15 Educational Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student, educational camps are an excellent way to explore subjects you are interested in. These camps mix challenges with fun, giving you a chance to work on a project and meet mentors and friends who share your interests. You can choose from a wide range of subjects such as engineering, law, medicine, writing, or computer science, allowing you to discover new academic passions or deepen existing ones. You’ll pick up practical skills, build connections, and strengthen your resume.Â
How are camps different from other high school programs?
While university programs often stretch over weeks and mimic college classes, camps are usually shorter, sharper, and more focused. They’re run by universities or independent organizations that pack a ton of learning into a few days or weeks through workshops, experiments, debates, and design challenges. Educational camps have clear learning goals and activities, letting you test out an academic field, build skills, and have an exciting, productive summer.Â
To help you find the right fit, we’ve pulled together a list of 15 educational camps for high school students.
If you are interested in AI camps, check out our blog here.
15 Educational Camps for High School Students
Location:Â Informatics and Communications Technology Complex, Indianapolis, IN, or virtual
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; open registration
Dates: June 3 – 7
Application deadline:Â May 20
Eligibility:Â Open to all high school studentsÂ
IUPUI’s Cybersecurity Summer Camp is a week-long, hands-on learning experience that introduces middle and high school students to the fundamentals of system and network security. Through workshops and simulations on the IU Indianapolis campus, you’ll gain practical experience working with virtual machines running Windows and Ubuntu to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. The camp also covers core networking concepts using Cisco Packet Tracer, where you’ll learn to configure routers, switches, and servers in simulated LAN and WAN environments. The sessions will focus on vulnerability detection, mitigation strategies, and operating system hardening, all taught in a structured, collaborative setting.
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost/Stipend:Â Varies depending on program type (financial aid available) | NoneÂ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week academic mentorship opportunity that connects high school students with Ph.D. mentors for guided research across diverse disciplines. You’ll design and execute an independent research project in fields such as education, economics, or psychology, following the process from hypothesis formation to data analysis and final paper completion. By the program’s end, you’ll have produced a well-structured research paper that reflects your analytical skills and subject knowledge. The one-on-one format encourages deep exploration of your chosen topic and helps you understand professional research practices in an academic setting.Â
Location: Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specifiedÂ
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to high school studentsÂ
The PNW GenCyber Summer Camp is a five-day cybersecurity program that introduces you to key concepts through immersive, hands-on learning. You will participate in labs, simulations, and games that focus on the GenCyber Six cybersecurity principles while gaining experience in areas such as cryptography, ethical hacking, and digital forensics. You’ll explore wireless network security through a Wi-Fi scavenger hunt using a Raspberry Pi and participate in robot programming competitions with Sparki robots. The later sessions include ethical hacking exercises and solving simulated forensic cases as part of a team challenge. You will receive a free lunch, a T-shirt, a USB drive, and a certificate upon completion.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies according to program. Financial aid available
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions throughout the year
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle/high school
Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Pathway enables you to experience university-level academics by studying with faculty and researchers from leading institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. The classes are conducted in small groups of 4–10 students, allowing for personalized interaction and academic discussion. You’ll attend lectures, engage in weekly one-on-one tutorials, and take part in subject-specific practical experiences such as mock trials in law or engineering design challenges. The program offers over 20 subjects ranging from medicine and business management to computer science and architecture. You will complete a personal project and receive individualized written feedback. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Camp 1: June 2 – 6 | Camp 2: June 9 – 13
Application deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Open to high school students in the Tuscaloosa area
The Marillyn A. Hewson Cybersecurity Summer Camp introduces you to the fundamentals of cybersecurity through interactive labs and research-based learning. Divided into standard and advanced tracks, the camp allows you to begin with foundational concepts such as web infrastructure and network defense or progress to tackling complex cyber challenges. It integrates hands-on experiences through the CyberPatriot National Youth Cyber Defense framework, where you’ll simulate protecting virtual networks from real-world attacks. The faculty from the Culverhouse College of Business contribute their expertise by linking current cybersecurity research with practical data analysis and security applications.Â
Location: College of Criminal Justice, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Cost/Stipend: $725 | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective]
Dates: Session 1: June 7 – 11; Session 2: June 21 – 25; Session 3: July 5 – 9
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility:Â High school students ages 15-17
The Criminal Justice Summer Camp at Sam Houston State University gives high school students a detailed look into the workings of the criminal justice system. Across four in-person days, you’ll participate in activities such as mock crime scene investigations and hands-on forensic exercises while interacting with professionals from agencies including the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The camp also features discussions led by experts in policing, forensics, and law enforcement, giving you a first-hand understanding of different career paths in the field. You will also receive SHSU-branded items and spend time engaging with current students and faculty.
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend:Â Standard Camp: $1,200 per week | Advanced Camp: $1,500 per week | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by hosting location
Dates: Multiple camps held from June – August
Application deadline:Â Varies by host institution
Eligibility: Standard Camps are open to all high school students with proficiency in English; Advanced Camps require prior cybersecurity knowledge
AFA CyberCamps, organized by the Air Force Association’s CyberPatriot Program, are week-long sessions that teach high school and middle school students the fundamentals of cybersecurity. Offered in both Standard and Advanced levels, the camps focus on computer systems, online safety, and the basics of Windows and Linux operations through virtual machines. The Advanced track explores more complex topics such as command-line tools, Linux process management, and network security principles. Throughout the week, you’ll work collaboratively to solve challenges and secure systems in a CyberPatriot-style team competition. The camps are hosted by local schools, universities, and community organizations, with each site responsible for its own logistics, instructors, and registration process.Â
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost/Stipend: Not specified; contact Math Center for Educational Programs at mathcep@umn.edu | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students (preferably in Minnesota) who have completed a one-year course in single variable calculus
The IMA-MathCEP Math Modeling Camp at the University of Minnesota is a one-week, non-residential program that explores how mathematical models can address complex real-world issues. Working in small teams, you’ll analyze scenarios such as predicting the spread of diseases, studying traffic flow on bridges, or assessing climate impacts on natural resources. The faculty mentors guide you through the process of creating, testing, and presenting your models, emphasizing both collaboration and critical thinking. Past projects have included evaluating routes for a proposed light rail system, showcasing how mathematics can inform infrastructure decisions. The camp concludes with student presentations with peers and university instructors.
