If you’re a high schooler looking for a way to engage with tech without committing to a semester-long program, consider a summer camp!
Technology summer camps for high school students are short, focused programs that let you build concrete skills in areas such as computer science, robotics, cybersecurity, and data science. Unlike longer mentorship programs, these camps typically run for one to four weeks and focus on a single tech area.
Most summer camps for high school students are project-based, which means that you won’t just be sitting in lectures —- you will be actually coding, testing, and presenting your work. Along the way, you will be using coding languages including Python and Java to specialized software such as MATLAB, R, or Unity. You’ll gain experience working with your team mates, debugging code, and presenting technical results. Some programs conclude with capstone projects, research posters, or competitions, so you will walk away with something tangible to showcase.
To help you explore your options,we have rounded up 15 technology summer camps for high school students where you can dive into specialized fields, sharpen your technical skills and experience what it is like to work on real-world tech challenges.
1. CODE GALAXY Bootcamp
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $500
Program Dates: June 15 – 28
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Ages 14+, basic coding experience required
This two-week bootcamp gives you a crash course in full-stack web development by splitting between front-end and back-end development. In week one, you’ll use HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Bootstrap to build responsive static websites. The second week shifts gears to Python with Flask, where you’ll implement features such as database integration, authentication, and deployment workflows. You will work on projects using platforms such as Replit for coding and Heroku for hosting. By the end of the program, you’ll have built both a static site and a functional full-stack app — strengthening your understanding of web architecture and programming logic.
2. GenCyber Camp
Location: University of Missouri–Kansas City
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: July 22 – 26; July 29 – August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th – 12th graders; no prior cybersecurity experience required
GenCyber Camp is a one-week technology summer camp for high school students that introduces you to cybersecurity, digital forensics, and ethical hacking. You will dig into topics such as cryptography, password security, network scanning, steganography, and scripting, while also exploring emerging issues including blockchain, deepfakes, and game-based programming. Each day is packed with lectures, discussions, and hands-on labs, broken into multiple technical modules. The camp concludes with a team-based competition where you will apply your newly learnt skills to the test in real-world situations.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; financial aid available
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts – Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February), Spring (March–June)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort – Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students with an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher; no prior subject knowledge required
Lumiere gives you the opportunity to work with a PhD mentor and conduct independent research in fields such as computer science, engineering, and data science. Over 12 weeks, you’ll design your own research question, learn methods such as data analysis and computational modeling, and produce a full academic paper. Along the way, you will develop your technical writing and research skills, while gaining practical experience with tools such as Python, R, or MATLAB – depending on your project. Lumiere offers extended tracks lasting up to a year, so that you can deepen their research work.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $4,500 (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Spring & Fall cohorts (15 weeks), Summer cohort (10 weeks, June–September)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall cohorts)
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic standing (GPA > 3.67); most accepted students are in 10th–11th grade
Horizon offers research mentorship in subjects including data science, machine learning, and computational modeling. You will work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to design your research question and write a 20-page academic paper at the end of the program. Depending on your chosen track, you might use tools such as Python, R, or other quantitative tools, or pursue qualitative research methodologies. Throughout the program, you will get detailed feedback, while learning reproducible research design and sharpening your scholarly writing skills. You will also have the option to submit your paper to journals.
5. NextGen Summer Computer Science Programs (NYC & Live Online)
Location: In-person (New York City) or Live Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 – $1,500 per course
Program Dates: Various sessions, May – August
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students; beginner-friendly, no prerequisites required
NextGen offers short-format courses in areas such as Java, Python, web development, data science, and machine learning. Classes run anywhere from 20 to 95 hours and are built around hands-on, project-based assignments. If you are interested in design, you can explore creative modules using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere Pro. With a 8:1 student–teacher ratio, you will get personal attention, in addition to live Q&A sessions and one-on-one support. Whether you join in-person and online, every course focuses on applied practice, giving you reproducible projects you can showcase on college applications.
6. GenCyber Camp
Location: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: June 9 –13
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–12)
This five-day program is a fast-paced introduction to the world of cybersecurity. Through lectures and hands-on labs, you’ll explore topics such as network security, cryptography, and ethical hacking, while learning how to spot and fix vulnerabilities. You will also dive into digital forensics and coding for security applications, with plenty of lab-based experiments. No prior cybersecurity knowledge is required, making this a strong entry point if you are curious about cybersecurity as an academic or even future career path.
7. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual (global) + select in-person sites
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: Two – week sessions, June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive teens, ages 13–18; no prior coding experience required
Kode With Klossy runs free two-week camps designed to introduce you to coding and applied computing. You can choose a track that matches your interest — whether building websites with HTML, CSS and JavaScript, exploring artificial intelligence with Python, NLP and datasets, designing mobile apps with Swift and SwiftUI) or diving into data science with SQL, Python and visualization tools. Moreover, you will learn design awareness, covering areas such as accessibility, user experience, and algorithmic bias. Each track concludes with a showcase project, such as a fully functional app, chatbot, or data visualization. What makes Kode With Klossy unique is the community – you will be able to connect with other students from underrepresented genders in STEM, building friendships that could last for a lifetime..
8. Camp Integem – AI & AR Technology Camp
Location: Multiple sites in California (Bay Area & Los Angeles/Orange County)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; financial aid not listed.
