30 Free Summer Enrichment Programs for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Oct 13
- 15 min read
If you are a middle school student, summer can be a great time to explore new interests beyond the school curriculum. This is where enrichment programs come in! These programs offer you the chance to dive into subjects and activities to help you build academic and extracurricular skills. Enrichment programs can help you explore advanced topics in science, math, social sciences, writing, or the arts in an engaging, hands-on way. They also help you pick up practical skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.
You can choose from programs that align with your interests, whether they lie in coding, history, environmental science, or community service. You can also find online options, programs close to home, or those hosted on a college campus. Additionally, universities and organizations around the country (and abroad) offer various free enrichment programs, making these opportunities accessible for middle schoolers.
To make the search easier, we have put together a list of 30 free summer enrichment programs for middle school students.
30 Free Summer Enrichment Programs for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Dates: Summer cohorts begin in June/July and run for eight weeks
Application deadline: June 23
Eligibility: Middle school students with strong academic backgrounds
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a research-based experience for middle school students interested in exploring a subject area in detail. During the program, you will work with Ph.D.-level mentors from leading universities to develop independent research projects based on your interests. You can choose from STEM fields, social sciences, business, and various other disciplines and decide on a topic for your project, which could be a research report, presentation, or anything else that aligns with your interests. This experience can help you refine your scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and independent research skills and prepare for academic competitions and research opportunities.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; financial assistance 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
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The AI Trailblazers program by Veritas AI is a virtual program that can introduce you to 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. You will learn through lectures and group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. In the past, projects have included building a machine-learning model to classify music genres and developing a machine-learning algorithm to provide a customized list of educational resources based on specified criteria. The experience can help you build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.
3. MIT DynaMIT
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: Typically in August; two sessions—one for grades 6–7 and another for grades 8–9
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders
DynaMIT allows you to spend a week of summer at MIT engaging in hands-on STEM activities, group projects, and problem-solving challenges. The program combines fun experiments with learning to help you explore real science in action. The program is also a chance to meet other middle schoolers who are excited about math, science, and technology. In the past, participants have engaged in math-based activities, explored different diseases, investigated fingerprints in mock detective cases, learned about the life cycle of a star, and worked with Arduino microcontrollers.
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: None
Dates: July 7 – 25, plus weekly sessions in the fall (mid-August – December)
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6 and 7
At SMSSP, you will spend part of your summer enrolled in an online course designed to resemble a real Stanford class. You will explore topics in math, science, writing, or social studies, depending on the year’s curriculum. After the summer session, you will keep meeting weekly during the fall semester with teachers and mentors and discuss topics such as exploring high school options, academic writing, math enrichment, and growth mindset. The program is free if your family qualifies (the average family income of attendees is $55,000).
Location: Virtual or in-person; sites vary by year
Cost: None
Dates: Two-week camps in the summer; dates vary each year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Women and gender-expansive teens aged 13–18 years
Kode With Klossy offers various free programs, including its Summer Camp, which is a two-week introduction to programming, software development, and machine learning. You will build and practice various computer science skills through one of four tracks. In the camp’s web development track, you will get some experience in using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS to develop an online site. The mobile app track can help you learn how to code in Swift (Apple’s programming language) and develop an iOS mobile application. The machine learning track covers AI/ML concepts such as algorithms, natural language processing, and datasets. In the data science track, you will explore concepts like data visualisation.
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: None
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th graders from New York City attending school in one of the five boroughs
CCL is a four-week program offering middle schoolers the chance to explore different careers through workshops in technology, art, business, or science. The program offers six-year support, encouraging you to first participate in 7th grade and keep returning each year till you graduate from high school. As a middle school student, you get to engage in the Exploratory Stage of the program, where you will explore university-level subjects and career pathways. You will attend college-style lectures, engage in hands-on activities, and go on field trips alongside peers and NYU faculty and staff.
Location: New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA
Cost: None
Dates: Typically in June–July; dates vary by year and site
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 and 8
BEAM conducts advanced math summer camps to help students prepare for a future career in mathematics, engineering, and programming. The program is designed to go beyond the usual math taught in schools and help you build an interest in the field. BEAM offers dedicated programs for your summer after 7th grade and while you are in 8th grade. Although primarily led by educators from across the U.S., the programs also feature guest speakers. You can also choose specific classes in math topics of your interest. BEAM also offers opportunities to engage in typical camp activities, arts and crafts, and field trips. For 8th-graders, BEAM organizes trips to Jane Street and Google offices in New York.
