15 Animation Summer Camps for Middle School Students
If you are a middle school student drawn to animation, film, or digital storytelling, you have probably already realized that there is a lot more to it than what school covers. An animation summer camp is one of the most fun and beneficial ways to explore that further.
As a participant, you get focused, hands-on time with character design, storyboarding, motion, timing, and the digital tools that working animators use every day, all in a creative environment that feels nothing like a regular classroom.
Why should I participate in an animation summer camp in middle school?
The skills you build at an animation summer camp don't disappear once the program ends. You'll learn how to tell stories visually, work with industry-standard animation tools, and turn an idea into a finished project. Learning these skills in middle school puts you a step ahead when you enter high school, especially if you're interested in creative fields like art, design, filmmaking, or technology.
Middle school is also a great time to start building a portfolio around the things you genuinely enjoy. Spending part of your summer learning animation gives you original work you can showcase in future applications, competitions, or creative opportunities.
With that, here are 15 animation summer camps for middle school students worth considering!
15 Animation Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: Middle school students (grades 6–8)
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program introduces middle school students to academic research through a structured, mentor-guided experience. You'll work with an experienced mentor to explore a subject of your interest, develop foundational research skills, and produce a short academic paper. The program covers subjects across STEM, humanities, and social sciences, and is designed specifically for students in grades 6–8 who want to get a head start on rigorous academic work. Completing JEP helps students build the habits and skills they'll need for high school and beyond.
Location: Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, MI
Cost: $7,265 (Financial aid is available)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 28–July 18 (Session 1) or July 19–August 9 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; applications currently open
Eligibility: Intermediate students in grades 6–8
At the Interlochen Arts Camp, you will engage in a comprehensive curriculum designed to master the foundations of visual storytelling through several distinct media. The program allows you to explore diverse techniques, including clay and puppet animation, paper cutout, and hand-drawn methods, while learning from faculty with professional film and television credits. You will spend your time in the DeRoy Center for Film Studies, a 26,000 square-foot facility equipped with professional-grade editing suites and a dedicated soundstage. Throughout the session, you may collaborate with other young artists in the Animators Workshop Group to produce short films intended for global festival circuits. Your experience concludes with a formal student showcase held in a state-of-the-art, 180-seat projection space, ensuring your final projects are viewed in a high-definition cinema environment.
Location: Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, NY
Cost: $2,100 (Scholarships are available for those with financial need)
Acceptance size/cohort size: 9 students maximum
Dates: August 10–August 21
Application Deadline: March 15 for scholarship applications; rolling registration for general admission
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–9 in the fall
The Jacob Burns Film Center offers a highly intimate learning environment where you can explore the technical nuances of stop-motion animation. During this two-week session, you will utilize professional-grade technology, including Dragonframe software and Canon DSLR cameras, to bring static objects and characters to life. The curriculum focuses on essential principles such as squash and stretch, timing, and exaggerated movement, while also covering cinematic elements like shot composition and lighting. You will experiment with various tactile materials, including clay, cut paper, and found objects, to build a diverse technical foundation. The program culminates in a capstone project where you apply your skills to create a fully realized animated scene.
Location: Moravian University South Campus, Bethlehem, PA
Cost: $170 for ArtsQuest members; $190 for the public
Acceptance size/cohort size: Small group intensive (Waitlist available)
Dates: June 29–July 2
Application Deadline: Rolling registration until filled
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–12
The Animation Exploration intensive at ArtsQuest provides a focused, hands-on introduction to the world of digital motion. During this four-day program, you will utilize iPads and the ToonSquid application to master the core principles of 2D animation. The curriculum is structured around creative exercises that guide you through the process of bringing original characters and ideas to life one frame at a time. Because this camp is held on the Moravian University campus, you have the chance to experience a collegiate environment while working under the guidance of professional teaching artists. This program is a standout among animation summer camps for middle school students due to its emphasis on modern mobile technology and accessible digital tools.
