15 Alaska Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 9 min read
Summer programs are a fantastic way for you to explore new interests, build skills, and gain valuable experiences beyond the classroom. These opportunities provide you with the opportunity to experience college-level academics, work on projects, and apply your skills.
Why should I participate in a summer program in high school?
Summer programs give you the chance to focus on an academic or skill-based interest outside the school year. They allow you to show colleges how you choose to spend your time when you are not required to be in class. Through this work, you can develop projects or experiences that give substance to your college applications. These experiences can also help you write more specific essays and speak clearly about your interests in interviews.
In Alaska, summer programs have unique settings, offering you the chance to learn through environmental research, cultural studies, science, and outdoor exploration. For high school students looking to challenge themselves, Alaska summer programs can be engaging and impactful. To help narrow the search, we’ve curated a list of the top 15 Alaska summer programs for high school students that combine strong academics, practical learning, and opportunities to connect with mentors.
15 Alaska Summer Programs for High School Students
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: May 26 to July 10
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors
RAHI provides a six-week summer program hosted at the University of Alaska Fairbanks designed to prepare rural and Alaska Native high school students for college success. This residential program will have you living on UAF’s Troth Yeddha campus and enrolling in college courses to experience firsthand the rigors of collegiate academe. Alongside the classroom instruction, activities include recreational outdoor activities, service learning, and community engagement. The program comes at no cost, making it a fully-funded college prep opportunity. Only around 50 students are selected each summer from rural and Alaska Native communities statewide.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a competitive research program for high school students. The program provides in-depth 1-on-1 research experiences for high school students in a wide variety of subject fields that you can pursue as a high school student. The program matches high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. By the end, you will have created an independent research paper! You can pick topics for research in areas like psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, etc.
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June to July
Application Deadline: Closes in March
Eligibility: Alaska high school students. Priority for Upward Bound qualifiers or students from T3 Alaska participating schools
Your Future Role in Alaska is a free, two-week course hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Through its T3 Alaska initiative, it partners with Upward Bound, a U.S. federal program that provides college prep support. You will be invited to the UAF’s Troth Yeddha Campus to explore college life at a real college campus. You will also take part in career development workshops, engaging in technology-building and team-building activities. T3 is funded through federal grants and partnership support, which is how the program is offered at no cost to the participants. The support covers housing, meals, and travel, making it a great low-barrier-of-entry program for students across Alaska.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session boot camp where you learn the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and data science while working on real-world projects. For students with more experience, the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase allows you to work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university on an individual project. This program also provides support from an in-house publication team to help you publish your work in high school research journals.
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 3 to July 15
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students who qualify for Upward Bound or T3 Alaska
Drafting Dreams is a hybrid program offered in-person at Fairbanks, AK, and online. Hosted by the University of Alaska Fairbanks through its T3 Alaska initiative, this is a writing academy designed to help you strengthen your skills. Over the course of the program, you will learn how to craft narratives, composition techniques, and engage in critical reading and reasoning activities. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you get one-on-one instruction, feedback, and support for your learning. If you’re passionate about writing, Drafting Dreams is an attractive academic experience to elevate your skills before college.
Location: Wrangell, AK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: May 27 to June 14
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Alaska high school students enrolled in or qualifying for Upward Bound or T3 Alaska
Tech Meets Nature is a summer session offered through T3 Alaska and the Upward Bound Summer Program. Hosted at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, this program’s focus is on exploring field science, technology, and environmental stewardship. You will be participating in a multi-week project deploying and monitoring remote bear cameras, collecting ecosystem data, and applying technology to wildlife and habitat research. Alongside the conservation work, you will also build wilderness skills like safe boat handling and back-country navigation using drones and mapping tools. The program is a heavily immersive project-based experience that’s full of hands-on skills development.
Location: Anchorage or MatSu Central, AK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Anchorage runs May 27 to May 30. MatSu runs June 2 to June 6
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Alaska high school students aged 13 to 18
Alaska Business Week is a one-week summer experience for Alaska high school students. Its focus is on teaching you the fundamentals of business, teamwork, and decision-making. You will form teams with like-minded peers to compete in a dynamic business simulation. Together with adult mentors, you will solve real-world challenges and learn ethical business practices. This experience exposes you to marketing, finance, leadership, and public speaking skills. ABW is a desirable choice to give you a competitive edge in workplace readiness and college preparation, especially for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Location: Kodiak Island, AK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Closes in April
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in wildlife conservation and environmental science
The Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Youth Leadership Program is a conservation-oriented summer experience part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It offers hands-on exposure to environmental education and wildlife stewardship. You will contribute to projects in small teams of interns under the guidance of refuge educators and biologists. You will lead field trips, engage in hands-on lessons, and take part in outdoor activities. This program provides mentorship and insight into careers in conservation, education, and public lands management. The Youth Leadership program is a strong choice if you’re interested in environmental science and outreach.
