Summer Educational Programs for Students

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This summer educational programs directory includes program postings, information about summer opportunities for students, and ideas to consider to help find productive summer programs.

 

The information on this page includes the following sections:

 

Please note, the content on this site is informational purposes only. This is not the official website for any summer program or camp. For detailed information, please contact a representative directly from a summer program or camp of interest. For additional information, please refer to the disclaimer page..

Summer Programs for High School Students – Postings and Descriptions

 

  • University of California, Berkeley Pre-College Summer Perception Science Internship for high school students

    Description: This summer internship programs offers advanced high-school students the opportunity to be involved with cutting-edge research in vision science. In this immersive experience, students will be involved in every step of the research process, and will be working alongside Whitney lab members to create and test novel research paradigms. Additionally, students will learn advanced computer coding and statistical analysis techniques that are fundamental to a successful career in all scientific fields.
    Berkeley Internship

 

  • Champlain College Summer Pre-College Programs for High School Students for high school students

    Description: Program options include Young Writers’ Conference, Entrepreneurship for Good, Art and Design Portfolio Building Course, Digital Forensics & Cyber Security Academy, Champlain Game Academy, and Mobile App Programming Academy. Students work closely with Champlain College professors who have extensive expertise and professional connections in their fields. When not attending class or doing creative project work, students enjoy recreational activities and social events that take full advantage of summer in Vermont. Students stay in one of Champlain’s many contemporary or Victorian-era residence halls and share meals in the spectacular dining hall of the IDX Student Life Center, overlooking Lake Champlain.
    Champlain Summer Pre-College

 

  • Duke TIP Summer Programs for students in grades 4 – 12: Held at Universities Around the Country

    Description: Duke TIP is a program for academically talented students in grades four through twelve. In addition to two talent searches with enrichment opportunities, academic year and independent learning opportunities, and research-based advice and support for gifted students, TIP offers a number of summer programs, including:

    • CRISIS, a week-long residential program using problem-based learning for grades 5 and 6.
    • eInvestigators, a month-long online programs for grades 4 through 6 where participants solve a mystery.
    • Summer Studies, a three-week-long residential program for grades 7 through 10, equivalent to a semester-long college course.
    • eStudies, an advanced two-month-long online program for grades 7 through 11.
    • Field Studies, a two-week-long program for grades 9 through 12 using experiential learning.

    Duke TIP

 

  • Emagination Tech Camps for Teenagers and Kids: Held on College Campuses

    Description: It’s Technically Fun!

    For over 30 years kids & teens who are inspired by technology come from near and far to experience two weeks of high quality technology education balanced with fun summer camp activities. At Emagination Tech Camp, campers take three Technology Workshops plus a Get Unplugged option. They Create Digital Art & Media, Learn to Code, Explore Engineering and Design Games. Popular workshops include 3D Printing, Virtual Reality, Photoshop, Coding in Python, Java and C++, Minecraft Engineering, Action Game Design and much more! Organized games, swimming, theme days, time to hang with new friends, and a day of activities on Saturday are all part of camp at Emagination. Emagination also offers two immersive STEM programs for teens – Emagination Programming Camp where teens learn to code in Java and build Windows applications and Emagination Game Design Camp where teens learn the game design and development process as it’s practiced in the industry today. Visit Website to learn more.

    Emagination also offers two immersive STEM programs for teens – Emagination Programming Camp where teens learn to code in Java and build Windows applications and Emagination Game Design Camp where teens learn the game design and development process as it’s practiced in the industry today. Visit Website to learn more.

