15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Lexington, Kentucky
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 3
- 10 min read
Most high school students spend the year keeping up. Summer programs allow them to slow down and choose where to focus. By removing the pressure of grades and packed schedules, these programs create space for students to work through ideas, try unfamiliar areas, and reflect on what they want to pursue next.
What summer programs are available for high school students in Lexington, Kentucky?
Lexington hosts multiple program formats run by universities, research groups, and local organizations. Options range from science and research to writing, leadership, healthcare, and business. Many programs are local, which makes them easier to attend without travel or housing concerns. Spending time in one of these programs can help you figure out what you enjoy working on and give you experiences you can reference later in applications or interviews.
To help you explore your options, here are 15 summer programs for high school students in Lexington, Kentucky!
Note: You can also check out our compilation of the top internships available to high school students in Kentucky here.
15 Summer Programs for High School Students in Lexington, Kentucky
Location: William R. Willard Medical Education Building, Lexington, KY
Cost: A stipend is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8-week program, typically starting in June
Application Deadline: April 6
Eligibility: High school students aged at least 16 years who have taken advanced classes in both Biology and Chemistry. Must have an active bank account in their name for electronic deposits
The UK College of Medicine Summer Research Training Fellowship places you in a real research lab within the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics. You work with graduate students, postdocs, or research scientists and take part in ongoing lab experiments connected to biology and chemistry. Your work focuses on learning lab techniques, understanding how experiments are planned, and thinking through results. Over the summer, you build toward a short oral presentation where you explain what you worked on and what you learned.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 students
Dates: Monthly sessions from August 10 to May 10. Summer residential program from June 8 – July 12 (based on the previous year’s program)
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High schoolers who are native to one of the 54 Appalachian Kentucky counties, enrolled in a high school within the area, and a member of an underserved group in the research workforce as defined by the NIH (Details available on the program website)
The ACTION Program at the University of Kentucky is a year-long experience that combines academic-year sessions with a summer residential program. You attend monthly meetings during the school year and then spend several weeks on campus in the summer working with both research and clinical mentors. The program introduces you to cancer research, clinical environments, and community health work. You also take part in outreach projects focused on cancer awareness in Appalachian communities. With a small cohort of students, the program offers close mentorship and sustained engagement that stands out on college applications.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars. You can apply here.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.
Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that students have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
Location: Various locations throughout Kentucky
Cost: No cost. Stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admission
Dates: Varies based on the role
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Must be a full-time junior or senior in high school, compliant with child labor laws regarding age and work hours, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, and remain in good standing with the school. Check additional details here.
The Kentucky Department of Parks Summer Internship Program offers paid internships for high school juniors and seniors across state parks in Kentucky. You work in real park settings and help with daily operations such as guest services, event support, maintenance, or conservation-related tasks. Your role depends on the park and department you’re assigned to. The internship helps you build basic workplace skills like communication, responsibility, and teamwork while gaining experience in public service and outdoor work.
Location: In-person labs at universities, government labs, and other facilities, with virtual research options also available
Cost: A stipend of paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: 8–10 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school student
Project SEED is a summer research program run by the American Chemical Society that places high school students in chemistry labs at universities, government labs, or research institutions. You spend 8–10 weeks working on a research project under the guidance of a professional scientist. Your work may involve lab experiments, data collection, and basic analysis, depending on the host lab. The program ends with a research report or presentation. Project SEED is well known among science programs and adds strong research experience to your academic profile.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots; exact details not available
Dates: July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until all spots are filled, with a best consideration deadline of April 25
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders
The WIE RISE! Summer Research Program is a short, virtual program focused on introducing high school students to engineering research. Over one week, you attend virtual lab tours, learn how research papers are structured, and practice basic data analysis and presentation skills. You also complete small at-home activities using simple materials. The program includes live sessions with engineering students who share their academic experiences.
Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky (in-person and virtual options)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: July 6 – 10 (based on the previous year’s program)
Application Deadline: April 30 (based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, and current seniors in Kentucky high schools with documented disabilities; approval through the Kentucky Office of Vocational Rehabilitation is required
The University of Kentucky’s Summer Leadership Experience Camp is a free residential program for Kentucky high school students with documented disabilities. You stay on campus and take part in workshops focused on self-advocacy, college readiness, career planning, and independent living skills. Sessions also cover assistive technology, accommodations, and professional behavior. The camp includes group activities and talks from speakers with similar lived experiences. Participation shows colleges that you’ve actively prepared for the transition to higher education.
Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Cost: $50
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: June 15 – 21, July 13 – 19, and July 27 – August 2 (based on the previous year’s program)
Application Deadline: April 25 (based on the previous year’s program)
Eligibility: Rising senior in high school who has earned a B or better in science and math classes. Check more details here.
