Are you a high schooler looking to engage in academics outside of school? Check out academic camps! These camps can give you a closer look at subjects that interest you. They’re built for students who want to spend part of their summer studying something in depth instead of just reading about it in textbooks. You can study topics like biology, creative writing, math, or psychology and see what it’s like to work on them in a college-style setting.
Unlike general programs or internships, academic camps are shorter and more concentrated. They give you structured time to learn, ask questions, and try small research or creative projects. The idea is to help you explore how actual academic work happens and whether that subject feels right for you.
Doing one of these camps can also add to your experience when applying for college. It shows you’ve taken the effort to study beyond school requirements, and it can help you explain your academic interests clearly in applications or interviews.
With that, here’s a list of 13 academic camps for high school students that can help you get started!
13 Academic Camps for High School Students
1. Advanced Engineering Camp – Lyle School of Engineering, Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Location: Dallas, Texas (on campus at SMU)
Cost: $600
Program Dates: Girls Only: July 7–11; Boys Only: July 14–18; Co-ed: July 21–25
Application Deadline: Typically May–June
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders with prior exposure to STEM or engineering concepts
Hosted by SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering, this one-week camp introduces students to practical engineering design through project-based learning. You’ll explore fields such as civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering while completing applied challenges like bridge construction, structural stress testing, and fluid-dynamics simulations. You will gain experience using engineering software and instrumentation while collaborating in small teams under the guidance of university mentors.
2. Summer Engineering Exploration (SEE) Camp – University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cost: $700 (need-based financial aid available)
Program Dates: July 6–12
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th–11th graders, with preference for students with limited access to engineering programs
The SEE Camp at the University of Michigan is a weeklong residential program designed to expose students to diverse engineering disciplines through lab experiments, design challenges, and group projects. You’ll participate in a collaborative design competition that applies concepts like load distribution, material optimization, and sustainability. Workshops emphasize the engineering design process, data-driven analysis, and prototype testing. You’ll also explore the academic and career side of engineering through faculty sessions, lab tours, and peer panels, while honing communication and teamwork skills essential to engineering practice.
3. Math Modeling Camp – IMA-MathCEP, University of Minnesota
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota (limited remote options)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed single-variable calculus; graduating seniors are eligible
Hosted by the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and MathCEP, this camp introduces students to mathematical modeling as a tool for understanding real-world systems. You’ll work in teams to construct and analyze models for phenomena like traffic flow, disease spread, and environmental change. The program integrates calculus, algebra, and statistics with computational tools such as MATLAB or Python. A strong emphasis is placed on interpreting data, validating models, and presenting results through technical reports and group discussions. Teacher recommendations are required as part of the application.
4. GirlsGetMath@CSU – Colorado State University
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 2–6
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 9–12; all genders welcome
GirlsGetMath@CSU is a five-day summer camp that helps high school students explore exciting areas of mathematics beyond what’s taught in school. You’ll learn about topics like statistics, cryptography, modeling, and data visualization through fun, hands-on activities and computer-based problem solving. The camp focuses on building confidence in math, encouraging teamwork, and helping you recognize patterns and think critically. With support from university faculty and STEM professionals, you’ll see how math connects to real-world challenges in science, technology, and data. You’ll also meet other students who share your interest in math and work together on creative projects.
5. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) – Stanford University
Location: Stanford, California, and Online
Cost/Stipend: Not specified (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Session One (Online): June 16–July 4; Session One (Residential): June 22–July 18; Session Two (Online): July 7–25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (grades 10–11 at the time of application)
Stanford’s SUMaC (Stanford University Mathematics Camp) is a rigorous summer program that introduces high school students to advanced, proof-based mathematics in a university-level setting. Over several weeks, you’ll explore topics like abstract algebra, number theory, and mathematical logic through daily lectures, collaborative problem-solving, and guided independent research. The curriculum is designed to strengthen your formal reasoning and mathematical creativity while revealing the elegant structure behind higher-level theory. You’ll also see how these concepts connect to real-world applications in cryptography, coding, and computation.
6. Transportation & Civil Engineering Summer Camp – University of Hartford
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 7–11; July 14–18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Transportation & Civil Engineering Summer Camp at the University of Hartford introduces students to multiple branches of civil engineering, including transportation, structural, geotechnical, and environmental systems. You’ll conduct lab experiments on materials testing, load distribution, and concrete strength, and use simulation tools to study infrastructure design and traffic management. Field trips to construction sites and the Connecticut Department of Transportation link classroom concepts to real-world engineering projects. Under faculty and professional guidance, you’ll learn to analyze data, interpret design parameters, and understand how transportation systems integrate into community planning.
