7 High School Summer Camps in Massachusetts
- Stephen Turban
- 24 hours ago
- 5 min read
For high school students looking to make the most out of their summer, attending a camp can be a great opportunity to engage with advanced academics, gain experience in professional settings, and build connections with like-minded peers. High school summer camps are a good option if you’re seeking academic rigor beyond your high school curriculum. These camps allow you to develop personally and academically. A summer camp can even serve as a launchpad for college and career success.
For high schoolers who live in Massachusetts, we’ve created a list of 7 summer camps for you to consider!
MIT’s Mathroots program is a 14-day summer camp for high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds. Mathroots involves problem-solving sessions, creative math exploration, and collaboration with peers who share your deep interest in math. Through this summer camp, you will explore advanced mathematical concepts, develop your critical thinking skills, and build confidence in tackling challenging problems. The program also offers mentorship by MIT students and faculty.
Eligibility: Students between 14 and 18 years of age
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free!
Application Deadline: March 1
Program Dates: June 28 – July 12
The Smith Summer Science and Engineering Program (SSEP) is designed for exceptional high school students with a strong interest in science and engineering. Hosted by Smith College, this residential program offers two-week courses for you to choose from. In each course, you will work alongside Smith faculty and undergraduate interns on research projects. Course options include “Chemistry Under the Sun,” “Global Young Women’s Health,” “Designing Intelligent Robots,” and more. This is a great way to further your commitment to STEM and experience college life.
Location: Smith College, Northampton, MA
Acceptance rate: Moderately selective, about 100 students are selected each year
Dates: Session 1: July 4 - 18 | Session 2: July 20 - August 2
Application deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Students must be entering 9th - 12th grade in the fall
The Teen Summer Writing Fellowship is an intensive, three-week creative writing camp designed for aspiring high school writers. You will learn about the writing process, the publishing world, and techniques from various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, screenwriting, and more. You will study with established writers, attending lectures and open mics, workshopping with peers, and speaking with agents, editors, working artists, and more. The program encourages artistic exploration, asking you to fuse genres or explore sub-genres like sci-fi, magical realism, mystery, romance, and more. Each student will receive a stipend of approximately $800 upon completing the program.
Location: GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing, Boston, MA
Acceptance rate: Selective: only 20 students will be chosen to participate
Dates: TBD
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9-12 who are Boston or Greater Boston residents
UMass Amherst’s Pre-College Residential Drawing and Portfolio course is a two-week exploration of art for high school students who want to improve their drawing. You'll work in a professional studio environment, honing your techniques and exploring new approaches to drawing. With personalized guidance from expert faculty and critiques from peers, you’ll develop your artistic style while building a portfolio that reflects your vision. This camp will help you prepare for future art and design studies.
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to seniors
Location: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Cost: $2,167 (commuter) or $3,636 (residential)
Application Deadline: TBA
Program Dates: June 30 – July 13
The Boston Architectural College (BAC) offers a Summer Academy for high school students interested in architecture and design. This four-week camp introduces you to the basics of design, drawing, and model-making through studio work, field trips, and presentations. Guided by BAC faculty and professionals, you will create projects while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The program is great for students who want to learn about careers in architecture or design. It offers the chance to experience a college-level studio environment.
Eligibility: High school freshmen through seniors
Location: Boston Architectural College, Boston, MA, or online
Cost: $1,800 (non-credit) or $2,000 (credit)
Application Deadline: June 21
Program Dates: July 1 – August 2
Location: Tufts University, Boston, MA
Cost: Residential: $5,500 | Commuter: $4,000
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: TBA
Eligibility: High school students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp at Tufts University is a two-week camp for high school students who want to tackle societal challenges through entrepreneurship. You will gain experience in building new ventures from the ground up, whether startups, small businesses, or nonprofits. You will learn from mentors at Tufts, including alumni and current students. You will also participate in team-building activities, develop frameworks and skills necessary for venture creation, and build a solid foundation in business strategies, innovation, and pitching. The program culminates in a "Demo Day," where teams present their ventures to a panel of judges.
The Genesis Program offers a summer camp for high school students who want to explore Jewish life, leadership, and global issues in a collaborative environment. Through workshops, discussions, and projects, you will explore social justice, innovation, and ethics while connecting with peers who share your interests. You will take college-level classes and participate in Shabbat celebrations. Led by Brandeis faculty and staff, Genesis aims to help you become a thoughtful leader, fostering personal growth and community.
Eligibility: Jewish students between 15 and 18 years old
Location: Brandeis University, Waltham, MA
Cost: $5,535, scholarships available
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: June 29 – July 20
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
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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