If you’re a high school student who loves programming or is simply curious about how technology actually works, a coding camp can be a really fun way to grow your skills fast. These camps give you the space to experiment, create, and explore different areas of computer science. You might spend your time building a website, designing a game, training an AI model, or digging into cybersecurity. No matter your interest level, the goal is the same: to help you learn by doing.
How are camps different than programs?
Coding camps feel very different from regular academic programs. They’re shorter, more focused, and built around real projects you can actually finish. Most last only a few days to a few weeks, which makes them ideal if you want to learn something specific without committing to a long-term schedule. You get to practice coding in Python, think through algorithms, analyze data, or even create something completely from scratch. The pace is quick, the learning is hands-on, and you walk away with new skills you can use right away.
To help you find the right opportunity, here’s a list of 12 coding camps for high school students. If you are interested in coding programs, check out our blog here.
12 Coding Camps for High School Students
1. Grainger Engineering Summer Camps – Learning Electronics, AI, and Programming (LEAP) Camp
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: $1,000 (Residential); $600 (Commuter); + $25 deposit | Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Between 25–40%; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 22 – 28
Application Deadline: Typically late March
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
LEAP Camp introduces high school students to the intersection of computer science and electrical engineering through a project-based curriculum. You’ll study programming fundamentals, circuit design, and data analysis while assembling your own portable weather station. The program additionally covers topics such as microcontrollers, various sensors, printed circuit boards (PCBs), and cloud computing. You’ll also learn how artificial intelligence algorithms can be used to analyze atmospheric data collected from your device.
2. USC Viterbi – CS@SC Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $200 for Virtual classes and $600 for In-Person classes; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Tentatively, June 23 – July 11 (In-Person) and July 7 – August 1 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: May 5 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students; individual program pages for course-specific prerequisites can be found here
The CS@SC Summer Camps at USC Viterbi are short, focused programs for high school students interested in computer science and technology. You’ll choose from a range of courses such as Java, Python, Web Development, Mobile App Development, Game Design, Cyber Security, and Drones. Each course is designed to introduce you to core concepts in the area, while allowing you to develop practical coding and problem-solving skills. The camps are offered both virtually and in-person at the USC campus, giving you the flexibility to learn in the setting that works best for you.
3. Coding Camp at the University of the Pacific
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $3,800; $500 discount available for students meeting specific qualifications; click here to learn more
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 20 students per camp
Dates: Session 1: June 1 – 11 | Session 2: June 16 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
The Coding Camp at the University of the Pacific is a two-week residential program offered through the Pacific Summer High School Institute. You’ll learn the fundamentals of programming in Python while developing algorithmic and computational thinking skills. The curriculum covers key programming concepts such as variables, flow control structures, functions, and arrays. You’ll apply these concepts to design and code practical solutions, developing skills relevant to modern computing. The program also includes coding competitions where you’ll test your understanding and refine your approach to writing efficient code.
4. Rice University Tapia STEM Camps
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost: $2,500 per student (limited number of scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; up to 30 campers can choose to work on the College Admissions project
Dates: July 5 – 10 (Session 1); July 12 – 17 (Session 2); July 19 – 24 (Session 3)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12
The Tapia STEM Camps at Rice University are week-long residential programs for students in grades 7–12 that combine hands-on STEM projects with sessions on communication and public speaking. You’ll live on campus, work with Rice faculty and students, and choose from sessions such as Carbon Storage, Techniques of a Pro Mathematician, and College Admissions. In the College Admissions session, you’ll design a fictional university and create an admissions algorithm using Google Sheets or Excel, learning how coding and data analysis can impact real-world decision-making processes.
5. Arizona State University’s SUCCESS Camp
Location: Arizona State University – Polytechnic campus, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $300 (full and partial scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; around 16 – 20 students
Dates: May 27 – 30
Application Deadline: Typically spring
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
The SUCCESS Camp at Arizona State University’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence is a four-day summer program for high school students interested in exploring coding and computer science. You’ll be introduced to a range of computing fields, including web and mobile development, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, game development, and embedded systems. The camp emphasizes practical, hands-on learning through activities such as creating a game, developing an AI-based app, and creating an LED message wall. You also get to hone your cybersecurity skills and experiment with a virtual reality headset.
6. Grainger Engineering Summer Camps – Roboscape Cybersecurity Camp
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: $1,000 (Residential); $600 (Commuter); + $25 deposit; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Within 25–40%; likely 20 – 30 students
Dates: July 20 – 26
Application Deadline: Typically late March
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Roboscape Cybersecurity Camp is a one-week, intensive session designed for rising 11th and 12th-graders interested in programming, robotics, and cybersecurity. You’ll use networked robots and a visual programming language to learn about cybersecurity, while exploring core coding concepts such as control structures, variables, data types, and functions. The camp focuses on practical applications of cybersecurity, including defending against robot-based cyberattacks, implementing authentication systems, and encryption. You will also participate in robotics challenges, applying programming and cybersecurity concepts to recreate real-world solutions.
