If you are interested in building coding skills and programming your own robots, a robotics summer camp can be a great option to explore as a high schooler! These camps can offer a fast-paced way to dive into engineering, coding, and hands-on design. Unlike longer pre-college programs that cover a wide range of subjects, camps are shorter, highly structured, and typically dedicated to a single field, such as robotics. Robotics camps allow you to work on real projects, from building autonomous machines to programming control systems, while sharpening your problem-solving and teamwork skills.
As a participant, you will gain both technical know-how and practical robotics experience that can strengthen your foundation for future STEM studies. You will also learn from professionals and professors while connecting with like-minded peers.
To help you with your search, here is a curated list of 15 robotics summer camps for high school students.
1. Illinois Tech Elevate Summer Programs: Build Your Own Robot
Location: Virtual
Cost: Overnight: $1,500 | Daytime: $650 + $100 application fee; financial aid available + upon completing the program, you may be eligible to secure a $500 scholarship for future education
Application deadline: TBA
Program dates: July 21 – 25
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th graders between the ages of 14 and 17
Illinois Tech offers a variety of in-person and virtual summer programs for high school students interested in exploring topics in STEM. Its Build Your Own Robot camp is an opportunity to explore robotics by working directly with robotic kits and Arduino. At camp, you will design automated systems and participate in collaborative design projects and challenges. The experience will help you build engineering skills while gaining exposure to campus life and college-level academics at Illinois Tech.
2. Kettering University’s Robotics Camps: Intro to Mechatronics Camp
Location: Kettering University, Flint, MI
Program dates: June 23 – 26
Application deadline: Not specified
Cost: $700
Eligibility: Grades 7–12
The Intro to Mechatronics Camp is a day program at Kettering University that combines mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science to provide a comprehensive robotics experience. You will use the VEX EXP Robotics Platform to design and build functional robots while also learning about electrical systems and block programming. The program also offers hands-on design challenges and competition-style projects to help you build problem-solving and collaboration skills. Guided by an experienced mechanical engineer and supported by sponsors such as VEX, GM, and Magna, the camp provides industry exposure to robotics and a glimpse of engineering at the university level.
3. USF High School Robotics Camp
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Program dates: First cohort: June 23 – 27 | Second cohort: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: Session-based; registrations open Feb 1
Cost: $999.99
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
The USF High School Robotics Camp introduces you to robotics through a project-based curriculum led by faculty at the USF College of Engineering. You will design, build, and program an autonomous mobile robot or AMR using Raspberry Pi, sensors, actuators, and 3D-printed parts. The curriculum covers robotics theory, circuit design, and Python programming while also allowing you to explore industrial robotics and work with ABB RobotStudio. You will camp with your own robot, projects, and programming files to continue learning at home. This program can be an opportunity to refine creativity, critical thinking, and engineering skills and prepare for advanced STEM academics.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, students get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
5. Horizon Academic Research Program
Location: Online
Program dates: Offered year-round in seasonal cohorts, including in summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Cost: Varies by program type; financial aid available
Eligibility: High school students (most accepted students are 10th/11th graders) in good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA); a few tracks come with prerequisites
The Horizon Academic Research Program is an opportunity to conduct undergraduate-level research under the mentorship of professors/Ph.D. scholars at universities such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT. While not a typical camp, the program is a super-focused academic experience designed to help you produce your own 20-page research paper. You can join Horizon Seminars (3–6 students) or Horizon Labs (1-on-1 mentorship) to conduct research in fields like computer science and tech. You will spend 8–10 hours every week on attending lectures, conducting data analysis, and writing your paper. Publication opportunities available for Lab students.
6. Robotics & Autonomous Systems Camp @ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Location: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
Program dates: July 20 – 25
Application deadline: TBD
Cost: TBD; $950 in the past
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15–18
Robotics & Autonomous Systems is a weeklong overnight camp at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Here, you will design, build, program, and test your own autonomous robot while working alongside Embry-Riddle faculty and collegiate robotics competition teams. The curriculum introduces you to the fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering relevant to robotics and autonomous systems. In the process, you will gain insights into design principles, systems integration, and programming logic while also developing critical teamwork and problem-solving skills. The program also offers a preview of what it’s like to study engineering and robotics at the college level.
7. NYU SPARC
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Program dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18; Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Cost: $3,300
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15+
NYU’s Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding, or SPARC, introduces high schoolers to the basics of robotics, mechatronics, and programming. Over two weeks, you will learn about applications of microcontrollers, interface sensors, and actuators while working with a robotics kit. You will learn coding concepts like variables, conditionals, loops, and binary code to build and program robotic devices. You will work with circuitry, electronic components, and automation systems during the program. You will also test your robot in tournament-style challenges.
