20 Summer Camps for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 day ago
- 13 min read
Summer camp is a great place to pursue your interests while having some fun. Some camps let you explore topics like robotics, filmmaking, or even business, before you learn them in school. Others focus on real-life experiences, like solving problems in your community or building something with your hands.Â
Summer camps for middle school students offer a space to meet students from all over the country (or world) who think like you, and maybe come out of it with a few lifelong friends. Many of these camps are also free or affordable, letting you interact closely with industry experts or even work on group projects that feel like a mini-startup.Â
The experience of summer camps is often more than just learning; it’s about discovering what excites you and showing the world what you’re made of. And we’ve curated a list of the top 20 summer camps for middle school students so that you can find the one that best fits your goals.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective; 1:1 student-to-PhD-mentor ratio
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,400 (need-based financial aid is available)
Dates:Â 8-week programSummer I:Â Starts June 2
Summer II:Â Starts July 14
Application deadline:Â
Summer I:Â Typically in the second week of May
Summer II: June 23
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Lumiere Education’s Junior Explorer Program is a virtual research program for middle school students. It is designed for high-achieving middle school students who want to dive deep into their academic interests with 1-on-1 mentorship from PhD scholars from leading institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and MIT. Over 8 weeks, you choose your own subject, engage in rigorous coursework, and complete an advanced research project under close expert guidance.Â
Once through, you can expect to have gained confidence in your critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. To help more students access the program, there is an option for need-based financial aid. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year, so you are encouraged to visit their website to look at all available cohorts and deadlines.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Moderately selective; 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,990 (need-based financial aid is available)
Dates:Â Cohort I: 25 hours over 10 weekends
Cohort II:Â 25 hours over 2 weeks (weekdays)
Application deadline: June 22
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers is an online summer program for middle school students interested in exploring the basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Over the course of 25 hours, you will learn data analysis, AI ethics, image classification, and more, with a strong focus on hands-on experience. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, you can expect close guidance from mentors, engaging lectures, and meaningful group sessions. Throughout the program, you work on collaborative projects that explore the intersection of AI with areas like gaming, healthcare, and sports.Â
Previous participants have developed tools like music genre classifiers and recommendation systems for learning platforms. The experience wraps up with a project showcase, giving you the chance to present your work, practice public speaking, and build confidence in sharing technical ideas.
3. MIT dynaMIT
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost:Â Free
Dates:Â There are 2 sessions:
Week 1: Rising 6-7 gradersFrom July 11 to TBA
Week 2: Rising 8-9 gradersTBA
Application deadline:Â February 10
Eligibility:Â Rising 6-9 grade students
The dynaMIT program helps middle school STEM students gain a learning experience at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge. dynaMIT is especially committed to supporting students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, encouraging them to apply and explore STEM in a supportive environment. Designed and led by MIT students, this free, week-long program helps build creativity, problem-solving skills, and confidence through immersive experiments and activities. With close mentorship from MIT students, participants are exposed to real-world applications of science, mathematics, and engineering, making this a great opportunity for young learners.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Moderately selective
Location: U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville, Alabama
Cost: Starting from $699 (need-based scholarship is typically available)
Dates:Â Week-long camps with multiple options
Application deadline: Varies by camp
Eligibility: Children aged 9-18 (adult and family camps are also available)
Since 1982, NASA’s Space Camp has been an immersive, in-person educational camp for people who are curious about space, science, and technology. Hosted at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama, the camp offers hands-on training inspired by real NASA missions, including astronaut simulations and engineering design activities. Over a week, you work in teams to complete STEM-based missions, building your skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and scientific thinking.