Location: MIT Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $200; need-based financial aid available
Dates: July 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Middle school students residing in Massachusetts
MIT Full STEAM Ahead Into Summer is a three-week opportunity to explore the MIT campus and dive into climate and sustainability topics through engineering, art, and design projects. You will work with peers to create original projects, applying STEAM principles, combining concepts from science, tech, engineering, the arts, and math. The program encourages creativity and teamwork in a supportive academic environment. A nominal fee is applicable, with financial aid available to ensure accessibility.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $75; full scholarships available
Dates: June 23 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 26
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–9 in New Haven Public Schools
During this enrichment program, you will spend your summer at Yale working with teachers to explore humanities, reading, writing, math, and other core subjects. Yale undergraduate teachers will conduct courses in the humanities and investigations. During the humanities classes, you will study history, write speeches, read and discuss poetry, and engage in creative writing. The investigations will help you develop problem-solving skills while working on projects in the natural and social sciences. Activities like sports and games, field trips, music and performing arts classes, debate and mock trials, and a book club are also part of the experience. The program is designed to make you school-ready and help you succeed in the current academic environment.
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – August 1 (dates may vary each year)
Application Deadline: April 5
Eligibility: Students entering grade 7 and residing in the Greater Boston Area
At Balfour Academy, you will spend your summer engaging in workshops in English, math, science, and financial literacy under the guidance of Northeastern faculty or staff. Along with classroom learning, you will have access to afternoon sports and weekly field visits. Once you enter the program, you can be part of it till high school. You will also have access to after-school tutoring during the regular school year. The program also offers a chance to consider a future at Northeastern University, as at least 50% of past Balfour Academy students have been accepted into Northeastern University undergraduate programs.
Location: Various locations, Worcester, MA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 30 – August 15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 11–16
If you are a middle schooler in Worcester, you can choose to spend your summer enrolled in YouthConnect programs to explore interests in sports, reading, arts, or cooking through workshops. Some programs offer college and career prep guidance. The program is spread across multiple sites in the city, such as the YMCA, the YWCA, Worcester Youth Centre, and Girls Inc. The full list of location-wise activities is available on the website.
Location: Garden sites in Boston and Cambridge, MA; exact location varies by year
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – August 8
Application Deadline: Applications open April 1; deadline not specified
Eligibility: Rising 5th to 8th graders
At CitySprouts’ Summer Green Team, you will spend the summer working outdoors in garden sites, learning how to grow plants, cook using garden produce, and explore nature through field trips. You will also work on STEAM-based projects that focus on gardening and the environment. You will help care for gardens and meet community leaders, building leadership skills and learning about what it takes to help your community in the process. The program also features field visits to green spaces in the vicinity.
Location: Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, Mesa, AZ
Cost: $300; partial and full scholarships available
Dates: May 27 – 30
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
ASU’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence offers multiple camps designed for middle and high school students. Its SUCCESS (A Survey of Computing, Coding, and Engineering Software Systems) camp is a four-day summer opportunity to learn about computing. Here, you will explore various computing fields, including mobile/web development, cybersecurity, AI, augmented/virtual reality, game development, and embedded systems. The beginner-friendly program also offers hands-on activities to help you become familiar with coding and programming. For instance, you will have the opportunity to build a game, use a virtual reality headset, develop an AI-based app, and even design and build an LED message wall at camp!
Location: Various locations, MN
Cost: None; stipend available
Dates: Summer; exact dates not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 3–11
The Summer Academic Enrichment Program is a unique financial assistance program that is designed to help elementary and middle school students join academic enrichment camps. The program offers a stipend that covers some or all of the cost of various programs. You can choose programs offering science, math, or language enrichment. This can be an opportunity to explore your interests for free. You can find the full list of institutions offering projects under this program on the website.
Location: Blessed Sacrament Church, Norfolk, VA
Cost: None
Dates: Mid-June – mid-August (eight weeks)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18 who attend school in Norfolk; income eligibility requirements apply
At NextStepToSummer, you will spend eight weeks engaging in academic, arts, and STEM workshops, as well as group projects. The program is designed to help students build skills like communication, time management, teamwork, and leadership through group work. Here, you can also explore interests in wooden boat making, fashion design, or outdoor art. Weekly educational, cultural, and recreational field trips are also part of the experience.