The Summer Engineering Exploration Kamp (SEEK) at the University of Kentucky is a one-week residential program for rising high school seniors interested in civil engineering. You work on projects like bridge building, materials testing, and water cleanup while learning basic engineering concepts. The program includes field trips to construction sites and infrastructure facilities, along with talks from engineering professionals. You live on campus and are mentored by UK engineering students throughout the week. SEEK gives you a clear look at engineering study and campus life in a short timeframe.
Location: Program operates in Lexington, Kentucky, with placements at local businesses, nonprofits, and city sites
Cost: No cost. A stipend of $15/hour is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 25
Application Deadline: No specific deadline listed
Eligibility: Rising 10–12 grade students
The Lexington Summer Youth Job Training Program places rising 10th to 12th-grade students in paid summer jobs across local businesses, nonprofits, and city departments. You work up to 20 hours per week between mid-June and late July and earn $15 per hour, with wages covered by the city. Your placement depends on interest and availability and may include office work, community service roles, or operational support. Along the way, you learn how workplaces run, how to communicate with supervisors, and how to manage time and responsibilities. This kind of paid experience shows colleges that you’ve worked in a real setting and handled expectations beyond school.
Location: University of Kentucky campus, Lexington, KY
Cost: NA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No competitive acceptance rate or cohort size specified
Dates: Computer Science Camp: June 8 – 12, Chem Camp: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Application opens March 3
Eligibility: High school students
UK STEM Experiences are week-long day camps hosted on the University of Kentucky campus that introduce high school students to STEM subjects through focused projects. You can choose programs like Chem Camp, where you run chemistry experiments and analyze results, or Computer Science Camp, where you work with sensors and basic coding projects. The camps do not assume prior experience, so you can join even if you are new to the subject. You spend your days in university labs and learning spaces, working through problems similar to what college students see. These camps help you test interest in STEM fields and add academic exploration to your summer profile.
Location: Bluegrass Community & Technical College (BCTC) campuses: Leestown (Lexington), Winchester-Clark County, and Lawrenceburg
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment until capacity is reached
Dates: June 1 – 5 (Healthcare Careers Exploration Camp), June 8 – 12 (Healthcare Skill-Building Camp)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Healthcare Skill-Building Camp: Incoming junior and senior high school students | Healthcare Careers Exploration Camp: Incoming freshman and sophomore high school students
The Summer Healthcare Success Academies at BCTC are short, in-person programs that introduce high school students to healthcare fields using college labs and simulations. Incoming freshmen and sophomores join the Healthcare Careers Exploration Camp, where you rotate through activities that show what different healthcare roles involve. Incoming juniors and seniors can attend the Healthcare Skill-Building Camp, which focuses more on classroom expectations, lab work, and preparation for healthcare programs after high school. Sessions take place on BCTC campuses and use simulation labs to explain concepts clearly.
13. AHEC Summer Camp
Location: University of Kentucky campus, Lexington, KY
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; competitive based on applications
Dates: June 14 – 26
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: SEP is for current sophomores (at least 15 years old), and HYRA is for current juniors
The AHEC Summer Camp at the University of Kentucky runs two residential tracks for high school students interested in healthcare and research. The Summer Enrichment Program is open to current sophomores, while the Health Researchers Youth Academy is for current juniors. You stay on campus for two weeks and follow a structured schedule that includes science classes, lab sessions, and exposure to healthcare environments. You spend time in simulation labs and attend sessions led by faculty and professionals. The program adds depth to your academic record by showing sustained interest and time spent learning in a university setting.
Location: Lakeside Golf Course, Lexington, KY
Cost: $175 per session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No stated acceptance rate or fixed cohort size
Dates: June 9 – 12, July 14 – 17, August 4 – 7
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 25 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students ages 6–16 years
Play Golf Lex Junior Golf Camps are short summer programs held at Lakeside Golf Course for students ages 6 to 16. You learn golf fundamentals such as swinging, putting, and chipping through daily instruction led by PGA professionals. Each session also includes fitness-based games and skill drills that support coordination and balance. Camps run in small groups so instructors can give individual feedback. While not academic, this program builds discipline, focus, and consistency, which still matter for well-rounded college profiles.
Location: Woodland Park, Lexington, KY
Cost: $150 per session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No stated acceptance rate or fixed cohort size
Dates: Multiple sessions between June and July
Application Deadline: Registration opens February 25 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students ages 12–19 years
Camp Woodland Therapeutic Recreation Day Camps are summer programs run by Lexington Parks and Recreation for youth ages 12 to 19 with disabilities. You take part in structured activities such as swimming, arts and crafts, games, and local outings in a supportive environment. Staff-to-camper ratios are kept low to ensure individual attention. The camp focuses on social interaction, independence, and daily routines through activity-based schedules. Participation reflects commitment, engagement, and personal growth, which colleges often value when reviewing applications.
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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