    Emagination operates in two week sessions so campers have time to make friends and be part of a community. Emagination’s camps are located on university campuses in Fairfield, CT and Atlanta and outside Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. We help with transportation from/to airports and terminals. It’s Worth the Trip!
    Emagination Tech Camps

 

  • Emory University Pre-College Summer Programfor high school students: Atlanta, Georgia

    Description: The Emory Pre-College Program gives 10th-grade and 11th-grade high school students an exciting glimpse of academic and residential life at a top-ranked national university during the summer. In our two-or three-week courses students explore a variety of topics and possible majors with professors who are experts in the field. Student may also earn college credit in our six-week program. The Emory Pre-College summer experience offers a close-up look the strong liberal arts environment within a major research university.
    Emory Pre-College Program

 

  • The Game Experience Summer Camps for rising high school 10th – 12th grades: Held at the University of Washington

    Description: Level up this summer as you learn the life cycle of game development in the United States. Program participants will team up with other gamers from across the globe and learn a wide range of concepts and strategies from developers that have worked in well-known AAA studios. Classes will cover game business models, project management, programming, design, and concept art. Perks include a behind-the-scenes private tour of the head offices of a major game company, such as Valve Studios, PopCap, Bungie, Microsoft Xbox or Big Fish, where students can interact and learn techniques from the company staff.

    Program Highlights:

    • Attend 10 days of class throughout the program, learning from professionals and guest lecturers.
    • Participate in a variety of activities and outings in Seattle, including a visit to the Space Needle, Scavenger Hunt at Pike Place Market, Laser Tag, Lakeside BBQ’s, an Arcade Party, and more!
    • Live on-campus at the prestigious University of Washington.
    • Celebrate the fun, adventures, and projects created with students, staff, and teachers in closing ceremonies.

    The Game Experience

 

  • Harvard Student Agencies summer academies for high school students: Cambridge, Massachusetts

    Description: Harvard Student Agencies Academies are week-long academic enrichment programs that take place on the Harvard campus. HSA academies are organized completely by Harvard undergraduates. HSA currently offers three academies in business, coding and politics.

    • The Summer Business Academy teaches high school students the fundamentals of business leadership and entrepreneurship through interactive workshops, guest speakers, and trained mentors. Speakers ranging from young entrepreneurs to Harvard Business School professors will instruct students in topics including market research, business plans, and public speaking.
    • The Summer Coding Academy is an intensive week-long summer course designed to introduce students to the basics in coding and computational language. The course teaches coding through Python and students use the skills they learn over the course of the week to create their own final project that focuses on data analysis, a popular use for Python.
    • The Summer Politics academy provides students with a comprehensive introduction to government, politics and international relations through lectures, interactive workshops and hands-on projects. SPA aims to give students the skills they need to become good leaders.

    Summer Business Academy;  Summer Coding Academy;  Summer Politics Academy

 

  • iD Tech Camps for Students Ages 7-18: Held at Universities Across Country

    Description: For 20 years, iD Tech has stood out as the industry leader in summer STEM education for kids and teens, ages 7-18. Programs offer the latest in coding, game development, robotics, and design—with innovative courses in AI and machine learning, cybersecurity, C++ and Java, 3D printing and modeling, app development, modding, Roblox, Minecraft, VEX, and much more.

    We’ve empowered 350,000 alumni with in-demand skills to compete in our new economy. In fact, many iD Tech students have gone on to launch startups, found nonprofits, and secure dream jobs at some of the biggest companies in the world, like Facebook and Google.

    Since 1999, we’ve been trusted by the most prestigious universities in the world to host our camps on their campuses, inspiring students in STEM while also providing a taste of the collegiate lifestyle. iD Tech is held at Stanford, MIT, Princeton, NYU, UCLA, and 150+ locations nationwide.

    With world-class instructors and customized learning, our programs instill in-demand skills that embolden students to shape the future. Options include iD Tech Camps (ages 7-17, co-ed, weeklong), iD Tech Academies (ages 13-18, co-ed, 2-week), and Alexa Café (ages 10-15, all-girls, weeklong)—and are inclusive of every skill level and learning style.
    iD Tech Camps; iD Coding and Engineering Academy; iD Game Design and Development Academy

 

  • Launch Summer Coding Camp in 2018 for High School, Middle School, and Elementary Students: Austin, Texas

