If you’re a high schooler interested in law but can’t commit to a full-time pre-college program, consider a camp!
Law camps for high school students are designed to give you a concentrated look into the world of law and justice. These programs are short, focused, and go beyond textbooks, allowing you to dig into real cases, practice argumentation, and explore how legal systems shape societies. Through workshops, mock trials, and lectures led by experienced faculty and professionals, you’ll gain an early understanding of legal reasoning, courtroom procedure, and ethical decision-making.
What are law camps? How is it different from a regular summer program in law?
Unlike semester-long or year-round academic programs, law camps are brief yet highly focused, offering a deep dive into specific legal areas in just a few days or weeks. Some take place on prestigious university campuses, while others are accessible online, allowing you to explore law from anywhere. In this blog, we’ve highlighted 13 law camps and short-term programs that help high schoolers build advanced skills and gain meaningful exposure to the field.
13 Law Camps for High School Students
1. High School Pre-Law Academy: Stephen F. Austin State University
Location: Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Cost: $850 + $25 registration fee
Dates: June 15 – 21
Application Deadline: Registration typically opens January 8 each year for the following summer
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Stephen F. Austin State University’s High School Pre-Law Academy is a week-long residential program designed for high schoolers curious about legal studies. Throughout the week, you’ll participate in mock trials, analyze case law, and simulate crime scene investigations while learning from professors, judges, and practicing attorneys. Sessions cover courtroom procedure, evidence analysis, and the broader U.S. legal system, giving you a practical introduction to how trials and investigations unfold. A highlight of the academy is the mock trial competition, where teams prepare and present cases under the mentorship of local legal professionals.
2. UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (virtual available too)
Cost: $1,288
Dates: Session A.1: Residential & Session A.2: Commuter: July 6 – 12; Session B.1: Residential & Session B.2: Commuter: July 13 – 19; Session C: Virtual: August 3 – 9
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: 9th-12th graders in the spring
The UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute immerses high school students in courtroom advocacy and trial procedures through an intensive week-long program on the university’s Los Angeles campus. As a participant, you’ll study key legal concepts, such as evidentiary objections, cross-examination, and opening statements, working in small teams guided by UCLA’s nationally ranked mock trial coaches and team members. You’ll prepare and argue a fictional criminal case, visit the Los Angeles Superior Court, and gain firsthand insight into how trials function. The program also covers public speaking, helping you strengthen your ability to think critically and present persuasively under pressure.
3. Saper Law Immersion Program
Location: Saper Law Offices, Chicago, IL
Cost: $875 (need-based scholarships are available)
Dates: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school and college students
Held at Saper Law Offices in Chicago, the Saper Law Immersion Program is a week-long experience designed to give high school and college students an inside view of the legal profession. The curriculum combines lectures, field trips, and interactive exercises such as mock trials, negotiation simulations, and legal writing workshops. Much of the program centers on digital media, entertainment, and internet law, reflecting the firm’s focus on technology-related legal issues. You’ll also hear from guest speakers across specialties, including corporate, government, and civil rights attorneys, providing diverse perspectives on modern law practice.
4. CJ Summer Camp
Location: College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Cost: $725
Dates: Session 1: June 7 – 11; Session 2: June 21 – 25; Session 3: July 5 – 9
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-17
The Criminal Justice Summer Camp is a four-day, in-person program that gives high school students an inside look at the criminal justice system. You’ll take part in mock crime scene investigations, interact with professionals from agencies like the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, and Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and attend discussions led by experts in law enforcement and forensics. The camp’s schedule balances hands-on activities with opportunities to speak directly with agents, professors, and current criminal justice students. Past camps have featured sessions with officials from the U.S. Military Police, Houston Fire Investigation, and Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office.
5. Summer Legal Academy: Office of the Harris County Attorney
Location: Harris County Attorney’s Office, Houston, TX
Stipend: $15/hour
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: March 21 (priority); March 23 (final)
Eligibility: Students in high schools in Harris County who are entering grades 10 through 12
Run by the Harris County Attorney’s Office, the Summer Legal Academy is a free two-week educational program designed to introduce high school students to the foundations of legal study. The program blends classroom-style learning with practical exposure to law school and professional practice. You’ll attend mock lectures taught by law professors, review legal cases, complete LSAT-style logic exercises, and participate in panel discussions with attorneys and community leaders. Each day combines presentations, networking sessions, and interactive workshops that explore different legal specialties. The academy also offers guidance on preparing for law school, understanding admissions requirements, and exploring career pathways in the legal field.
6. FAU’s Criminal Justice Summer Camp
Location: FAU Campus, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: $900
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 13; Session 2: July 20 – 25
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in the Spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12 in the coming fall
Florida Atlantic University’s Criminal Justice Summer Camp is a week-long program for high school students interested in law enforcement, forensics, and legal studies. The camp combines classroom instruction with field trips to agencies such as the Medical Examiner’s Office and local law enforcement departments. You’ll participate in crime scene investigation exercises, observe demonstrations from specialized units like SWAT, K-9, and bomb squads, and learn how evidence is collected and analyzed. The curriculum also covers topics like death penalty procedures and FBI investigations, linking these experiences to broader legal frameworks. As a participant, you will receive a certificate of completion recognizing your experience.
