Summer in North Carolina is a great time to try something new, build real skills, and meet people who care about the same stuff you do. Whether you love building robots, dissecting a frog, acting on stage, or designing an app, a short, focused camp can give you hands-on experience without the long-term commitment of a yearlong program. These camps are run by universities, community organizations, and research centers across the state, so you get strong mentoring and access to real labs, studios, and makerspaces close to home.
Why choose a camp over a program?
Camps are short and intense. They let you dive into one thing for a week or two and then move on. Programs usually run longer and are better if you want a deep, multi-month experience. Choose a camp when you want to try a subject, build a portfolio piece, or have a busy summer and still squeeze in meaningful learning. Pick a program when you want sustained mentorship or credit-bearing coursework. Both are useful. The trick is to match the format to your goals and your calendar.
North Carolina has a strong mix of offerings that are academic, creative, outdoorsy, and technical. But if you are looking for programs, you can check out our blog here.
14 Summer Camps in North Carolina for High School Students
1. Duke University – Neuroscience Experience (DUNE)
Location: Duke University, Durham, NC
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend provided (amount not specified); lunch included daily (no housing provided)
Application Deadline: February 9
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: North Carolina high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors (15+); U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or legal residents
DUNE places local high school students in Duke neuroscience labs for a full-time, eight-week research experience. After being matched with a faculty mentor, you’ll contribute to ongoing projects and develop technical lab skills through daily research activities. In addition to your lab work, the program offers workshops on neuroscience concepts, college applications, and professional development. The experience culminates in a poster session where you present your research findings to peers, faculty, and family.
2. Explore@UNC – UNC–Chapel Hill Summer Pre-College Week
Location: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Cost: To be announced during registration
Application Deadline: Application opens in December
Dates: June – July
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade students
Explore@UNC is a one-week pre-college program where you choose two academic fields to study over the course of the week, ranging from biology and archaeology to political science, music, public policy, and sports administration. Each track is led by UNC faculty and supported by current Carolina students, giving you exposure to both the theoretical aspects of a subject and its practical applications. You’ll participate in workshops, lab tours, and alumni panels that connect coursework to career paths, while also experiencing resources like academic advising, makerspaces, and career counseling. Beyond academic exploration, the program helps you reflect on how different disciplines align with your goals. It provides insight into what you may want to pursue—or avoid—when it comes time to select a major.
3. Wilson College of Textiles—Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP)
Location: NC State Wilson College of Textiles, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $450; need-based partial and full scholarships available
Application Deadline: April
Dates: June and July;
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Wilson College of Textiles Summer Textile Exploration Program (STEP) comprises five one-week sessions for rising high school seniors interested in exploring the textile industry, fashion, engineering, polymer science, and business marketing. During the week-long residential camp, you’ll explore how textiles intersect with science, design, and business. Each day focuses on a hands-on project in areas such as apparel design, polymer chemistry, or textile engineering, giving you practical experience with industry tools and methods. You’ll work in NC State’s labs and studios while collaborating with faculty, alumni, and current students. The program also includes tours of textile companies, allowing you to see how classroom concepts connect to large-scale production. Alongside academic work, you’ll learn about admissions, degree programs, and scholarship opportunities at the Wilson College of Textiles.
4. NC State Design Camp—Design Immersions Residential Program
Location: NC State University’s College of Design, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $1,550 (covers prep modules, housing, meals, instruction, supplies, activities, insurance); need-based aid available
Application Deadline: April 11
Dates: June 17, July 13 – 19
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th grade students
In this pre-college program, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of design through a studio-based project that can become part of your portfolio. Before arriving, you’ll complete online orientation activities and select your studio focus, giving you a foundation to build upon during the residential week. On campus, you’ll work on critical and creative thinking exercises while learning how design shapes everyday experiences. Studio sessions are structured to simulate the pace of college-level coursework, with faculty and teaching assistants guiding you through the process. The week concludes with a finished project that demonstrates your design skills and understanding of the discipline.
5. NC State University—Summer Engineering Residential Camps
Location: NC State University’s College of Engineering, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $1,500; limited need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: March 28
Dates: Week 1: June 15 – 20; Week 2: June 22 – 27; Week 3: July 6 – 11; Week 4: July 13 – 18
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
This week-long residential program introduces you to engineering fields through focused workshops led by NC State faculty. You’ll spend the majority of your time in a single workshop area—such as aerospace, biomedical, or chemical engineering—working on technical projects and problem-solving tasks. Daily schedules include morning-to-afternoon sessions in labs, followed by camp-wide activities in the evenings. The program begins with orientation and a welcome dinner, helping you connect with peers and staff, and concludes with a showcase where you present your work to family and faculty. Living on campus also gives you firsthand insight into student life at NC State.
6. NC State University’s Horticultural Science Summer Institute
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Not listed. Write to [email protected] for more info
Application Deadline: April 1
Dates: July 6 – July 11
Eligibility: Open to all high school students interested in horticulture or agriculture
This week-long residential program introduces you to the science and practice of horticulture through workshops led by NC State faculty, staff, and students. You’ll explore topics such as plant propagation, vegetable breeding, floral longevity, and sustainable production techniques. Field visits to farms, markets, greenhouses, and research gardens will give you exposure to real-world agricultural practices. The program also integrates leadership development, team-based projects, and guidance on preparing for college. Hands-on activities may include grafting tomatoes, tree climbing, or analyzing genetic traits in plants, providing both scientific and applied perspectives on horticulture.
