Hey future chemists! Ready to move from classroom experiments to real research? If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how reactions actually happen or why certain compounds behave the way they do, then chemistry camps for high school students are your ideal next step.
These programs give you the chance to swap theory for practice by running real lab experiments, analyzing results, and learning from university professors and industry researchers. Whether you’re curious about organic chemistry, chemical engineering, or molecular biology, chemistry camps for high school students help you develop the precision and problem-solving mindset that scientists rely on every day.
Why should I choose a camp over a chemistry program in high school?
Unlike long-term academic mentorships, chemistry camps are compact and focused. They are designed to help you master a single subject or skill set in a short period of time. Joining a chemistry camp is about exploration. You’ll learn how to think like a scientist, interpret data, and work with lab-grade instruments while meeting other students who are just as curious as you are.
Below, we’ve rounded up 14 chemistry camps for high school students that stand out for their academic quality, accessibility, and real-world scientific training.
14 Chemistry Camps for High School Students
1. Summer Science Program (SSP) — Synthetic Chemistry
Location: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK
Cost/Stipend: $9,800 (Financial aid available) | A limited number of $3,000 stipends are given as “lost wages” | Full financial aid, to students who might typically need to work during the summer
Dates: June 8–July 13
Application Deadline: February 21 | January 24 for international applicants
Eligibility: Current high school juniors aged 15–18 | Must have completed any level of high school chemistry by June of the year of attending the program | Strong algebra skills are highly recommended
The Synthetic Chemistry track of the Summer Science Program (SSP) gives you the chance to explore organic and inorganic chemistry through hands-on research. In this program, you’ll synthesize macrocyclic compounds while learning essential laboratory methods, including multistep synthesis, purification, vacuum distillation, recrystallisation, and handling materials in an inert atmosphere. You’ll also gain experience using analytical instruments, including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, UV–Vis, and IR spectroscopy, to examine and characterize compounds. Throughout the program, you collaborate with other students and instructors to design experiments, interpret results, and develop practical research and problem-solving skills.
2. University of Pennsylvania Chemistry Research Academy
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050 tuition for the 3-week summer academy | If you attend a School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school, you may be eligible to attend a Summer Academy free of charge with a scholarship
Dates: July 11–August 1
Application Deadline: Applications open December 1
Eligibility: Current 10th–11th grade students with a minimum 3.5 high school GPA
This is a fully residential 3-week chemistry camp held on the University of Pennsylvania campus, focused on molecular research and instruction. You will spend approximately half your time in the chemistry lab doing hands-on experiments, including analytical techniques like spectroscopy and gas chromatography, synthetic method optimization, and open-ended lab challenges. Classroom learning covers chemical bonding, materials science fundamentals, and chemical instrumentation. The camp includes research lectures, lab tours, and sessions on the history of science. You will work on a capstone project that guides you through planning an independent research project.
3. Exploring the World of Chemistry Summer Scholars at the University of Notre Dame
Location: The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: $5,200, limited need-based partial to full-tuition scholarships available
Dates: June 6–20 (Session I) | June 27 – July 11 (Session II)
Application Deadline: October 15 – February 19
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old
In this two-week residential program, you study fundamental concepts and real-world applications of chemistry through lectures, discussions, and laboratory work led by Notre Dame faculty. You’ll conduct experiments that connect classroom ideas to practical experience and collaborate with other students on coursework outside of lab sessions.
4. AmericanACS Project SEED Program—American Chemical Society Project SEED Program
Location: Various participating academic and industry research laboratories across the U.S
Cost/Stipend: No cost. $4,000 stipend
Dates: Summer program; 8–10 weeks between June and August (dates vary by site and program year)
Application Deadline: Typically early spring (February – March)
Eligibility: High school students from economically disadvantaged or underrepresented backgrounds | Must demonstrate eligibility according to ACS guidelines (check details here)
ACS Project SEED is a national initiative that offers paid summer research opportunities for high school students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. You’ll spend 8–10 weeks working on chemistry research projects in university or industry laboratories, guided by professional scientists. You’ll also gain experience in chemical research settings, develop practical skills, and connect with a network of mentors, alumni, and peers through enrichment activities and online events. In addition to in-person lab work, Project SEED includes virtual components such as summer camps that cover laboratory techniques, college preparation, and career development.
5. Bucknell University Chemistry Camp
Location: Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA
Cost: $250 tuition | Need-based financial aid available
Dates: June 13–14
Application Deadline: May 3
Eligibility: Rising grades 10–12
You participate in a two-day hands-on camp led by Bucknell chemistry faculty and staff, focusing on subfields like organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry. The camp provides direct laboratory experience and opportunities for you to meet current science majors, faculty, and STEM professionals. Your time includes group work, professional development seminars, and interaction with admissions and career staff. Ultimately, you collaborate on a scientific demonstration for families and peers.
6. Valdosta State University Chemistry Camp
Location: Bailey Science Center, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA
Cost: $125
Dates: June 2–6
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
This camp runs for five days, with morning sessions focusing on laboratory activities and experiments. You’ll explore fun yet rigorous topics, such as forensics (DNA testing), glow-in-the-dark reactions, caffeine content in beverages, and solar-cell chemistry (photoelectrochemical cells), while being mentored by faculty and peers. All supplies and materials are included. Scheduling is limited to daytime hours, excluding overnight accommodations. You need to register online and pay a fee, which covers materials and instruction. The program is specifically open to students entering high school grades and emphasizes active participation in experiments.