    Description: At Launch, we offer Summer Camps in an immersive 2-week class format in either morning or afternoon sessions. Launch provides structure and guidance in a fun yet challenging collaborative environment. The curriculum is self-paced, fun, and engaging for students ages 8-14. Summer should be a time of exploration and growth for students and we pride ourselves on providing a curriculum that’s entertaining and informative.
    Launch Summer Coding Camp

 

  • Project Fashion summer program for rising 10th -12th grade students: Los Angeles, California

    Description: Do you dream of being a renowned designer, stylist, or the next Anna Wintour? Then join us at the University of Southern California (USC) to see what it takes to have a career in fashion. Our veteran instructors will guide and mentor you during your exploration of the ever-changing fashion industry. They’ll provide you with valuable advice and anecdotes of their experiences in this thriving industry.

    Students will explore the many creative avenues of fashion and apply their skills in individual and group projects. They’ll undergo the transformative experience of seeing their ideas come to life. Subjects include: Trend Spotting, Fashion Sketching, Pattern Design, Prop Styling, Draping and Fit, Garment Cutting and Product Construction, Branding and Identity, and Merchandising.

    Get behind-the-scenes tours of successful and well-known fashion companies in Los Angeles. Explore diverse career paths and network with the pros. Stay at the University of Southern California (USC) and connect with fellow fashion enthusiast and get ready to have an unforgettable experience in sunny Los Angeles.
    Project Fashion

 

  • Wealthy Habits summer camps for high school and middle school students: Atlanta Georgia

    Description: Wealthy Habits day camps are designed to empower students ages 11 and up with the tools and knowledge necessary to make smart financial decisions! Unlike most academic summer camps, Wealthy Habits is filled with fun games and activities that stimulate their interest in preparing for a successful financial future. Camps offered cover important lessons on the basics of financial literacy, investing, entrepreneurship, and the transition to become financially independent. Wealthy Habits programs create a lasting impact on student’s thoughts about money that both students and parents will love! Use Coupon Code: WHSEP for a 10% discount!”
    Wealthy Habits

 

  • Yale University Pre-College Program high school students: New Haven, Connecticut

    Description: An immersive academic experience for high school students, during this pre-college summer program, you will take an interactive rotation of academic enrichment classes and learn the topics and skills needed to work on a group sustainability project. You’ll have a unique schedule to rotate through the five subjects. Yale graduate students instruct these courses, providing relatable knowledge to spark curiosity and develop your group’s initiative. Academic classes included:

    • Communications
    • Economics
    • Environmental Science
    • Politics
    • Technology

    The project-based component of the program introduces high-level leadership, advocacy and teamwork training. You and your group will agree upon an environmental issue, and use the knowledge learned in your classes to develop an initiative and begin to inspire change. You’ll showcase your group’s work during the Sustainability Symposium at the end of the session. For more info, or to book a consult with one of our Program Advisors, please visit: info.jkcp.com/consult
    Yale Pre-College Program

 

  • Young Writers Workshop Summer Program for High School Students – Bard College at Simon’s Rock

    Description: The Young Writers Workshop began in 1983 and is held each summer on the campus of Bard College at Simon’s Rock, the nation’s only four-year liberal arts college designed specifically for students ready to begin college after the 10th or 11th grade. Each year we select 84 students from around the country and the world to participate in the workshop. Our focus is on using informal, playful expressive writing as a way to strengthen skills of language and thinking.

    The daily writing activities draw on contemporary stories, essays, and poems the group has read, as well as personal experience, the natural world, music, and works of art. This informal writing is frequently shared in small peer writing groups. The emphasis isn’t on judging the work but on helping one another develop more focused and polished pieces, from poems and short stories to personal narratives and reflective prose.

