15 Summer Camps for High School Students

Key Takeaways

• These 15 summer camps cover a wide range of interests, from business and finance at Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business to quantum computing at Michigan State’s Quantum Motor City Camp and public health at the CDC’s Disease Detective Camp.
• Program length is typically short and focused, ranging from three-day bootcamps like Eastern Michigan’s Terabytes AI to week-long residential experiences like Stanford Jazz Camp and Texas A&M’s Camp ARCH.
• Costs vary considerably, with several free options like Michigan State’s Quantum Motor City Camp and the CDC’s Disease Detective Camp, while others, like Rutgers Summer Business Camp and USF’s Biomedical Engineering Camp, charge over $1,000, often with need-based scholarships available.
• Several camps are designed with specific student populations in mind, such as Eastern Michigan’s Terabytes AI for high school girls and the University of Florida’s Gator Vet Camp for first-generation or low-income students.
• If you want to pursue an independent, mentored research project rather than a short-term subject-specific camp, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs offers a path toward a formal academic paper across fields like data science, biology, and political theory.

If you’re a high school student interested in exploring a particular subject or a new hobby, a summer camp can help you do that. Some camps focus on academics, which will allow you to delve deeper into a subject you already enjoy or discover something completely new. Others offer hands-on projects, leadership activities, or creative workshops to help you learn in a more interactive way. Whether you’re interested in science, sports, art, or the outdoors, summer camps will allow you to explore your interests, build skills, and meet other students who enjoy the same things.

Why should you participate in a summer camp?

Many camps are short-term, so you can experiment with different experiences without committing your whole summer. Some even combine learning with outdoor adventures, where you can practice your teamwork and problem-solving skills while spending time in nature. Unlike regular programs, they’re often highly structured, shorter in duration, and focused on a single topic or field, creating an immersive and focused learning environment.

Here are 15 summer camps for high school students that are worth checking out.

If you’re looking for summer research camps for high school students, you can find them here. You can also find some free STEM summer camps here!

1. Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business

Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business introduces you to college-level and corporate business education. You’ll study core business topics like accounting, finance, marketing, and management. You’ll also develop your leadership, teamwork, professionalism, and strategic thinking skills and get hands-on experience with important business tools, including financial documents, the stock market, and technology. Throughout the week, you’ll work in teams to develop a business pitch, which you’ll present in a competition at the end of camp. If you’re interested in a shorter option, Drexel also offers Business Bootcamp, which is a two-day, on-campus program where you’ll study topics like product development, analytics, accounting, and business ethics through college-style classes and insights from industry professionals.

2. Nova Southeastern University’s Achieve In Medicine (AIM-High) Day Camp

Achieve in Medicine (AIM-High) is a five-day camp at Nova Southeastern University’s Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine for high school students interested in learning about health careers. You’ll explore fields like neuroscience, public health, preventive medicine, pharmacy, pediatrics, and physical and occupational therapy. You’ll try activities like dissection, suturing, cancer detection, sports medicine, and pharmacy work, while also learning about tools such as augmented reality, 3D modeling, and natural language processing. There are social events with NSU medical students, plus training in disaster medicine with Sunrise Fire and Rescue. This camp will also allow you to earn CPR and first aid certification, practice medical procedures, and study how technology can improve community health.

3. Michigan State University’s Quantum Motor City Camp

Michigan State University’s Quantum Motor City summer camp introduces you to quantum computing and quantum technology through computer science, physics, and mathematics. You’ll learn coding and computational thinking by programming real IBM quantum computers, solving problems that combine math, physics, and computing, and touring a quantum computing lab. You’ll learn about programming, artificial intelligence, computational logic, automation, and data-driven technologies while exploring how quantum technology helps with advanced engineering and modern automation systems. The camp also includes college-preparation guidance and conversations with industry scientists, professors, and students about STEM careers and emerging technologies.

4. Western Michigan University’s Dollars and Sense Camp

Western Michigan University’s Dollars and Sense Camp gives you a chance to develop financial skills while exploring different career paths. You’ll plan for college or skilled trades, explore different career paths, and create a strategy to cover education costs. The program covers budgeting, saving, investing, insurance, risk management, and newer topics like cryptocurrency and blockchain. You’ll also take part in finance games, dive into real estate, and visit business professionals to see real-world workplaces. Throughout the week, you’ll work on creating a financial plan that stretches from high school to retirement and present it to finance experts. All sessions are led by professionals and faculty from the Haworth College of Business.

5. Eastern Michigan University’s Terabytes AI Summer BootCamp 

Eastern Michigan University’s Terabytes AI is a three-day summer bootcamp that introduces you to artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and Python programming. You’ll learn how AI systems work, explore responsible uses of AI, and complete hands-on projects that connect AI to real-world problems and robotics. The program also shows how machine learning and artificial intelligence are used in robotics and automation. This camp is taught by EMU faculty with help from the Women in Computer Science club, and combines AI discussions, coding, and data science concepts. It also helps you build Python skills. Past versions of the related Gigabytes program also included programming robots and drones such as Ozobots and LEGO Prime robots.