Location: Various U.S. cities
Cost: None
Dates: Six weeks in the summer; dates vary by year
Application Deadline: Usually in the spring, depending on the city
Eligibility: High-potential middle school students from underserved or low-income backgrounds
Breakthrough Collaborative is a multi-year program that begins in middle school and supports students through high school. As a middle school student, you will participate in a six-week summer program to engage in hands-on, academically challenging coursework. You will explore subjects such as reading, writing, math, and other areas to build academic skills. You will have access to one-on-one tutoring and mentorship to achieve your academic goals. Assignments and extracurricular activities are also part of the experience.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080; financial aid available
Dates: June 16 – 27 | July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11
Stanford’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes offer middle and high school students access to virtual college-level courses over the summer. You can choose from 70 courses across disciplines, including humanities, sciences, math, business, and social sciences, with options ranging from creative writing and biochemistry to game design and C++. Each class typically consists of online lectures, class discussions, homework, and project work. Some courses also allow you to work on problem sets and engage in case study analysis. You will study alongside peers from around the world, gaining experience in cross-cultural collaboration as well as university-level academics.
Cost: $275; free or reduced cost for eligible families; check details regarding discounts here.
Dates: June 2 – 6
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The University of Arizona offers middle and high school students various summer enrichment opportunities, including the Toxic Detectives program, which is an opportunity to explore environmental health and toxicology. During the week-long program, you will engage in science experiments, tours of research labs, and sessions led by STEM professionals. Additionally, you will engage in on-campus exploration and off-campus field trips. The program will end with a final showcase, where you will present your understanding of a toxin of choice.
Location: Andries Hudde Junior High IS 240 and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: None
Application deadline: May 15
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Eligibility: Rising 7th and 8th graders who are residents of NYC
SONYC is a free in-person enrichment program that focuses on the study of noise pollution through the development of smart, electronic solutions. During the program, you will explore the public health consequences of sound and design and build devices that produce and track sound. You will come up with smart city technologies that address real-world problems while exploring the fields of engineering, physical sciences, and computer sciences. You will build programming and coding skills, learn about concepts like waves and sound, and work with hardware like microcontrollers, sensors, circuitry, and electronics. You will get to present your project at the end of the program.
Location: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Two-week camp: $125; One-week camp: $75; scholarships available
Program dates: Two-week program: June 9 – 20; One-week program: June 23 – 27
Application deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–12
The Summer Computing Academy is a residential program for students interested in learning how to code using Python. It offers a one-week format for beginners and a two-week session for those with some experience in coding. At the camp, you will engage in lectures covering the basics of Python and programming and practice coding in a computer lab. Career planning sessions are also part of the program. You will also work on projects like powering small robots, building apps, and processing images. At the end of the program, you will present your projects.
Location: Lavietes Pavilion, Allston, MA | Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free for Ed Portal members; Allston-Brighton residents and families of Gardner Pilot Academy can become members for free
Dates: July 7 – 9 (Moore Hoops Academy, 6th graders only) | August 4 – 8 (Harvard Museum of Natural History: Island Hopping)
Application Deadline: Applications open early June
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8 in the fall who are Ed Portal members; free membership for Allston-Brighton residents and Gardner Pilot Academy families
Summer Explorations at Harvard’s Ed Portal provides small-group, in-person programs designed to engage middle school students in various enriching activities. The Moore Hoops Academy introduces 6th graders to basketball fundamentals and sportsmanship in a fun, supportive environment led by energetic coaches. An educational option is the Harvard Museum of Natural History’s Island Hopping: Evolutionary Game Design, which focuses on island biogeography through hands-on exploration and game design. Here, you will investigate species dispersal and ecosystem dynamics using microscopes and design-based project work. The programs emphasize experiential learning and community collaboration.
Location: Andries Hudde Junior High and STAR Early College School, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: NYC residents, ages 12–14 by program start, with strong academic records and demonstrated STEM interest
NYU’s SoSC is an opportunity to explore engineering, computer science, and technology through the study of sustainable, efficient, and safe urban environments. You will work in a team on projects, using electronics, circuitry, coding, microcontrollers, and sensors to solve real-world problems. The program offers activity-based classes led by NYU faculty and graduate students. You will gain experience in programming and sensor integration. At the end of the summer program, you will present your smart city solutions that help address a real issue.