    The workshop sections are small and emphasize an atmosphere of trust and collaboration. Discovering one’s personal voice as a writer is a key element of the three weeks. Former students have gone on to attend such colleges as Amherst, Bard, Harvard, Haverford, Penn, Princeton, Simon’s Rock, Smith, Stanford, Williams, and Yale.
    Young Writers Workshop

 

More Summer Program Postings for High School Students

  • BWS – SAT, ACT, and PSAT Test Prep for high school students
    BWS Test Prep

  • University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Sci | Art Nanolab Summer Institute for high school students
    UCLA Summer Program

  • GERI Summer Youth Programs for gifted high school, middle school, and elementary students
    GERI Summer Programs

  • The New School for Drama Summer Acting Program for rising high school juniors and seniors
    Summer Acting Intensive

  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago Summer Institute Residency Program for high school students
    SAIC’s Summer Program

  • University of Southern California (USC) Summer Programs and Courses for high school students
    USC Summer Programs

  • Summer Discovery Enrichment Programs, Internships, and Courses for high school students and middle school students
    Summer Discovery

  • SummerTech Summer Computer and Technology Camp for kids and teens
    SummerTech

  • Washington University in St. Louis Summer Experiences for high school students and middle school students
    Summer Experiences

 
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An Overview of General Information about Summer Programs and Camps

Summer educational programs and camps can provide beneficial opportunities for students. Depending on the program, students may have the chance to explore topics of interests, examine career options, engage in hands-on learning activities, collaborate with peers, gain exposure to life on a college campus, develop new skills, and/or participate in other productive endeavors.

 

There are different types of summer programs and camps with varying areas of emphasis. For example, there are programs that focus on areas such as art, business, computers, drama, math, music, science, college test preparation, and writing. As a result, students are encouraged to carefully research programs in order to determine which ones would appropriately align with their goals and interests. It also recommended that students examine the location, admission requirements, supervision, costs and other factors of importance for any summer program of interest.

 

To view frequently asked questions about summer programs and camps, please visit the FAQs on this page. Please note that the frequently asked questions only provide general information and that it is important for students to carefully examine each summer program of interest. It is also highly recommended that students, parents, educators, and others directly contact an official representative of a summer program or camp of interest to find out detailed and up-to-date information.

 

For additional information, please refer to the disclaimer page..

 
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10 Items to Consider for Summer Programs and Camps

 

  • The area (or areas) of emphasis of the summer program.
    • Does the program have a specific focus (examples: engineering, business, computers) or does the program emphasize a broad range of topics?
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  • The supervision and safety measures provided by the summer program.
    • What provisions are made to ensure that there is effective supervision and safety for participants?
    • Who is responsible for providing the supervision for the participants?
    • What is the student-to-staff ratio?
  •  

  • The application process and the due dates.
    • What application materials are required to participate in the program?
    • Is the program competitive with regards to admission?
    • What are the due dates for the application materials?
  •  

  • The length of the program.
    • How long is the summer program?
    • Does the length of the program impact other plans or activities that a student would like to have in the summer?
    • When during the summer is the program offered?
  •  

  • The location of the program.
    • How far from home is the program’s location?
    • What are the accommodations for participants?
    • Are commuter options available?
  •  

  • The amount of time that the program has been operating.
    • When was the program established?
    • How many consecutive years has the program been conducted?
    • Is the sponsoring organization accredited?
  •  

  • The daily structure of the program.
    • What is a typical day for a participating student?
    • Does the program emphasize structure, choice, or a combination?
    • Do the activities correspond with the interests and objectives of a student?
  •  

  • The cancellation policy.
    • What is the policy if a circumstance occurs in which a participant cannot attend the program after the registration process?
    • What is the policy if a participant would need to leave prior to the end of the program?
  •  

  • The cost of the program.
    • What is the cost to participate in the program?
    • Are there scholarships or financial aid available for students?
    • When are fees due?
  •  

  • Obtaining information from staff members and past participants.
    • What staff members are available to answer questions and talk about the program?
    • Are there previous participants or family members of previous participants to speak with about the program

 
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Frequently Asked Questions about Summer Programs

The frequently asked questions about summer programs that are included on this page are intended to provide general information about summer educational programs. It is always recommended that students and parents directly contact a representative of an organization or college that sponsors a summer program to find out specific and up-to-date information, including information about safety & supervision procedures.

