10 Archeology Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 7
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 5
If you are a high school student interested in exploring archeology, a summer program in the field is worth considering.
Archeology programs can offer you key insights into archeological theories, principles, and subfields, along with hands-on experiences, like lab-based activities and field work involving excavation, mapping, and artifact identification. Additionally, you will get to learn from seasoned archaeologists and connect with like-minded peers, which can help you get a head start in building a network.
Participating in an archeology program in high school can also boost your profile and give your college applications an edge, as the experience demonstrates your willingness to explore your interests beyond the school curriculum.
To help you find the right options, we have shortlisted 10 archeology summer programs for high school students. We have focused on factors like the prestige of the host universities or organizations, the rigor of professional experience, and low-cost and/or fully funded experiences.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Sessions run for a minimum of 12 weeks, and start and end dates vary based on the chosen cohort and program format | Summer cohort: June – August | Fall, winter, and spring cohorts are also available.
Application deadline: Varies based on the cohort; Summer Cohort 1 regular deadline: May 11; Summer Cohort 2 deadline: June 23
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students who have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3/4.0.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research opportunity for high school students. During the program, you will be paired with Ph.D. mentors who will work with you 1-on-1 on an independent research project. You can choose from various subject areas, including anthropology and social sciences, and even customize your topic to explore the field of archeology. The 12-week program offers you the resources and support to complete a research paper. You will also have access to a writing coach during the program. If you successfully complete a Lumiere Research program, you are eligible for the three units of baccalaureate credits from UCSD Extended Studies. You can learn more about the program formats, offerings, and timelines here.
Location: Virtual
Dates: Vary according to cohort | The summer cohort lasts 10 weeks and starts on June 16
Application deadline: Varies based on the selected cohort; Summer cohort deadline: May 18
Eligibility: High school students; however, most program participants are high school sophomores and juniors | Applicants must have a strong academic background—more than 3.67/4.0 GPA | A few tracks have specific prerequisites. Apply here
The Horizon Academic Research Program offers ambitious high school students the opportunity to conduct in-depth research across subject areas. It is among the few programs that offer you a choice between quantitative and qualitative research in your chosen field. If selected, you will be paired with a professor/PhD scholar who will guide you through the program. You will also have access to a writing coach. At the end of the program, you will have your own 20-page research paper, which will be your intellectual property. You will also get a certificate of completion and a detailed report offering feedback that you can use in your future academic work.
Location: Project sites in Belize, Spain, and Portugal
Cost: $6,550 – $7,750 depending on the chosen location. The fee typically includes room and board, fieldwork and training, seminars and workshops, and transportation | Financial aid is available for students in need.
Dates: Two weeks in between May and July | Exact dates vary based on the site
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 12
The American Foreign Academic Research (AFAR) is a nonprofit that provides students the opportunity to work on archaeological sites in various parts of the world. You can choose from project sites in Belize, Spain, and Portugal. During the program, you will work on an actual archeological site under the guidance and supervision of established archeologists. You will get to participate in ongoing discovery and investigative work, including fieldwork, excavations, mapping, pottery washing, processing, and storing artifacts and inventory. You will also get to build upon your theoretical knowledge through workshops and excursions in the area with your team and explore Mayan and Roman civilizations. This experience can offer you firsthand insights into the daily lives of archeologists.
Location: Colonial Williamsburg Custis Square, Williamsburg, VA
Cost: None
Dates: Session 1 (9th and 10th graders): June 23 – 27; Session 2 (11th and 12th graders) July 7 – 11
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Colonial Williamsburg Public Archaeology Institute (PAI) offers high school students opportunities to work alongside professional archeologists. During the program, you will get to explore connections between documentary and archeological evidence and how they work together. You will also get to attend eight hours of classes that will cover the history of Custis Square and Williamsburg’s Public Hospital. You will also get to tour archaeological sites and explore artifact types, including architectural materials, ceramics, and faunal remains. You will also engage in hands-on work, like excavation, mapping, site recording, and interpretation of findings. At the end of the session, you will get to conduct a tour based on your observations and knowledge of the site.
