10 Summer Camps in Georgia for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 28
- 7 min read
Summer camps are one of the easiest ways for high school students to explore college-level subjects without committing to a super lengthy program in the summer. Camps are short and focused, often lasting just a week or two, but they pack in a lot of real-world experience. You can try out engineering by building machines, get a feel for business by pitching ideas, or sharpen your writing by working with published authors.
The best part is that these camps don’t cost as much as pre-college programs, but still give you access to professional tools, industry insights, and an advanced academic environment. You leave with new skills, stronger confidence, and sometimes even a final project or deliverable that you can use in college applications!
Georgia offers many such camps for high school students, and in this blog we’ve rounded up 10 summer camps for high school students in Georgia!
10 Summer Camps in Georgia for High School Students
At the Summer Academy hosted by the University of Georgia in Athens, you can explore a variety of subjects ranging from medicine and robotics to law, game design, and creative writing. Designed for middle and high school students, the academy offers a wide range of STEAM and career-focused camps.
Camps are led by professionals, university instructors, and subject-matter experts. Some camps include team-based projects, simulations, or final showcases, providing a deeper learning experience.
Cost: Varies by camp; typically ranges from $450–$1,200. Need-based scholarships are available.
Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective; specific information on the acceptance rate or cohort size is not available
Dates: Varies by program; multiple week-long sessions, typically in June and July.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until seats fill up.
Eligibility: Middle and high school students (grades 6–12), depending on the camp.
At Georgia Tech’s CEISMC Summer P.E.A.K.S., you can spend one or two weeks exploring topics like AI, data science, neuroscience, animation, drones, and more. You might build and code your device, explore how the brain works through games, or remix music using Python.
Each camp focuses on a specific area in STEAM and is led by Georgia Tech faculty from departments like Computing, Psychology, and Engineering. Some camps include field trips, guest speakers, and final presentations. You’ll learn by doing and walk away with something to show for it.
Cost: $400–$650 per session. Scholarships available.
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; capped seats (20–25 per session).
Dates: Weekly sessions run from June 2 – July 25.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until the Wednesday before each session.
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders (current 8th–11th grade students).
If you’re looking for something active and outdoors, Georgia 4-H camps offer a mix of adventure, science, and leadership training. Options include Senior Camp at Camp Jekyll, Senior EXTREME Camp at Rock Eagle, and the Natural Resources Exploration Camp.
You’ll take part in activities like canoeing, hiking, ropes courses, and wildlife exploration while also learning about environmental science and leadership. Camps are run by trained staff from UGA’s Cooperative Extension program and held at 4-H centers across the state. Each one follows the 4-H mission of developing your head, heart, hands, and health through practical experiences and group learning.
Cost: Varies by camp and county; typically includes lodging, meals, and activity costs.
Location: Multiple Georgia 4-H Centers, including Camp Jekyll, Rock Eagle 4-H Center, Fortson, Burton, and Wahsega.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective; varies by county and camp.
Dates: Multiple options available in June and July; each camp lasts 1 week.
Application Deadline: Contact your local UGA County Extension office or call your county’s Cooperative Extension office for specific deadlines.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12.
Young Writers Intensive is a two-week summer camp at Agnes Scott College focused on enhancing your writing skills. You'll write fiction, nonfiction, poetry slam, and digital narratives, with hands-on workshops that help you develop plot structure, narrative voice, and character development.
You’ll also work on editing techniques, learn how to give and receive peer feedback, and gain insight into the business of publishing, including how to pitch your work and understand literary markets. The camp offers one-on-one mentoring and gives you plenty of chances to work alongside other writers, share your work, and challenge each other in group exercises that keep your creativity flowing.
Cost: Not listed online; contact the program director at mistafunn@gmail.com after registering.
Location: Agnes Scott College, Decatur, GA.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts of 8–12 students per session.
Dates: June 2–13 (Monday–Friday, 9 AM–3 PM).
Application Deadline: Registration is open until full.
Eligibility: Students ages 14–18 (grades 9–12).
DiscoverU is a summer program at Kennesaw State University where high school students explore potential career paths through week-long themed camps. These sessions cover areas like healthcare, business, technology, and engineering, giving you a chance to build practical skills and learn real-world concepts.
You’ll spend time on campus, participating in hands-on activities, project work, and skill-building exercises. The program is designed to help you make more informed decisions about your academic and career goals while giving you an early taste of university life.
Cost: Not specified; email discoveru@kennesaw.edu for specific details.
