15 San Francisco Summer Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Sep 5, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 19, 2025
If you’re a middle school student in San Francisco looking for an engaging and productive way to spend your summer, consider joining a local summer camp.
Summer camps are shorter and more hands-on than classes or year-round programs. While programs might run for months and focus on structured lessons, camps usually last a few weeks and focus on activities, teamwork, and skill-building. You might spend your days exploring science experiments, practicing sports, creating art, or tackling coding challenges.
Beyond the activities themselves, summer camps can help you meet new friends, connect with mentors, and gain confidence. The people you meet, like camp counselors, guest instructors, or even older students, can introduce you to ideas and paths you hadn’t considered before.
To help you choose, here’s a list of 15 San Francisco summer camps for middle school students!
15 San Francisco Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Varies by the cohort
Application deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year. Check here
Eligibility: Middle school students in grades 6-8
Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a remote research experience for middle school students who want to explore a topic they care about. Over eight weeks, you work one-on-one with a mentor from a top university such as Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, or LSE. You choose a field like AI, engineering, environmental science, history, or economics and build a project with expert guidance.
You start by exploring different topics, then focus on one area and create a final project. You build skills in reading, writing, problem-solving, and critical thinking while preparing for high school and future academic work. Past students have written research papers, built presentations, and created Harvard Business School-style case studies. You can check out the JEP brochure and apply here.
Location: Virtual
Dates: 25 hours over 10 weeks (weekends) or 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays during the summer)
Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort
Eligibility: Grades 6 - 8
Veritas AI Trailblazers Program is a virtual experience for middle school students in grades 6 to 8 who want to explore artificial intelligence and machine learning through real-world applications in medicine. Over ten weeks, you attend online lectures and small group sessions with a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio. You start by learning Python and the basics of AI and medicine. Then you study exploratory data analysis, regression, and convolutional neural networks. You finish with advanced topics like image classification, neural networks, and AI ethics. You work on a group project with three to five peers and present your findings at the end. Check out the brochure here.
Location: California College of the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $650; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 – 16 per studio
Dates: August 4 – 8
Application Deadline: July 22
Eligibility: Students who have just completed fifth, sixth, or seventh grades the spring before the upcoming program
Young Artist Studio Program (YASP) at California College of the Arts is a weeklong, all-day summer experience for middle school students who want to explore art and design. You attend morning and afternoon classes on campus in San Francisco and work on creative projects based on the studio you choose. Studios include animation, architecture and interior design, ceramics, sculpture and drawing, comics and visual storytelling, fashion design, photography, jewelry making, painting, and more. You are taught by practicing artists and designers, and create work for a final exhibition at the end of the week
Location: Youth Science Institute, Los Gatos, CA
Cost/Stipend: $350-$525, depending on program type and duration. Multi-person discounts and scholarships are available
Dates: Various week-long camps from June 9 – August 8
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades K–6. Some sessions are tailored for specific grade bands (e.g., grades 4–6).
YSI Summer Camp at the Youth Science Institute invites middle school students to explore nature through outdoor adventures, live animal encounters, and hands-on science activities. You’ll hike, play interactive games, and dive into art and craft projects that connect science with creativity and environmental awareness. You can also join the Bloomin’ Biomes camp, where each day focuses on a different biome, from deserts to wetlands, and teaches you how scientists study habitats and ecosystems.
Location: Junior Center of Art and Science, Oakland, CA
Cost/Stipend: Most camps range from $450–$625 per week. Sliding scale pricing and financial assistance are available.
Dates: 1 and 2-week camps from June 9 – August 15
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 1st – 8th graders
JCAS Summer Camp at the Junior Center of Art and Science gives middle school students a chance to explore both art and science through hands-on, project-based learning. You’ll explore subjects like carpentry, graphic design, painting, mixed media, and engineering, all led by professional artists and educators. Each activity is designed to help you experiment, express yourself, and build real skills. The camp also offers dedicated science and engineering weeks, where you’ll work on creative challenges that blend design thinking with scientific exploration.
Location: Various locations across California, including San Francisco, CA
Cost: $325 half-day first week, $525 full-day first week
Dates: Camps run weekly from June 2 to August 1 across multiple sites. Exact dates vary by location.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to students ages 6–16. Placement is based on grade level and math ability. Kindergarteners may be accepted if they meet prerequisites.
Firecracker Math Camp is a summer program for curious and challenge-loving students ages 6 to 16. Each day is split into two parts: a half day of engaging math instruction and a half day of fun activities like chess, art, science, and games. You’ll be placed in a group based on your grade or math level, and explore topics like number theory, algebra, geometry, combinatorics, graph theory, logic, and basic computer science. These subjects are taught through games, magic tricks, paradoxes, and contests.
7. Camp Galileo
Location: Various locations, including San Francisco, CA
Cost: $499–$595 per week, depending on location and timing. Discounts may apply for early registration or multi-week sign-ups.
Dates: Various week-long sessions from June – August
Application Deadline: The Thursday before the beginning of a session, pending availability
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 – 8
Camp Galileo Meteor Program is for middle school students who want to explore STEAM through hands-on projects and outdoor fun. Each week, you choose one project based on your interests and build it using real tools and support from instructors. Past projects have included go-karts, escape rooms, and remote-controlled robots. You also take part in outdoor games, themed dress-up days, and Water Day activities. The camp helps you build creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while having fun with friends.