Location: Baruch College, New York, NY
Cost: None
Application deadline: Rolling
Program dates: July 7 – 31
Eligibility: New York students in grades 7–12 who have maintained at least an 80% grade average, especially in science and math
The Baruch College STEP (Science and Technology Entry Program) Academy is a New York education department-funded program for middle and high schoolers interested in STEM. The program offers courses in math, science, and SAT prep, as well as college preparatory workshops. During the four-week program, you can enroll in one course based on your interests. Throughout the program, you will explore career paths in STEM and interact with professionals and college faculty. At the end of the session, you will share your experience at the Baruch College Summer Showcase.
Location: DC Public Schools, Washington, D.C.
Cost: Free
Dates: June 24 – July 31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–9
This program offers enrichment activities for current D.C. middle school students during the summer. You can join different clubs and activities that help you learn new skills. The program offers both academic support and fun activities, allowing you to work on guided projects, play games, and even go on field trips. A few programs you can explore are academic recovery, robotics, mini medics, math acceleration camp, digital storytelling, and outdoor camps. The program covers meals and transportation to the program site.
Location: Commonwealth School, Boston, MA
Cost: None
Dates: Six weeks; July – August
Application Deadline: Applications open in January
Eligibility: Students in and around Boston who are rising 7th or 8th graders from low-income families
Dive In Commonwealth offers a mix of classes in English and math, along with electives like biology, computer science, and theater to help you explore academic and extracurricular interests. The program is designed to offer personal attention from teachers, peer networking opportunities, and academic assistance. Field trips, athletic activities, and social events are also part of the experience. You will also have access to SSAT guidance to prepare for private school admission or high school academics.
Location: Virtual or in-person at various university campuses
Cost: Free
Dates: Three or four weeks in June
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
The Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program is a hands-on enrichment experience. Here, you will spend three or four weeks exploring STEM subjects on a university campus. You will participate in experiments, projects, and labs, and work with technologies like 3D printing, coding and app development, and augmented reality. Additionally, you will learn how to adopt design thinking and gain insights into social entrepreneurship. The program also offers insights into STEM career paths.
Location: Various sites in San Juan, CA
Cost: Varies; free and low-cost programs available
Dates: Typically in June and July; dates vary by program
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Middle school students
The San Juan school district offers various after-school and summer programs. Based on the program you choose, you will explore an area of interest, like math, literature, science, the arts, or games, through daily classes led by experienced teachers. You will also get to connect with other students from your district. The experience can help you stay sharp during summer, give you something to talk about in essays, or add to your academic or extracurricular interests.
Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Cost: None
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application Deadline: April 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 7 and 8
Physics Inside Out offers a short but intense introduction to topics in physics like motion, energy, sound, and light through hands-on labs and group experiments. Over the course of a week, you will attend interactive lessons and engage in projects that help you think like a scientist. You will also learn how to test ideas, work with different materials, and see how physics works in everyday life. The program also offers opportunities to tour labs and learn about developments in physics, astrophysics, and astronomy.
Location: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY
Cost: None
Dates: June 2 – 6 (grades 6–7) | June 9 – 13 (grade 8)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–9 who are U.S. citizens
West Point’s Summer STEM Program allows you to spend a week at the U.S. Military Academy exploring STEM through hands-on labs and experiments. You will engage in activities in science, technology, engineering, and math under the guidance of academy faculty and USMA cadet mentors. Project work will help you learn how to solve problems and observe how STEM is used in the real world. In the past, program activities have included egg drop competition, circuit soldiering, robotics projects, fish biodiversity exploration, water chemistry testing, and bridge building.
Location: Coastal Classroom: Hallett's Cove, Long Island City, NY | Learning Gardens: Liberty Garden (Jamaica), Grove Hill (Bronx), Success Gardens (East New York), Abib Garden (Brownsville, NY)
Cost: Free or low-cost depending on the program format
Dates: July – August; four to five weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–8
CityParks offers Learning Gardens and Coastal Classroom programs to bring groups of students to gardens/parks or coastal areas and connect them to the life in and around them. During the Coastal Classroom program, you will explore the local waterways, and in the Learning Gardens track, you will explore topics like organic gardening, food justice, and urban sustainability. These programs focus on offering insights into healthy eating, environmental issues, water ecology and quality, urban waterfront restoration, and preservation. The Learning Gardens track allows you to practice horticultural techniques and prepare garden vegetables to understand how food is produced. Coastal Classroom offers access to recreational opportunities such as rowing and fishing that can help you experience nearby waterways and explore how to protect them.
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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