8. Academy for Robotics @ UT Computer Science Summer Academies
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Program dates: Session 1: June 15 – 20 | Session 2: June 22 – 27
Application deadline: May 1
Cost: $2,100, includes tuition, housing, and meals
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10–12 in the fall
At the Academy for Robotics, you will spend a week assembling and programming robots while exploring the fundamentals of robotics research. You will learn how to work with C++, Linux, and Arduino programming while you experiment with wheeled robots, sensors, and control systems like PID. Activities range from building the Bot’n Roll One A robot to running simulations and competing in robot races. Along with building technical skills, you will connect with UT faculty, current students, and industry professionals while also experiencing life on the UT Austin campus. The program offers career and college application insights as well.
9. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Frontiers: Robotics Track
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester, MA
Program dates: July 6 – 18, 2025 | July 20 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Cost: $4,495/session (includes housing, meals, field trips, workshops, and activities)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
At WPI’s Frontiers, you spend two weeks engaging in STEM coursework as well as exploring topics in the humanities, arts, or business. You can choose the Robotics Engineering major to explore the science and tech behind robot design and operations. Here, you will learn about concepts like force, torque, and stress analysis, material properties, microcontrollers, sensor operations, programming, and pneumatics, and use them to tackle a robotics problem. Within a group, you will design, build, and test your robotic creation using VEX software. Beyond academics, the program offers social engagement opportunities and guidance on career exploration, resume building, and navigating the college admissions process.
10. Columbia Engineering’s Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE): Robotics Track
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Program dates: Session I: July 7 – July 25; Session II: July 28 – August 15
Application deadline: March 3
Cost: $5,880 per session (includes tuition, lab fee, course materials, student activities, and health fees)
Eligibility: Commuter option open to all high school students (grades 9–12) | residential option available for students who are 16 or older
SHAPE is a pre-college program, where you can enroll in Columbia University faculty-led college-level courses to explore robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, and innovation and design. You can choose robotics courses like “Moving Forward: Walking Robots” or “Robotics and Autonomous Driving” to gain experience in 3D modelling, 3D printing, Arduino programming, and coding. Each course combines hands-on work with electives, workshops, and industrial visits that introduce you to STEM applications. You will come up with your model robots and present them during the program.
11. San Diego State University’s Robotics Camp
Location: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Program dates: July 14 – 21
Application deadline: Typically in May
Cost: Free!
Eligibility: High school students
The Robotics Camp at San Diego State University is a free, one-week program for high school students. Here, you will learn how to code using Scratch and Python, gain insights into cybersecurity and AI, and assemble and program MBot Mega robots and drones. You will also tour the SDSU campus and visit STEM labs. During the week, you will attend guest lectures and build practical skills in robotics. Team-building activities and 3D printing exercises are also part of the camp experience.
12. UC Riverside’s STEM-Focused Robotics Summer Camp
Location: UC Riverside’s Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering, Riverside, CA
Program dates: July 14 – 18
Application deadline: June 6
Cost: $600
Eligibility: High school students
This weeklong camp focuses on introducing high schoolers to emerging tech fields like robotics. At camp, you will learn about electronics, robotic systems, and embodied AI design through guided, hands-on lab exercises. In the process, you will explore concepts like autonomous and manual robot-car navigation, embedded system design, microcontroller programming, obstacle avoidance, and wireless navigation control using phones. The program offers opportunities to explore fields and subfields and choose a specific area of interest before committing to a college degree.
13. University of Minnesota’s Summer Computing Academy
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Program dates: Two-week program: June 9 – 20; One-week program: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Cost: Two-week camp: $125; One-week camp: $75 | Scholarships available upon request
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 12
The Summer Computing Academy is a residential program for students interested in robotics and learning how to code using Python. It offers a one-week format for beginners and a two-week session for those with some experience in coding. At the camp, you will learn about the basics of Python and programming and practice coding in a computer lab. You will also work on projects like powering small robots, building apps, and processing images. At the end of the program, you will present your projects. Career planning sessions are also part of the program.
14. ASU Summer Robotics Camp
Location: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Program dates: June 30 – July 11
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Cost: $900
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
ASU offers two-week camps to middle and high school students interested in robotics and computer programming. Within the high school track, called 9UP RobotCamp, you will explore engineering design concepts and computing technologies while gaining experience in robotics programming, component-based robot construction, Web programming, Alice game programming, and phone app programming. You will build a robotic device and participate in a challenge to present your work. The program also offers exposure to service-based computing.
15. BattleBots® Camp: Robotics Engineering with VEX
Location: Various university campuses
Program dates: Weeklong sessions (8 hours per day); day and overnight options available
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Cost: Starting at $1,299
Eligibility: Students, ages 13–17
This iDTech camp uses a challenge-based approach to offer an introduction to hands-on robotics engineering using the VEX Robotics Design System. Over the course of a week, you will build and customize a robot, program it with C++, and compete in daily challenges that culminate in a BattleBots®-style championship. You will explore mechanical engineering principles, optimize hardware and software, and collaborate with peers to improve your bot’s performance. The program offers a mix of lab time and outdoor recreational activities, providing a typical camp experience. At the end of camp, you will leave with an iD Tech diploma and transcript that documents the skills you have mastered.
Image source – iD Tech