Looking for a way to explore your passions this summer without breaking the bank? Free summer camps are your solution. These programs give you the chance to dive into exciting fields like science, technology, business, or the arts, while gaining hands-on experience and mentorship from experts. They allow you to explore advanced domains through short, intensive experiences that let you test new academic or professional interests. They simulate real-world problem-solving environments, encouraging students to collaborate, innovate, and apply academic knowledge practically.
Unlike multi-month research or internship tracks, free summer camps are compact, hands-on, and topic-driven, and run for a brief period, often just a few days or weeks, allowing you to dive deeply into one area of interest. You’ll learn by doing, whether that’s in programming, research, humanities, or leadership, and gain concrete outputs (projects, papers, presentations) in just a few weeks. This focused format provides hands-on learning, fast-paced engagement, and concentrated exposure, making it ideal for students who want a quick yet immersive experience without committing to a full-length program.
Below, we have curated a set of 13 free summer camps for high school students.
13 Free Summer Camps for High School Students
1. National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, with travel to Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None (includes housing, meals, and travel)
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: Varies as per state, most have February 28, while some have March 3
Eligibility: Recent U.S. high school graduates; international students ages 16–18 from select countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago)
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a prestigious, free, residential summer program held annually in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, and is designed to honor and challenge rising leaders in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) from across the United States and a few international delegates. You’ll participate in expert-led lectures, small-group research sessions, and hands-on experiments across physics, biology, computer science, and environmental science.
2. MIT PRIMES – Mathroots
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: None
Dates: July 1 – 15
Application Deadline: March 3
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 14–18 who have not yet started their final year are eligible | Review all eligibility criteria before submitting your application
The MIT PRIMES – Mathroots program is a free, 14-day residential summer program hosted by MIT PRIMES aimed at high-potential high school students across the United States who are interested in exploring creative topics in mathematics and problem solving. You’ll study advanced problem-solving techniques, explore abstract mathematical concepts, and work on creative challenges designed by MIT faculty. The program emphasizes logical reasoning, proof construction, and persistence in tackling open-ended problems.
3. SAGE Summer Camps – Lawrence Berkeley, Lawrence Livermore, and SLAC National Laboratories
Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley, CA) | Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, CA) | SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (Menlo Park/Palo Alto, CA)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Berkeley Lab: June 9 – 13 | Lawrence Livermore Lab: June 8 – 14 (Residential) | SLAC Lab: June 22 – 28 (Residential)
Application Deadline: March 15 (tentative)
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th graders in Northern California who are under 18 years old
The SAGE Summer Camps (Science Accelerating Growth and Engagement) are one-week summer camps for high school students aged 14-17 that involve hands-on projects, job shadowing, professional development, and networking activities. You’ll work on applied research and engineering challenges, participate in lab-based experiments, and attend technical workshops led by scientists and engineers. Each camp combines mentorship, leadership training, and professional development, with a focus on building long-term connections within the SAGE network.
4. High School Summer Engineering Camp – Purdue University Northwest
Location: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, Indiana
Cost: None
Dates: July 7–11
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: High school students ages 14 – 17
Purdue’s free weeklong engineering camp gives high school students exposure to core disciplines such as civil and mechanical engineering through daily lab sessions and applied design challenges. You’ll build and test small-scale bridge structures, analyze load distributions, and explore sustainable energy and transportation systems across diverse fields such as renewable energy systems, transportation design, and emerging technologies such as virtual reality applications in engineering. The camp’s rotating format allows you to gain practical experience in multiple subfields, ending with a technical presentation and project showcase.
5. Transportation & Civil Engineering Summer Camp – University of Hartford
Location: University of Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut
Cost: None
Dates: July 7–11; July 14–18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: All high school students
Hosted by the University of Hartford’s College of Engineering, this camp introduces students to transportation, structural, environmental, and construction engineering through applied projects and lab experiments. You’ll conduct material strength testing, use simulation software to model traffic flow, and explore geotechnical principles through field exercises. Site visits to the Connecticut Department of Transportation and construction projects connect classroom concepts to practical engineering systems. Sessions focus on data interpretation, collaborative design, and problem-solving under real-world constraints.
6. Engineering Exploration High School Summer Camps – University of Notre Dame
Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana
Cost: None for local high school students
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: Not specified (early application recommended)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students from the local area
Notre Dame’s Engineering Exploration Camp introduces students to multiple engineering disciplines through faculty-led workshops and hands-on projects. You’ll apply mathematical and physical principles to structural design, materials testing, and problem-solving challenges. Team-based design modules emphasize practical application, creativity, and analytical reasoning. You gain exposure to Notre Dame’s laboratories and learn how engineers use modeling, data analysis, and design thinking to tackle complex problems, computer-aided design (CAD), and 3D printing for prototyping. You will also develop problem-solving, teamwork, collaboration, basic coding, and critical thinking skills.