Location: Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective; spots are limited and fill quickly.
Dates: Weekly camps from June 2 – July 25 (each camp is 1 week long)
Application Deadline: Registration is open until full.
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12).
The Georgia Film Academy offers high school students the chance to dive into screenwriting, filmmaking, and post-production with immersive summer camps. Designed for rising 9th graders through age 17, these camps take place at professional studio campuses in Fayetteville and Norcross.
You can choose from three tracks: a 5-day screenwriting camp, a 3-day film production camp, or a 3-day post-production camp. Each camp provides hands-on training, access to real professional sets, and the opportunity to work on a collaborative project that wraps up with a final showcase of your work.
Cost: Screenwriting: $640 (early bird), $690; Production: $615 (early bird), $665; Post-production: $515 (early bird), $565 | 5-day Screenwriting: $625; 3-day Production: $600; 3-day Post-production: $500
Location: GFA Trilith Studios, Fayetteville, GA; GFA OFS Studios, Norcross, GA.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; limited seats per session.
Dates: Screenwriting Camp: June 2–6; Film Production Camps: June 6–8, June 13–15, June 20–22, July 11–13, July 18–20, July 25–27; Post-production Camps: June 20–22, July 25–27.
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early bird deadline is May 1.
Eligibility: Rising 9th grade to age 17
The 21st Century Leaders Summer Institutes offer you the chance to develop leadership skills while exploring career paths in real industries. Held at Emory University, Georgia Tech, and Georgia College & State University, these programs combine college life with career-focused learning.
You’ll take part in hands-on workshops where you’ll tackle challenges like building a business plan or creating a community outreach project. You’ll also visit companies and nonprofits, getting an inside look at how they operate and the skills required in various fields.
Cost: Varies by institute; check the website for specific program details; financial aid is available.
Location: SYLI and HII: Emory University, Atlanta, GA; EarthCare: Georgia College & State University, Milledgeville, GA; Film & Entertainment: Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; specific information on the acceptance rate or cohort size is not available.
Dates: Vary by institute; held between June and July (exact dates shared upon selection).
Application Deadline: March 1 (application opens January 6)
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th-grade students who reside in Georgia.
This in-person summer camp by Wealthy Habits equips high school students with essential money management skills. The 5-day Money Master Camp and 2-day Money Basics Camp cover everything from budgeting and saving to investing, credit, and the psychology of money. You will collaborate in small groups, compete in games, and learn through real-life scenarios — all led by trained college instructors. Camps are held at multiple locations across Atlanta, including Emory University and Duluth High School. Need-based scholarships are available.
Cost: $225 for a 2-day camp and $450 for a 5-day camp in Atlanta, with scholarships available.
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selective; specific information on the acceptance rate or cohort size is not available.
Program Dates: May–August (various weekly sessions)
Application Deadlines: Rolling admissions; early application recommended for scholarship consideration
Eligibility: Students aged 11–18
If you're interested in public health, global outbreaks, or becoming a real-life disease detective, the Disease Detective Camp (DDC) at the CDC in Atlanta is a solid opportunity. This academically rigorous program is for high school students with a strong interest in science, medicine, and public service.
Throughout the week, you'll work on case studies, simulations, and hands-on projects in areas like epidemiology, emergency preparedness, public health communication, and lab technology. You’ll also work with peers from diverse backgrounds and learn directly from CDC professionals, gaining insight into real-world public health challenges.
Cost: None
Location: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; specific information on the acceptance rate or cohort size is not available
Dates: June 23–27; July 21–25
Application Deadline: Applications open December 15. Deadline not specified.
Eligibility: Must be a rising 11th or 12th grader, and at least 16 years old by the first day of the session.
This week-long residential engineering camp at the University of Georgia is for students from underrepresented backgrounds interested in engineering. The program includes hands-on projects, data analysis, design challenges, and leadership activities, focusing on engineering concepts like physics, problem-solving, and communication.
You will work with faculty and peers to develop solutions using the engineering design process and learn how to analyze and create innovations. The camp is led by Dr. Racheida S. Lewis, an engineering educator and advocate for equity in STEM.
Cost: Free (full scholarship includes day camp + residential costs)
Location: University of Georgia, Driftmier Engineering Center, Athens, GA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort is limited to 25 students
Dates: June 9–13
Application Deadline: Students must complete the survey to be considered; decisions will be communicated by April 12
Eligibility: Ages 15–17; open to students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in a subject of your choice, 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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