Location: Anchorage, AK
Cost: Free
Program Dates: July 6 to August 1
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: High school juniors, seniors, and recent graduates interested in healthcare careers
The Della Keats Program is a four-week residential summer experience for Alaska high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring future medical careers. It is hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage’s WWAMI School of Medical Education. You will deepen your understanding of biomedical sciences through pre-college coursework, supervised research projects, and structured job shadowing with medical professionals. You will live on a university campus mentored by medical and healthcare professionals as you attend guest lectures and take campus tours. The program is designed to help underrepresented students from Alaska Native and rural youth communities. Overall, this is a worthwhile engagement if you’re interested in pursuing future pathways in health sciences and medicine.
10. Teen Expeditions
Location: Various locations in Alaska
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Dates vary by site
Application Deadline: Typically closes in March
Eligibility: Alaska residents aged 13 to 18
Teen Expeditions is offered by the nonprofit Alaska Geographic in partnership with public land agencies. Its focus is to create a more diverse and welcoming outdoor community for Alaskans. This program offers a multi-day outdoor education experience blending wilderness skills with lessons on conservation. You will take part in small cohorts to explore Alaska’s iconic landscapes like the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, the Denali region, or Cape Krusenstern. Through these hands-on experiences and lessons from guides and scientists, you will learn about local ecology, geology, and cultural history and take part in conservation projects, wildlife observation, and stewardship activities. Getting in requires a nominator to support your application. Overall, a meaningful choice to foster connection to Alaska’s public lands and experience the rigors of backcountry travel.
Location: Anchorage, AK
Cost: $250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Program Dates: Multiple sessions, typically June to August
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 3 to 12
The University of Alaska Anchorage’s Summer Engineering Academies are a series of week-long STEM summer camps for students in grades 3-12. Each week of the program focuses on different engineering themes. Themes range from 3D design, printing, robotics, and bridge building. You will be instructed by UAA College of Engineering faculty and staff in small group sizes. Throughout the program, you’ll take part in problem-solving team projects with your group. Overall, this is a solid choice for any high school student curious about design, coding, robotics, or structures.
Location: Anchorage, AK
Cost: $590
Program Dates: June to July
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 13 to 18
The TBA Theatre Summer Performing Arts Academies offers different summer theatre programs in Anchorage for young artists. Under the guidance of seasoned theatre professionals, you get to develop performance and technical theatre skills. Hosted at the UAA Wendy Williamson Auditorium, these academies run multiple specialized tracks. The Technical Academy focuses on running the technical aspects of Academy productions under the guidance of a professional Stage Manager, which includes running lights and sound. Although the academies are primarily fee-based, the Academy also offers a scholarship fund to help students whose families might not otherwise afford the tuition.
Location: Anchorage, AK
Cost: $590
Program Dates: June to July
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Students aged 13 to 18
The TBA Theatre Summer Performing Arts Academies offers a variety of summer programs for young artists. The Advanced Actors Academy is designed for experienced actors. This is an intensive performance program. Under the guidance of instructors, you will be cast in a show with fully staged public performances. In the program, you will spend your mornings in classes that cover improv, stage combat, voice, dance, theatre games, circus skills, and more. Afternoons will then be spent rehearsing for a play which you will perform to the public by the end of the Academy.
Location: Anchorage, AK
Cost: Varies by length and location; you can find the details here
Program Dates: July 13 to July 24
Application Deadline: Closes May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 10 to 12
The Brown Environment Leadership Lab (BELL) is a two-week summer program focusing on environmental science, climate impacts, and leadership. Hosted by Brown University, you will be guided by Brown’s faculty and field experts. Set in Anchorage, you will alternate between classroom learning and hands-on fieldwork. Field excursions include going to places like the Matanuska Glacier and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. While you study, you explore cultural and ecological intersections and work to develop an action plan to address an environmental issue. This is a deeply experiential program that offers you a place-based understanding of environmental challenges.
Location: Juneau, AK
Cost: $12,000 to $14,000. Scholarship fund available
Program Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: Extended to January
Eligibility: High school seniors and gap year students aged 18 or older
The Juneau Icefield Research Program is an eight-week summer field course on glacier science, climate processes, and high-altitude field skills. You will be operating across the Juneau Icefield in Southeast Alaska and northern British Columbia. You will engage in fieldwork, explore glacial geomorphology, remote sensing, and wilderness safety under the guidance of rotating faculty and research teams. You will also carry out individual projects at established field camps near glacier systems like Taku and Gilkey. JIRP is a solid choice to foster skills in teamwork, communication, and outdoor survival. At the end of the program, you’ll also get to contribute to faculty-led research through a public presentation of your research findings.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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