15 Summer Camps in California for Middle School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 23
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 19
Summer camps can be a great option for middle school students to spend the school break engaging in advanced academics, building practical life skills, and getting early industry exposure .
Summer camps are typically short, activity-based programs that are often more accessible and affordable than other enrichment programs. These camps can help you explore interests in STEM, arts, leadership, or entrepreneurship while building valuable connections with peers and mentors. For students in California, the state’s rich academic and tech ecosystems make it an ideal place to explore summer camps that are both enriching and prestigious.
We have curated a list of 15 summer camps in California for middle school students. These camps stand out for their academic rigor, networking potential, and competitive admissions.
15 Summer Camps in California for Middle School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies
Application deadline: May/June deadlines for summer cohorts
Dates: Eight-week sessions in various cohorts; summer cohorts start in June/July
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
In this virtual program, you will work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university, diving into STEM, humanities, or entrepreneurship tracks. You will explore various topics in your field of choice, select one topic area, and then build a research project over the course of eight weeks. Some cohorts feature in-person seminars and showcases. The program focuses on skill-building, mentorship, and production of a unique project. Admission is competitive, with need-based scholarships awarded. You can find the application form here.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies
Application deadline: Rolling
Dates: Multiple options in the summer from June to August
Eligibility: Middle school students
In this online program, you will engage in sessions covering the basics of AI and coding and work on projects. The program will cover concepts like AI ethics, data analysis, regression, neural networks, and classification problems. Applying the concepts you learn, you will work on projects in a group of three to five students and explore the applications of AI in various fields. College-level mentors will offer guidance as you engage in project design and explore AI applications. You can learn more about the program through its brochure and apply here.
Location: San Diego Supercomputer Center at UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Cost: $250 or $340, depending on the program
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: Multiple camps available from June 23 to July 11. You can find more details here.
Eligibility: Students in grades 5 – 8
UC San Diego’s summer camps and workshops are designed for middle school and high school students interested in exploring STEM fields. You can consider tech programs like Blast Off, Space Crew!, and Beginning Automation & Robotics with VEX EXP. At camp, you will learn about programmable bricks, motors, and sensors, and design and automate mechanical systems through programmed inputs. You will also work on projects involving research and prototype creation to help address community needs. The experience can help you gain experience in robotics, problem-solving, automation, and teamwork.
Location: California State University, Long Beach campus, Long Beach, CA
Cost: $500 with a $25 sibling discount available
Application deadline: TBA
Dates: July 14 – 25
Eligibility: Students in grades 2–8
The Young Scientists Camp is a two-week program for students interested in engaging in science-based activities and learning how to think like scientists. Here, you will conduct scientific investigations, work in laboratories, and interact with scientists. You will focus on a broad topic in science assigned based on your grade level. In the past, the program has offered topics like ocean science and fundamentals of light and sound. At camp, you will also engage in field trips to engage in scientific exploration.
Location: Virtual and in-person in San Francisco, CA
Cost: Free
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: June 2 – 13 | July 7 – 18 | July 21 – August 1 | August 4 – 15
Eligibility: Women and gender expansive teens who are 13 to 18 years old
Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camp is a two-week introduction to software development, machine learning, and programming. You will learn about key concepts in these fields through one of four tracks. In the camp’s web development track, you will gain some experience in using HTML, JavaScript, and CSS and develop an online site. The machine learning track covers AI/ML concepts such as algorithms, natural language processing, and data sets. In the data science track, you will explore concepts like data visualisation. The mobile app track can help you learn how to code in Swift (Apple’s programming language) and develop an iOS mobile application.
Location: University of California at Davis, CA
Cost: Varies by camp
Application deadline: TBA
Dates: June–August; multiple sessions with varying dates based on the camp you choose
Eligibility: C Camps: Students in grades 6 and 7 | Teen Camps: Students in grades 7 and 9
UC Davis offers various camps to students of varying ages and grade levels. You can choose from a wide range of traditional day camps, craft camps, and specialty camps to enjoy a recreational, co-curricular, or art-based summer experience for one or two weeks in the summer. Each camp offers project-based learning opportunities. For instance, you will create your own beanie, stuffed animals, or scrunchies at Crocheting camp, design paper bead jewelry or friendship bracelets at the Fashion & Accessories camp, or observe birds and explore nature with scientists at the Bio Boot Camp. You can also engage in sports like floorball, water polo, basketball, bowling, and tennis at various camps.
Location: California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Half-Day camp: $230 | Full Day camp: $460; scholarships available
Application deadline: Open until filled; early registration recommended
Dates: June 16 – August 8; multiple one-week camps
Eligibility: Students in Pre-K through 8th grade
The Hands-On Science Camp offers a wide selection of weeklong in-person sessions focused on topics such as chemistry, robotics, biology, and astronomy. You will participate in inquiry-driven lab activities and collaborative projects, all designed to build scientific and engineering skills in a fun setting. Classes are taught by experienced educators and take place in real science labs and exhibit spaces. The program emphasizes experimentation, creativity, and teamwork, letting you meet and learn with peers who share your curiosity.
Location: The Lawrence Hall of Science at the University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Varies based on session
Application deadline: Varies based on session
Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7–12
The Lawrence at UC Berkeley offers one-week summer research camps to middle and high school students. These camps provide practical experiences in STEM, allowing you to conduct basic research in university labs while connecting with faculty and peers. You can choose from various camps, with options including studying animal behavior, exploring body systems and biomedical innovations, learning block-based coding to build nanosatellites for space exploration, and designing solar-powered devices while mastering electrical circuitry. Most programs are non-residential but offer an optional residential add-on to allow you to get an on-campus summer experience.