7. ASU Underwater Robotics Camp
Location: Arizona State University – Polytechnic campus, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $600
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically small cohorts
Dates: June 3 – 8
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and juniors who are either Arizona residents or students residing in Arizona over the summer with family
The ASU Underwater Robotics Camp is a one-week summer program for high school students offered by the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. You’ll learn core engineering and coding concepts through the design and programming of underwater robots capable of autonomous navigation. The curriculum covers topics like buoyancy and electrical wiring. Guided by ASU engineering faculty, you’ll work in teams to build and test your robot before presenting it at the National Underwater Robotics Competition. The program takes place on ASU’s Polytechnic campus and includes lab tours and meetings with one of the leading underwater robotics teams in the country.
8. Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Summer Camp at Purdue University Northwest
Location: Purdue University Northwest’s Hammond Campus, IN
Cost: $130
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; typically small cohorts
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: Admission is on a first-come, first-served basis; campers will be accepted until three weeks prior to the first day of camp
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Summer Camp at Purdue University Northwest is a one-week program designed to introduce high school students to the practical applications of AI and ML in fields like robotics, healthcare, and autonomous systems. You’ll learn to code in Python and apply algorithms and concepts such as K-Nearest Neighbors, Linear Regression, and Neural Networks to practical problems. The curriculum also covers supervised and unsupervised ML algorithms and the ethical implications of AI. Through coding exercises and applied projects, you’ll see how AI and ML are used in areas like renewable energy, finance, and recommendation systems.
9. Coding Academy at Tufts University
Location: Tufts University Medford / Somerville Campus, MA
Cost: $4,225 (Commuter); $5,750 (Residential); limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; small cohort
Dates: Typically mid July – early August
Application Deadline: December 2 – May 1 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, as well as graduating high school seniors; additional eligibility requirements may be added
The Coding Academy at Tufts University is a two-week summer program for high school students interested in learning Python and exploring its applications. You’ll be placed in one of three tracks: Coding 101, Coding 201, or Coding 301, based on your prior coding experience. The curriculum covers topics such as data visualization, machine learning, cryptography, and web programming through lectures, coding labs, and group projects. You’ll also attend guest lectures and visit Boston-based tech companies to see how coding is applied across industries. The program concludes with a team-based coding project that you’ll present at the Final Project Showcase.
10. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $300 needs-based grant offered to eligible students in the U.S.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; typically big cohorts
Dates: Round 1: July 7 – 18; Round 2: July 28 – August 8 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: April 11 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary high school students in grades 9–11
The Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program is a free, two-week virtual course for high school students interested in exploring computer science. You’ll study coding fundamentals, web and game development, and introductory topics in artificial intelligence and UX design through live, virtual instruction. The program also includes mentorship from industry professionals and networking sessions with Girls Who Code alumni. It’s designed to help you build technical skills, explore career paths in technology, and experience what it’s like to learn in a collaborative environment that emphasizes hands-on practice and personalized mentorship.
11. NextGen Bootcamp – Java Programming Summer Program Live Online (High School)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,899 ($1,699 after early bird discount)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; 8 – 15 students per session
Dates: Multiple sessions throughout June – August; self-paced program
Application Deadline: Rolling until seats fill (early bird discounts available)
Eligibility: All high school students
The NextGen Bootcamp’s Java Programming Summer Program is a live, online course for high school students interested in coding and computer science. You’ll learn the fundamentals of Java programming through 45 hours of project-based instruction led by industry professionals. The curriculum covers topics like variables, control flow, arrays, input/output files, and object-oriented programming concepts like inheritance and encapsulation. You’ll also work on recursion problems and build an original, portfolio-ready project using Java. The program is beginner-friendly and mirrors topics covered in AP Computer Science, offering you a deeper understanding of key algorithms and coding techniques. Small class sizes allow for individual feedback, and you’ll receive an official digital certificate upon completion.
12. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in-person in cities like Chicago, Dallas, London, New York, etc. (exact locations not specified)
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately competitive; around 1,000 scholars each summer
Dates: 2 weeks in the Summer (exact dates may vary based on location)
Application Deadline: March 31 (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive teens aged 13–18 who feel comfortable learning in a female-identifying environment
Kode With Klossy Summer Camps are free, two-week programs for high school students of underrepresented genders in STEM. You’ll be placed in one of four tracks: Web Development, Mobile App Development, Machine Learning, or Data Science, based on your background and availability. Depending on your track, you might learn to code in languages like JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Swift, SQL, or Python and use frameworks such as SwiftUI and Xcode. Each track focuses on practical applications, like designing responsive websites, building iOS apps, training chatbots, or analyzing datasets. Camps are co-taught by licensed educators and held in locations across the globe, with guest sessions led by women working in technology.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like computer science, software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or data science, 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 – Tufts University