6. Stanford Jazz Camp

Stanford Jazz Camp allows you to develop your jazz skills through classes, rehearsals, and performances led by top jazz artists and educators. You’ll work on musicianship, improvisation, and leadership in small ensemble settings, with daily masterclasses, music theory, and artist presentations tailored to your experience level. You’ll also learn about jazz’s role in American culture, connect with other young musicians, and form connections with faculty. Living on campus will provide additional opportunities to engage with artists and participate in Stanford Jazz Festival events. The camp wraps up with a live small-ensemble performance where you’ll get to showcase your skills for family and friends.

7. Rutgers Summer Business Camp

The Rutgers Business School Summer Program is a week-long camp that allows you to explore business fields like management, marketing, finance, accounting, and supply chain. You’ll hear from RBS faculty about different areas of business, take trips to business sites, join a business plan competition, and experience college life. Throughout the week, you’ll develop business plans, dive into business analytics and information technology, get advice from college mentors and business executives, and practice pitching your ideas. The program wraps up with final presentations in front of parents, Rutgers students, and faculty. You can check out a sample agenda of the program for more details. 

8. ASU’s Camp Cronkite

Arizona State University’s Camp Cronkite is a summer media enrichment program that allows you to explore the Cronkite School. You’ll learn from faculty, staff, and student mentors through practical activities and build skills in writing, visual storytelling, interviewing, and personal branding. You’ll also customize your experience by choosing elective sessions in areas such as producing, videography, social media, podcasting, weather, and other media topics. You’ll spend your evenings participating in scheduled activities followed by supervised free time at Gordon Commons, the residence hall across the street. 

9. Southern Illinois University: Summer Wings Aviation Camp 

The Aviation Flight program at SIU Carbondale hosts week-long aviation camps that let you experience what it’s like to train as a pilot. Summer Wings will allow you to go through the same ground and flight training that SIU flight students take, while also letting you explore aviation as a potential career path. Throughout the week, you’ll take ground school classes, practice on university flight training devices, and even fly aircraft. In the evenings, you’ll join activities on campus. Most of your time will be spent at the Southern Illinois Airport, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of flight, covering topics such as the history of aviation, preflight inspections, aerodynamics, weight and balance, aircraft performance, aviation weather, and radio procedures. 

10. University of Florida’s Gator Vet Camp

Gator Vet Camp offers one-week residential sessions for high school students who want to explore veterinary medicine and college life. You’ll take part in hands-on activities that introduce important college-level subjects and different careers in veterinary medicine. You’ll work with faculty, staff, and students on independent projects, practice clinical skills, and tour the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and its facilities. You’ll also learn about veterinary specialties beyond small animal care, like large animal, wildlife, and fish medicine. The camp is especially designed for students who are first-generation, from low-income backgrounds, or have had limited exposure to veterinary medicine but already have some experience working with animals.

11. ASU’s Popular Music Summer Camp

ASU’s Popular Music Summer Camp allows you to dive into performance, songwriting, engineering, production, and music entrepreneurship while experiencing college life. Guided by faculty and staff, you’ll sharpen your skills, explore different music fields, and prepare for studying music at the college level. You’ll work in studio suites, rehearsal and performance spaces, writing rooms, and digital media labs equipped with the latest technology. Days are packed with core classes in songwriting, engineering, music production, beatmaking, and performance, plus visiting artist presentations, group feedback sessions, faculty office hours, and plenty of collaboration time. You’ll write songs, compose and produce music, engineer and perform in the studio, and learn from experienced songwriters, industry pros, and emerging artists. At night, you’ll join social events like movie nights, karaoke, museum visits, or a Diamondbacks game, and hang out with students from both the music camp and Camp Cronkite. Evening hours also leave room to jam, create, and practice with your peers.

12. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

The Disease Detective Camp, run by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), offers an opportunity to gain an introduction to public health and epidemiology. You’ll explore topics like emergency preparedness, environmental health, public health interventions, lab technology, global health, disease surveillance, injury prevention, data analysis, infectious and chronic diseases, school wellness, outbreaks, scientific communication, violence prevention, and public health law. Each session’s curriculum can vary based on CDC facility availability, so no two camps are exactly alike. Activities may include mock press conferences, lab sessions, simulated outbreaks, and global or environmental health projects. You’ll also hear short lectures from CDC scientists and work on hands-on activities about current public health issues.

