If you’re a high school student looking to make the most of your summer without spending a fortune, free camps are one of the smartest places to start. They let you explore a subject you’re curious about, meet people who actually work in that field, and experience what hands-on learning feels like beyond your school classrooms. Whether you’re into science, writing, engineering, or technology, these camps give you a low-pressure way to try something new and build skills that actually matter.
Why choose a free camp?
Free camps are short, focused, and easy to fit into your summer plans. Unlike longer pre-college programs, you don’t have to commit months of your time or worry about high tuition fees. You show up ready to learn, spend a few days or weeks working on real projects, and walk away with new skills and experiences you can talk about in your college applications.
If you’re also looking for more structured opportunities, you can check out our detailed guide on free summer programs for high school students for longer options.
With that, here are 14 free camps for high school students across the U.S.
14 Free Camps for High School Students
1. University of Minnesota’s IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp
Location: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed a full year of single-variable calculus
University of Minnesota’s IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp introduces you to the use of mathematical modeling to address real-world problems. Through guided sessions, you’ll apply mathematical tools to topics such as population dynamics, disease spread, climate-related resource management, and infrastructure design. Past participants have analyzed transportation systems, including optimizing routes for a potential light rail network. The camp runs in person at the Twin Cities campus, with limited remote participation available based on interest and space.
2. Summer Journalism Bootcamp
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: August 5, 12, and 19 (with assignments between sessions)
Application Deadline: August 1
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students across the U.S.
Hosted by The Daily Free Press, Boston University’s independent student newspaper, this free virtual bootcamp introduces students to the fundamentals of journalism through interactive workshops and panels. You’ll learn about reporting ethics, story development, photojournalism, and newsroom diversity while receiving personalized mentorship from FreeP editors and professional journalists from outlets like The New York Times, The Boston Globe, and The Washington Post. The program concludes with a polished article suitable for publication or inclusion in your writing portfolio.
3. National Youth Science Camp
Location: Camp Pocahontas, Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Two delegates per U.S. state and Washington, D.C.; selected international students also participate
Program Dates: July – August
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors with a strong background in STEM
NYSCamp offers an immersive mixture of research, collaboration, and outdoor exploration for students interested in science and mathematics. Throughout the program, you will work through projects in the lab and in the field while using computational tools like MATLAB and R to analyze and interpret data. Beyond the technical work, you’ll explore how scientific research connects to policy through seminars and a visit to Washington, D.C. With experiences ranging from data modeling to environmental fieldwork, the camp prepares you to enhance your problem-solving, teamwork, and science communication skills.
4. G2 (Girls Together) Math Program
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and up to $500 airfare)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: Typically February–March (varies by year)
Eligibility: Female or non-binary students entering grades 9–12 in Fall; at least 14 years old; U.S. or Canadian citizens/residents, or attending school in the U.S./Canada
The G2 Math Program is a two-week residential experience at MIT that immerses participants in advanced, proof-based mathematics at the level of the USA(J)MO. Each day features two core classes focused on major olympiad topics, collaborative problem-solving sessions, and optional evening talks by faculty and guest mathematicians. You’ll also take part in mock olympiad exams to strengthen competition skills in a supportive, inclusive environment. Designed to encourage female and non-binary students to pursue higher-level math, the program blends challenge, mentorship, and community.
5. Engineering Tomorrow Virtual Summer Camp
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited spots; early application recommended
Program Dates: July 12–16, July 19–23, or July 26–30 (9 a.m.–12 p.m. EST)
Application Deadline: May 21 (or earlier if filled)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Engineering Tomorrow’s virtual summer camp introduces high school students to engineering through weeklong themed sessions. Each week covers one focus area, like product development, power and energy, or engineering in medicine. You join live workshops and guided projects led by engineers who walk you through the steps used in real problem-solving. The program shows how engineering methods shape work across different fields. You register for one week, and all sessions run in the morning to keep the schedule manageable.
6. UMKC’s GenCyber Camps for High School Students
Location: UMKC Campus, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Camp 1: July 22 – July 26; Camp 2: July 29 – August 2
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
Supported by the National Security Agency’s GenCyber initiative, this weeklong summer camp introduces high school students to the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Through a mix of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, you’ll explore topics such as cryptography, ethical hacking, network analysis, and digital safety. The program also examines emerging issues like deepfakes and online privacy. Designed for students with all levels of experience, the camp provides an engaging, structured introduction to cybersecurity concepts and practices.
7. MIT Mathroots
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 1 – July 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14–18 who have not yet entered their final year of high school
MathROOTS is a two-week residential program at MIT that introduces you to creative problem-solving and the basics of mathematical proof. The program is taught by instructors with experience in math competitions and academic research. You join lectures, problem sessions, and group projects that show how mathematical ideas are built and tested. You work with other high school students who are interested in mathematics, and the program encourages participation from students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds in the field.
