15 History Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 2 hours ago
- 10 min read
If you are a high school student interested in history, summer camps are a great way for you to explore your interest. These short, intensive experiences often give you a glimpse into academic life while fostering teamwork, curiosity, and leadership skills that are valuable both in college and beyond. Summer camps help you gain college-level exposure and build practical skills without committing to a long-term or expensive program.
What makes a camp different from other programs?
Compared to summer programs, camps are typically shorter and focus more on project-based learning rather than structured classroom sessions. History camps offer a practical way for you to engage with the subject beyond textbooks, through debates, archaeological digs, or historical research projects. Along the way, you can strengthen skills like critical thinking, research, and communication, which are valuable in both academic and professional settings.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated a list of 15 history camps for high school students. These camps are selected for their academic rigor, networking opportunities, prestige, affordability, and selectivity.
If you are looking for summer camps, check out our blog here.
1. History Lab
Location: Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), Seattle, WA
Cost: $150 stipend
Program Dates: July 21–25 and July 28–August 1
Application Deadline: May 23
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 10–12
Hosted by the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle, History Lab is a two-week summer camp designed for students passionate about local history, storytelling, and creative interpretation. Through hands-on research, field trips across Seattle, and engagement with MOHAI’s collections, you will learn to analyze historical sources and develop your own projects. The program also emphasizes digital storytelling, where you’ll experiment with creative tools to share your work online and strengthen your skills in research, writing, and interpretation. You’ll produce a final piece that will be published on the Rainy Day History website. Only six students are selected, making it a selective and personalized experience.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program
Program Dates: Multiple sessions throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on the session you are interested in; you can apply here
Eligibility: High school students, typically with a GPA of 3.3/4.0 or above
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a 12-week online research program that gives you an opportunity to work one-on-one with a Ph.D. mentor from top universities and focus specifically on a history topic of your choice. Through the history track, you’ll dive deeply into historical research, formulating a strong question, locating and analysing primary and secondary sources, writing and refining a substantial academic paper, and gaining a clear understanding of how historians think and write. Since the program is virtual, you can participate from anywhere, and at the end, you’ll receive a certificate of completion, with the opportunity to publish your work or gain college-level credit through a partner institution.
Location: Online and multiple in-person locations
Cost: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple sessions available, click here for the camp schedule.
Application Deadline: Varies by the session you chose.
Eligibility: Open to current high school students and rising 9th graders; younger students may apply with a teacher recommendation.
The Concord Review History Camp is available to high school students in both online and in-person formats. This camp helps you develop advanced research, analytical, and writing skills under the mentorship of experienced instructors. You’ll begin the camp with a chosen topic and relevant background reading, then learn how to frame productive research questions, identify and analyze primary and secondary sources, and craft a structured, well-argued historical paper. Each day includes a mix of group lectures, peer discussions, and individualized one-on-one coaching sessions. The small class size with a 1:5 student-teacher ratio ensures focused attention and personalized feedback. You’ll spend dedicated time working in fully equipped research libraries during the in-person camp or accessing online databases like JSTOR for virtual sessions. By the end of the program, you’ll have completed a substantive first draft of a 4,000–8,000-word historical research paper.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, and Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. Students can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, they complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Commonwealth School, Boston, MA
Cost: $1,800
Program Dates: July 7–18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to rising 10th–12th graders
This 10-day summer camp invites Boston-area high school students to explore Boston’s rich history while developing their storytelling, research, and public speaking skills. The program transforms Boston into a living classroom, helping you learn the city’s history through humor, theatrical storytelling, and immersive experiences at the very sites where major events unfolded. You’ll explore iconic sites like the Freedom Trail, Harvard University, the Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, and the North End, with lunches at local Boston favorites. Campers will engage in lively discussions on Boston’s history and the art of historical storytelling and learn from experienced historical guides about research methods, public speaking, and crafting engaging narratives. The camp culminates in a creative project where you’ll research, write, and produce your own piece of historical storytelling about a local site.
Location: Manhattan University, New York City, NY
Cost: TBD. Check the website for the latest updates
Program Dates: TBA. Check the website for the latest updates
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
The Historical Games Pre-College Camp at Manhattan College offers high school students a hands-on exploration of Ancient Greek history through immersive, debate-driven learning. The camp employs the Reacting to the Past method to engage you in historical simulations, where you assume the roles of key figures in Athenian democracy. The centerpiece of the experience is The Threshold of Democracy: Athens in 403 BCE, a game that challenges you to rebuild Athens after the Peloponnesian War, debating issues of justice, governance, and accountability. Guided by professors, you’ll study influential texts by Herodotus, Thucydides, and Plato, while also developing public speaking and persuasive writing skills through workshops. The program also provides access to university facilities, a certificate of completion, and an academic experience that blends strategy, storytelling, and historical insight.
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost: $25
Program Dates: June 12–15
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
Hosted by South Mountain Community College, the Ultimate History Summer Camp is a four-day immersive experience that invites you to explore the community history of South Phoenix. You will gain hands-on experience in researching, documenting, and archiving local stories while learning how personal and family histories contribute to broader cultural narratives. With its focus on community heritage, this connects history to identity and encourages you to see yourself as an active contributor to the historical record.
Location: Morganton, North Carolina
Cost: $301–$400
Program Dates: Sessions available in one-week or less durations
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Open to students ages 8–18
The Exploring Joara Foundation hosts Archaeology Adventure Summer Camps, a hands-on archaeology camp where you’ll join professional archaeologists to excavate the remains of a 16th-century Spanish colony that vanished over 400 years ago. This immersive camp introduces high schoolers to North Carolina’s ancient cultures through active field digs, artifact analysis, ancient technology demos, and experimental archaeology. The camp offers both residential and day formats, blending academic exploration with outdoor activities. With a capacity of just 20 students per session, the program offers a close-knit learning experience grounded in scientific and historical inquiry.
