If you’re a high school student from outside the U.S. interested in spending part of your summer in a new setting, attending a camp in the U.S. can give you a mix of learning and cultural experiences.
A summer camp is different from a regular program because it is shorter, highly structured, and usually focused on a single subject or field. That means instead of juggling multiple classes, you spend concentrated time on one area, whether it is science, leadership, writing, or the arts. Many camps also add projects, group work, or field trips that make the experience more practical and interactive.
For international students, these camps are also a way to build an advanced skill set and gain in-depth experience in a subject while meeting students from different countries. Since most last one to two weeks, they are easy to fit into your summer while leaving room for other plans.
With that, here are 15 summer camps for international high school students you can explore!
15 Summer Camps for International High School Students
1. Camp Rising Sun (CRS)
Location: Louis August Jonas Foundation, Rhinebeck, NY
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Around 60 students
Dates: June 24 – July 22 (Boys and Non-Binary Session) | July 28 – August 25 (Girls and Non-Binary Session)
Application Deadline: Applications open on November 27 and typically close between December 31 to April 13, depending on the applicant’s country
Eligibility: Students aged 15–17 who can speak English; international campers also need a valid passport and, if required, a visa
Camp Rising Sun by the Louis August Jonas Foundation is a four-week, full-scholarship camp in Upstate New York for high school students from around the world. You’ll spend the summer in a camper-led community where daily activities are shaped by your group’s ideas. Workshops cover ethics, culture, global issues, and practical skills, while projects and evening programs give you chances to apply what you learn. Past campers have built treehouses, created short films, organized debates, and written letters to local leaders. You’ll also have space to share your own interests by leading or joining sessions in music, art, drama, fitness, or nature activities.
2. National Youth Science Academy’s National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)
Location: Monongahela National Forest, Huttonsville, WV
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 110–120 participants
Dates: July 10 – August 2
Application Deadline: January 27 – February 28 (for U.S. applicants); for international applicants, the deadline varies by country
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors can apply. International students from designated countries who are 16–18 years old by July 1, demonstrate strong spoken English skills, and qualify for a J-1 Visa to enter the U.S. are eligible.
The National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is a summer program where high school students explore STEAM fields and spend time outdoors. Each U.S. state and Washington, D.C. usually sends two delegates, and students from other countries join through the U.S. State Department. You’ll attend daily lectures from STEM professionals, join small courses, take part in discussions, and get mentorship. Outside the classroom, you can try seminars on cooking, languages, or juggling, and join outdoor trips like hiking, climbing, caving, biking, kayaking, and camping. The camp ends with a visit to Washington, D.C.
3. Concordia Language Villages Youth Overnight Camps
Location: Concordia Language Villages, Moorhead, MN
Cost: $1,425–$5,910; registration fee varies depending on the camp
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Cohort sizes vary by camp, but are usually small
Dates: Multiple one, two, and four-week camps run between June and August
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the camp
Eligibility: Students aged 7–18 from anywhere in the world
Concordia Language Villages Youth Overnight Camps let you learn a new language while experiencing summer camp. Sessions last one, two, or four weeks, depending on your goals. One-week camps give first-time campers a short introduction, including arts, crafts, games, and cultural activities. Two-week camps let you build language skills and cultural knowledge through lessons and daily camp life, including music, art, sports, swimming, and campfires. Four-week camps are for students ready for a deeper experience, with an interim weekend to call home and rest. Each Language Village follows its own schedule with activities, meals, and traditions from its culture.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on the program; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Around 10–25%
Dates: Cohorts run in fall, summer, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary based on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted minimum 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale are encouraged to apply
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you with a PhD mentor to create and complete your own research project. You’ll get to pick a topic in STEM, the humanities, or social sciences, and the program provides research workshops and writing support along the way. A writing coach will also guide you in turning your work into an academic paper. Some areas you can explore include linguistics, biology, psychology, chemistry, entrepreneurship, engineering, physics, math, history, computer science, and data science. If your exact interest isn’t listed, you and your mentor can design a custom topic. You will also be able to earn UCSD credit for your project. You can find more details and the application information here.
5. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 26%; Horizon Seminar classes usually have 4–6 students, whereas Horizon Labs is set up for one-on-one mentorship
Dates: Cohorts run throughout summer, fall, winter, and spring. Lab schedules are flexible, but you need to apply at least four weeks before your preferred start date.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort
Eligibility: High school students with a 3.67 GPA or higher can apply. Most students are in 10th or 11th grade. Some tracks have extra prerequisites, which you can view here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in subjects such as political science, neuroscience, physics, biology, philosophy, economics, psychology, machine learning, international relations, AI, data science, and more, with over 600 topics to choose from. You can focus on either qualitative or quantitative research. During the program, you’ll select your research question and method, then work one-on-one with a mentor, usually a professor or PhD scholar. You’ll also write a 20-page research paper, which can be submitted to academic journals. You’ll receive detailed feedback, professional guidance, and a letter of recommendation to strengthen your college or research applications. You can apply here.
