25 Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 13 min read
If you are a middle school student eager to explore new interests and build skills, summer camps offer an engaging way to grow outside the classroom. These programs combine academic exploration with projects, introducing you to fields like science, technology, engineering, the arts, and more. You’ll build new skills, make friends with similar interests, and gain the confidence to keep exploring what inspires you most.
What makes a camp different from other programs?
Camps are usually shorter and focus on one specific subject, letting you dive deeply into a subject without a long commitment. These camps help you develop problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills through interactive activities and guided challenges. Many also offer access to university campuses, research labs, or professional tools, making complex subjects approachable and fun.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of 25 camps for middle school students.
If you are looking for free STEM summer camps, check out our blog here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (need-based financial aid is available)
Dates: 8-week program: Summer I: Starts June 2 | Summer II: Starts July 14
Application deadline: Summer I: Typically, in the second week of May | Summer II: June 23
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Lumiere Education’s Junior Explorer Program is a virtual research program for middle school students. It is designed for high-achieving middle school students who want to dive deep into their academic interests with 1-on-1 mentorship from PhD scholars from leading institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT. Over 8 weeks, you choose your own subject, engage in rigorous coursework, and complete an advanced research project under close expert guidance. Once through, you can expect to have gained confidence in your critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. To help more students access the program, there is a need-based financial aid option. Visit the website to look at all available cohorts and deadlines. You can apply here.
2. MIT dynaMIT
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Week 1: August 10 – 14 | Week 2: August 17 – 21
Application deadline: Typically in February
Eligibility: Rising 6-9 grade students
The dynaMIT program helps middle school students gain a learning experience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge. Designed and led by MIT undergraduate and graduate students, this free, week-long program helps you to build creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence through immersive experiments and activities. With close mentorship from MIT students, you will be exposed to real-world applications of science, mathematics, and engineering, making this a great opportunity for young learners.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type (need-based financial aid is available)
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (on weekends) during the spring cohort and 25 hours over 2 weeks (on weekdays) during the summer cohort
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines. You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that teaches middle school students the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over 25 hours, you will learn the basics of Python as well as topics like data analysis, regression, image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. Students learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. Previous student projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and developing a machine-learning algorithm to generate a custom list of educational resources based on specified criteria.
Location: The University at Buffalo North Campus, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Middle school students in grade 8
The UB Sustainability Camp is a five-day experience at the University at Buffalo that connects STEM learning with real-world environmental impact. You’ll take part in lab projects, campus fieldwork, and community activities focused on energy, ecology, and carbon footprints. The camp teaches you how to calculate and reduce your own carbon footprint while exploring how science can drive sustainable change. Beyond this, you’ll tour UB’s North Campus, including the Solar Strand and Letchworth Woods, and receive sustainability-themed gear, including a solar-powered car kit, a wind turbine model, and a certificate of completion.
Location: Virtual and in-person sessions; sites can vary each year
Cost: No cost
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions during the summer
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens who are 13 to 18 years old
The Kode With Klossy Summer Camp is a fully funded, two-week program for middle school students offering four tracks: Web Development, Mobile Application Development, Machine Learning, and Data Science. In the camp’s web development track, you’ll develop a website using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS, and learn how to improve the UI (user interface) and UX (user experience) of a website. In the machine learning track, you’ll train a chatbot using Python. In the data science track, you will use tools like SQL and Python to explore data visualisation. The mobile app track can help you learn how to code in Swift (Apple’s programming language) and develop an iOS mobile application.
Location: University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application Deadline: May 5
Eligibility: Rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who have at least a B average in science and math classes
During the Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp at USC, middle school students are introduced to a wide range of engineering and coding disciplines. Run by The Viterbi School of Engineering's K-12 STEM Center, you and 32 other students will be taught by USC faculty and engineers from Northrop Grumman. You will explore aerospace, civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical engineering through planned activities, like building circuits, rockets, and bridges. You'll attend coding workshops, learn engineering fundamentals, and tour USC’s research facilities. Finally, you will present your design project with your team and get feedback from experts.
Location: Begeman Hall, UNI Campus, Cedar Falls, IA
Cost: Free
Dates: September 16 – November 18
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 14-18
The Homeschool Physics Lab Tuesdays, at the University of Northern Iowa, offers homeschooled students a chance to explore physics through hands-on experiments. Held weekly during the fall semester in Begeman Hall’s studio lab spaces, the sessions focus on data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Each week you’ll cover a different physics topic. The camp aims to give homeschooled students access to real lab environments and enhance interest in science and engineering through active experimentation.