Location: Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia
Cost: $400 per camper
Program Dates: Session 1: July 7–11 | Session 2: July 14–18
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: Open to students ages 11–18
Hosted by The Summit Academy, Civil War Games is an immersive week-long day camp that brings local Civil War history to life through battlefield excursions and historical wargaming. Each morning, campers visit nearby battlefields guided by a National Park Ranger to explore key sites and learn about the strategic decisions made during the Civil War. Afternoons are dedicated to tabletop wargaming sessions, using 19th-century military simulations originally designed to train officers. These games foster critical thinking, creativity, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for military history. You’ll be based at the Academy’s farm property and supervised by experienced educators. The camp includes a final-day cookout and a living history demonstration with Civil War reenactors.
Location: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Cost: $1,395
Program Dates: June 12–17
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Hosted by Gettysburg College’s Civil War Institute, the Young Civil War Historians Conference immerses high school students in the study of the American Civil War through hands-on exploration and historical research. Over six days, you’ll work directly with historians, analyze original Civil War documents and photographs, and study battlefield landscapes and monuments to understand the complexities of war, memory, and commemoration. Much of the program unfolds at Gettysburg National Military Park, where you’ll walk the same grounds as Union and Confederate soldiers, retracing key moments like Pickett’s Charge and the Gettysburg Address. Sessions combine field experiences with interactive seminars, guest lectures, and small-group discussions. You’ll also explore themes such as Civil War medicine and battlefield archaeology while learning how historians draw evidence-based conclusions from primary sources.
Location: Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
Cost: $600 for overnight and $500 for commuter
Program Dates: June 8–13
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
Hosted by Southern Illinois University’s College of Liberal Arts and Department of Anthropology, the Explore SIU: Unearthing History Archaeology Camp introduces high school students to archaeology through hands-on fieldwork and on-campus exploration. Over six days, you’ll excavate real archaeological sites, examining remains from early nineteenth-century Anglo-American settlements alongside SIU’s professional field school team. You’ll gain practical experience with both traditional excavation techniques and modern technologies like Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to uncover and analyze artifacts. In addition to fieldwork, campers visit the Center for Archaeological Investigations Curation Center, explore other regional archaeological sites, and enjoy guided hikes through Southern Illinois’ natural landscapes. Residential campers stay in university housing with meals included, while commuters participate in all daytime activities and may stay through evening sessions.
Location: SPIRE Academy, Harpersfield Township, Ohio
Cost: $4,925 for boarding | $1,000 for camp enhancement
Program Dates: July 7–25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students ages 13–18
The SPIRE Summer Student Experience is a three-week immersive academic camp that invites students to explore major themes in U.S. History. You’ll engage in 20 hours of interactive coursework led by SPIRE Academy’s teachers, delving into pivotal moments in American history, including the foundations of democracy, the Civil War, industrialization and immigration, and the civil rights movement. Learning extends beyond the classroom through two educational field trips to historical and cultural sites, and two campus visits to nearby colleges and universities. You can also earn academic credit and strengthen your college readiness. The program also includes SPIRE’s performance training, mental skills sessions, and personalized athletic assessments.
Location: Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
Cost: $100
Program Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 with a minimum GPA of 2.5
Hosted by VCU’s Department of African American Studies, the Gabriel Summer Institute is a weeklong day camp that invites you to explore genealogy and Black family histories through hands-on research and local fieldwork. You’ll spend the week developing archival and research skills, using digital and institutional resources to trace your family roots, and organizing your findings into a personal family tree. The program is led by VCU faculty and a professional genealogist, offering a blend of classroom learning and experiential activities. Campers will visit historic and cultural sites across Richmond, including the Richmond Trail of Enslaved Africans, Shockoe Bottom African Burial Ground, Sankofa Community Orchard, the Library of Virginia, and the Black History Museum.
Location: James Madison’s Montpelier, Montpelier Station, VA
Cost: $950 for the week and $300 deposit
Program Dates: July 13–18
Application Deadline: Not Mentioned
Eligibility: Open to high school juniors and seniors
Hosted at James Madison’s Montpelier, this is a week-long archaeological expedition for high school students. You’ll work side-by-side with Montpelier’s professional archaeological team to excavate and preserve artifacts from sites dating back to the late 18th and early 19th centuries. You’ll help excavate home sites and a blacksmith shop that reveal vital insights into the daily lives of those who built and sustained Montpelier. Each day combines hands-on fieldwork with guided discussions on archaeology’s broader role in understanding liberty, legacy, and African American history. You’ll also gain behind-the-scenes access to Montpelier’s new Community Archaeology Lab (CALM), where you’ll learn lab analysis and artifact preservation techniques. The program also includes specialty tours led by Montpelier’s historians and archaeologists.
Location: Fisher College/Commonwealth School, Boston, MA
Cost: $6,550
Dates: June 22 – July 3
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in history and research
TCR History Camp is a research-focused summer camp that helps high school students sharpen their skills in historical research, analysis, and academic writing. Over two weeks, you’ll work under close mentorship to refine your chosen topics, develop strong research questions, and produce detailed outlines for long-form historical essays. You’ll learn to identify and use primary and secondary sources, structure your arguments effectively, and engage with the philosophical challenges of studying the past. Each camper receives personalized guidance from instructors in small class sizes, a 1:5 instructor-student ratio, and conducts independent study sessions at the Boston Public Library.
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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