Program Dates: Summer sessions, June – August (weekly and multi-week options)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Ages 5.5 – 18; high school track for ages 14+
Camp Integem is a tech camp where you can dive into today’s exciting fields – AI, robotics, drones, and holographic augmented reality (AR). You can pick a focus area such as AI-driven robotics, AR coding, 3D game design with Minecraft/Roblox, or drone engineering. Some tacks also give you the opportunity to earn NVIDIA AI certificates. The camp is all about hands-on application: you might build and program AI robots, launch stratospheric drones, or design your own immersive AR world. To top it all, Camp Integem is accredited by WASC and approved for AP-level coursework, so you will walk away with both technical training and recognized credentials.
9. AFA CyberCamps – CyberPatriot Program
Location: Varies nationwide (hosted by schools, universities, and local organizations)
Cost/Stipend: $1,200 (Standard), $1,500 (Advanced)
Program Dates: Weekly sessions available June 2 – August 15 (five-day format)
Application Deadline: Rolling; host locations announced in May
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; no prior experience required for Standard Camp
AFA CyberCamps are five-day, 20-hour programs that give you practical training on cybersecurity. In the Standard camp, you will learn the basics of Windows 10 security, Linux Mint, account management, and auditing, and even how to work with virtual machines and keeping cyber ethics in mind. Advanced camps go deeper with command line tools, Sysinternals Suite, Linux process management, and even modules from Cisco Networking Academy. Each week concludes with a CyberPatriot competition, where you will put your skills to the test by solving real-world security challenges on Windows and Linux systems.
10. TechLeaders Camp
Location: University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Cost/Stipend: Free (grant-funded, lunch provided)
Program Dates: Week 1: July 14 – 18; Week 2: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Students entering Grades 9–12; Algebra I recommended, no programming experience required
TechLeaders offers weeklong project-based camps that bring together computer science, engineering, and life sciences. You can choose from tracks such as molecular dynamics with VR visualization, running MATLAB simulations of the heat equation, coding projects in JavaScript with P5.js and Phaser, experimenting with cryopreservation methods in regenerative medicine, and exploring bioinformatics for genomic analysis. Each camp blends computational and experimental approaches, so you can find yourself working on MATLAB, thermal imaging, and coding frameworks. At the end of the program, you will complete a focused project that strengthens your skills in applied mathematics, coding, or biomedical informatics.
12. Manchester Tech Camp
Location: UNH Manchester, NH
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: July 28 – August 1; August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: General application closed; limited late openings available
Eligibility: Students entering Grades 9–12 in the Manchester School District (priority); space available for others after May 15
Manchester Tech Camp gives high school students the opportunity to dive into actual projects in applied robotics, biomedical engineering, and digital fabrication. You will take part in programs such as Body Builders, where you design Arduino-powered anatomical models, Zoom Lens, where you create 3D modeling and printing custom smartphone microscopes, and Perceptive Plushies, where you bring stuffed animals to life with biosensors and robotics. All this while, you will work in state-of-the-art UNH facilities, with guidance from expert faculty who help you combine coding, electronics, and engineering design. You can also earn 0.5 high school science credits through the Extended Learning Opportunity track – so that you will leave with both technical expertise and academic recognition.
12. USF High School CyberCon
Location: USF Tampa, Muma College of Business
Cost/Stipend: $450
Program Dates: One week
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders; open to students worldwide
USF CyberCon is a conference-style camp where you will dive into the world of cybersecurity. During the week, you’ll attend workshops on topics such as network defense, ethical hacking, and digital forensics, all taught by a mix of university faculty and industry professionals. The program blends lectures with hands-on activities, and networking panels where you can connect directly with cybersecurity experts. A highlight of the week is the Capture the Flag (CTF) competition, where you’ll test your skills in real challenges against other students. With partners such as Cisco and the FBI, the camp not only teaches you technical skills, but also gives you insights into career pathways in cybersecurity.
13. Rice ELITE Tech Camps
Location: Rice University, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Residential $3,795; Commuter $1,695
Program Dates: June 22 – 28; July 6 – 12; July 13 – 19; July 20 – 26 (residential) | June 23 – 27; July 7 – 11; July 14 – 18; July 21 – 25 (commuter)
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students interested in engineering and technology fields
Rice ELITE Tech Camps are one-week, college-level programs where you will get an inside look into engineering and advanced technology fields. You can choose tracks such as machine learning, internet of things, data science, C++ for human spaceflight, robotics, deep learning, and 3D printing. Each camp blends lectures with small-group exercises and project challenges, so that you learn how to apply theory to the engineering design process. Beyond the tech part, the camp focuses on nurturing leadership, project management, and communication skills. You will learn directly from Rice faculty, researchers, and industry professionals, giving you a taste of studying at the college level.
14. UT Dallas Computer Science K-12 Outreach Summer Camps
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost/Stipend: Varies; many camps free or discounted for low-income families
Program Dates: Two- and four-week sessions, June – August
Application Deadline: Rolling; varies by camp
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (Grades 6–12); open to younger students with an interest in coding
UT Dallas summer coding camps give you the opportunity to dive into – starting from the basics and building all the way to advanced skills. Depending on your level, you can start with Scratch and Alice to build animations and games, then move into Java, Python, and C++ for structured coding projects, and ultimately to app development, contests, and even college-level programming challenges. Camps run 1–1.5-hour sessions daily over two or four weeks. The classes are led by the students and faculty of UT Dallas. Throughout the sequence, you will sharpen skills such as syntax fluency, debugging strategies, and problem-solving techniques. Whether you are a beginner or ready to move on to the next level, there is a scalable path awaiting you.
Image source – The University of Texas at Dallas