13. Texas A&M University’s Camp ARCH

Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture hosts Camp ARCH, a week-long opportunity for high school students that combines academic courses with social activities to give you a feel for college life. You’ll focus on a specific track based on your preference and course availability. Options include Landscape Architecture, which teaches design, visualization, data analysis, and working as part of a team; Architecture, where you’ll get to explore design concepts, tools, and workflows; Construction Science, which covers teamwork, LEED certification, cost estimating, scheduling, and safety; and Urban Planning, where you’ll learn to deal with city planning challenges through site analysis, design workshops, and presentations while building skills in problem-solving and teamwork.

14. USF Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp

The USF Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp allows you to work with electrical and biomedical engineering faculty and explore different career paths in the field. You’ll study core topics with a focus on instrumentation and technologies used in healthcare. In the Design for X lab, you’ll plan, build, and test bioelectrical interfaces using advanced equipment similar to what cardiologists and neurosurgeons use. You’ll also measure bioelectrical signals from your own body and learn professional methods for storing and analyzing data. The camp uses an evidence-based teaching approach in a collaborative, hands-on environment, giving you practical experience with the tools and techniques used in biomedical engineering.

15. Arizona State University’s Healthcare Discovery Camp

ASU’s Healthcare Discovery Camp introduces you to careers in health and wellness. You’ll explore fields such as veterinary medicine, counseling and psychology, dentistry, nutrition, and pre-med through hands-on activities, lab work, workshops, and panel discussions with healthcare professionals. You’ll also experience ASU’s Dreamscape Learn Lab and spend time at the Polytechnic campus in Mesa learning with faculty, staff, and students from the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts. This camp will help you build communication, leadership, problem-solving, and creativity skills as well as give you a firsthand look at college life.

One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program

If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like investigative journalism, media studies, political reporting, data journalism, and the ethics of news and information, 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!

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of summer camps are available to high school students?

You’ll find a mix of formats, including business and finance camps like Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business and Western Michigan’s Dollars and Sense Camp, STEM-focused camps like Michigan State’s Quantum Motor City and USF’s Biomedical Engineering Camp, and career exploration camps like the CDC’s Disease Detective Camp and ASU’s Healthcare Discovery Camp. There are also creative and arts-focused options, like Stanford Jazz Camp and ASU’s Popular Music Summer Camp, if your interests lean toward the arts rather than STEM or business.

Do you need prior experience or coursework to apply?

It depends on the camp. Michigan State’s Quantum Motor City Camp requires completed coursework in algebra and trigonometry, and Stanford Jazz Camp requires at least 18 months of experience with your instrument or voice. Others, like the CDC’s Disease Detective Camp and most business-focused camps, don’t require specific prior experience and are designed as introductions to the subject.

Are there free options available?

Yes, a couple of camps on this list don’t charge a fee. Michigan State’s Quantum Motor City Camp and the CDC’s Disease Detective Camp are both completely free. Most other camps charge tuition ranging from around $100 for a short bootcamp to over $2,000 for longer residential programs, though many offer need-based scholarships.

Which camps are designed for specific student populations?

A few camps are specifically designed with certain groups in mind. Eastern Michigan’s Terabytes AI Summer BootCamp is limited to high school girls, and the University of Florida’s Gator Vet Camp is specifically designed for first-generation students, students from low-income backgrounds, or those with limited exposure to veterinary medicine. Most other camps on this list are open more broadly to any eligible high school student.

Which camps focus specifically on healthcare or medical careers?

If healthcare interests you, Nova Southeastern’s AIM-High Day Camp, the University of Florida’s Gator Vet Camp, USF’s Biomedical Engineering Summer Camp, and ASU’s Healthcare Discovery Camp all offer hands-on exposure to medical and health-related fields. These range from broad career exploration, like ASU’s camp covering veterinary medicine, counseling, and dentistry, to more specialized technical training, like USF’s focus on bioelectrical instrumentation.

Is there a way to pursue independent research instead of a short-term camp?

Yes. If you’d rather work one-on-one with a mentor on an original research project than attend a short-term subject-specific camp, Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs pairs you with a professor or PhD scholar to develop a 20-page research paper you can submit for academic publication. The program also provides a letter of recommendation and detailed feedback, and covers over 600 research specializations. You can find the application here.

When should you apply?

Deadlines for these camps are spread throughout the year, so it helps to plan ahead. University of Florida’s Gator Vet Camp has one of the earliest deadlines, running from January 5 to February 27, followed by ASU’s Camp Cronkite (January 15 to March 15) and Texas A&M’s Camp ARCH (March 8). April and May bring a few more deadlines, including Michigan State’s Quantum Motor City Camp (April 18) and Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business (May 1). Several camps, including USF’s Biomedical Engineering Camp and Western Michigan’s Dollars and Sense Camp, operate on a rolling basis, so it’s worth applying as early as possible for those options.

Image source: Arizona State University