7. NC State University’s Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: Free for all accepted participants
Application Deadline: March 31
Dates: June 15 – June 20
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (ages 16–17)
IFAL is a week-long leadership and career exploration program for students interested in agriculture and related fields. You’ll attend workshops on leadership development, engage with university faculty, and explore agricultural majors at NC State. The schedule includes site visits to teaching and research farms, agribusinesses, and agricultural organizations across North Carolina. You’ll also meet policymakers at the General Assembly and connect with professionals at the NC Farm Bureau. The program emphasizes the role of emerging technologies in agriculture while offering a structured introduction to both career pathways and leadership skills.
8. Conservation Corps North Carolina Youth Conservation Crews
Location: Various sites across North Carolina
Cost/Stipend: N/A
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: 3–5 weeks in June, July, or August (varies by crew)
Eligibility: NC residents, ages 15–18
The Youth Conservation Crews place you in small teams to work on projects that support North Carolina’s public lands and natural resources. You’ll gain practical skills in trail building, habitat restoration, and conservation management while working outdoors full-time. Options include day crews in Raleigh, Durham, and Old Fort, as well as a camping crew in Uwharrie National Forest. Day crews return home each night, while camping crews live and work together in the field for the duration of the session. All crews are led by trained staff. Participants are expected to commit to working 40 hours per week.
9. UNCG Summer Music Camp
Location: UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Cost: N/A
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Dates: Week 1: July 6 – 11 or Week 2: July 13 – 18
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–12 (placed into bands by level)
The UNCG Summer Music Camp provides intensive music instruction through ensemble rehearsals, masterclasses, workshops, and private lessons. You’ll study under UNCG faculty while focusing on technique, repertoire, theory, or composition, depending on your interests and placement. The program emphasizes both individual growth and collaborative musicianship through group rehearsals and performances. Recreational activities are also built into the schedule to balance training with downtime. By the end of the week, you’ll leave with refined musical skills, performance experience, and connections to peers who share your interests.
10. Elon University – Summer Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR) Programs
Location: Options in Alamance County, across the U.S., or abroad; service programs are coordinated through Elon’s Kernodle Center for Civic Life
Cost: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Rolling
Dates: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Varies depending on the specific ELR program; see individual listings for requirements
Elon University integrates experiential learning into its curriculum through the Experiential Learning Requirement (ELR), and many of these opportunities can be completed in the summer. ELR encompasses five tracks: internships, leadership roles, service learning, undergraduate research, and global engagement. For example, you may intern in marketing and sales at the Love School of Business, take on leadership by managing a student organization, collaborate with a nonprofit to address a community issue, conduct research on plant biology, or participate in a study abroad program. Each experience follows a process of preparation, action, and reflection designed to deepen learning and foster adaptability. By participating, you’ll gain practical skills, broaden your perspective, and strengthen your ability to apply knowledge in academic, professional, and civic contexts.
11. UNC Greensboro Young Writers’ Camp
Location: UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Cost: N/A
Application Deadline: Contact [email protected] for more info
Dates: Contact [email protected] for more info
Eligibility: K-12 students
Each summer, Gate City Writes runs a Young Writers’ Camp for students in grades K-12. In the main session, you can explore your own interests by writing on a topic and in a genre of your choice. For the advanced track, you’ll take part in workshops led by local writers who guide you in developing skills across multiple forms, including spoken word, fiction, creative nonfiction, and even podcasting.
12. NC State University – Livestock Science Camp
Location: NC State University, Raleigh, NC
Cost: $900 (includes housing, meals, field trips, program materials)
Application Deadline: March 28
Dates: June 15 – 20
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18
This residential camp at NC State introduces students to animal and agricultural sciences through a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience. Over the week, you’ll rotate through educational units focused on beef and dairy cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and horses, gaining direct exposure to animal management and production. Laboratory activities, industry visits, and biotechnology demonstrations highlight how science and technology shape modern livestock production. Leadership workshops and guest talks with professionals further connect your learning to career pathways in agriculture, food safety, and veterinary science. The program accepts about 40 participants each summer, giving you an intensive introduction to the field while experiencing campus life.
13. Wake Forest University – Business Institute
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,200
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: Sessions offered throughout June
Eligibility: Open to current 9th–12th graders
The Business Institute provides a one-week immersion into the fundamentals of business management and strategy, giving you an overview of how companies are launched and sustained. Through seminars and case studies, you’ll explore key areas such as finance, operations, marketing, analytics, and innovation. Collaboration is a central component, as you’ll work in teams to analyze a business challenge, develop a solution, and present your ideas at the end of the week. Additional activities include site visits to local companies, networking events with industry leaders, and discussions with faculty from Wake Forest’s business school. By the close of the program, you will have sharpened your teamwork, problem-solving, and presentation skills while gaining insights into careers in business and entrepreneurship.
14. Camp Pinnacle
Location: Camp Pinnacle, Flat Rock, NC
Cost: $5,195
Application Deadline: September 17
Dates: Between June and August
Eligibility: Grades 1-11
Camp Pinnacle is a sleep-away summer camp in North Carolina, offering multi-week sessions that combine outdoor adventure, skill building, and community development for boys and girls. You’ll participate in a wide range of activities—sports, waterfront (swimming, boating), creative arts, outdoor skills, and off-camp “ventures” like hiking or canoeing—that are designed to be fun, physically engaging, and character-building. The camp emphasizes the “5 R’s” (Respect, Responsibility, Resilience, Reaching Out, and Reasonable Risk), with trained counselors who mentor campers and foster leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. Living in cabins, eating together in the dining hall, and participating in group evening programs provide opportunities to build independence, social skills, and friendships. The environment aims to be safe and supportive, with a focus on health, nutrition, and facilities that are carefully maintained. Visit here for more information.
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 –