6. The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE)
Location: Virtual
Cost: $350; scholarships are available
Cohort Size: 20–30 students per session
Dates: June 30 – July 11 | July 21 – August 1
Application Deadline: November 27 – April 1; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18 who can speak English
The Ethical Leadership Experience (TELE) is a two-week online program for a small group of international students. You’ll spend 3–4 hours each day on live video calls with 20–30 peers. The program focuses on leadership, identity, justice, and action, and includes group projects, discussions, and workshops led by staff and participants. You can explore topics like world affairs, ethics, personal growth, philosophy, cultural exchange, music, art, fitness, nature, and drama. You’ll share your ideas, learn from others, and connect with students from around the world.
7. Georgetown University’s Creative Writing Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $3,525 (Residential) | $2,730 (Commuter)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 20 – July 26
Application Deadline: January 31 (early deadline) | April 15 (final deadline)
Eligibility: Current 8th–12th graders with a minimum 2.0 GPA can apply; international students must be fluent in English
Georgetown University’s Creative Writing Academy is a week-long program for students interested in fiction, poetry, and personal essays. Classes are led by Georgetown faculty and graduate instructors and include workshops, lectures, and peer feedback. You’ll study writing techniques, literary forms, and themes like social and environmental issues, while learning about character development, story structure, and dialogue. The program also covers writing careers, publishing, and college writing programs. Outside the classroom, you’ll visit D.C. landmarks, write at the National Gallery of Art, and take part in an open mic night at Busboys and Poets.
8. U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ TechGirls
Location: Various locations across the United States
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: 111 students from 37 countries and territories, along with 13 students from the U.S.
Dates: July 12 – August 3
Application Deadline: October 15 – December 6
Eligibility: High school girls, aged 15–17, who are citizens of an eligible country or territory and currently living there can apply. Preference is given to applicants with little or no prior experience in the U.S.
TechGirls is a fully funded summer program for high school girls from the U.S. and select countries who want to explore STEM. The main part of the program is a 23-day trip to the United States. You’ll spend time at Virginia Tech in an interactive tech camp with workshops on coding, AI, robotics, and other technologies. You’ll also learn about STEM careers and educational paths. After camp, you’ll visit a U.S. city for cultural exchange and community activities. You’ll stay with a host family, do community service, and shadow STEM professionals to see how technology is used in real settings. Once you return home, a seven-month virtual mentorship helps you develop a Community Action Project, often focused on using technology to benefit your community.
9. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)
Location: Hosted at colleges across the U.S., including past sites like Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) and the University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Around 3–5%
Dates: June 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: October 15 – December 3
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors aged 15–18, including international students
The Telluride Association Summer Seminar is a liberal arts program that allows students to explore how power and privilege shape society through humanities and social science courses. You can choose from two tracks. In TASS-CBS (Critical Black Studies), you’ll study the history, art, literature, politics, and cultural work of people of African descent. TASS-AOS (Anti-Oppressive Studies) will allow you to learn about systems like white supremacy, patriarchy, and classism, and the ways people push for social change. You’ll participate in about three hours of faculty-led classes with lectures, discussions, and group work daily. You’ll also read, explore art, write essays with feedback, watch films, and attend public speaking workshops, guest lectures, and other activities.
10. LYNX National Arts & Media Camps
Location: University of Colorado, Denver, CO
Cost: $2,600 (Residential) | $1,800 (Commuter Plus) | $650–$1,300 (Commuter)
Cohort Size: Total enrollment is about 300–350 students, though numbers vary by camp
Dates: June 8 – June 16 | June 14 – June 26 | July 12 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 15 (priority deadline) | May 15 (final deadline)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18, as well as those who have completed 8th grade before camp begins, including international students
The LYNX National Arts and Media Camps are for high school students interested in arts and music. Held at the University of Colorado Denver, the camps give you a college-level experience in the College of Arts & Media. Students come from across the U.S. and other countries. You’ll develop your artistic skills, work with mentors, and explore college and career paths in the arts. Camp options include animation and illustration, comic book design, audio production, photography, filmmaking, music industry, and visual immersive art.
