Top 15 Summer Camps for High School Students in 2025–2026

The best summer camps for high school students like MIT’s RSI and the Garcia Scholars Summer Research Program offer rigorous academics, hands-on research, leadership training, creative development, and real-world experiences, regardless of your interests. They help you explore potential future majors and strengthen your applications. Of course, they also deliver meaningful growth and memorable summers.

This guide to the top summer camps for high school students in 2025–2026 highlights 15 of the best programs, including what they cost, where they’re held, and what you can expect as a participant.

• What Are the Best Summer Camps for High School Students?
• MIT Research Science Institute
• Simons Summer Research Program at Stonybrook
• Garcia Scholars Summer Research Program
• Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech
• Summer Science Program
• Telluride Association Summer Program
• Stanford Humanities Institute
• Yale Young Global Scholars
• Iowa Young Writers’ Studio
• Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program
• Boston University RISE
• UCSB Research Mentorship Program
• MITES at MIT
• Stanford University Mathematics Camp
• Brown Summer Programs
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Summer Camps for High School Students?

The best summer camps for high school students combine challenge, exploration, and real-world learning. These programs stand out for their strong academics, immersive experiences, and opportunities to build skills that matter for college and beyond.

They help you stand out to colleges since they signal how you make time and effort beyond the classroom to explore your interests. Participating in the most selective programs can especially improve your chances of being accepted at competitive schools like the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, and Caltech.

Here’s a quick overview of the best summer camps for high school students, including each program’s location and dates:

Let’s discuss each summer camp one by one.

1. MIT Research Science Institute

• Dates: June 28 – August 8, 2026
• Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Cost: Fully funded (free tuition, housing, and meals)

The Research Science Institute (RSI) is a six-week summer research camp for high school students that brings together about 80 of the world’s top STEM rising seniors at MIT. As one of the most prestigious STEM programs, RSI begins with one week of intensive STEM classes, then transitions into five weeks of mentored research where students work in MIT labs on original projects.

All costs are covered by the program, making it accessible to talented students regardless of finances. Admission is extremely competitive, and the experience culminates in written reports and conference-style presentations.

If you’re curious about one of the most prestigious research experiences for high schoolers, check out our comprehensive guide on the MIT Research Science Institute.

2. Simons Summer Research Program at Stonybrook

• Dates: June 29 – August 7, 2026
• Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
• Cost: No tuition or program fee (free for those admitted)

The Simons Summer Research Program is a six-week summer camp for high school students passionate about STEM fields. Rising high school seniors (called “Simons Fellows” when accepted) are placed in Stony Brook University research labs, working full-time on real research projects under mentorship from faculty and graduate students.

Students get hands-on lab experience, analyze data, learn scientific communication, attend workshops, and ultimately produce a research abstract and poster presentation to showcase their work. This immersive program provides a true taste of life as a researcher on a university campus. It’s highly selective (open to U.S. citizens/permanent residents with school nomination and strong applications) but tuition-free, which makes it an incredible opportunity for motivated students.

Want to learn more about the Simons Summer Research Program? Read our in-depth guide for details on applying and succeeding in this program.

3. Garcia Scholars Summer Research Program

• Dates: June 24 – August 7, 2026
• Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York
• Cost: $4,000 lab fee (covers research materials; housing and meals extra)

The Garcia Summer Research Program (sometimes called the Garcia Scholars Program) is a seven-week STEM summer camp for high school students focused on materials science, engineering, and other lab research disciplines. Participants spend the summer on campus at Stony Brook, working in cutting-edge research labs alongside faculty, graduate mentors, and peers.

The program kicks off with intensive workshops to build core lab skills, then students embark on independent or team research projects they design, ultimately presenting their findings in a final poster session. Many Garcia scholars continue their research and eventually enter them in  science fairs or even publications, making this program a springboard for future STEM achievements.

Admission is competitive—applicants are expected to have outstanding academics (around a 3.8+ GPA) and strong STEM foundations.

If you want a more comprehensive breakdown of what the Garcia summer research experience is like, check out our full blog on the Garcia Program.

4. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech

• Dates: June 21, 2026 – August 6, 2026
• Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
• Cost: Free (all expenses covered) + $750 stipend upon completion

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a prestigious seven-week research summer camp for high school students hosted at Texas Tech. Each year, only twelve rising seniors (or recently graduated seniors) are selected nationwide to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on an independent research project in a field of their choice, which can range from the sciences and engineering to the humanities.

Clark Scholars participate in lab or project work during the week and join enrichment activities like seminars, field trips, and discussions that broaden their academic and professional skills. It’s a fully-funded experience, covering all on-campus costs and even providing a $750 tax-free stipend.

If you want to learn how top high school students spend their summer doing real university-level research, check out our blog on the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program for insider tips.