Location: Marine Science Institute (MSI), Redwood City, CA
Cost: Off-Site Explorers: $860 | Underwater Investigators: $865; scholarships available
Application deadline: Registration opens February 4; closes one week before each session or when full
Dates: June 9 – August 8; multiple weeklong sessions
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8
The Summer Marine Science Camp at the Marine Science Institute is designed for students interested in oceanography, ecology, and hands-on science. In the “Off-Site Explorers” program, you will spend one day on MSI’s 90-foot research vessel and four days on immersive field trips, exploring local coastal habitats and studying marine life. The “Underwater Investigators” program lets you explore biomimicry and marine innovation aboard the research ship while also engaging in field excursions, canoe trips, and interactive live animal encounters. Experienced science instructors guide you through the inquiry-based curriculum, which focuses on environmental stewardship and real scientific skill-building. You will gain experience in investigation, make new connections, and spend a summer full of outdoor adventure and discovery.
Location: University of Southern California’s USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free
Application deadline: May 5
Dates: July 14 – 25
Eligibility: Middle school students from Los Angeles with a B average or higher in math and science
The Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp offers middle school students practical learning experiences, focusing on engineering fields like aerospace, electrical, civil, environmental, and mechanical. At camp, you will build model rockets, bridges, and robots, and learn basic computer programming and app design through structured activities and group projects. You will have access to the mentorship of university faculty and Northrop Grumman professionals throughout the program. You will also engage in workshops covering coding and engineering basics, as well as tours of the university’s research facilities. At the end of camp, you will participate in a team-based design showcase and receive feedback from industry professionals.
Location: Sage Hill School, Newport Coast, CA
Cost: $500/week (includes lunch and camp T-shirt)
Application deadline: Rolling until filled
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions between July 7 and August 1
Eligibility: Students, ages 10–14, who are entering grades 5–8 in the fall
At Camp Sage, you will design your day, choosing from various workshops in science, arts, sports, and leadership and combining academic and creative choices to suit your interests. For instance, you can enroll in a debate workshop to explore the basics of an argument and prepare for competitive speech and debate events. You can choose the biotechnology and anatomy workshops to learn about concepts in DNA technology, environmental science, genetics, and anatomy through instruction and experiments. In each session, you will engage in daily interactive activities, field trips, and group projects with other motivated students. Throughout the program, the staff offers support to help you explore your interests and connect with peers.
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Varies by activity and session; typically, $350–$900/week
Application deadline: Open until camps are filled
Dates: June–August; session dates vary by camp
Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8
UC Berkeley offers multi-activity camps as well as specialty day camps, focusing on sports, aquatic skills, and creative arts, for the middle school age group. You will join peers in organized games, skill workshops, and theme-based activities under the guidance of UC RecWell staff. Depending on the camp you choose, you will study the Bay Area ecosystems, learn stand-up paddleboarding and sit-on-top kayaking, practice sailing, engage in rock climbing, or go on hikes. The camps are designed to prioritize safe, active learning and foster personal growth, leadership, and resilience.
Location: Nueva School, Hillsborough, CA
Cost: Varies by session; check the program website for updated details regarding tuition and scholarships
Application deadline: Rolling until filled
Dates: Weeklong sessions between June 23 and July 25
Eligibility: Middle school students entering grades 5–8
The Nueva Summer Camp features cross-disciplinary workshops in science, design, engineering, writing, and social leadership for curious, ambitious students. Each week, you will explore new themes, fostering project-based learning, creativity, and innovation in small, engaged classes. You will engage in collaborative challenges under the guidance and mentorship of professional instructors. You will also take part in community-building activities, talent showcases, and reflection opportunities.
14. Camp Galileo
Location: Multiple sites in the San Francisco Bay Area and greater CA
Cost: ~$400–$625/week, scholarships and early bird discounts available
Application deadline: Rolling
Dates: Weekly sessions between June and August
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–8
Camp Galileo offers various camps in design, engineering, robotics, and creative arts tracks, letting you invent and build alongside peers. The camp is designed to offer a creative and inclusive community, where you will experiment and solve real-life problems. You will focus on an independent weeklong project under the guidance of instructors; you will also help peers complete their projects. Along with project work, you will participate in traditional summer camp activities including dressing up according to the day’s theme, skits, water-based activities, and games like Capture the Rubber Chicken.
Location: Virtual or UC San Diego’s University City Center, San Diego, CA
Cost: $175–$450/one-week session; financial aid available
Application deadline: Applications typically close in April/May; check website for specific dates
Dates: July 7 – 25; multiple weeklong sessions with morning and afternoon schedules available
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–8 (with options for grades 3–12)
UC San Diego’s Sally Ride Science Academy offers in-person camp-like courses for middle school students interested in science, engineering, tech, arts, or math. You can choose from weeklong workshops in subjects like space exploration, marine biology, computer programming, animation, and filmmaking. Each session provides access to project work, campus facilities, and the guidance of expert instructors in small group settings. For instance, if you choose the CAD and 3D Printing Course, you will explore the basics of CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and create your own prototypes. In all tracks, sessions are designed to help you develop critical thinking and creativity and explore the fundamentals of different topics.
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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