals in the Lasher Center trading room. You’ll also explore how technology influences modern finance and examine real-world investment strategies. The camp also includes opportunities to connect with finance professionals and USF students to better understand career paths in finance and related fields.
9. Summer Venture in Business – University of Kansas
Location: University of Kansas School of Business (Lawrence, KS)
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; small cohorts per session
Dates: June 15 – 20; July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: Typically in spring
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th grade students
In this program/camp, you will take part in the fully funded Summer Venture in Business (SVB) pre-college academy, designed to introduce you to essential business concepts while preparing you for college life. Through engaging classes and activities, you’ll explore areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, and finance, guided by experienced KU faculty and program staff. The program also focuses on college readiness, offering you resources on applications, financial aid, and academic success skills. You’ll collaborate on group projects, deliver presentations, and engage in networking activities that mirror real-world business situations.
10. Seattle University Summer Business Institute (SBI)
Location: Seattle University (Seattle, WA) and online
Cost: None, but requires $50 refundable registration deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts admitted annually
Dates: July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: 9th–11th grade high school students
In this program, you will explore college-level business principles during the Seattle University Summer Business Institute (SBI), engaging in both course lessons and practical projects over the course of two weeks. Guided by university faculty, you’ll dive into subjects such as business management, financial literacy, and marketing strategy. Working in teams, you’ll have the chance to create and refine a comprehensive business plan, applying important skills like budgeting, pricing, and market research. At the end of the program, you’ll present your pitch to industry experts, gaining valuable feedback on your work. By combining academic study with hands-on experience, SBI offers a thorough introduction to the business world and maintains accessibility by providing full financial support.
11. Stevens School of Business – Finance and Investing Virtual Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 45 students
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Finance and Investing Virtual Bootcamp at the Stevens School of Business is a one-week intensive program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of finance, investment strategy, and portfolio management. Through lectures and practical exercises, you’ll learn to analyze equities, assess risk, and diversify portfolios using the S&P Capital IQ academic platform. The program emphasizes data-driven decision-making, teaching you to evaluate company performance and apply portfolio optimization techniques used by professional investors. You’ll also have the opportunity to work towards earning S&P certifications such as Capital IQ Pro 101 and Banking 101, which cover key concepts in financial analytics and investment principles.
12. UGA Terry Accelerated Business Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $295; a limited number of need-based financial scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 4 days typically in June
Application Deadline: Typically March
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This online program/camp introduces you to essential concepts of business through engaging sessions led by faculty members and seasoned executives from well-established companies. The course blends strategic, economic, and management perspectives using interactive discussions and case studies. Through this experience, you will strengthen your analytical thinking, develop networking abilities, and gain insight into real organizational decision-making. Activities are crafted to help you understand how businesses function in practice, while direct engagement with industry professionals broadens your understanding of different career directions and corporate structures. Designed as a compact and focused course, it offers a quick yet meaningful introduction to the business world.
13. DreamBig Academy – University of Nebraska
Location: College of Business, University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska,
Cost/Stipend: None / No stipend, but participants may qualify for a renewable $2,000 scholarship upon completing the program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 40 – 60 students per year
Dates: June 22 – 24
Application Deadline: Typically early spring
Eligibility: Current high school juniors expected to graduate in May | Minimum GPA of 3.0
This three-day summer camp is designed especially for rising high school seniors eager to delve into business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Throughout the program, you’ll explore core business areas like marketing, finance, leadership, communication, and teamwork. Your experience includes engaging in interactive workshops, pitching business ideas, tackling team challenges, and participating in networking opportunities with faculty and business professionals. You’ll receive mentorship from university faculty and industry leaders while gaining a taste of college campus life. This academy places a special emphasis on supporting first-generation and underrepresented students, helping them cultivate key skills such as problem-solving, public speaking, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, management, and business analytics, 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 topic 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 – Tufts University