7. Math Modeling Camp – IMA-MathCEP, University of Minnesota
Location: University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, Minnesota (with limited remote options)
Cost: None
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students who have completed single-variable calculus; graduating seniors also eligible
Hosted by the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and MathCEP, this camp trains students to use mathematical modeling to analyze complex real-world systems. You’ll work in small groups to develop models for problems such as traffic optimization, disease spread, or environmental change. The curriculum combines calculus, algebra, and statistics with computational tools like MATLAB or Python. Emphasis is placed on iterative model refinement, technical collaboration, and presenting findings through data visualization and written reports.
8. Go Get Math – Colorado State University
Location: Department of Mathematics, Colorado State University (CSU) Fort Collins campus, Fort Collins, Colorado
Cost: None
Dates: First or second week of June (tentative)
Application Deadline: Typically early April
Eligibility: All high school students
GirlsGetMath@CSU is a five-day nonresidential camp designed to help students explore advanced mathematical ideas through applied problem-solving and computational exercises. Activities center around applying mathematics to real-world topics such as cryptography, data science, image processing, fractals, and geometry. You engage in these subjects through engaging, hands-on activities and dedicated time in computer labs. The curriculum also highlights how mathematical techniques intersect with fields such as computer science, engineering, and data analytics. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, quantitative thinking, and building confidence in technical problem-solving.
9. JCamp – Asian American Journalists Association
Location: Seattle, Washington (takes place in a different city every year)
Cost: None
Dates: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
This camp offers focused training in journalism skills such as reporting, writing, multimedia creation, and ethical decision-making, guided by experienced journalists and media leaders. You will develop your ability to research stories, conduct interviews, and produce news content for JCamp Live, the program’s digital platform. The curriculum highlights the importance of cross-cultural communication, newsroom diversity, and leadership development, while also enhancing collaboration, project management, and persuasive communication skills. Throughout the week, you will participate in workshops, field reporting, and conversations with industry professionals, gaining practical newsroom experience and understanding how diverse viewpoints contribute to accurate and comprehensive media coverage. Additionally, the program provides opportunities to present your work and receive constructive feedback from experts.
10. Summer Physics Camp – New Mexico Consortium
Location: New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe
Cost: None
Dates: June 2 – 13
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students living in New Mexico, New Mexico tribal communities or East Hawaii Island | Completed Algebra I or high-level math course and is looking to explore careers in STEM
This intensive two-week camp offers an interdisciplinary dive into the world of energy and energy security, blending concepts from physics, chemistry, bioengineering, computer programming, and cybersecurity. You will benefit from working directly with professional scientists and engineers, gaining hands-on experience through multi-day projects and practical experiments. The curriculum features an in-depth exploration of various renewable and non-renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear power, along with collaborative challenges that apply scientific methods to solve pressing infrastructure and sustainability issues. Beyond the technical training, the camp provides valuable professional development, including workshops on resumé writing and interview preparation, as well as guidance on navigating STEM career pathways.
11. GenCyber Camp – University of Missouri – Kansas City
Location: Miller Nichols Library and Learning Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Summer: Camp 1: July 22 – 26; Camp 2: July 29 – August 2 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders; no prior cybersecurity experience required
The GenCyber Camp at the University of Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) is a free, one-week nonresidential summer camp designed for rising high school students in grades 9–12 to explore the field of cybersecurity. Funded by the NSA and NSF, UMKC’s GenCyber Camp introduces students to the principles and ethics of cybersecurity through lectures, demonstrations, and interactive labs. You’ll explore topics like cryptography, password security, steganography, blockchain, and ethical hacking. Daily hands-on activities include network scanning, scripting, and secure game design using basic coding tools. The program emphasizes digital safety, critical thinking, and the societal impact of cybersecurity practices, while encouraging responsible exploration of emerging technologies.
12. Kode With Klossy Summer Coding Camps
Location: Virtual (global access) and select in-person sites
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Two-week sessions during summer
Application Deadline: Typically later March
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens aged 13–18
Kode With Klossy offers free, two-week immersive coding camps that introduce students from underrepresented genders to computer science and technology. You’ll choose from four specialized tracks: web development, data science, mobile app development, or machine learning, and complete hands-on projects such as websites, chatbots, iOS apps, or analytical dashboards. The curriculum focuses on practical programming in Python, JavaScript, and Swift, emphasizing computational logic, user experience design, and collaborative development workflows. They also feature guest sessions led by women working in technology and are co-taught by licensed educators and held in locations across the globe.
13. Indiana University Indianapolis – Cybersecurity & Cyber Defense Summer Camp (Online)
Location: Online (with optional in-person track in Indianapolis, IN)
Cost: None
Dates: June 3 – 7 (typically around this time)
Application Deadline: May 20 (typically around this time)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12
This intensive program is designed to forge a strong technical foundation in cyber defense, blending academic theory with hands-on, applied security skills using real-world tools. You’ll gain practical expertise in operating system hardening and vulnerability detection across both Windows and Ubuntu platforms, primarily leveraging VMware for virtualized exploration. Furthermore, you’ll master essential networking principles by utilizing Cisco Packet Tracer to construct, fortify, and diagnose complex virtual networks involving essential hardware like routers, switches, and servers.
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 – Kode With Klossy