Location: The University at Buffalo North Campus, Buffalo, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: TBA
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Western New York students entering grades 6-7
The UB National Grid Young Innovators Engineering Camp is a five-day experience at the University at Buffalo designed for middle school students interested in exploring the connections between engineering and real-life applications. You work alongside university students and staff to solve problems, think creatively, and collaborate in teams. Through interactive challenges, you’ll explore how basic science and engineering principles shape the world.
Location: Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free
Dates: July 28 – August 14
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Middle school students in the Greater Philadelphia Area
The STEM Summer Camp Experience at Thomas Jefferson University introduces middle schoolers to how engineers use science and math to solve various problems. Over three weeks, campers explore topics like 3D printing, coding, data analytics, and supply chain planning through interactive projects. You might design and print your own part using SolidWorks, analyze sports data, or plan the production of a product from start to finish.
Location: University of Michigan, MI (Ann Arbor or Detroit, depending on camp)
Cost: Free
Dates: Session I: June 23 – 27 | Session II: August 4 – 8
Application deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: Students residing in Michigan in grades 6-8
The University of Michigan’s Thinkabit Lab Summer Camp is a free, week-long STEM summer camp for middle school students in Michigan. Hosted at the Ann Arbor campus or the Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ) in Detroit, the camp offers you practical engineering experiences, including building robotic crafts and learning basic programming. You will engage in the engineering design process, meet professional engineers, and network with like-minded peers. Sessions are typically held in June and August, with all necessary technology provided to participants.
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Cost: Starting from $699 (need-based scholarship is typically available)
Dates: Various week-long camps
Application deadline: Varies by camp
Eligibility: Children aged 9-18 (adult and family camps are also available)
NASA’s Space Camp is a week-long residential camp for middle school students interested in space, science, and technology. Hosted at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, you’ll train like an astronaut through mission simulations, robotics challenges, and engineering design tasks inspired by real NASA projects. Every activity promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and scientific reasoning, while providing insights into aerospace research and exploration.
Location: School of Engineering and Applied Science, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $650
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders
Penn GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) at the University of Pennsylvania is a week-long summer camp for middle school students. At the day camp, you’ll be exposed to interactive activities in bioengineering, nanotechnology, and materials science, including projects such as programming robots and creating animations. Applications include a student-completed form, a teacher recommendation, and a recent report card, which are typically due by early March. Hosted by Penn Engineering, the camp aims to inspire future engineers by offering early exposure to engineering in everyday life.
Location: California State University, Long Beach, CA
Cost: $500
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application deadline: From February until seats are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 2-8
The Young Scientists’ Camp at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a two-week summer program for middle school students that offers practical science experiences on a university campus. You’ll engage in interactive STEM investigations through facilities such as the Marine Lab, Shark Lab, Vertebrate Lab, Bug Lab, and more. CSULB teachers and students provide mentorship and create a collaborative learning environment.
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cost: From $60 (need-based scholarship available)
Dates: Multiple options between June 24 – August 12
Application deadline: Applications are accepted until seats are full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8
Oregon State University’s (OSU) Middle School Summer Camps are designed to encourage curiosity and build practical skills in students entering grades 6 through 8. Hosted by the OSU STEM Academy, these camps are held on the Corvallis campus and cover topics like biology, gaming, engineering, and the arts. Camp sessions range from one day to one week, offering engaging projects, group collaboration, and access to university labs and resources. You’ll have the opportunity to explore real-world problems, design your own inventions, and interact with OSU faculty and college students. The camps aim to develop both technical knowledge and soft skills, like teamwork and creative problem-solving.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: From $250 (scholarships available)
Dates: Week-long sessions between June 23 – July 11
Application deadline: Applications are accepted until seats are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at UC San Diego offers a variety of STEM-focused summer camps for elementary, middle, and high school students, providing learning experiences in topics like Java programming and Robotics. These camps are designed to introduce you to advanced topics in a supportive environment and are tailored for grade-specific learning levels. Each course focuses on increasing your knowledge and building problem-solving skills. The camps typically run in week-long sessions, with specific dates and times varying by course.
Location: Marine Science Institute, Redwood City, CA
Cost: From $860, check here
Dates: Multiple sessions between June 8 – August 7
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades K-8
The Marine Science Institute (MSI) in Redwood City, California, provides a Summer Marine Science Camp for middle school students to experience San Francisco Bay Area marine life up close. You engage in activities such as live animal interactions and boat trips aboard the 90-foot research vessel. Led by experienced science instructors, the camp fosters a collaborative learning environment that inspires environmental stewardship. The camps encourage you to connect with marine science through interactive games and activities. The program’s curriculum is also updated annually to ensure an updated experience for all participants.