11. Yale Young Writers’ Workshop
Location: Virtual or in person at Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: On Campus: $3,275 | On Campus (without housing): $2,905 | Online: $1,320
Cohort Size: 12 students per workshop
Dates: June 21 – June 27 (on campus) | June 21 – June 26 (online)
Application Deadline: January 15 – April 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors aged 16–18 are eligible to apply; international students can apply for the online workshop
The Yale Young Writers’ Workshop (YYWW) is a writing program that allows students to explore the genres of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Before the workshop starts, you’ll read a book assigned to everyone, giving the group a common starting point and sparking conversations throughout the week. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in craft talks, open mics, and both student and faculty readings. You’ll also learn about different writing careers while developing your own voice. You’ll get time to draft new pieces, share your work with peers for feedback, and revise with guidance from faculty. The instructors, who are published writers and experienced teachers, lead exercises and discussions that will help you explore, experiment, and take creative risks.
12. Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business
Location: LeBow College of Business, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $2,000 (Residential Sessions) | $950 (Commuter Session); need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not listed
Dates: July 13 – July 18 (Residential Blue Session) | July 20 – July 25 (Commuter Session) | July 27 – August 1 (Residential Gold Session)
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply; international students must provide Proof of English Proficiency, such as TOEFL, IELTS, PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores
Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business is a summer program that introduces students to corporate and college-level business education. You’ll explore subjects like marketing, finance, accounting, and management while also building skills in leadership, strategy, teamwork, and professional etiquette. During the camp, you’ll work with financial documents, technology, and even the stock market. With your team, you’ll develop a business idea and present it in a final pitch competition. If you’re looking for a shorter experience, Drexel also offers a two-day Business Bootcamp, which includes college-style classes, sessions on accounting, analytics, product development, and business ethics, and guest speakers from the industry.
13. Idyllwild Arts Art Exploration Camp
Location: Idyllwild Arts Academy, Idyllwild, CA
Cost: $5,100 (Residential) | $2,580 (Commuter) + $50 application fee
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Maximum 14 students
Dates: June 29 – July 12
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14–17 of all skill levels can apply; international students must demonstrate their English proficiency by submitting standardized test scores
Idyllwild Arts Art Exploration Camp is designed for students who want to explore different forms of art. Each day begins with a drawing warm-up, where you’ll practice a new technique. After that, you’ll start on a fresh project with new materials or approaches, working at your own pace. Extra projects are introduced when needed, and sometimes you’ll collaborate with other classes or join group projects. Throughout the camp, you’ll create both 2D and 3D pieces while learning about color, design, and different artistic methods. Projects may include sculpture, basketry, painting, drawing, fabric art, bookmaking, musical instrument making, and found object assemblage. With guidance from instructors, you’ll build confidence and develop your own artistic style. The camp wraps up with an art exhibit where you can share your work with family and friends.
14. Interlochen’s Visual Arts Summer Camp for High School Students
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Cost: $7,265 + $65 application fee for both domestic and international students
Cohort Size: Interlochen’s arts camps accept nearly 3,000 students each year
Dates: June 28 – July 18 | July 19 – August 9
Application Deadline: Applications will open on September 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, including international students, can apply; you can check additional requirements here
The Visual Arts Summer Camp for high school students allows you to work with young artists from around the world and learn under the guidance of Interlochen’s faculty. Each day, you’ll work in professional studios, building your technique and developing your artistic voice. You’ll focus on Drawing and Painting along with one additional studio of your choice, such as Digital Media, Black-and-White Film Photography, Printmaking, Metals, or Ceramics. After enrolling, you’ll submit your studio preference, and if you’d like to broaden your experience, you can attend both sessions.
You can view the portfolio requirements here. Classes take place in the Dow Center for Visual Arts, which houses separate studios for drawing, painting, metalwork, digital arts, photography, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, and fibers, plus a gallery showcasing student, staff, and faculty work. The session wraps up with an exhibition where you’ll get to present your creations.
15. Kode with Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual or in person at multiple locations
Cost: Free
Cohort Size: Limited spots are available
Dates: June 2 – June 13 | July 7 – July 18 | July 21 – August 1 | August 4 – August 15
Application Deadline: April 7
Eligibility: Girls and gender-expansive teens aged 13–18, including international students, can apply; no coding experience is required
Kode with Klossy runs free, two-week coding camps for students traditionally underrepresented in STEM. Depending on availability and your past Kode with Klossy experience, you’ll be placed in one of four courses: Machine Learning, Web Development, Mobile App, or Data Science. In Machine Learning, you’ll explore the basics of AI and machine learning. The Mobile App course will teach you how to design and build fully functional iOS apps with Xcode and Swift. Web Development focuses on creating responsive websites using JavaScript, HTML, and CSS. In Data Science, you’ll use Python, SQL, and visualization tools to work with data and even build a Python chatbot.
Image source – Kode with Klossy