Are you based in Georgia and want an affordable way to explore a subject outside school?
If yes, local summer camps can provide a chance to dive deep into a specific subject while building advanced skills outside the classroom.
What are summer camps for high school students? How are they different from summer programs?
Unlike longer summer research or pre-college programs, summer camps usually are shorter in duration, tightly structured, and designed to focus on a single discipline, whether it’s engineering, computer science, medicine, or the arts.
Georgia is home to a wide range of organizations and universities, such as the University of Georgia and the Georgia 4-H program, that run camps each summer. Summer camps can give you access to high-quality learning experiences close to home. For those based in Georgia, choosing a local program can also be a cost-effective option, as it often eliminates the need for additional travel and housing expenses.
Below, we have listed 13 summer camps in Georgia for high school students that can help them work on an advanced skillset and gain in-depth experience. We have also included a few virtual camps that students in Georgia can apply to.
1. Summer Academy at the University of Georgia
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost: Varies as per camp; need-based scholarships available
Dates: Multiple week-long sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling, until camps are full
Eligibility: All high school students
The Summer Academy at the University of Georgia is a series of specialty summer camps designed for high school students. It offers engaging STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) programs and career exploration camps in many fields such as medicine, engineering, animation, arts, media studies, and more. Each camp is designed around a specific career or academic theme and taught by university faculty, professionals, or field experts. Many sessions include group projects, simulations, or capstone-style presentations to put concepts into practice. The program is built to help you explore potential career paths while gaining hands-on skills in a focused, short-term format.
2. CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. at Georgia Tech
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: $400–$650 per camp; scholarships are available
Dates: Weekly sessions between June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically remains open until one week before the start of each program unless spaces are filled earlier
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade high school students
Georgia Tech’s CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S. offers one- and two-week camps centered on focused STEAM topics such as artificial intelligence, data science, neuroscience, animation, drones, and music coding. Faculty from departments like Computing, Psychology, and Engineering lead the sessions, often incorporating lab work, design challenges, and creative projects. Some camps also feature field trips, guest lectures, or final showcases where you present what you’ve built. The program emphasizes applied learning, giving you concrete skills and experiences to take beyond the camp. They take place on the Georgia Tech Atlanta campus during June and July, running daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with optional extended care available.
3. Georgia 4-H Summer Camp – Senior Programs
Location: Multiple 4-H Centers across Georgia (Camp Jekyll, Rock Eagle, Burton, Wahsega, Fortson)
Cost: $440-$565; scholarships are available
Dates: Week-long sessions in June and July
Application Deadline: Typically May
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Georgia 4-H offers several senior-level summer camps that combine outdoor adventure with environmental science and leadership development. Options include Senior Camp at Camp Jekyll, EXTREME Camp at Rock Eagle, and a Natural Resources Exploration Camp. Depending on the site, you might canoe, hike, complete ropes courses, or take part in wildlife studies while also learning about ecosystems and conservation. The camps are staffed by UGA Cooperative Extension leaders and follow 4-H’s “head, heart, hands, and health” approach to experiential learning. Each program emphasizes teamwork and personal growth in a structured outdoor setting.
4. Young Writers Intensive Summer: High School at Agnes Scott College
Location: Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA
Cost: Paid camp, but fees are not explicitly mentioned
Dates: June 2 – 13
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Students ages 14–18 (grades 9–12)
The Young Writers Intensive is a two-week program designed to sharpen your craft in multiple genres, from fiction and nonfiction to spoken word and digital storytelling. Daily workshops focus on building narrative voice, structuring plots, and shaping characters, while also teaching editing and revision skills. You’ll participate in peer review sessions, receive one-on-one mentoring, and learn about publishing practices like pitching work and understanding literary markets. With a small cohort size, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate closely with fellow writers and push your creative boundaries. The camp balances independent writing time with group exercises that keep ideas flowing.
5. DiscoverU at Kennesaw State University
Location: Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Cost: Varies as per camp between $499 – $999
Dates: Weekly sessions from June 2 – July 25
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Rising 9-12 grade students
DiscoverU offers week-long, themed summer camps that let you explore career fields such as healthcare, business, engineering, and technology. Each session combines hands-on activities, project-based learning, and skill-building exercises designed to help you better understand both subject matter and workplace applications. Camps are structured to give you a practical introduction to different career paths while also offering a preview of university life. By the end of the week, you’ll have gained exposure to specific fields and a clearer sense of how your interests connect to potential academic or professional goals.
6. Georgia Film Academy Summer Camps
Location: GFA Trilith Studios (Fayetteville) and GFA OFS Studios (Norcross), GA
Cost: Screenwriting: $625 | Production: $600 | Post-production: $500
Dates: Screenwriting: June 2–6 | Film Production: June 6–8, June 13–15, June 20–22, July 11–13, July 18–20 | Post-production: July 25–27
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 9th graders through age 17
The Georgia Film Academy (GFA) Summer Camps are immersive programs designed for high school students to explore filmmaking through hands-on education. These camps teach everything from story development and scriptwriting to filming, editing, and post-production using industry-standard tools. Each camp takes place at professional studios, giving you access to industry-standard equipment and sets. You will work on collaborative projects, learning skills such as script development, filming techniques, or editing workflows, depending on your chosen track. Programs conclude with a final showcase, allowing you to present completed work alongside peers in a professional setting.