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $1450; Financial aid is available
Dates: Several 2-week sessions from June 2 – August 15
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis starting January 6
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 1–6, with specific sessions tailored to different grade bands
The Lawrence Hall of Science Summer Camps offer hands-on science experiences for students entering grades 1 to 6. In Surviving on Mars, you explore what it takes to live on Mars by designing and testing systems that provide water, oxygen, and warmth. You learn how scientists identify habitable environments and use the engineering design process to solve real-world challenges. In the Animal Scientists camp, you observe live animals in their habitats, visit the Animal Discovery Zone, and conduct experiments to answer questions about animal behavior. This camp helps you build investigation and observation skills while deepening your understanding of biology and ecology.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $795 per week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 per session
Dates: Several week-long sessions from July 14 – August 8
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 9 – 11
Academy Summer Camp at the California Academy of Sciences is a weeklong program for students ages 9 to 11 who want to learn how to protect, restore, and enhance nature. You choose from future-focused themes like Designs from Nature, Biomimicry, Nature Near Us, and A Nature City. Each camp includes hands-on indoor and outdoor activities that help you explore science, sustainability, and creative problem-solving. Indoor sessions feature guest speakers, group projects, and experiments. Outdoor activities connect you with local habitats and give you a chance to apply what you learn in real-world settings.
Location: Various locations in San Francisco, CA
Cost: Varies by location and program; scholarships are available. Tentatively $779 (week 1) + $769 (week 2)
Dates: July 7 to August 1
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 10 – 14
AI Robotics Engineering with AR Coding for Teens is a two-week summer camp offered by Camp Integem that blends artificial intelligence, robotics, and holographic augmented reality. You start with basic concepts and progress to advanced modules in robotics mechanics, motor controls, circuits, Python coding, AR design, and AI-based robotics control. You build and program smart robots equipped with sensors, mecha arms, and AI systems. Using holographic AR, you can launch and control robots remotely, simulating real-world problem-solving.
Location: Various locations in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Cost: $570; discounts are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 per class
Dates: Camps run weekly from June 9 to August 9, depending on location.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 8 – 12
Robotics and Game-Making Camp is a hands-on summer program where you build and program LEGO EV3 robots that move, speak, and express emotions. You use Scratch to control motors and sensors, and each student works with their robot kit to create expressive movements and interactive behaviors. You also learn to design robot-themed games using block-based coding. The robots respond to your commands and perform actions like lifting objects, navigating obstacle courses, and interacting with players.
12. City Kid Camp
Location: San Francisco, CA
Cost: $550 per week; multi-week discounts and scholarships are available
Dates: Multiple sessions from June – August
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 8 – 12 years old
City Kid Camp is a summer program for middle school students that blends outdoor play, creative activities, and personal growth. Each day includes games, sports, and field trips to local destinations. You also take part in art and craft projects, learn about the environment, and explore new interests in a relaxed setting. The camp focuses on building social and communication skills, confidence, and a sense of identity. Activities are designed to support youth development in a safe and welcoming space without a rigid schedule.
Location: Various locations, including San Francisco, CA
Cost: Varies by location and time; typically ranges from $275 – $595
Dates: Camps run weekly from June through August, depending on location.
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis, subject to availability
Eligibility: Students in K-8 grades
Legarza STEAM Summer Camp is a hands-on program for middle school students who want to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through creative challenges and real-world projects. Offered at multiple campuses, you can choose from courses like Robotics and Coding, Einstein Energy, Tinker Race, Spy Academy, and more. In Robotics and Coding, you design and program your robot using motors and sensors. In Tinker Race, you build a glider and race it against friends. Each day features a new theme and activities.
Location: Hillsborough, CA
Cost: $850 per week
Dates: Sessions run the weeks of June 23, June 30, July 7, July 14, and July 21
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 27 (Nueva families) and March 2 (general public). Enrollment is rolling until sessions fill.
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 8 who provide evidence of academic standing (90th percentile on any recent standardized test is preferred)
Nueva Summer Camp is a multidisciplinary program for middle school students who want to explore literature, art, debate, design thinking, engineering, and math. Classes are project-based and inquiry-driven, designed for high-ability learners who enjoy deep thinking and creative challenges. You are encouraged to register for both a morning and an afternoon class to experience a full day of learning. Each class is led by Nueva teachers and visiting educators and follows the school’s signature teaching practices.
Location: Ballet Petit, Hayward, CA
Cost: $690 (1 week) or $1,320 (2 weeks); scholarships are available
Dates: July 14 – 18 (week 1) or July 21 – 25 (week 2)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Recommended for ages 9 with at least 2 years of ballet training and currently taking at least 2 classes per week, or teacher recommendation
The Summer Dance Academy by Oakland Ballet is a weeklong program for students ages 9 and up with at least two years of ballet experience. You spend each day in technique classes for ballet and pointe, learn classical and neo-classical variations, and build choreography skills with help from professional ballet artists. You are placed into a level based on your experience, so your training is personalized. Each week, you learn choreography from a different ballet, like Sleeping Beauty or Coppélia. On Fridays, you perform in an “Informance” to show your progress to family and friends.
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 where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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