If you are a high school student passionate about environmental science, environmental (science) camps can be a great source to gain some early knowledge about the field. Environmental summer camps for high school students provide structured, short-term opportunities to engage deeply with ecological systems, sustainability, and applied environmental science.
Unlike long-term mentorship or research programs, environmental summer camps for high school students are highly focused, often centering on a single theme such as marine ecology, climate modeling, or conservation biology. Unlike multi-week college pre-college programs, these camps last just one week, enabling high school students to acquire new skills quickly.
Environmental summer camps for high school students also provide a collaborative environment where you can test hypotheses, work with subject-specific software, and explore real-world environmental issues in a practical context. Below, we’ve compiled 15 environmental summer camps for high school students.
15 Environmental Summer Camps for High School Students
1. SOHLIS Environmental Science Residential Summer Camp
Location: Dominican University, Orangeburg, NY
Cost: Amount not specified
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Rockland County high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
The SOHLIS Environmental Science Residential Summer Camp is a one-week program for high school students hosted by Dominican University of New York. It immerses you in applied environmental science with workshops on global and local climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem responses. You will analyze ecological systems through botany, entomology, ornithology, and macroinvertebrate studies. Field trips add a practical dimension, such as canoeing in the Iona Island Marsh with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, exploring the Pfizer labs at the Botanical Gardens, and visiting an organic farm and a beekeeping site. The program emphasizes field documentation, ecological monitoring, and scientific observation in a structured, short-term format.
2. TeenNat – Pepperwood Preserve
Location: Pepperwood Preserve, Santa Rosa, CA
Cost: None
Dates: June 24 – 31
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9–11; must commit to the full 6-week program
TeenNat at Pepperwood Preserve is a free, immersive summer program for high school students focused on conservation science and field research. This six-week day program places you in a 3,200-acre reserve to practice conservation science and ecological monitoring. You will develop skills in field data collection, biodiversity documentation, hiking safety, species identification with field guides, and ecological mapping. Mentorship with professional scientists and environmental educators helps connect observation to applied research questions. You will complete a biodiversity project, contribute to long-term environmental monitoring, and can optionally earn college credit through Santa Rosa Junior College.
3. Linking Individuals to their Natural Community (LINC)
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (LINC North: Marin/Solano/Contra Costa; LINC South: San Francisco/Alameda/San Mateo)
Cost/Stipend: None / Up to $2,400 education award upon completion
Dates: June 17 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Bay Area public high school students | Priority for graduating seniors, low-income, BIPOC, and immigrant youth
Linking Individuals to their Natural Community (LINC) is a six-week summer program for high school students that focuses on service learning, community building, and conservation in local parks and communities. It integrates conservation service projects with professional development and field-based science. You will acquire technical skills in habitat restoration, wildlife monitoring, and ecological observation, utilizing tools such as iNaturalist and field guides. Weekly projects may include trail work, ecosystem surveys, and community cleanups, while overnight camping trips extend learning to state and national parks. Structured activities also emphasize communication, teamwork, and job readiness with resume building and career panels.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts; summer (June – August), fall (September – December), winter (December – February), spring (March – June); Summer I and II cohorts start on June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort; Summer I: May 11; Summer II: June 23
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers high school students the chance to work on an independent research project with a PhD mentor’s help. You can design projects in environmental science, climate studies, ecology, or sustainability, depending on your interests. Over 12 weeks, you will engage in literature review, hypothesis development, data collection or modeling, often using statistical or computational tools, and paper writing. The structured mentorship emphasizes advanced research methods and scholarly writing, culminating in a research paper on an environmental topic of your choice. You will also be eligible to receive UCSD credit. You can apply here.
5. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Summer cohort (10 weeks, June – September); Spring and Fall cohorts (15 weeks each)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year based on cohort; apply here
Eligibility: High school students in good academic standing (GPA 3.67+ recommended); most participants are 10th–11th graders | Only a few tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here
Horizon offers a research mentorship model where you can pursue independent projects in fields including environmental studies, sustainability, and climate science. Working 1-on-1 with a professor or Ph.D. mentor, you will learn to frame research questions and draft a 20-page research paper. One of the unique features of the program is the ability to choose between a quantitative or qualitative research focus, depending on your interests and goals. Tools often include statistical packages, GIS mapping, or climate datasets, depending on your chosen track. The program emphasizes academic rigor with structured deadlines, feedback, and a recommendation letter, preparing you for future research in environmental science and related disciplines.
6. Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains
Location: Castleton University, Vermont
Cost: $6,890 + travel fees; full and partial scholarships are available
Dates: June 29 – July 11
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application recommended
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students
The Columbia Climate School, located in the Green Mountains, is a two-week immersive campus-based program in Vermont designed for high school students to engage deeply with climate science and sustainability. It emphasizes climate action through a mix of lectures, workshops, and field excursions led by Columbia Climate School faculty. You will engage in analyzing climate models, exploring renewable energy solutions, and applying sustainability frameworks to real-world scenarios. Structured group projects allow you to test leadership and collaboration skills, while guest lectures introduce research in climate policy, carbon mitigation, and ecosystem resilience. The program culminates in applied projects that connect scientific knowledge with community-driven climate solutions.
7. Environment, Climate, and Ocean (ECO) Camp
Location: Newark & Lewes, DE
Cost: Varies by program; day camp (Technology in the Environment) only tuition-based; residential camp (Marine Science) includes tuition, meals, and lodging; amount not specified
Dates: Technology in the Environment: July 21 – July 25; Marine Science: July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–12
The Environment, Climate, and Ocean (ECO) Camp is an academic summer camp that focuses on understanding interactions between biological, physical, and chemical systems in the Delaware Bay and Watershed. In the Technology in the Environment track, you will design and test underwater ROVs, pilot drones for environmental monitoring, and map ecological changes using GIS. The Marine Science track immerses you in Delaware’s coastal ecosystems through kayaking, netting, trawling, and marsh exploration while learning about coastal processes, species adaptation, and habitat restoration. Both tracks emphasize fieldwork, lab visits, and applied environmental measurement techniques, providing structured training in monitoring and conservation science.
8. Forestry and Natural Resources Tuskegee Research Enrichment Kamp (FNR-TREK)
Location: Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL
Cost/Stipend: None / Up to $200
Dates: June 15 – 28
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 returning the following fall
The Forestry and Natural Resources Tuskegee Research Enrichment Kamp (FNR-TREK) is a two-week summer institute hosted by Tuskegee University’s College of Agriculture, Environment, and Nutrition Sciences. It introduces you to forestry, climate change, and natural resource conservation through a two-week residential research program. You will conduct hands-on projects in sustainability and ecosystem science, work in university labs, and explore career pathways in agriculture, environment, and related STEM fields. The program emphasizes leadership development and experiential learning, with structured enrichment activities alongside field-based ecological research. You will live in campus dorms, engage in collaborative problem-solving, and gain exposure to applied environmental science challenges of the 21st century.
9. STREAMS – Improving Minority Participation in Education and Training in the Underwater Sciences
Location: Multiple sites, including Andros Island (Bahamas) for capstone
Cost: Partially funded by sponsors; contact the program for current tuition and scholarship availability; amount not specified
Dates: Varies by cohort, typically summer; includes a capstone expedition at Forfar Field Station, Andros Island
Application Deadline: Rolling; requires teacher and counselor recommendations, swim evaluation, and interview
Eligibility: Middle and high school girls; focus on underrepresented youth in STEM
STREAMS is a comprehensive, immersive STEM enrichment opportunity combining SCUBA diving with technology and environmental stewardship to cultivate future marine science leaders from underrepresented communities. It integrates STEM enrichment with marine science and SCUBA training, introducing you to underwater research techniques and conservation science. You will gain technical skills in photogrammetry, 3D design, underwater robotics (ROVs), drone operations, and GIS mapping. SCUBA training covers dive theory, physiology, and scientific diving, complemented by certifications and digital badges in underwater communication, robotics, and ecology. The program culminates in a capstone expedition where you design a social impact project linking scientific diving with environmental stewardship.