7. 21st Century Leaders Summer Leadership Institutes
Location: Emory University (Atlanta, GA), Georgia Tech (Atlanta, GA), Georgia College & State University (Milledgeville, GA)
Cost: $395; financial aid is available
Dates: One week during the summer; exact dates depend on the institute
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders living in Georgia
The 21st Century Leaders Summer Leadership Institutes are week-long, residential programs held on college campuses in Georgia, designed to help rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors develop leadership skills through immersive experiences. You will explore career-focused themes such as sustainability, healthcare, or film and programs that mix interactive workshops with team-based projects, like drafting a business plan or designing a community initiative. You’ll also visit companies and nonprofits to see how professionals apply leadership in real-world contexts. Each institute blends structured training with opportunities to practice communication, teamwork, and problem-solving in an applied setting.
8. Wealthy Habits Money Smart Summer Camp
Location: Multiple Atlanta-area sites, including Emory University and Duluth High School
Cost: $225 (2-day) | $450 (5-day); scholarships are available
Dates: Various weekly sessions between May – August
Application Deadline: Rolling until spots are full
Eligibility: Students ages 11–18
The Wealthy Habits Money Smart Summer Camp is a fun and interactive financial literacy camp designed for students aged 11 to 18. It aims to empower youngsters with essential money skills through hands-on activities, games, and real-life financial lessons. Depending on the track, you’ll spend two or five days learning skills like budgeting, investing, and credit management, along with behavioral aspects of financial decision-making. Sessions use group collaboration, competitive games, and real-world scenarios to reinforce key ideas. Instructors are trained college students who guide you through practical exercises designed to help you apply concepts in everyday life.
9. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Location: CDC Campus, Atlanta, Georgia
Cost: None
Dates: June 23 – 27; July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: March 7
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors during the current school year | 16 years old by the first day of the camp to comply with CDC’s laboratory safety requirements
Held at the CDC headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp is a competitive five-day program designed for high school students interested in epidemiology and public health. At this camp, you step into the role of a public health investigator at the CDC. Through simulations and case studies, you practice skills in epidemiology, outbreak response, lab science, and emergency preparedness. You also examine how communication strategies are used in real public health crises. The program emphasizes teamwork as you collaborate with peers from across the country on applied challenges. Direct interaction with CDC professionals offers insight into the day-to-day work of disease detectives.
10. Oxford College Summer Experience Program
Location: Oxford, GA
Cost: None
Dates: June 2 – 6
Application Deadline: Not specified; students need to contact their school counselors for specific deadlines as they act as the primary point of contact and are responsible for distributing information, application forms, and collecting submissions
Eligibility: Rising 10th and 11th graders from Newton County and Putnam County Charter School Systems
Each summer, Oxford College of Emory University hosts a week-long Summer Experience Program specifically designed for rising high school sophomores and juniors from certain local school systems. You will study diverse subjects like political science, chemistry, and English, all taught by Oxford College faculty. The program also includes sessions focused on college admissions, financial aid, and academic planning to prepare students for their college applications. Alongside academics, the schedule features field trips, wellness activities, and team-building exercises. By the program’s conclusion, you will have a clearer understanding of how to align your high school choices with long-term academic and career goals.
11. Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute (SEI)
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Cost: None
Dates: June 8 – 16
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders interested in engineering, science, math, or technology
The Georgia Tech Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) is a residential summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in engineering, science, math, or technology. In this program, you’ll explore engineering and computer science through lab experiments, design projects, and structured workshops. The program covers multiple branches of engineering, highlighting how disciplines like mechanical, electrical, and computing intersect in real-world problem-solving. Daily sessions emphasize collaboration, technical tools, and analytical skills relevant to the field. You’ll also engage with Georgia Tech faculty and students in both classroom and informal settings. Facility tours and admissions-focused sessions provide additional context for pursuing STEM in college.
12. Emory Winship Cancer Institute Summer Scholars Research Program
Location: Emory Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: None / $2,400
Dates: June 9 – July 18
Application Deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Rising or graduating high school seniors | 16 years old by program start
This six-week program places you in a clinical or laboratory research environment where you contribute to oncology-focused projects under faculty supervision. You’ll gain experience in research design, data collection, and analysis while also attending lectures on cancer biology, treatment development, and public health. Mentorship is central, as you work closely with an investigator to guide your project and prepare for a final presentation. Site visits to institutions such as the CDC Museum and Georgia Tech expand your understanding of biomedical research. The program concludes with a symposium where you share your findings with researchers and clinicians.
13. UGA Young Scholars Internship Program
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, Griffin, or Tifton campuses, GA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Dates: July 1 – 10
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: High school students who are 16+ by the program start date | Completed sophomore year | Completed one lab science course and one semester of algebra
The UGA Young Scholars Internship Program is a paid five-week summer research internship for high school students interested in agricultural, food, and environmental sciences. You’ll spend 30 hours each week on an individual project guided by a UGA faculty mentor, building skills in experimental design and data analysis. The program integrates workshops and field visits to agricultural sites to show how research connects to food systems and environmental management. Peer collaboration is built into the structure through shared programming across the different campuses. Your experience concludes with a poster presentation at the Young Scholars Pre-Collegiate Research Conference.
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 – Georgia Institute of Technology logo