7. USF Summer Camps: JGHC: Mock Trial Intensive
Location: USF St. Petersburg, Tampa, FL
Cost: $695 (tentative)
Dates: July 27 – August 2
Application Deadline: Applications open February 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10th-12th
Hosted by the Judy Genshaft Honors College at the University of South Florida, the Mock Trial Intensive is a one-week program that gives high school students direct exposure to courtroom practice. Guided by experienced attorneys and collegiate mock trial competitors, you’ll learn how to examine witnesses, craft arguments, and deliver both opening and closing statements. Throughout the week, you will study a well-known legal case and conclude with a full mock trial held at Stetson Law School. The program also includes workshops on logical reasoning and public speaking, helping you build core advocacy skills. Panel discussions with legal professionals provide additional insight into law school preparation, career options, and the realities of legal practice.
8. Stetson Young Scholars Pre-Law Camps
Location: Stetson University, DeLand, FL
Cost: $1,000 (includes a $100 non-refundable registration fee); Need-based scholarships available
Dates: Mock Trial Camp: July 7 – 11; Mock Trial Camp: July 21 – 25; Moot Court Camp: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students residing in the U.S.
Stetson University’s Pre-Law Camps offer intensive, small-group experiences designed to strengthen your understanding of courtroom and appellate procedures. The Mock Trial camp walks you through the stages of a trial, covering pre-trial motions, evidence rules, examinations, and closing arguments, while the Moot Court camp focuses on appellate advocacy, where you’ll prepare briefs and present oral arguments on complex legal issues. Each session, capped at 15 students, includes full-day instruction led by practicing lawyers, retired judges, and members of Stetson’s award-winning Trial Team. Through these focused simulations, you’ll gain practical experience in presenting arguments and analyzing cases within a structured legal framework.
9. Georgetown University: Law Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Cost: Residential: $3,525; Commuter: $2,730
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions between June 22 and August 2
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students with at least a 2.0 GPA
Georgetown University’s Law Academy introduces high school students to the foundations of American law through lectures, discussions, and hands-on activities led by Georgetown faculty and guest legal professionals. You’ll study how laws are created, interpreted, and enforced while examining key topics such as constitutional law, sentencing, and the rights of victims and defendants. The curriculum includes sessions on the jury system, careers in law, and debates around justice for minors versus adults. The experience also offers insight into how legal institutions evolve alongside societal values. Throughout the program, you’ll participate in mock trials and explore Supreme Court cases that shape national discussions.
10. Stanford Intensive Law and Trial Program
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: $5,699; Financial aid is available
Dates: June 24 – July 3; July 6 – July 15; July 17 – July 26
Application Deadline: Not publicly listed; Check here for details
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
The Stanford Intensive Law and Trial Program is a 10-day residential experience at Stanford Law School where high school students study the theory and practice of law under the guidance of Stanford professors and practicing attorneys. You’ll learn how to prepare a case, craft opening and closing statements, and conduct witness examinations through realistic courtroom simulations endorsed by the American Mock Trial Association. The program also introduces you to legal ethics, argumentation, and evidence handling while developing skills in critical thinking and persuasion. Beyond trial work, workshops help you refine leadership abilities and build a personal roadmap for future academic goals.
11. Mock Trial Academy at Rhodes College
Location: Rhodes College, Memphis, TN
Cost: $2,400 (early bird discount of $300 available); Scholarships available
Dates: June 21 – 29
Application Deadline: February 15 (early); April 1 (regular); Rolling basis after April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Rhodes College’s Mock Trial Academy is a one-week residential program where high school students receive focused instruction in trial advocacy and legal reasoning. You’ll work closely with experienced coaches and members of Rhodes’ nationally recognized Mock Trial Team to build courtroom skills such as direct and cross-examination, presenting arguments, and interpreting constitutional law. Daily classes combine lectures, simulations, and practice sessions, culminating in a full trial performance at the end of the week. You’ll also visit Memphis landmarks like the National Civil Rights Museum and meet local and federal judges to learn about the legal system in context. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion, and those who later enroll at Rhodes may qualify for advanced standing within the university’s trial programs.
12. Georgetown University’s Law Pre-College Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; Need-based scholarships available
Dates: 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
Georgetown University’s Law Pre-College Online Program explores the complexities of international law and how global legal systems intersect to address conflicts and cooperation between nations. You’ll study how treaties are negotiated, how jurisdiction operates across borders, and how international law governs issues like war, diplomacy, and environmental protection. Case studies such as the Gulf War, Iranian Hostage Crisis, and conflict in Ukraine are used to illustrate how legal principles are applied in real-world scenarios. The course includes a capstone project where you take on the role of a legal advisor, analyzing a global issue using international legal frameworks.
13. Notre Dame Pre-College Online: Thinking Like a Lawyer
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795; Need-based scholarships available
Dates: 2- and 4-week sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies by selected cohort
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
The University of Notre Dame’s online course Thinking Like a Lawyer introduces high school students to legal reasoning through the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) framework used by attorneys. You’ll compare different legal systems, explore the U.S. and South African Constitutions, and analyze real case studies involving sports law, human rights, and intellectual property. The curriculum is centered around how lawyers apply facts to legal rules, interpret ethical issues, and construct logical arguments. Interactive modules and written assignments guide you through applying law to practical problems, such as evaluating claims of trademark infringement or contract disputes. The course concludes with a capstone project and a Certificate of Completion from Notre Dame.
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 – Georgetown University