8. Florida Atlantic University – Ocean Engineering Summer Workshop
Location: SeaTech Campus, Dania Beach, Florida
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 9 – June 12
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–17
The Ocean Engineering Summer Program at Florida Atlantic University offers a four-day immersion into marine technology and applied engineering. Under the guidance of FAU faculty, you’ll explore underwater robotics, ocean exploration, and sustainable marine technologies through hands-on projects and lab sessions. The program focuses on problem-solving, introducing you to the engineering principles that drive innovations in ocean systems.
9. Kode with Klossy – Summer Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 2 – 13 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – August 1 | August 4 – 15
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school girls and gender-expansive teens aged 13–18 from anywhere in the world
Kode with Klossy is a free two-week virtual coding camp that introduces young women and gender-expansive students to computer science through hands-on, project-based learning. You can choose from tracks in web development, mobile app design, data science, or machine learning. With guidance from experienced instructors, you’ll spend each day building functional digital projects while learning to think creatively and analytically. The camp also features guest speakers from the tech industry who share career insights and experiences. By the end, you’ll have a portfolio of your own coding projects and connections to a vibrant community of peers and mentors in tech.
10. IUPUI Cybersecurity Summer Camp
Location: Informatics and Communications Technology Complex, Indianapolis, IN (In-person or Online)
Cost: Free (lunch provided for in-person students, funded by the National Science Foundation)
Program Dates: June 3 – June 7
Application Deadline: May 20
Eligibility: Open to middle and high school students with access to a personal computer meeting minimum system requirements
The IU Indianapolis Cybersecurity Camp is a one-week program where you learn how to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks. The curriculum covers operating system basics, network security, and methods for reducing vulnerabilities. You use tools such as VMware Workstation Player and Cisco Packet Tracer to run exercises. You work on tasks like configuring and securing Windows and Ubuntu systems, building networks, and applying core cybersecurity practices to real scenarios. The camp is taught by Dr. Xukai Zou, a computer science professor and CyberPatriot coach.
11. SDSU Robotics Camp
Location: San Diego State University
Cost: Free (snacks and lunch included)
Program Dates: 1-week summer program (varies by year)
Application Deadline: February–May
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–12
This week-long robotics camp is offered through the SMILE Lab and Talent Search at San Diego State University College of Engineering and allows you to participate at no cost. During the week, you explore coding through Scratch and Python, experiment with concepts in AI, cybersecurity, and renewable energy, and assemble MBot Mega robots. The camp also introduces you to drone programming and flight practice, along with hands-on STEM labs and guided tours of the SDSU campus.
12. Engineering Summer Program
Location: University of Wisconsin–Madison
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Three-week residential program
Application Deadline: Typically early spring (varies by year)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; rising juniors and seniors; minimum 3.0 GPA; completion of algebra and geometry
ESP is a free, three-week residential program where you live on the UW–Madison campus and explore core engineering coursework in math, physics, chemistry, and design while getting a realistic sense of college-level expectations. You take part in hands-on workshops, industry site visits, and field trips, and receive guidance from faculty mentors throughout the program. Alongside academic work, you join faculty-led discussions, team-building activities, and professional development sessions that cover topics such as college admissions, financial aid, and campus life.
13. LEAF Summer Camp (Leadership, Engineering & Fabrication)
Location: University of California, Irvine
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 39 students in the most recent cohort
Program Dates: One-week residential program (varies by year)
Application Deadline: Typically February–May
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; priority for students in MESA partner schools
The LEAF Summer Camp is a hands-on engineering experience run in collaboration with the MESA College Prep Program, bringing together students from several Southern California MESA sites for a week of robot building, coding, and fabrication. You spend the week designing and programming a custom VEX IQ robot, learning CAD tools, exploring UCI’s prototyping labs, and preparing your robot to navigate an autonomous challenge course. Because LEAF operates through the regional MESA network, dates and availability can change each year, so students interested in future sessions should check the MESA UCI page regularly for updates and announcements!
14. CardioStart Program
Location: Online (hosted by University of California, Irvine)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced; workshops available 24/7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students ages 14+
The CardioStart Program gives you a self-paced introduction to tissue and cardiac engineering through a series of online workshops that you can access any time. Alongside the modules, you’ll have weekly opportunities to join Zoom office hours led by graduate students or faculty who can help you understand the course material and explore how cardiac engineering research works in practice. The program occasionally develops hands-on extensions, which may offer future lab-based activities depending on availability and funding.
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 – University of California, Irvine