If you want a summer experience that feels closer to college than high school, residential summer camps are a great place to start. These programs let you live on campus and fully immerse yourself in a subject you care about. Whether you are interested in biomedical engineering, computer science, creative writing, or environmental science, you get the chance to focus deeply while experiencing what academic life is really like.
What Makes Residential Summer Camps Different
Residential camps are built for students who want more than lectures or worksheets. Instead, you spend your time working in labs, studios, and collaborative spaces where learning is hands-on and goal-driven. Most programs run for one to three weeks and are designed around specific skills, which means you walk away with practical experience rather than just exposure. You might run experiments, build models, analyze data, or work on group projects using tools like Python, MATLAB, or 3D modeling software.
To help you identify the right opportunity, we’ve compiled a list of residential summer camps for high school students. You can also check out our blog on summer research programs for high school students.
14 Residential Summer Camps for High School Students
1. WIE Change the World – University of Maryland
Location: College Park, MD (residential, on-campus)
Cost: $1,500; scholarships available
Program Dates: July 12 – 17
Application Deadline: Typically early February
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th grade students
Hosted by the A. James Clark School of Engineering, the WIE Change the World program immerses you in engineering through lab-based projects and department-led design challenges. You will explore disciplines such as civil, electrical, and materials engineering, conducting experiments that integrate physics, systems modeling, and environmental design. A weeklong capstone project requires teams to apply analytical reasoning and design optimization to real-world engineering problems. The camp also includes lab tours, seminars, and evening activities that promote collaboration and campus engagement. Among residential summer camps for high school students, WIE offers a structured introduction to engineering fundamentals through applied, interdisciplinary experimentation.
2. TryEngineering Summer Institute – Civil Engineering Module
Location: University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) | Rice University (Houston, TX) | Columbia University (New York, NY) | University of San Diego (San Diego, CA)
Cost: $4,095 – $4,295
Program Dates: Vary by location (e.g., June 29 – July 7 | July 12 – 20 | July 24 – August 1)
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students interested in engineering or architecture
The TryEngineering Summer Institute offers a residential module in civil engineering that combines theoretical instruction with hands-on design challenges. You will study structural integrity, load-bearing design, and sustainable infrastructure principles through activities such as the Bridge Engineering Challenge and the Design Thinking Project. Working in teams, participants use applied mathematics, materials testing, and computational modeling to solve practical engineering problems. Field trips and guest lectures from industry engineers provide exposure to real-world applications, while university lab sessions familiarize you with structural testing tools and CAD-based design. The program emphasizes iterative prototyping, systems thinking, and data-driven design, which are skills central to both civil and interdisciplinary engineering careers.
3. Engineering Design Experience – Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Location: Dallas, TX
Cost: $1,400 (includes housing and meals)
Program Dates: June 2 – 6 | June 9 – 13 | June 16 – 20 | June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Opens February 17; closes when full
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th grade students
Hosted by the Lyle School of Engineering, SMU’s Engineering Design Experience offers a week-long residential deep dive into engineering design and applied STEM principles. You will work in the Deason Innovation Gym, a fully equipped makerspace featuring 3D printers, laser cutters, and machine tools. Guided by faculty and undergraduate mentors, you will prototype real-world solutions while developing skills in CAD modeling, fabrication, and analytical problem solving. The program integrates civil, mechanical, computer, and systems engineering concepts through workshops and team-based challenges. Each cohort concludes with a formal project presentation and design review, mirroring the workflow of a university-level engineering studio.
4. Summer Engineering Exploration (SEE) Camp – University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $700 (need-based financial aid available)
Program Dates: July 6 – 12
Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th–11th graders, with priority for students with limited access to engineering opportunities
Hosted by the Society of Women Engineers, SEE Camp provides a hands-on introduction to core engineering disciplines, including civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering. You’ll engage in lab sessions and design workshops focused on structural design, load distribution, and sustainable systems. The week culminates in a team-based design challenge, where you will apply mathematical modeling, prototyping, and testing to address real-world problems. Complementary modules include campus lab tours, admissions Q&A sessions, and team-based leadership exercises emphasizing collaborative design and data-driven problem-solving.
5. Summer Residential Engineering Camp – NC State University
Location: Raleigh, NC
Cost: $1,500 (limited financial assistance available)
Program Dates: July 6 – 11
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th grade students
Hosted by the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, this residential camp introduces students to the technical principles underlying infrastructure design. You’ll explore transportation modeling, hydrological systems, and structural load testing, applying data analysis to optimize performance and sustainability. Laboratory modules include flood resilience simulation, traffic flow modeling, and materials testing using professional instrumentation. With a 1:10 faculty-to-student ratio, participants receive close mentorship while developing quantitative reasoning and system-level design skills. The week concludes with a project presentation demonstrating applied civil and environmental engineering solutions.
6. Summer Residential Engineering Camps – NC State University
Location: Raleigh, NC
Cost: $1,500 (financial aid available)
Program Dates: June 15 – 20 | June 22 – 27 | July 6 – 11 | July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders interested in engineering and applied sciences
Hosted by NC State’s College of Engineering, this week-long residential program allows students to specialize in an engineering track such as civil, environmental, mechanical, biomedical, or computer science. Each participant completes lab-based workshops and design projects in their chosen field while engaging in computational modeling, prototyping, and analytical testing. You will explore topics like load-bearing mechanics, sensor circuits, and sustainable systems using professional-grade tools under faculty supervision.