Location: Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, Allentown, PA
Cost: $350 per week (Members receive a $30 discount)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29–July 3 or July 20–24
Application Deadline: Registration closes one week before each camp begins
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
At the Da Vinci Science Center, the Pixel Maker program invites you to dive into the technical intersection of art and digital science. Throughout this week-long intensive, you will explore the complexities of 3D animation using Blender, a professional-grade modeling software. The curriculum balances digital creation with physical techniques, allowing you to develop stop-motion projects while mastering the fundamental principles of modeling and storytelling. Because the camp is hosted in the ATAS Innovation Studio, you have access to a high-tech environment that encourages experimental problem-solving and creative design.
Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost: $1,200 (Residential) or $800 (Commuter)
Acceptance size/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: July 5–July 10
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; early registration is encouraged
Eligibility: Rising ninth graders
Hosted in the Art and Interactive Multimedia Building, the 2D Animation Camp at TCNJ offers you a professional glimpse into the world of motion graphics and visual effects. You will work under the guidance of Emmy Award-winning faculty to transform your initial sketches into fully expressive short films. The daily schedule includes intensive classroom instruction followed by optional lab time, allowing you to refine your technical skills using industry-standard equipment. While this program is open to high school students, rising ninth graders are eligible to participate, making it an excellent bridge for those finishing middle school.
Location: New York City, NY, and Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $1,225 (1-week) or $2,325 (2-week); plus a $25 application fee
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Sessions begin July 6 or July 20
Application Deadline: Year-round rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 10–13
The New York Film Academy (NYFA) provides a high-intensity environment where you can learn to create high-quality 3D content. Using the industry-standard software Maya, you will apply the classic twelve principles of animation established by Disney to your own digital models. The curriculum is designed to be entirely hands-on, ensuring that you spend the majority of your time actively modeling and animating original characters. You will explore the technical nuances of virtual storytelling while receiving direct feedback from professional animators and visual artists. This program is a standout among animation summer camps for middle school students because it grants you access to the same software and workflows used by major film and gaming studios.
Location: Multiple locations across North Central NJ
Cost: $525 per week
Acceptance size/cohort size: 10 students per group
Dates: Sessions available weekly beginning June 15
Application Deadline: Friday at midnight before the desired camp week
Eligibility: Students aged 11–15
The Digital Art & Animation camp at Club SciKidz focuses on helping you transition from basic sketching to professional-level digital production. You will utilize advanced tools to master the complexities of layers, lighting, and fluid movement through the application of core animation principles. The curriculum is designed to be comprehensive, guiding you through the entire creative cycle from the initial concept and character design to a polished animated short. Throughout the week, you will work on building a professional-quality project that can serve as a significant addition to your creative portfolio.
Location: Parsons School of Design, New York, NY
Cost: $860 plus fees
Acceptance size/cohort size: Small class sizes with peer-level groups
Dates: July 27–August 7
Application Deadline: July 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
At the Parsons Summer Academy, you will join a community of young creators at one of the world's most renowned design institutions. The Animation Studio course for middle schoolers focuses on hands-on projects that develop your creative thinking skills and technical knowledge through immersive, half-day sessions. You will receive specialized instruction from expert faculty, benefiting from a curriculum that emphasizes both individual growth and collaborative abilities. Throughout the two-week program, you will engage in regular group critiques, allowing you to refine your visual voice while gaining exposure to a variety of art and design disciplines.
Location: SAIC Sharp Building, Chicago, IL
Cost: Not specified (Waitlist only)
Acceptance size/cohort size: 14 students (7 to 1 student-to-adult ratio)
Dates: June 29–July 10
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Students aged 10–13
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers a rigorous animation camp that focuses on bringing your unique artwork to life through a blend of traditional and digital media. You will explore a wide range of contemporary hybrid methods, including stop-motion, frame-by-frame animation, and digitally modified video. The curriculum encourages you to use diverse tools such as iPads, sound recorders, and video cameras to express complex artistic ideas while mastering the core principles of movement. A significant highlight of this program is the integration of the Art Institute of Chicago museum, where you will go on regular visits to gain inspiration from world-class collections. By working in a small cohort with both an instructor and a teaching assistant, you receive personalized guidance as you navigate both conceptual and technical challenges.