Location: UT Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $20 registration fee
Dates: June 9
Application deadline: Applications are invited until seats are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The University of Texas at Dallas’ STEMposium is a day-long summer camp for middle school students who are interested in exploring the intersection of IT and business. Hosted by the Naveen Jindal School of Management, the camp includes hands-on activities such as working with Raspberry Pi microcomputers, introductory coding sessions, data analytics exercises, and explorations of supply chain management concepts. You will engage in discussions and practical experiences led by faculty members and industry professionals, while engaging with students who share your interests.
18. Grainger Engineering Summer Camp: Mid-GLAM - Materials Science & Engineering Middle School Daycamp
Location: Material Sciences and Engineering Building (MSEB), Urbana, IL
Cost: Day Camp: $25 (grant-funded, housing not provided)
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: TBA, generally towards the end of March each year
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7-8
The Materials Science & Engineering Middle School Day Camp invites middle school students to explore the materials that shape the world around them, from metals and plastics to fabrics and batteries. You’ll step into the role of a materials scientist, investigating how everyday materials are made, improved, and used in modern technology. Through guided lab sessions and experiments, you’ll learn how scientists predict and enhance the properties of materials to make them stronger, lighter, and more sustainable. Led by Engineers Aiming for Gender Equity & Representation (EAGER), the program welcomes students interested in discovering how science shapes the future.
Location: Lyle School of Engineering, Dallas, TX
Cost: $600
Dates: July 7 – 11 (Boys Only Camp) | July 14 – 18 (Girls Only Camp) | July 21 – 25 (Co-ed Camp)
Application Deadline: Applications open February 17
Eligibility: Rising 7th & 8th grade students
The Introduction to Engineering Camp at Southern Methodist University’s Lyle School of Engineering is designed for students curious about how engineering works but who haven’t explored it before. Through guided projects, you’ll get an overview of electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, and computer engineering. Activities are structured to mirror the engineering design process to get you acquainted. You'll be supported by SMU Lyle Engineering students throughout the project.
Location: U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
Cost: $450 with financial aid available for program fee and travel
Dates: June 1 – 6
Application Deadline: Applications open January 6
Eligibility: Rising Grade 9 students
The U.S. Naval Academy’s Summer STEM Camp introduces middle schoolers to coding, engineering, and design through interactive, team-based projects. Over the course of a week, you’ll learn from USNA faculty, collaborate with Midshipmen, and work on challenges in robotics, materials, and programming. Activities range from reverse-engineering engines to testing wind-resistant structures in a lab. Alongside academic modules, the camp includes field trips and structured social events for teamwork and leadership.
Location: University of Evansville, Evansville, IN
Cost: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Middle school students
The STEM Camp for Middle School Students at the University of Evansville introduces you to coding, robotics, and real-world problem solving through interactive projects. Using Sphero Company Bolt +! robots, you’ll learn to program, complete obstacle and chariot challenges, and explore digital ethics topics like cyberbullying and online responsibility. The camp also includes creative engineering tasks such as bridge building and simulating the sinking of the Titanic.
Location: La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla, CA
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Junior Conservatory (rising 8th-9th graders): June 22 – July 2
Application Deadline: Applications will be posted on or near February 1
Eligibility: Rising 8th-9th graders
The Conservatory Camp at La Jolla Playhouse is an acting-intensive program for middle school students eager to grow as performers. Led by theatre professionals from the Tony Award–winning La Jolla Playhouse, you will engage in ensemble-based training and explore new techniques in theatre-making. The camp is designed for students who are serious about acting and want to challenge themselves in a creative, collaborative setting.
Location: MSU College of Music, East Lansing, MI
Cost: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – 25 | Placement auditions: July 20
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students who have completed at least one year of instrumental study
The Middle School Band Camp at Michigan State University is a five-day camp for students who have completed at least one year of instrumental study. You will rehearse in a full band, take classes in music theory and appreciation, and join lessons to strengthen technique. The camp ends with a concert for family and friends on the final day.
24. Aggie STEM
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $1,499
Dates: May 31 – June 6 | June 7 – 13
Application Deadline: April 25
Eligibility: Rising or current middle school student
The Aggie STEM Overnight Camp gives middle school students the chance to explore science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on projects and campus experiences at Texas A&M University. You’ll dive into topics like coding, physics, engineering design, and rocket building while working in university labs and classrooms. Each day combines interactive lessons, team-based problem-solving, and real STEM applications. You’ll stay on campus and dine in the residence halls, with meals and accommodations provided.
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Cost: Day Camp: $550 plus a $25 deposit (housing not provided)
Dates: June 16 – 20
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 7–8
The Discover Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Middle School Day Camp offers middle school students a practical look at how engineering concepts translate into real-world technology. You’ll explore topics like electronic circuits, digital logic, and how innovations in ECE affect daily life, from communication systems to medical imaging. Each day includes interactive activities led by university faculty and mentorship from current ECE students. You’ll also visit cutting-edge labs and work on a team project that culminates in a final presentation.
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.
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