Location: Fort St. Joseph and Niles District Library, Niles, MI
Cost: $175; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 (camps for younger students are available as well)
The Fort St. Joseph Archaeology Project Summer Camp is hosted by Western Michigan University in collaboration with the City of Niles. Here, you will get to work with archeologists and WMU students at the 18th-century mission, garrison, and trading post—Fort St. Joseph. A typical day at the camp would also involve sessions at the Niles District Library, where you will get insights into the history and archeology of the fort. You will also get to engage in excavations, identify artifacts, and network with mentors and like-minded peers during the program. This experience can help you get hands-on archeology experience and see what it's like to be an archeologist.
Location: Binghamton University SUNY, Binghamton, NY
Cost: $250 or just $75 for returning participants | Full and partial scholarships are available for 7th to 10th graders
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application deadline: Rolling admissions, deadline not stated
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 – 10 (CAP for teens); anyone who is 16 or older (CAP for adults)
The Community Archeology Program (CAP) is a five-day program offered by the Public Archaeology Facility (PAF) at Binghamton University. This program is conducted by the university’s archeologists and graduates. During the program, you will get access to a supervised learning experience on an excavation site, supplemented by lectures and time in the lab. Daily lessons will cover archeological techniques and concepts and involve activities with artifacts. You will also engage in experimental archaeology, conduct in-depth surveys, and practice mapping techniques during the program.
Location: Montpelier Burial Ground of the Enslaved, Montpelier, VA
Cost: $950; $300 non-refundable deposit | Free for descendants and African-American community members
Dates: July 13 – 18 | July 27 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students | Parents/family members can also join the participants
The High School Archeology Expedition offered by James Madison’s Montpelier is designed for those who want to gain some hands-on experience in archeology. During the program, you will get professional experience in excavation and survey of archaeological research sites while working with archeologists. You will also contribute to the preservation and discovery efforts on-site. The program also offers intensive training to help you pick up skills and techniques crucial for processing archeological samples in a lab. You will also get access to tours covering the history of the Montpelier home.
Location: Fairfield archaeological site and the Center for Archaeology, Preservation, and Education, Gloucester, VA
Cost: $200 per week; student has to manage housing and transport (limited support may be available)
Dates: One- to two-week-long sessions between mid-May and mid-August
Application deadline: None. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Students who are 16 or older
The Fairfield Foundation offers students opportunities to explore the field archeology through hands-on work experiences. As an intern, you will learn how to write grants, create a research project, develop projects for college credits, work with artifacts, and contribute to preservation efforts. You will also explore the basics of archeology in the field and lab. These internships are typically physically demanding and may require you to work with the foundation’s public archeology program alongside school groups and other volunteers or interns. You can find more details in the program flyer.
Location: The German Site, Kampsville, IL
Cost: One week: $950; two weeks: $1,875; three weeks: $2,800; four weeks: $3,700 | Scholarships are available | Residents of Calhoun, Pike, Greene, and Jersey receive a 10% discount on tuition
Dates: One- to four-week sessions held from June 15 – July 12 | You can choose any number or combination of weeks
Application deadline: None. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Students who are 13 – 17 years old
The Center for American Archaeology (CAA) offers students interested in archeology a hands-on learning experience at a Late Woodland/Jersey Bluff Phase habitation site. Here, you will learn how to engage in fieldwork, laboratory work, and identification of artefacts while working with professional archeologists. Currently, CAA archeologists are focusing on excavating house basins and associated features on site. You will assist the archeologists and get exposure to excavation techniques such as shoveling, troweling, soil description, mapping, flotation sampling, and measuring. You will also engage in lab work, which will include artifact washing, identification, and flotation. Lectures by CAA archaeologists and experts, along with excursions such as hikes, will also be key parts of the experience.
Location: The Alexandria Archaeology Museum and Shuter's Hill Site, Alexandria, VA
Cost: $400; scholarships are available
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Eligibility: Students who are 13 to 15 years old
The Alexandria Archaeology Summer Camp offers students beginner-friendly opportunities to build upon their interest in archeology. At camp, you will get to work with professional archeologists. Here, you will also learn about and engage in activities like excavation, artifact recording, and artefact processing. These activities will help preserve and uncover the city of Alexandria’s historic resources. This experience can help you build practical skills and learn about the tools, techniques, and resources needed for real-world archeological excavation.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD 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.
Image Source - Lumiere Research Scholar Program logo