Are you a high school student in West Virginia looking for a chance to develop advanced skills and equip yourself with practical knowledge? If yes, then summer programs in the field of your interest are excellent opportunities for you.
West Virginia offers an array of summer programs in subjects ranging from technology and engineering to environmental sciences and creative arts. Each program is designed to help you deepen your expertise and technical knowledge while improving your ability to solve real-world problems. These summer programs include activities like field studies, lab experiments, creative workshops, and leadership exercises.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 10 summer programs for high school students in West Virginia
1. Horizon’s Academic Research Program (HARP)
Subject Areas: STEM, Humanities, Data Science, and more
Location: Virtual
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs in areas like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, chemistry, neuroscience, and psychology. You can choose either quantitative or qualitative research methods. After selecting your track, you’ll collaborate one-on-one with a professor or PhD scholar from a leading university to develop a 20-page research paper suitable for journal submission. The program provides specialized field knowledge, expert guidance, a recommendation letter, and feedback to improve future projects and college applications. Apply now for this unique opportunity!
2. American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Girls State
Subject Areas: Government, Leadership, Civic Service
Location: American Legion Auxiliary departments (states) across the country
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: Deadlines depend on the state you apply in
Dates: June 9 – 15 for West Virginia
Eligibility: Female high school students who have completed their junior year
The American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program offers high school students who have finished their junior year experience in government and political systems. Sponsored by local units of the American Legion Auxiliary, this program allows you to participate in a simulated government where you will be assigned roles within mock cities and political parties. Emphasizing hands-on learning, the program encourages you to connect with peers while developing your understanding of governance. It is designed for candidates with demonstrated leadership skills and a strong interest in government and current affairs.
3. Veritas AI
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Finance, Medicine
Location: Remote
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including the summer
Cost:
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp)
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1:1 mentorship)
- $6,900 for both AI Scholars + Fellowship
- Need-based financial aid is available
Eligibility: High school students. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort.
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduates, offers two programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on collaborative learning in AI applications, while the AI Fellowship provides personalized mentorship from PhD experts for independent research projects.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll examine AI’s influence on fields such as finance, medicine, and gaming, with opportunities to publish or present your work. Previous projects have explored AI in medicine, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program emphasizes technical skill-building and applying AI concepts to real-world challenges.
4. Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program
Subject Areas: Aquatic Science
Location: This internship places students in their hometowns within a reasonable commuting distance
Stipend: $3,000 provided
Application Deadline: January 19
Dates: TBD
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors or college freshmen who live and have residency in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada and will be at least 16 by the internship start date
The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology program is an 8-week paid internship sponsored by the American Fisheries Society. This program is targeted toward students interested in fisheries and aquatic science. You will be matched with a fisheries and aquatic science professional in your area and engage in hands-on activities in a marine or freshwater setting. As an intern, the activities you will undertake include taking fish population surveys, establishing aquatic vegetation and fish habitat, electrofishing, snorkeling, examining specimens under a microscope, water quality testing, data processing, and helping with children’s educational programs, among others. You will be expected to submit biweekly time sheets, a mid-summer report, and a final report in order to complete the internship and receive a $3,000 stipend.
5. High School ACCESS Early College Program
Subject Areas: Accounting, Technical Writing, Gender Studies, Film Studies, Agriculture, Anthropology, Computer Science, Criminology, Geology, Music, Philosophy, Public Relations, Sociology, Theater, and more
Location: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV or virtual
Cost: $25 per credit hour for West Virginia residents and $75 per credit hour for non-resident students
Application Deadline: May 14 for Summer
Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school or home-schooled sophomores, juniors, or seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The ACCESS Early College Program by West Virginia University (WVU) offers students on-campus, online, and dual-enrollment classes in a variety of subjects. Some of the on-campus courses include Accounting, Agriculture, Anthropology, Computer Science, Criminology, Geology, Music, Philosophy, Public Relations, Sociology, and Theater among others.
The program gives you the chance to earn credits before you graduate, and the accredited courses provided by WVU can be transferred to other institutions of higher learning across the U.S.
6. Forensic Science Summer Camp by West Virginia University
Subject Areas: Forensic Science, Biology, Chemistry
Location: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Cost:$1,399
Application Deadline: Registration will open in mid-January
Dates: This program offers 2 camps that are expected to run in June and July
Eligibility: Students entering 11th or 12th grade in Fall
The Forensic Science Summer Camp is designed to equip you with practical knowledge and techniques that forensic scientists use in their work through theoretical and experiential learning. This program covers fundamental topics like latent fingerprints, crime scene investigation, forensic biology, and forensic chemistry to help build conceptual clarity. It concludes with the Crime Scene Training Complex with mock crime scenes. This program is a great choice if you’re interested in pursuing forensic science, as it enhances critical thinking, lab skills, and investigative techniques.
7. Brain Camp by West Virginia University
Subject Areas: Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy
Location: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Cost: $800, financial aid available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: July 14 – 20
Eligibility: High school students entering the 11th and 12th grades
Brain Camp by West Virginia University is a program for 11th and 12th graders interested in exploring the field of neuroscience. Through presentations and demonstrations facilitated by faculty and graduate students of the Department of Neuroscience, you’ll explore topics like basic lab safety, research ethics, and the scientific process. You’ll learn about neuroanatomy, the effects of light at night, addiction and drug use, the impacts of stroke, cognitive aging, brain plasticity, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
8. Engineering Challenge Camps by West Virginia University
Subject Areas: Engineering, Innovation, Robotics, Coding
Location: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Cost: $425, financial aid may be available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Dates: TBA.
- GirlGenius: June 24 – 28
- Innovation University: July 15 – 19
- RoboCode: July 29 – August 2
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12
The Engineering Challenge Camps at West Virginia University provide high school students the opportunity to understand how engineering and computer science impact daily life through hands-on learning. This program offers three 1-week camps with different curricula. The GirlGenius camp is tailored for female/non-binary students interested in exploring innovation in engineering. The Innovation University camp is designed for aspiring engineers to delve into innovation through hands-on projects, collaborative problem-solving, and cutting-edge technology across all disciplines of engineering. The RoboCode camp introduces participants to robotics and coding.
9. Camp STEM by West Virginia University
Subject Areas: STEM, Electronics, Forensic Science, Automobile Engineering, Robotics
Location: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Cost: $600, scholarships available
Application Deadline: TBA
Dates: June 9 – 14
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Camp STEM is a week-long camp for high schoolers that includes various STEM classes, special projects, and field trips. The topics covered during this camp range from electronics, where you’ll learn how to build circuits and construct simple motors; forensic investigation, which explores the science behind fingerprints and blood spatter analysis; automobiles, where you’ll learn about engines, transmissions, brakes, exhaust systems, and electric cars, and robotics in which you’ll work with a team to design, build, and operate a robot as you compete against other students.
10. West Virginia Junior Nursing Academy
Subject Areas: Nursing, Healthcare, Medicine
Location: West Virginia University Institute of Technology, Beckley, WV
Cost: Free
Application Deadline: March 14
Dates: August 13 – 14
Eligibility: Students who will be entering 8th, 9th, or 10th grade and have a 3.0 GPA
The Junior Nursing Academy is focused on students interested in learning about the nursing profession. This day camp will teach you essential nursing skills, such as how to help patients and maintain a safe and sterile nursing environment under the guidance of real nurses. Each student will be paired with a professional nurse who will be their mentor for the camp. You will also get to visit hospitals, learn to take vital signs, and earn a CPR certification.
Image Source – West Virginia University Logo
