Looking for a summer that actually feels worth it? Short camps are one of the easiest ways to dive into something new, build real skills, and meet people who get excited about the same things you do. Whether you are curious about STEM, arts, medicine, or the outdoors, a focused one or two-week program can be the perfect mix of fun and learning.
Why a short summer camp is worth it
These camps move fast in a good way. You get hands-on projects, workshops led by experts, and access to tools or spaces you usually would not get in school. Michigan has a surprisingly wide range of these short, high-impact programs. From robotics and medicine to theater, leadership, and environmental science. And if you are a local, you can save travel time and cost by choosing a local problem.
If you are interested in research summer camps for high school students, check out our blog here.
Here are 15 summer camps in Michigan that give high school students a chance to learn, explore, and have a genuinely memorable summer.
15 Michigan Summer Camps for High School Students
1. SEE Camp
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $700; need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: March 2
Dates: July 6 – July 12
Eligibility: High school students (all genders) entering grades 10-11, with limited access to engineering resources; 12th graders will not be accepted
The Summer Engineering Exploration (SEE) Camp, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers at the University of Michigan, is a week-long residential program designed to introduce rising 10th- and 11th-graders to the breadth of engineering fields and their real-world applications. You will explore disciplines such as chemical, civil, electrical, and marine engineering through guided lab activities, facility tours, and hands-on workshops. A central feature of the program is a week-long design challenge, where you will apply the engineering design process in teams to develop practical solutions, gaining experience in problem-solving, collaboration, and project development. The camp also includes structured opportunities to engage with faculty, researchers, and student panels, offering insight into academic pathways and professional engineering practice. Through campus tours, sessions with the Office of Admissions, and exposure to labs such as MTRI and MCity, you will deepen your understanding of engineering education while developing teamwork, communication, and presentation skills.
2. NYLF Medicine & Health Care High School Student Summer Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, along with multiple locations all over the US
Cost:
- Residential – $4,499 – $4,599
- Commuter – $3,999
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Dates: June 25 – July 2
Eligibility: High school students interested in exploring various career options in medicine and health care
The National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Medicine & Health Care, held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, is an intensive summer camp designed to introduce high school students to the field of medicine and healthcare. Over eight days, you will learn essential clinical skills through hands-on experiences, such as medical rotations, triage response drills, and outdoor emergency care simulations modeled on real-world scenarios. The program includes structured learning in anatomy, diagnostics, and patient care, allowing you to understand both the technical aspects of medicine and the interpersonal skills required for effective healthcare. Working alongside medical professionals and academic mentors, you will collaborate on problem-solving tasks, develop communication and critical thinking skills, and have the chance to present your work, providing a realistic and professional introduction to careers in medicine.
3. Health Science Summer Camps – School of Health Sciences – Oakland University
Location: Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Cost: $480
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Dates:
- June 16 – 20 (Section 1)
- June 23 – 27 (Section 2)
Eligibility: Open to students entering the 10th, 11th, or 12th grades
The Explorations in Health Careers summer camp, offered by the School of Health Sciences at Oakland University in Michigan, is designed for high school students entering grades 10 through 12 who are exploring future roles in healthcare. You will learn about diverse health science disciplines across four key areas: Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Human Movement Science, and Public and Environmental Wellness. Through interactive workshops, simulations, and faculty-led sessions, you will gain exposure to clinical diagnostics, physical rehabilitation, public health challenges, and environmental health practices. The program emphasizes applied learning, professional communication, and career exploration, allowing you to engage with health professionals, ask questions about different career paths, and reflect on how your interests align with evolving fields such as medical imaging, exercise science, nutrition, and healthcare coordination.
4. Dollars and Sense Camp
Location: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Cost: $299
Application Deadline: N/A
Dates: August 4 – 8
Eligibility: High School students who have completed grades 8 through 12
The Dollars and Sense Camp, offered by Western Michigan University’s Sanford Center for Financial Planning and Wellness at the Haworth College of Business, is a week-long program designed for grades 8–12 that focuses on building practical financial literacy and planning skills. You will learn to create budgets, manage debt, evaluate credit, and compare job offers while working in the Greenleaf Trust Trading Room. This professional setting simulates real-world financial decision-making. The camp emphasizes applied learning through team projects and problem-solving exercises, enabling you to practice strategies for long-term financial well-being. Throughout the week, you will collaborate with faculty and financial planning professionals, gaining insight into the field and refining your ability to make informed financial choices, with opportunities to present your work at the end of the program.
5. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Campus, MI
Cost: $5,500 plus $75 application fee; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 13 – 27
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Current rising high school senior with a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher; Preference for U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program designed for rising high school seniors who are interested in business. It offers students the opportunity to experience college-level business education by exploring various business functions, leadership strategies, and career paths. Through interactive classes, workshops, and group projects, you will learn how successful companies operate, engage in action-based learning, and gain real-world business insights.
This program will help students enhance their resumes by demonstrating their commitment to business education and providing exposure to high-level academic work. The opportunity to interact with Michigan Ross faculty, business professionals, and industry experts will enable students to gain valuable networking experience and a deeper understanding of the business world. This exposure to real-world practices and leadership will give students a competitive edge in future college applications and job prospects in business-related fields.
6. Summer Entrepreneurship Institute | University of Michigan-Flint School of Management
Location: UM-Flint School of Management, Flint, MI
Cost: $50. Need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: April 30
Dates: June 16 – 18
Eligibility: High school students from grades 9-11
The Summer Entrepreneurship Institute is a three-day camp for rising high school juniors and seniors, hosted at the University of Michigan–Flint in the School of Management’s Riverfront Center classrooms. You will learn the foundations of entrepreneurship through hands-on workshops, team projects, and problem-solving exercises designed to build critical thinking and leadership skills. The program emphasizes collaboration as you work alongside peers and faculty to develop innovative business ideas. Need-based scholarships are available, making the camp accessible to motivated students interested in exploring business and entrepreneurship.
7. Interlochen Summer Arts Camp
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Cost:
- $1,750 for a 1-week session
- $6,550 for a 3-week session
- $9,980 for a 6-week session. Need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: January
Dates: Varied dates from June 20 to August 9
Eligibility: Any high school student
The Interlochen Arts Camp, offered by the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan, provides high school students with immersive summer programs across disciplines, including music, theatre, visual arts, dance, creative writing, film and new media, and interdisciplinary arts. At this camp, you will learn to refine technical skills in your chosen field, experiment with new artistic methods, and gain hands-on experience through rehearsals, workshops, and performances. The program emphasizes collaboration with faculty artists and visiting professionals, allowing you to engage in constructive feedback and understand professional standards in the arts. Beyond studio and classroom work, you will also participate in group projects and public showcases, giving you the opportunity to present your work to peers and broader audiences in a structured and professional environment.
8. Environmental Science Camp, Northern Michigan University
Location: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
Cost: $849 (before June 1); $949 (after June 1)
Application Deadline: June 1 (to receive a discount)
Dates: July 20 – 26
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Environmental Science Camp at Northern Michigan University offers a week-long, residential program, where you will study the Upper Peninsula’s diverse natural landscapes and environmental challenges through hands-on fieldwork and applied research. Using NMU’s facilities and field technology, you will learn how scientists investigate ecosystems, sustainability issues, and the impacts of environmental change, while also gaining practical skills in data collection and analysis. Field experiences include exploring geological formations, studying the Lake Superior watershed, and paddling the AuTrain River to examine freshwater systems. Collaboration with NMU faculty and researchers will give you insight into current environmental science methods, and you will have opportunities to discuss findings, connect your field observations to broader sustainability questions, and experience college life while living in NMU’s residence halls.
Cyber Defenders Camp, Northern Michigan University
Location: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: May 16
Dates: July 13 – 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11
The Cybersecurity Summer Camp at Northern Michigan University (NMU), offered through the Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute and Central UP MiSTEM Network, provides high school students with a week-long residential program focused on building technical and analytical skills in cybersecurity. You will learn core concepts, including ethical hacking, introductory programming, and the security challenges of the Internet of Things (IoT), while also exploring career pathways in the field. Instruction takes place in the Seaborg Mathematics and Science Center, where you will gain hands-on experience through guided labs, problem-solving exercises, and simulations that reflect real-world cybersecurity practices. Collaboration with faculty and industry professionals will allow you to refine technical approaches, practice critical thinking in team settings, and engage in discussions about emerging security issues. The program concludes with opportunities to extend learning through additional virtual activities, reinforcing both technical knowledge and applied skills.