7. Summer Residential Engineering Camp – Building the World We Live In – NC State University
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost: $1,500 (limited financial assistance available)
Program Dates: July 6–11
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders
Hosted by NC State’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, this residential camp introduces students to the principles that shape modern infrastructure. You’ll study how engineers design systems for transportation, water management, and structural resilience against natural and human-made stresses. Lab modules include hydrological modeling, load testing, and traffic flow simulation, while workshops emphasize sustainable design and environmental impact analysis. Faculty mentors guide small groups (1:10 ratio) through applied research and design activities, culminating in a student-led project presentation.
8. ELITE Tech Camp – Rice University
Location: Houston, Texas (Rice University campus)
Cost: Residential: $3,795; Commuter: $1,695
Program Dates: June 22–28, July 6–12, July 13–19, July 20–26
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students
Rice University’s ELITE Tech Camp offers a pre-college engineering experience centered on advanced technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics. You’ll apply engineering design principles to develop solutions for real-world technical challenges, working collaboratively in small teams. Hands-on modules include 3D printing, sensor integration, and algorithmic modeling. The program combines technical workshops with mentorship from Rice faculty and researchers, emphasizing problem-solving, data literacy, and leadership in STEM innovation.
9. Harvard Pre-College Program
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (Harvard University campus)
Cost: $6,100 per session (includes tuition, room, meals, activities, and insurance); $75 application fee (non-refundable); limited financial aid available
Application Deadline: Early Application: January 7; Regular Application: February 11; Late Application: April 1
Program Dates: Three two-week sessions in summer. Session I (June 22–July 3), Session II (July 6–18), Session III (July 20–August 1)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (grades 11–12); must be at least 16 years old by June 20, and not turn 19 before July 31
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week residential experience for high school students who want to see what college life is like. You stay in Harvard housing near Harvard Square, take non-credit college-level courses, and attend classes of around 15 students led by Harvard instructors. You can choose from subjects such as literature, philosophy, history, physics, political science, or writing. You dine at Annenberg Hall, take part in evening “brain breaks,” and spend time with students from around 70 countries. The program focuses on helping you explore your academic interests, understand college learning, and experience campus life in a structured setting.
10. UTSA High School Summer Camps – University of Texas at San Antonio
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Cost: $250–$1,200 (varies by program length and materials)
Program Dates: June–August
Application Deadline: Varies by program; see UTSA website for details
Eligibility: High school students; some programs open to middle school or rising juniors/seniors
UTSA offers summer camps in engineering, architecture, music, and criminal justice that help you experience university-style learning. You take part in subject-based sessions such as forensic labs, design studios, biomechanical experiments, and music workshops. Each camp ends with a project where you present your work through a prototype, performance, or case study. UTSA faculty and industry professionals guide you through activities that focus on reasoning, technical skills, and teamwork.
11. Camp Champions
Location: Hunt, Texas
Cost: Varies by session
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from June–August
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Ages 7–17; all experience levels welcome
Camp Champions gives you a mix of academic learning and personal growth through hands-on sessions in sports, creative arts, outdoor activities, and leadership. You take part in workshops and group sessions that help you think critically, work in teams, and build resilience within a community setting. You get to join team-based challenges, creative projects, and environmental learning activities. These help you try new things, improve problem-solving skills, and develop as a leader. Whether you’re outdoors or working on group projects, Camp Champions lets you learn, take responsibility, and enjoy the process.
12. Medical Summer Camps – Global Leadership Adventures (GLA)
Location: International (varies by program site)
Cost: $2,099–$6,299
Program Dates: 1–3 week sessions (Spring Break and Summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students interested in medicine, public health, or global service
GLA’s medical summer camps combine global health education with hands-on service in developing communities. You’ll study healthcare systems, assist with infrastructure or sanitation projects, and collaborate with local NGOs. Fieldwork may include building sustainable water systems, distributing medical supplies, or conducting basic health education workshops under supervision. The program blends lectures, guided reflection, and cultural immersion to help you understand the intersection of medicine, equity, and development.
13. NextGen Summer Computer Science Programs – NextGen Bootcamp
Location: New York City (in-person) or Live Online
Cost: $1,000–$1,500 per course
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from May–August
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students; beginner-friendly with no prerequisites
NextGen’s summer computer science programs offer modular, project-based courses in topics such as Python, Java, data science, web development, and machine learning. Each course runs between 20 and 95 instructional hours, emphasizing applied coding through small-group, instructor-led sessions (8:1 ratio). You’ll complete hands-on projects using IDEs and data tools, while advanced options cover AI concepts, algorithm design, and visualization. Creative courses also include Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro, giving you exposure to computational and design pipelines.
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 – Colorado State University