7. City Designers and Builders Camp (CEE) – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Location: Urbana, IL
Cost: $1,000 (Residential) | $600 (Commuter); scholarships available
Program Dates: July 20 – 26
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
Hosted by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, this camp emphasizes the technical and environmental dimensions of urban infrastructure. You’ll study structural mechanics, sustainable construction, and environmental quality, applying physics and materials science to real-world civil systems. Lab modules cover load testing, water quality analysis, and ecological modeling, while field trips connect theory to active construction and sustainability projects. The curriculum stresses data collection, spatial reasoning, and systems-based design, culminating in a collaborative engineering presentation. Both commuter and residential options are available.
8. Engineering Overview Camps – University of Texas at San Antonio
Location: San Antonio, TX
Cost: $550 (day camp) | $750 (overnight); reduced rates $250–$450 with tuition assistance available
Program Dates: June 9 – 13 | June 30 – July 4
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students interested in exploring engineering disciplines
UTSA’s Engineering Overview Camps provide a technical introduction to civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering through faculty-led sessions and lab modules. You’ll work on infrastructure design, materials testing, and sustainability challenges, applying physics and mathematics to solve practical problems. Each rotation emphasizes computational modeling, prototype construction, and collaborative problem-solving. Overnight participants experience an immersive campus setting, while day campers engage in structured workshops using UTSA’s engineering facilities. The camp integrates technical training, design thinking, and systems analysis, with financial aid ensuring accessibility for all qualified applicants.
9. Summer Springboard – Fundamentals of Engineering (UC San Diego)
Location: San Diego, CA
Cost: $5,898 (Residential) | $3,298 (Commuter); need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: June 28 – July 10 | July 12 – 24 | July 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: High school students interested in applied engineering disciplines
Hosted at UC San Diego, this two-week intensive introduces foundational concepts across mechanical, civil, and biomedical engineering. You will engage in structural and mechanical design projects that simulate real-world engineering constraints, including cost, safety, and regulatory compliance. You’ll apply CAD modeling, materials testing, and systems analysis to prototype scaled structures and devices such as prosthetics or load-bearing models. Site visits and professional mentorship sessions provide context for how design processes function in academic and industry settings.
10. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford, CA
Cost: Varies by format; financial aid available
Program Dates: Residential Session 1: June 22 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a strong foundation in mathematics
Stanford’s SUMaC program offers a proof-based exploration of advanced mathematics, emphasizing logical reasoning and theoretical problem-solving. You’ll study abstract algebra, number theory, and mathematical logic, progressing beyond the high school curriculum through research-style inquiry. Instruction combines lectures, proofs, and collaborative exercises that mirror undergraduate mathematics courses. The curriculum encourages precise analytical communication and connects pure math concepts to computational and physical systems modeling. Both residential and online formats foster engagement with Stanford faculty and peers deeply interested in mathematical theory.
11. California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS) – University of California
Location: UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Cruz
Cost: $5,256; financial aid available
Program Dates:
- UC Irvine & UC San Diego: July 6 – August 1
- UC Davis, UCLA & UC Santa Cruz: July 6 – August 2
Application Deadline: February 7
Eligibility: California high school students (grades 8–12); GPA of 3.5+ recommended
COSMOS is a four-week residential program emphasizing the intersection of mathematics, science, and engineering through research-driven learning clusters. Each UC campus offers specialized modules, such as computational modeling, applied mathematics, and environmental systems design, led by faculty engaged in active research. You will conduct lab experiments, analyze datasets, and develop interdisciplinary projects using quantitative reasoning and programming tools. The program cultivates academic rigor and technical collaboration while offering early exposure to university-level research environments.
12. Mathworks Honors Summer Math Camp (HSMC) – Texas State University
Location: San Marcos, TX
Cost: $6,600 (includes housing, meals, books, and field trips); need-based financial aid and external scholarships available
Program Dates: June 15 – July 26
Application Deadlines: February 15 (Round 1) | March 15 (Round 2) | April 16 (Final)
Eligibility: High school students; first-time applicants must apply to the first-year program
HSMC is a six-week residential mathematics program emphasizing proof-based reasoning and abstract problem-solving. You will explore number theory, combinatorics, and algebraic structures through lectures, collaborative problem sets, and guided research. The curriculum mirrors collegiate-level mathematics, requiring daily written proofs and active participation in seminar discussions. You will also complete independent or small-group research projects designed to introduce inquiry-based mathematical exploration.
13. Canada/USA Mathcamp – Lewis & Clark College
Location: Portland, OR
Cost: $6,000; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: June 29 – August 3
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 with demonstrated mathematical ability and curiosity
Mathcamp is a five-week residential mathematics immersion program that introduces students to university-level topics, including algebraic topology, combinatorics, and theoretical computer science. Learning is highly self-directed; you’ll attend advanced seminars, solve open-ended problems, and collaborate with peers on exploratory mini-projects. The Qualifying Quiz emphasizes creativity and logical reasoning rather than memorization. Daily lectures and student-led discussions foster abstract thinking and mathematical communication. The program’s structure encourages autonomy, depth, and engagement with cutting-edge mathematical ideas in an academic community of peers and mentors.
14. Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU) Pharmacy Summer Camp
Location: Baltimore, MD (commuter and residential options)
Cost: Approximately $450
Program Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students
This weeklong residential program introduces participants to the pharmaceutical sciences through lab-based experiments and guided instruction. You will practice compounding techniques, dosage formulation, and medication safety protocols under the supervision of university faculty. Sessions also explore topics in pharmacogenomics, drug development, and precision medicine, linking chemistry concepts to clinical applications. Career-oriented modules focus on pharmacy school preparation and the structure of professional healthcare practice. The camp emphasizes technical rigor, laboratory precision, and the integration of research with patient-centered care.
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 – Notre Dame of Maryland University