Location: Moore College of Art & Design, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $700 per course (5-week track savings available for $2,800)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Approximately 10 seats per class
Dates: July 27–July 31
Application Deadline: June 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
At the Moore College of Art & Design, the Animate It! Animator's Studio offers a fast-paced, hands-on introduction to the world of motion graphics. You will learn how to turn static drawings into moving characters while exploring the fundamental mechanics of storytelling through movement. The curriculum balances traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with beginner-friendly digital tools, allowing you to create short animated sequences frame by frame. Throughout the week, you will focus on sketching original characters and planning their actions to convey specific emotions. This program is a standout among animation summer camps for middle school students because it emphasizes real-world career competencies in a dedicated professional arts environment.
Location: Temple University Main Campus, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Approximately $215–$425 (Final pricing varies by session; financial aid inquiry available)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Small group sessions
Dates: July 30–August 3
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; inquiry list recommended
Eligibility: Ages 11–14 (Afternoon session)
The Adventures in Animation camp at Temple University provides an art-centered, tactile approach to the medium that prioritizes hand-drawn techniques over digital software. During this intensive half-day program, you will focus on the fundamental pillars of the craft, including character design, storyboarding, and the essential mechanics of timing and pacing. By engaging in a hands-on production process, you learn how to develop a narrative arc and apply professional "tricks" to enhance the visual quality of your individual films. This program is particularly beneficial for students who want to master the foundational artistry of animation before transitioning into complex computer-aided systems.
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: $600
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified (Small groups emphasized)
Dates: June 22–June 26, July 6–July 10, or July 13–July 17
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Students aged 11–14
The University of Texas at Austin provides a comprehensive 2D Animation Camp through its Radio-Television-Film department, designed to foster creative engagement in young storytellers. Throughout the week, you will bridge the gap between traditional stop-motion techniques and modern computer-based animation to produce original projects. The curriculum is tailored for beginners, ensuring you gain a solid grasp of animation principles without needing prior experience. Because the program is hosted within the Moody College of Communication, you have the opportunity to interact with an academic community dedicated to media excellence.
Location: UT Arlington TTC, Arlington, TX
Cost: $249
Acceptance size/cohort size: Small group format (5 openings remaining)
Dates: July 20–July 24
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; requests for refunds must be made two weeks before the start
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
At the University of Texas at Arlington, the LEGO® Stop Motion Animation camp provides a collaborative environment for you to master the end-to-end filmmaking process. You will work in teams to navigate every stage of production, including storyboarding, scriptwriting, character development, and intricate set design. Using LEGO® bricks as your primary medium, you will learn to bring static creations to life through precise frame-by-frame animation techniques. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you will gain technical proficiency while developing essential skills in teamwork and creative problem-solving. The week concludes with a group showcase where you can present your finished short films to your peers.
Location: Ridgewood, NJ or Montvale, NJ
Cost: $516–$645 (Early registration and sibling discounts available)
Acceptance size/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 29–July 2 (Ridgewood) or July 20–July 24 (Montvale)
Application Deadline: Rolling registration; discounts expire June 1
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
At Little Ivy Academy, you can immerse yourself in the Art in Motion! workshop, a program specifically designed to put the tools of digital filmmaking into your hands. You will work through the entire production pipeline, beginning with the development of a working script and moving into character design and set construction. The curriculum encourages you to deploy a variety of digital camera angles as you film your scenes, ensuring you capture your unique vision with technical precision. Furthermore, you will take charge of a digital console to edit your sequences together while integrating scene-stealing special effects.
One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you are interested in doing university-level research in STEM or other subjects, which can become a topic to talk about in your college application, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
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 in which students work one-on-one with a mentor to develop an independent research paper.