 

1. What are Some of the Potential Benefits of Summer Programs?

2. What are Some Factors to Consider about Summer Programs?

3. What is a Resource that Can be Used to Find Out about Different Program Opportunities?

4. Can a Student attend a Residential Summer Program as a Commuter Student?

5. Why is it recommended that students and parents contact a representative of a summer program directly to inquire about specific, detailed, and up-to-date information about the program?

 
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1. What are Some Potential Benefits of Summer Educational Programs?

  • Academic
    • Studying topics of interest at an in-depth level.
    • Exploring potential college majors, fields of study, and careers.
    • Working with experts in a field (i.e. professors, professionals…).
    • Continuing the learning momentum from the academic school year (preventing the "summer learning slide ").
    • Learning about topics that extend beyond the school curriculum.
    • Engaging in academic experiences at the college level.
    • Increasing academic motivation and goals.
    • Participating in hands-on and practical academic activities.
    • Learning in a safe and structured atmosphere.
    • Becoming familiar with a new learning environment.
  • Social
    • Engaging in high level discourse with other motivated students.
    • Meeting students from different schools, regions, states, and countries.
    • Developing friendships with peers who share similar interests.
    • Previewing the college experience (i.e. dorms, cafeteria, campus activities).
    • Discussing areas of interest in an in-depth manner with other participants.
    • Learning in a collaborative and cooperative environment.
    • Enhancing interpersonal skills through activities such as simulations, group projects, cooperative learning.
  • Personal
    • Enhancing self-confidence through accomplishing goals.
    • Gaining new perspectives and ideas about society.
    • Enhancing intrapersonal skills.
    • Discovering personal characteristics and qualities.
    • Developing an increased sense of self.

 
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2. What are Some Factors to Consider about Summer Programs?

  • Logistical Considerations
    • The registration deadlines.
    • The application and selection process.
    • The start and end dates of a program.
    • The number of programs to apply to if the selection process is competitive.
    • The location of the program.
    • The costs to participate and whether financial assistance is available.
    • The ratio of adults to students.
    • The safety and supervision of students.
    • The structure and organization of a program.
    • The time commitment to participate in the program.
  • Learning Considerations
    • The interest level of the student.
    • The opportunities for hands-on and practical learning.
    • The reputation of a program.
    • The specialization of the material covered in the program ( i.e. narrowly focused on one topic or open to a broad range of topics).
  • Other Considerations
    • Comments / perspectives from previous participants.
    • The length of time that the program has been in existence.
    • Participant’s health care needs and accommodations
    • Accessibility to health services.
    • Facilities and housing.
    • The accessibility of the program coordinator or staff members.
    • Safety and supervision provided by the program

 

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3. What is a resource that can be used to find out about different summer program opportunities?

Students can view the sample summer programs and camps included in this directory, visit the official websites of programs of interest, and contact representatives from summer programs and camps to find out more information.

 
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4. Can a student attend a residential summer program as a commuter student?

It depends on the program with regards to whether a student can attend a residential program as a commuter student. Some programs have both commuter and residential options. Other programs may allow a commuter student to participate in a residential program if he/she lives nearby. It is recommended that a student directly contact a program representative to inquire about whether he/she can attend the program as a commuter. There is typically a contact email and phone number for a summer program on the official website. This can be used to contact a program representative to ask about a student attending the program as a commuter.

 
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5. Why is it recommended that students and parents contact a representative of a summer program directly to inquire about specific, detailed, and up-to-date information about the program?

It is highly recommended that students and parents directly contact an official representative of any summer program or camp of interest to find out specific, detailed and up-to-date information. An official representative of a summer program can be asked about a variety of topics relating to the program, including the safety and supervision measures that are utilized. It is also important to speak with an official representative to obtain the most up-to-date information because summer programs and camps are subject to change. In addition, contacting an official representative to ask questions and find out information can help a student determine if the program would be a good fit.

 
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