If you’re aiming for a competitive edge in college admissions, summer programs are your ultimate testing ground. They provide a valuable bridge between academic theory and real-world application, allowing teenagers to explore potential career paths before committing to a college major. You’ll develop technical proficiency in industry-standard tools, build a network of academic mentors, and develop niche skills that stand out on college applications. These programs foster independence and personal growth by placing students in new environments where they must navigate challenges, manage their time, and collaborate with peers from diverse backgrounds.
To see how these experiences fit into a broader academic plan, you can explore our guides here and here to find the right fit for your goals.
Why should you choose Chattanooga, Tennessee?
Chattanooga serves as a unique regional hub where ecological diversity meets a growing tech sector. Beyond its natural geography, “Gig City” is home to some of the fastest internet speeds in the world, fostering a robust environment for robotics, coding, and digital innovation. Chattanooga boasts top-tier institutions, such as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and prestigious preparatory schools like Baylor and McCallie, that host immersive academic, STEM, and leadership programs designed specifically for teens. Whether you are exploring the biodiverse ecosystems at the Tennessee Aquarium or engaging in advanced manufacturing workshops at Chattanooga State, the city provides a high concentration of hands-on professional sites that are rare for a mid-sized metropolitan area. The city is also surrounded by the scenic Appalachian Mountains. The “Scenic City” provides a natural playground for wilderness exploration, team-building, and specialized sports camps.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Chattanooga, Tennessee
1. BASF Tech Academy
Location: Chattanooga State Community College (Chattanooga-area sites), TN
Cost: None
Dates: June 8–12
Application Deadline: April 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in the Chattanooga, TN area
The TECH Academy is a week-long summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors. It provides hands-on experience to a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, engineering, chemistry, robotics, computer science, and chemical facility operations. Throughout the week, you’ll visit professional worksites and engage directly with industry experts to learn about real-world applications and career pathways. You’ll also explore skilled trades such as welding, maintenance, instrumentation, and process technology. The program typically involves morning classroom sessions at a partner community college followed by afternoon tours of BASF production facilities and other local manufacturing sites.
2. EXPAND TN Advanced Manufacturing Program (UTC)
Location: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) & Cleveland State Community College (CSCC), TN
Cost/Stipend: No cost / $7,000 stipend
Dates: Late May – early July
Application Deadline: October 31
Eligibility: Dual-enrollment high school students from Bradley Central, Polk County, and Meigs County High Schools taking the CSCC ENST 1300 class
The EXPAND TN Advanced Manufacturing Program is an experiential learning journey designed to introduce rural high school students to emerging technological careers. Throughout the summer, you will explore engineering topics, including additive manufacturing, sustainability, green engineering, and industrial automation. You will actively engage in hands-on activities such as constructing a functioning solar energy cell, touring local industry facilities, and participating in rotational job shadowing with regional manufacturers. Ultimately, you will develop practical research skills, technical proficiency in real-world manufacturing processes, and the professional networking abilities needed to launch a successful career in STEM.
3. Tennessee Governor’s School for Prospective Teachers (UTC)
Location: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), Chattanooga, TN
Cost: None
Dates: May 28 – June 19
Application Deadline: Early December
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors enrolled in Tennessee; must be nominated by a school faculty member
In this program, you explore core educational topics like classroom management, learning psychology, instructional technology, and lesson planning. You will actively engage in several key activities: observing real summer school classrooms, designing your own lesson plans, participating in simulated teaching exercises, and collaborating on a final educational project with your peers. The program allows you to live on a university campus and earn real college credit upon completion. Through these hands-on experiences, you develop critical skills in public speaking, empathetic communication, academic leadership, and collaborative problem-solving.
4. UTC Upward Bound Summer Academy
Location: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC Campus)
Cost: None
Dates: Six weeks during June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until full
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 at Brainerd High, East Ridge High, Red Bank High or Howard School of Academics and Technology; potential first-generation college student; family income does not exceed the level established by the US DOE
The UTC Upward Bound Summer Academy is a six-week residential program designed to help you prepare for the rigors of higher education. During your stay, you will dive into core academic topics including math, science, English composition, literature, and computer science. You will live in the campus dorms, conduct hands-on laboratory research, engage in mentorship sessions with university professionals, and go on cultural field trips. The program strictly focuses on genuine subject matter enrichment and advanced college prep rather than basic high school remediation. Ultimately, you will develop study habits, effective test-taking strategies, practical research capabilities, and the academic self-confidence needed to succeed in college.