The program sees participation from 150 countries and offers need-based scholarships to make the experience more accessible. Applicants are recommended to apply as soon as possible due to high demand.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective
Location: Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free (full scholarship)
Dates:Â Typically from early July to early August
Application deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: Students aged 12-14 living in New York City
The Science of Smart Cities (SoSC) program at New York University (NYU) Tandon School of Engineering is a free, summer initiative designed for middle school students in New York City. Hosted at NYU's Brooklyn campus, the program exposes you to engineering, computer science, and technology concepts. Through activities, demonstrations, and experiments, you explore how these concepts are applied in urban environments today and how they might shape the cities of the future through sustainability, efficiency, and safety. You also engage in ‘Irondale’, an improv initiative that blends theory with practice and improves your public speaking skills. As the program concludes, you get the opportunity to present your ideas, demonstrating your understanding and creativity in solving urban challenges.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective
Location: School of Engineering and Applied Science, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $650 (need-based financial aid available)
Dates:Â June 23-27
Application deadline: Typically in MarchÂ
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8 who live and attend school within 60 miles of the campus
The University of Pennsylvania’s Penn GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) program is a week-long summer camp for middle school students. Hosted by Penn Engineering, the camp aims to inspire future engineers by offering early exposure to engineering in everyday life. The day camp exposes you to interactive activities in bioengineering, nanotechnology, materials science, and more through projects such as programming robots and creating animations. Applications include a student-completed form, a teacher recommendation, and a recent report card, are typically due by early March. The program is highly selective and open to students who have not previously attended.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Cost: From $990
Dates:Â 1 to 3 weeks between June 29 - August 8, depending on course
Application deadline: 1 week before the start date of the selected course
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8 (with options for elementary and high school students)
Northwestern University's Center for Talent Development (CTD) offers Academic Summer Camps for middle school students as 1-week or 3-week sessions, on its Evanston campus. With both residential and commuter options, you can enroll in advanced enrichment or accelerated courses across various subjects, including math, science, technology, engineering, economics, and language arts. Examples of courses include Forensic Science, Fantasy Writing & Wordbuilding, and Comparative Anatomy. You also have the opportunity to take ownership of your own project, building both your confidence and portfolio. Eligibility differs by course and is determined by how rigorous the program is, the content on offer, and more; it is categorised in various tiers that you can view here.Â
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Moderately selective
Location: Multiple options between virtual, day, and overnight camps
Cost: From $495 (financial aid available)
Dates:Â Multiple options from early June to late July
Application deadline: Students are admitted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades 7-9
The North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) offers the Summer Accelerator program for STEM enthusiasts in grades 7-9. Residential courses are held at NCSSM's Durham and Morganton campuses, with day camps available at North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies, and online courses for students who prefer remote learning. You have a variety of course options to learn from, from math, aviation, and genetics to crime investigation, greek mythology, and game design. Taught by experienced STEM educators and professionals, the program prioritizes both coursework and opportunities to work on collaborative projects. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and you are encouraged to apply early due to limited course capacity.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â 12-18 students per class
Location: Varies by course; all locations listed here
Cost: From $3,149 (financial aid available)
Dates:Â Varies by location but typically between late June and early AugustApplication deadline: Students are admitted on a rolling basis until mid May
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8 (elementary and high school options also available)
The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY) offers summer camps for advanced students in grades 2-12. Held at various campuses across the U.S., including Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, these programs provide residential options for students in grade 5 and above and the opportunity to participate in group discussions, projects, and social events. CTY has a selection of nearly 50 courses to choose from for middle school students alone, with subject areas such as bioethics, literature, public health, history and more. To participate, you also undergo a standardized test, which helps determine the level of learning suitable for you.
Location: University of Michigan, MI (Ann Arbor or Detroit, depending on camp)
Cost: Free
Dates:Â Session I: June 23-27 | Session II: August 4-8
Application deadline: Typically in April
Eligibility: Students residing in Michigan in grades 6-8
The University of Michigan’s Thinkabit Lab Summer Camp is a free, week-long STEM summer camp for middle school students in Michigan. Hosted at the Ann Arbor campus or the Michigan Engineering Zone (MEZ) in Detroit, the camp offers practical engineering experiences, including building robotic crafts and learning basic programming. Campers engage in the engineering design process, meet professional engineers, and get the opportunity to network with like-minded peers. Sessions are typically held in June and August, with all necessary technology provided to participants.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (unless otherwise stated)
Cost: $440 to $550 (scholarships available)
Dates:Â Week-long sessions with multiple options
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8 (elementary and high school sessions also available)
Summer Programs for Enrichment and Accelerated Knowledge in STEAM (P.E.A.K.S.) is a series of week-long summer programs for middle school students offered by Georgia Institute of Technology at its campus in Atlanta. You can enroll in one or more programs to maximize your learning and explore topics such as robotics, coding, and AI through hands-on activities led by Georgia Tech faculty, students, and area educators. You are encouraged to experiment, solve real problems, and even put your own prototypes to the test to cultivate a deeper appreciation of the real-world application of STEM principles.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Highly selective; 12 students per cohort
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates:Â July 7-25
Application deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Low-income family U.S. students in grades 6 and 7
The Stanford Middle School Scholars Program (SMSSP) is a tuition-free, selective academic enrichment opportunity for middle school students from low-income backgrounds. The program begins with a 3-week online summer course, where students participate in live classes led by Stanford Online High School (OHS) instructors. Course options include topics such as politics, history, and math; you are encouraged to share your preferences, based on which you are assigned a class. Each cohort includes 12 students, fostering close collaboration and individualistic mentorship. Following the summer session, you continue with weekly hour-long virtual meetings from August to December, for course-related discussions and workshops. This extended support builds a sense of continuity and community, helping you stay engaged and motivated beyond the summer program.