10. Audubon Canyon Ranch – Conservation Science Intensive Program
Location: Martin Griffin Preserve, Stinson Beach, CA, with field excursions to nearby ecosystems
Cost: $1,200; financial aid is available
Dates: June 23 – 27; Introductory Zoom Session: May 23; Project Presentations (Zoom): August 22
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students entering their juniors or senior years | Currently enrolled at a high school in California
The Audubon Canyon Ranch Conservation Science Intensive (CSI) is a 5-day, 4-night immersive field-based program designed to mentor, educate, and empower youth as future leaders in conservation science. You will engage in daily fieldwork, such as biodiversity surveys in tidepools, ranches, and preserves, while developing a GIS-based story map project. The curriculum integrates conservation practice with professional development, highlighting inclusive leadership in the environmental sciences. Structured outdoor activities build resilience in field conditions, while group mentorship fosters communication and collaborative problem-solving within a conservation context. The program emphasizes inclusion and diversity, supporting Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQA+ individuals, and intersections within these communities.
11. Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI)
Location: Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY
Cost: $3,900; financial aid is available
Dates: July 13 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled; early application recommended
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors, seniors, or recent graduates
The Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute (ESSYI) is a rigorous two-week, college-level summer program that introduces you to interdisciplinary approaches to environmental problem-solving. You will earn one college credit while studying topics through scientific, social, political, and ethical perspectives. Field excursions to the Adirondack region provide opportunities to document biodiversity, monitor natural systems, and analyze environmental challenges. Structured collaboration with peers, faculty, and college mentors emphasizes research methods, group projects, and problem-based learning. The program’s academic framework highlights environmental systems thinking while also preparing you for future college-level coursework in sustainability and ecology.
12. Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center – Environmental Science Camp
Location: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
Cost: $849 (early registration) / $949 (after June 1); includes meals, lodging, and field trips
Dates: July 20 – 26
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center offers an Environmental Science Camp for high school students, focusing on exploring the natural resources and environmental science of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. You will study watershed conservation, sustainable development, and ecological monitoring through hands-on projects such as invasive species removal and dune grass planting. Daily field excursions cover geological landmarks, Lake Superior ecosystems, and local resource management. Faculty-led workshops integrate technology, GIS mapping, and environmental analysis, while evening activities foster collaboration with peers and NMU student mentors. The camp culminates in a showcase where you present your learning outcomes to families and faculty.
13. University of Michigan – Earth Camp
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, with outdoor field trips across Michigan
Cost: None
Dates: One week in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling; early application encouraged
Eligibility: Michigan high school students
The University of Michigan Earth Camp is a residential summer program designed for high school students, primarily from southeastern Michigan, that aims to educate them about Earth and environmental sciences through hands-on experiences and outdoor activities. You will engage in geological exploration, ecosystem monitoring, and sustainability-focused projects while learning about career paths in environmental science. The curriculum emphasizes diversity in STEM and provides mentorship from faculty and graduate students. Daily activities combine fieldwork, data collection, and lab analysis, offering a structured introduction to environmental research and problem-solving.
14. Camp Orkila
Location: Camp Orkila, Orcas Island, WA (San Juan Islands)
Cost: Vary by length and type; financial aid is available; amount not specified
Dates: Vary by program (between June and August)
Application Deadline: Varies; leadership and counselor-in-training programs require application/interview
Eligibility: Students entering grades 3–12 (environmental and leadership tracks for grades 6–12)
Camp Orkila is a YMCA outdoor camp located on Orcas Island in Washington State, offering a variety of programs for youth including high school students. It combines outdoor adventure with environmental learning in a coastal ecosystem setting. Specialty tracks for teens include marine biology and outdoor expeditions, where you will practice ecological observation, marine species identification, and kayaking navigation. Leadership-focused options build communication and group management skills while emphasizing environmental stewardship. The island setting provides direct exposure to coastal and marine systems, with structured field activities reinforcing both science and sustainability.
15. Marine Biology SCUBA Camps for Teens
Location: North Carolina coast
Cost: Varies by program; $2,740 or $4,910
Dates: Six- or 11-day sessions offered throughout the summer between June 1 and August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students; no prior SCUBA experience required for Open Water track
The Marine Biology SCUBA Camps for Teens program is an immersive educational experience that combines marine biology study with SCUBA diving training, offering teens hands-on learning both in classrooms and underwater. In the Teen Open Water track, you will earn your PADI Open Water SCUBA certification while studying ocean ecology and contributing to conservation through community service. Advanced and Rescue tracks expand skills with certifications in advanced diving, CPR/First Aid, and underwater problem-solving while integrating marine research activities. Partnerships with the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Hospital provide exposure to conservation biology and sea turtle rehabilitation, reinforcing the applied link between aquatic ecosystems and wildlife care.
Image source – University of Michigan