5. GEAR UP at UTC Summer Programs
Location: University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), Chattanooga, TN
Cost: None
Dates: Typically a two-week session in June
Application Deadline: Varies annually (Usually mid-spring)
Eligibility: High school students enrolled in target Hamilton County partner schools (e.g., Brainerd, Howard, CGLA)
GEAR UP at UTC is a college-readiness initiative designed to help you build the academic foundation needed to transition to higher education. Throughout the summer program, you will explore real-world math applications. You will actively participate in hands-on activities such as campus scavenger hunts, dissecting sharks in the biology labs, touring the campus TV studio, and competing in the GEAR UP Olympics. The program integrates dedicated mentorship from current college students, which allows you to comfortably familiarize yourself with a real university campus environment. Ultimately, you will walk away having learned essential life skills, including complex problem-solving, time management, and teamwork.
6. Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation Job Shadowing
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee (1 Siskin Plaza)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round (Flexible summer scheduling)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students interested in physical therapy/healthcare
During your job shadowing experience at Siskin Hospital, you will explore the daily operations of a premier inpatient rehabilitation facility. The program covers critical topics in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and specialized neurological care. As a participant, you will observe clinical staff during real patient assessments, tour advanced therapy units, attend interdisciplinary team meetings, and help organize basic therapy equipment. The program exclusively focuses on long-term physical rehabilitation rather than acute emergency care, giving you a specialized perspective on the patient recovery journey. Ultimately, you will develop essential clinical observation skills, professional bedside manner, and a strong understanding of multidisciplinary healthcare communication.
7. La Paz Chattanooga Summer Service-Learning
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round (Flexible summer placements available)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students (bilingual English/Spanish skills preferred but not required)
As a high school volunteer at La Paz Chattanooga, you will engage in a hands-on service-learning experience dedicated to empowering the local Latino community. Throughout the summer, you will explore critical topics like immigrant advocacy, social inclusion, community outreach, and cultural awareness. You will actively participate by assisting staff with community event organization, helping with daily administrative office tasks, guiding neighborhood visitors, and providing basic English-Spanish translation services for local families. The program provides an immersive, bilingual environment that directly serves Chattanooga’s first-generation populations, allowing you to witness grassroots nonprofit operations in action.
8. Erlanger Health System VolunTEENs Program
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee (Multiple Erlanger campuses)
Cost/Stipend: $20 for the uniform shirt / No stipend
Dates: Six weeks in June and July
Application Deadline: Typically, April
Eligibility: Ages 15–18 (Rising sophomores to rising college freshmen)
As an Erlanger VolunTEEN, you will spend six weeks working inside a major teaching hospital to experience both clinical and administrative healthcare operations firsthand. The program covers essential topics in patient care, hospital administration, and medical support services. During your assigned shifts, you will deliver supplies to patient floors, assist clinical staff with clerical duties, help organize the physician practice areas, and provide general support to patients and their families. The program has a team-based structure, which assigns you to a specific hospital unit rather than rotating you randomly. By the end of the summer, you will learn essential workplace communication and develop professional customer service skills.
9. Bridge Refugee Services Youth Volunteering
Location: Chattanooga, Tennessee (Hal Drive office and various community sites)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round (Highly flexible for summer scheduling)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students (Volunteers under 18 must have parental consent or be accompanied by a guardian depending on the specific assignment)
As a youth volunteer at Bridge Refugee Services, you will play a vital role in helping newly resettled individuals and families transition into their new lives in America. The program covers essential topics such as cultural integration, language acquisition, and community navigation. During your service, you will participate in hands-on activities like conversational English tutoring, organizing donated household supplies, assisting with local youth summer camps, and helping guide families through basic community services. The program allows you to engage directly with diverse global populations right in your hometown, allowing for a grassroots approach to international humanitarian aid.
10. Chattanooga Zoo Summer Camp
Location: Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: $300/week (Zoo members); $350/week (non-members); June 15–18th rates: $240/week (Zoo members); $280/week (non-members)
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: All high school students
The Chattanooga Zoo Summer Camp is an immersive educational program designed for young animal lovers to get a behind-the-scenes look at wildlife conservation and zoo operations. The program offers age-specific tracks, including Junior Zookeepers of the World for rising 1st – 5th graders and Animal Care 101 and Conservation Action 101 for rising 6th – 12th graders. You’ll participate in up-close animal encounters, learn from zoo staff, engage in enrichment activities, and enjoy interactive games and crafts. Older students gain deeper exposure to animal husbandry, conservation science, and environmental stewardship through hands-on projects and local service activities.