Acceptance rate/cohort size:Â Moderately selective; 4:1 student-to-staff ratio
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,499 (with discounts for early sign-ups)
Dates:Â July 14 - August 1
Application deadline: Students are admitted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18
Berkeley Coding Academy’s Data Science: The AI Journey is a virtual summer program designed for students who have foundational Python skills. You engage in interactive sessions with everyone from the program director to support staff, with a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and 1:1 support. You create data visualizations, make real-world predictions, and build machine learning models, culminating in a final project that focuses on an original AI story. It is reviewed by staff and peers and is made ready for future use in science fairs and college applications. Tuition for the course is $2,499, with package options available for additional courses such as ‘Code Confidently in Python’ and ‘AI in Action: Teaching Machines to See’.Â
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: From $175 (scholarships are provided)
Dates:Â 1-week sessions between July 7-25, depending on course
Application deadline: June 6
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8 (with options for elementary and high school students)
The Sally Ride Science Academy at the University of California (UC), San Diego hosts summer camps for middle school students interested in exploring science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through hands-on workshops. Held from July 7 to 25, the program provides in-person and online courses, allowing you to choose a format that best suits your needs. Workshop topics include CAD and 3D printing, Raspberry Pi programming, entrepreneurship, and more. You are introduced to relevant tools and engage in interactive projects that encourage critical thinking by experienced instructors who serve as both educators and role models. In-person classes at UC San Diego offer you exposure to a university environment that you can value for long after the program ends. Applications are open until June 6, and early registration is encouraged due to limited course capacity.
Location: California State University, Long Beach, CA
Cost: $500
Dates:Â July 14-25
Application deadline: From February until seats are full (while all sessions for this year are sold out, students can join the waiting list)
Eligibility: Students in grades 2-8Â
The Young Scientists’ Camp at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) is a 2-week summer camp for middle school students and beyond, offering practical science experiences on a university campus. You engage in interactive STEM investigations through facilities such as the Marine Lab, Shark Lab, Vertebrate Lab, Bug Lab, and more. Instructors comprise experienced teachers and CSULB education students, providing mentorship and fostering a collaborative learning environment. In addition, the institution also hosts "SEE US Succeed!", another summer camp initiative supporting students experiencing homelessness in the Long Beach Unified School District.Â
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: From $250 (scholarships available)
Dates:Â Week-long sessions between June 23 - July 11
Application deadline: Applications are accepted until seats are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 5-12
The San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at UC San Diego offers a variety of STEM-focused summer camps for elementary, middle, and high school students, providing learning experiences in topics like Java programming and robotics. These camps are designed to introduce you to advanced topics in a supportive environment, and are tailored for grade-specific learning levels. Each course focuses on not only increasing your knowledge but also building your communication, teamwork, and problem solving skills. The camps typically run in week-long sessions, with specific dates and times varying by course.Â
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Cost: From $60 (need-based scholarship available)
Dates:Â Multiple options between June 24 - August 12
Application deadline: Applications are accepted until seats are full
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6-8
Oregon State University’s (OSU) Middle School Summer Camps are designed to spark curiosity and build practical skills in students entering grades 6 through 8. Hosted by the OSU STEM Academy, these camps are held on the Corvallis campus and cover topics like biology, gaming, engineering, and arts. Camp sessions range from one day to one week, offering engaging projects, group collaboration, and access to university labs and resources.
You have the opportunity to explore real-world problems, design your own inventions, and interact with OSU faculty and college students. The camps aim to develop both technical knowledge and soft skills like teamwork and creative problem-solving. Need-based scholarships are available to help make the programs accessible to a wider range of students.
Location: Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Cost: From $1,329 for middle school students (payment plans available)
Dates:Â Multiple camps between June 22 and August 15
Application deadline: Students are admitted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students aged 7-17
iD Tech Camps at Stanford University offer week-long, in-person summer camps for middle school and other students who are eager to delve into STEM subjects. Held on Stanford's campus in Palo Alto, California, these camps provide courses in coding, robotics, game development, AI, and more, with the opportunity to build or create your own project. You can choose between day and overnight options, allowing you to experience campus life, including dining in university halls and participating in outdoor activities at Levin Field. With instructors from prestigious institutions like Stanford and NYU, these camps maintain a low student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring personalized guidance as students work on projects. Sessions run from June 22 to August 15, and early registration is recommended as courses fill fast.
Location: UT Dallas, Richardson, TX
Cost: $20 registration fee
Dates:Â June 9
Application deadline: Applications are invited until seats are full
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8
The University of Texas at Dallas’ STEMposium is a day-long summer camp for middle school students who are interested in exploring the intersection of IT and business. Hosted by the Naveen Jindal School of Management, the camp includes hands-on activities such as working with Raspberry Pi microcomputers, introductory coding sessions, data analytics exercises, and explorations of supply chain management concepts. You will engage in discussions and practical experiences led by faculty members and industry professionals, while engaging with students who share your interests. The registration fee is $20, which covers meals, snacks, a t-shirt, gifts, and other necessary materials.Â
Location: Marine Science Institute, Redwood City, CA
Cost: From $860 for middle school students (scholarships available)
Dates:Â Options between June 9 - August 8
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Students in grades K-8
The Marine Science Institute (MSI) in Redwood City, California, provides a Summer Marine Science Camp for students, letting them experience San Francisco Bay Area marine life up close. You engage in activities such as live animal interactions and boat trips aboard the 90-foot research vessel. Led by experienced science instructors, the camp has a collaborative learning environment to inspire environmental stewardship, encouraging you to connect with marine science through interactive games, crafts, and themed activities. The program’s curriculum is also updated annually to ensure an updated and novel experience for all participants.
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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