7. Western Illinois University Science Summer Camp
Location: Western Illinois University, Macomb, IL
Cost: $500 (residential tuition) | $350 (commuter tuition)
Dates: July 6–11
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served | Limited to 12–15 students
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
At WIU’s camp, you participate in a five-day residential camp designed for students interested in chemistry and other sciences. You’ll perform lab experiments, work in small groups, and experience what it’s like to engage in collegiate science research and study environments. The camp promotes collaboration and exploration of careers in science, offering networking opportunities with professors and current students.
8. SigmaCamp
Location: SigmaCamp, Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center, CT
Cost: $1,850 (sibling discounts are offered)
Dates: August 2–9
Application Deadline: Applications open in February
Eligibility: Ages 12–15
SigmaCamp is a residential STEM camp with a significant focus on chemistry. During mornings, you’ll attend “Semilabs” and lectures led by researchers from top institutions, afternoons focus on experimental and hands-on chemistry/engineering tasks, and evenings feature recreational activities and peer networking. For chemistry enthusiasts seeking a broader, immersive “camp-week” experience, SigmaCamp offers a strong blend of lab work, computational thinking, and peer mentorship.
9. Make Chem Possible Chemistry Camp
Location: 1209 Cortelyou Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11218
Cost: $35 sign-up cost (sibling discounts are offered)
Dates: December 13
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served | Limited to 10 seats
Eligibility: Ages 0 months to 18+ years (suitable for various age groups, including high school students)
This is a short-format chemistry camp held in Brooklyn that focuses on engaging campers with hands-on, project-based chemistry experiments and STEM challenges. The camp is designed to foster curiosity and critical thinking through daily science activities, culminating in a “Big Experiment” and Camper Innovation Showcase where participants present their work. The camp fosters learning in a collaborative environment with a small group size of 10 participants. The one-hour session offers a condensed yet interactive chemistry experience in an accessible urban setting.
10. University of the Pacific Chemistry Summer Camp
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $3,800
Dates: June 16–26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students interested in chemistry and scientific research
This camp offers a focus on designing anticancer drugs, immersing students in the real-world application of pharmaceutical chemistry. You will use advanced laboratory equipment and software to perform experiments related to drug design, synthesis, and testing. The program emphasizes hands-on learning in a research laboratory environment, providing practical experience with modern glassware and instrumentation. The camp content is designed to introduce you to medicinal chemistry, particularly drug development for combating cancer.
11. Hillsdale College Chemistry and Biochemistry Camp
Location: Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI
Cost/Stipend: $150 one-time fee upon acceptance; tuition, lodging, meals fully funded by grants and donors (no additional cost to students)
Dates: June 21–26
Application Deadline: Online applications open January 13 | Review begins March 15
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in modern science
This week-long residential camp offers an intensive, hands-on laboratory experience exploring chemistry and biochemistry topics, including nanotechnology, organic synthesis, chemical dyes, polymers, chromatography, and chemical identification using instrumentation. You will also engage in advanced molecular biology techniques, including protein production, purification, and studying the effects of mutations on protein folding and functions. Techniques used include PCR, recombinant protein expression and purification, SDS-PAGE, and fluorescence spectroscopy. You will stay on campus with meals provided, and a detailed itinerary balances lectures, lab work, free time, and social interaction.
12. CURIE: Catalyzing UR Interest in Chemical Engineering Camp
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL (virtual and/or in-person elements)
Cost: Residential: $1,000 plus a $25 deposit | Commuter: $600 plus a $25 deposit
Dates: July 27– August 2
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to all | Focus on traditionally excluded populations in STEM, including socio-economic status, gender, 1st generation college, race, ethnicity, rural schools, and ability
This weeklong camp focuses on chemical engineering, exploring the discipline of producing useful materials by combining science and math. You engage in virtual interactive sessions with chemical engineers, learn about large-scale production methods, and explore how they make everyday products more affordable. Camp activities include playful experiments, such as working with Silly Putty to explore fluid physics, and computer games that teach the function of proteins. You get exposure to real-world chemical plants through field trips or virtual tours, learning firsthand from engineers working on-site.
13. University of Washington ASM Materials Camp for High School Students
Location: University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 6–11
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders in greater Seattle area high schools | Open to all backgrounds, preference for underrepresented groups in STEM | Strong academic record of 3.0 GPA or higher is preferred
This is a free, day camp focused on materials science, combining principles from applied math, physics, and chemistry. You participate in classroom mini-demonstrations, laboratory experiments, and field trips designed to provide hands-on exploration of applied chemistry, math, and engineering. The camp concludes with a team-based, mentor-led problem-solving experience that mirrors real-world engineering challenges. This camp aims to cultivate interest in materials and engineering through a mix of interactive learning and exposure to advanced laboratory tools and techniques.
14. University at Buffalo Chem-E Camp
Location: University at Buffalo North Campus, Buffalo, NY
Cost/Stipend: $400 for the week | Need-based scholarships available for families with household income under $60,000/year
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Students entering grades 11–12 in fall | Should have completed Regents chemistry or be enrolled in it
This week-long camp offers hands-on and digitally simulated activities designed to introduce high school juniors and seniors to the field of chemical engineering. You will interact with university faculty, students, and industry professionals from companies such as Linde (formerly Praxair), Dupont, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and SAMCO through facility tours and on-campus lab work. The program includes lunch with experts, off-site visits, and experiential learning in the chemical and biological engineering department laboratories.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in advanced chemistry topics like organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, or biochemistry, 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 at Buffalo