11. McCallie Tennis Boarding Camp
Location: McCallie School, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: $895 per session; Early Bird: $845 before March 1
Dates: May 31 – June 4
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Male students ages 11-16; intermediate to advanced players only
The McCallie Tennis Boarding Camp is a residential summer program designed for boys (ages 11–16) that combines intensive tennis instruction with an immersive on-campus living experience. In this camp, you’ll live together in McCallie’s air-conditioned dorms and train on the school’s extensive indoor and outdoor tennis courts. Daily instruction is complemented by supervised free-time activities in the Sports & Activities Centre, including swimming, fitness, and recreational games. The residential setting fosters camaraderie, discipline, and independence while maintaining strong supervision. The program is ideal for dedicated young athletes looking to elevate their tennis performance while experiencing a high-quality boarding camp environment.
12. Girls Inc. of Chattanooga – Seasonal Camps
Location: Brainerd United Methodist Church, Chattanooga, TN (hosted by Girls Inc. of Chattanooga)
Cost: Summer of Impact: $275; Lemonade Day: $225
Dates: Summer of Impact: 4 weeks in June; Lemonade Day: 3 weeks in July
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Girls ages 5–18
Seasonal camps at Girls Inc. are immersive experiences that simulate a sense of adventure through interactive lessons, guest speakers, and field trips. They follow the “Girls Inc. Experience,” focusing on three core pillars: Strong (Healthy Living), Smart (Academic Enrichment), and Bold (Life Skills). They focus on physical activity and nutrition, engagement in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math), literacy, and financial literacy, and building leadership, confidence, and independence. The activities are tailored specifically to the girls’ age groups, ranging from kindergarten to high school.
13. Baylor Camp Overnight Walkabout
Location: Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: $3,500; discounts are available
Dates: Session 1: June 1–12; Session 2: June 22 – July 3
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 11th grade students
During the Baylor Camp Overnight Walkabout, you will immerse yourself in an intensive outdoor adventure program that uses the wilderness as your primary classroom. The curriculum covers essential topics in outdoor recreation, environmental stewardship, and backcountry safety. As a high school “Expeditioner,” you will rock climb the famous sandstone cliffs of the Tennessee Wall, whitewater kayak through the river gorge, explore vast local cave networks, and complete a multi-night backpacking trek. A uniquely defining feature of this camp is that it requires absolutely no prior outdoor experience, despite being led by highly trained Wilderness First Responders and whitewater rescue technicians.
14. Baylor Sports Camps – Crew (Rowing)
Location: Baylor School, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: $235
Dates: June 1–5
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: Students aged 12–16
The Baylor Crew Camp is a specialized sports clinic held on the Baylor School campus in Chattanooga, utilizing the school’s premier rowing facilities on the Tennessee River. It is designed for both beginners who want to try the sport and experienced rowers looking to sharpen their technique. You’ll train at Baylor’s on-campus boathouse located directly on the Tennessee River, as well as in the team’s dedicated dry-land training facilities in the Field House. Instruction emphasises rowing technique, conditioning, teamwork, and water safety in a structured yet supportive environment. The program is well-suited for both beginners curious about rowing and more experienced athletes looking to refine their skills.
15. Tennessee Aquarium Specialty Camps – Nocturnal Wonders
Location: Tennessee Aquarium, Chattanooga, TN
Cost: $400 per week (non-members); $360 per week (Aquarium members)
Dates: July 6–11
Application Deadline:
Eligibility: Students ages 13–16
During the Nocturnal Wonders specialty camp, you will explore the fascinating world of aquatic and nocturnal animal behavior. The program covers essential topics in marine biology, nocturnal adaptations, and animal husbandry. Throughout the week, you will take exclusive behind-the-scenes tours, prepare dietary enrichment for marine life, explore the exhibits with an educator after dark, and spend the night sleeping under the shark tanks. The program features an overnight component, allowing you to witness firsthand how the facility operates 24/7. Ultimately, you will develop keen behavioral observation skills, gain hands-on animal care experience, and deepen your understanding of marine conservation.
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!
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