Location:Â FAU Campus, Boca Raton, FL
Cost/Stipend: $900 | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 13; Session 2: July 20 – 25
Application deadline: Applications typically close in the Spring
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12 in the coming fallÂ
Florida Atlantic University’s week-long Criminal Justice Summer Camp immerses you in the operational side of law enforcement and forensic science. Held on the Boca Raton campus, the program combines lectures, field visits, and live demonstrations from specialized units such as SWAT, K-9, and bomb squads. You’ll practice evidence collection techniques, learn how investigations are conducted, and tour facilities such as the Medical Examiner’s Office and local police departments. The discussions cover topics like Death Row cases and the FBI’s Most Wanted, helping connect practical exercises with broader criminal justice issues.Â
Location: Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
Cost/Stipend: Accepted students will receive details of the camp fees | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30-40 studentsÂ
Dates: June 30 – July 2
Application deadline: Rolling (early registration recommended)
Eligibility: Junior and senior high school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Sam Houston State University’s College of Health Sciences hosts a three-day residential summer camp designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in exploring health-related careers. Led by SHSU faculty from disciplines such as nursing, kinesiology, human sciences, and public health, the camp allows you to participate in hands-on workshops and academic sessions. You’ll experience campus life by staying in residence halls, dining on campus, and engaging in recreational activities. A highlight of the program includes a field trip to The Woodlands Center, where SHSU’s School of Nursing is located, giving you a closer look at real-world healthcare education environments.Â
Location: USF St. Petersburg, Tampa, FL
Cost/Stipend: $695 | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 32 students
Dates: July 27 – August 2
Application deadline: Applications open February 1
Eligibility:Â Students entering grades 10th-12thÂ
The JGHC Mock Trial Intensive at the University of South Florida offers a week-long exploration of legal practice, giving you a hands-on introduction to courtroom procedures. Under the guidance of attorney Maria Gerber and collegiate mock trial coaches, you’ll learn to craft opening statements, conduct cross-examinations, and present closing arguments. Throughout the program, you will analyze a legal case and apply advocacy and reasoning skills in preparation for the culminating mock trial at Stetson Law School. The workshops focus on critical thinking, public speaking, and legal strategy, while panels with practicing attorneys provide real-world insight into legal careers.
Location:Â University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 70-80 studentsÂ
Dates: July 24–26
Application deadline:Â UnspecifiedÂ
Eligibility:Â Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
Hosted by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Pharmacy, the RxPLORE Camp is a three-day experience designed to introduce high school juniors and seniors to pharmacy as a healthcare profession. Each day explores a different setting – community, hospital, or industry – through hands-on simulations, compounding exercises, and innovation projects. You’ll engage in patient care scenarios, practice medication preparation, and visit university labs while interacting with pharmacy faculty and students. There are campus and school tours included to help you experience college life in a healthcare setting.Â
Location: University of Cincinnati campus, OH
Cost/Stipend: Varies; some free, others $125-$250 for day camps, additional costs for overnight | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selectiveÂ
Dates: Multiple camps available in June and July
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through seniors
The University of Cincinnati’s summer engineering camps introduce students to the design process through interactive, project-based learning. Programs like the GE Next Engineers Camp focus on ninth and tenth graders, guiding them through engineering challenges, mentorship sessions with GE professionals, and college readiness activities. Other UC camps allow you to explore specialized engineering disciplines through experiments, small group instruction, and campus lab tours. Throughout the week, you will collaborate on design projects and prepare for a Friday showcase where your work is presented to family, faculty, and industry representatives.
Location: Ohio State University at Marion, Marion, OH
Cost/Stipend: $150 | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selectiveÂ
Dates: June 9–13
Application deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through seniors
At Ohio State Marion’s STEM Summer Camp, you will spend a week engaging in cross-disciplinary science and engineering projects. The curriculum spans topics in genetics, chemistry, robotics, and programming, focusing on problem-solving and creativity through interactive experiments. You will construct and program an Arduino-based robot to take home and design boats to test in a pool challenge that combines engineering and physics concepts. In university labs, you’ll explore biotechnology by expressing and purifying fluorescent proteins. The program also includes field visits to the Orton Geological Museum and local manufacturing facilities. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate recognizing your participation.
Location: Varies each year; previously held at Lewis & Clark in Portland, OR
Cost: $0 – $6,000 based on family income; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; about 120 students
Dates: June 29 – August 3
Application deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Students who are 13–18 years old
Canada/USA Mathcamp is a five-week residential summer program that gathers mathematically gifted high school students from around the world to study advanced topics in mathematics. The camp offers a flexible curriculum where you can choose from daily classes in areas such as abstract algebra, topology, number theory, and mathematical logic. In addition to lectures, you will engage in independent or group research projects, often presenting your findings at the end of the program. The faculty includes professors, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students who share their expertise through workshops and seminars. Beyond academics, the camp fosters a collaborative community through evening activities, discussions, and problem-solving sessions.
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.
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