- Location: NMU campus, Marquette, MI
- Cost: Day Camp: $250; Overnight Camp: $350 (meals included); scholarships available
- Dates: July 20 – July 25
- Application Deadline: N/A
- Eligibility: High school freshmen and sophomores
This one-week camp introduces you to health careers and wellness topics in an immersive, hands-on format. You’ll explore physical health (including nutrition and cardiovascular issues), mental health, and oral health, as well as specialty fields such as surgical technology, radiography, speech-language pathology, audiology, and clinical laboratory sciences. The program includes patient simulation experiences and CPR & first-aid certification, helping you practice clinical skills. Each day begins with health professionals sharing their career paths, followed by recreational and social activities in the evenings, allowing you to connect with your peers. You’ll also have a health career fair and sessions for both students and parents on preparing for college in the health field. Day and night options are offered. Overnight attendees stay on campus, while day participants attend during daytime hours.
12. Camp Med, Albion College, MI
Location: Albion College, Albion, MI
Cost: $699 (early bird discount valid before Feb 15); $799
Application Deadline: May 19
Dates: June 16 – 19
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are interested in pursuing a career in medicine
Camp Med at Albion College in Michigan is a four-day medical preparatory program designed for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in exploring careers in the healthcare field. You will learn core concepts in medicine through hands-on experiences in anatomy and physiology labs while engaging with faculty from biology, chemistry, kinesiology, physics, and psychology on oncology-focused themes. The camp provides opportunities to practice laboratory techniques, deepen your understanding of human systems, and gain insight into the scientific approaches used in medical research and care. Alongside academic training, you will collaborate with professionals across disciplines, explore pathways into college and medical school, and receive college credit for your work. The program emphasizes both technical learning and professional development, offering a practical foundation for students preparing for future studies in medicine.
13. Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN)
Location: Michigan State University Campus
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Early March
Dates: July 20 – 25
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students in the United States. International students are not eligible.
The Physics of Atomic Nuclei (PAN) program, hosted by the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, is a free, week-long summer camp that introduces you to nuclear physics and its connections to astrophysics and cosmology. You will learn core concepts in atomic nuclei research through lectures and guided experiments led by FRIB scientists, gaining practical experience in designing and carrying out nuclear physics experiments. The program emphasizes collaboration with researchers and graduate students, providing you with the opportunity to engage in discussions about ongoing projects and the broader implications of nuclear science. In addition to developing analytical and problem-solving skills, you will explore potential career pathways in physics while experiencing college life on MSU’s campus, with opportunities to present your work and reflect on your learning throughout the week.
14. Girls Who Code, Summer Immersion Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Applications are currently open. Apply here!
Dates: Summer dates from June onwards
Eligibility: All female students who are current 9th-11th graders
Girls Who Code’s free virtual Summer Programs offer high school students an opportunity to gain essential computer science skills and explore tech careers. The two-week Summer Immersion Program (SIP) offers live, virtual classes in game design, covering coding basics, UX design, and the game development process, with sponsorship from industry leaders like Bank of America and Logitech. The six-week Self-Paced Program enables students to independently explore web development, cybersecurity, data science, and AI, while learning programming languages like Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Beyond coding, Girls Who Code instills confidence and leadership qualities in its participants, nurturing a sense of belonging in the tech world. By bridging the gender gap and building a community of like-minded young women, this program is paving the way for the next generation of female technologists and innovators.
15. Stanford AIMI – AI in Medicine Summer Health AI Bootcamp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $850; $40 application fee (financial aid available)
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Dates: June 16 – 27
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (grades 9-12); Age 14+
Over the course of two weeks, this virtual boot camp offers an in-depth introduction to how machine learning is transforming healthcare. You will learn to work with key concepts such as evaluation metrics, methods for applying AI to medical problems, and emerging developments, including generative AI. The curriculum blends interactive lessons with collaborative projects, allowing you to tackle real-world challenges in teams. Guest speakers from academia, government, and industry provide insight into current applications and future directions of AI in medicine, giving you both technical foundations and a broader understanding of the field.
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!
Images source – Michigan State University