5. Summer Science Program

• Dates: Late June – Early August 2026 (approximately 5 weeks)
• Location: Multiple campuses (rotating host universities in the U.S.)
• Cost: Around $9,800 for the 5-week program (2025 fee; includes room & board) – generous financial aid available

The Summer Science Program (SSP) is a renowned 5½-week summer camp for high school students that offers a full immersion into scientific research. Founded in 1959, SSP runs on several college campuses (which change periodically) and provides rising seniors the chance to tackle real research in subjects like astrophysics, biochemistry, or genomics.

Participants live on campus and work in teams of three on a research project—such as tracking a near-earth asteroid or synthesizing an organic molecule—following the entire scientific process from experimental design to data analysis and final presentation. Days are packed with hands-on lab work, seminars, and even field excursions.

SSP is one of the longest-running and most respected STEM programs, and it is need-blind in admissions. Students are admitted on merit, and substantial financial aid (up to full scholarships) is provided so that cost isn’t a barrier.

If you’re curious about how high school students turn real scientific data into discoveries, read our in-depth blog on the Summer Science Program to learn more.

6. Telluride Association Summer Program

• Dates: June 21 – July 25, 2026
• Location: Varies by year – hosted at select colleges (recent sites include Cornell University and University of Michigan)
• Cost: Free (all tuition, books, housing, and meals are covered)

The Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) is a fully-funded humanities summer camp for high school students that runs for six weeks and geared toward intellectually curious rising juniors and seniors.

As one of the most prestigious programs in the liberal arts, TASS offers college-level seminars in history, literature, politics, and critical theory, often examining issues of race, power, and social justice. Professors lead intense discussions in class and assign college-level readings and essays to help hone students’ critical reading, writing, and speaking skills.

Students live together in a cohesive residential community where they also practice self-governance and democratic decision-making outside the classroom, making TASS an academic experience and a lesson in leadership and community-building.

Admission to TASS is extremely competitive, but those selected attend at no cost, as the program covers tuition, books, room, board, and even field trips.

If you want a deeper look at how to get into this program and what it offers, check out our complete guide to TASS.

7. Stanford Humanities Institute

• Dates: Session 1 – June 21 to July 10, 2026; Session 2 – July 12 to July 31, 2026
• Location: Stanford University campus, Palo Alto, California
• Cost: $8,850 (includes Stanford campus housing, meals, and all activities)

The Stanford Summer Humanities Institute (SHI) is a three-week academic summer camp for high school students interested in the humanities. This program invites rising juniors and seniors to live on Stanford’s campus and dive into intensive seminars led by Stanford professors and PhD scholars, exploring topics in fields like literature, philosophy, history, and art history.

Outside of class, SHI provides field trips (for example, to museums or cultural sites in the Bay Area) and creates an intellectual community through social activities, giving students a well-rounded preview of college life in a supportive environment.

The program is selective, and the workload is high, but students finish with stronger writing abilities, new perspectives on the human condition, and an impressive experience to strengthen their college applications.

Check out our complete guide to SHI for more information on this highly sought-after summer program and tips on how to maximize the experience.

8. Yale Young Global Scholars

• Dates: Summer 2026 Session I – June 21–July 3; Session II – July 5–17; Session III – July 19–31
• Location: Yale University campus, New Haven, Connecticut
• Cost: $7,000 per 2-week session (includes housing, meals, and academic materials)

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is an elite two-week academic summer camp for high school students with sessions throughout late June and July. YYGS offers multiple tracks— spanning STEM, social sciences, and humanities—so students can choose a focus like Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics, Law & Economics, or Solving Global Challenges, among others.

Each session brings together high-achieving students from over 150 countries, creating a truly global learning community on Yale’s campus.

In the classroom, participants attend lectures by Yale faculty, engage in seminar discussions, and collaborate on projects or case studies. For example, those in the literature track might dissect texts and craft analytical essays, while those in the science track might debate emerging technologies. Outside of class, YYGS includes college-life experiences and multicultural events.

YYGS is selective and offers need-based financial aid to ensure qualified students can attend.

Dream of spending your summer at Yale tackling big ideas with peers from around the world? Be sure to explore our complete guide to YYGS to see why it’s such an inspiring program and how to apply.

9. Iowa Young Writers’ Studio

• Dates: Session 1 – June 14–27, 2026; Session 2 – July 12–25, 2026
• Location: University of Iowa campus, Iowa City, Iowa
• Cost: $2,500 per 2-week session (includes room, board, and course materials)

The Iowa Young Writers’ Studio is a two-week creative writing summer camp for high school students held at the University of Iowa, home of the famed Iowa Writers’ Workshop MFA program. This intensive program immerses rising juniors and seniors in the writer’s life: each student enrolls in a single core course (chosen from fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, playwriting, or TV writing) and spends two weeks developing their craft under the guidance of professional writers (often graduates of Iowa’s top-ranked MFA programs).

Students attend daily workshop sessions where they learn to give and receive constructive critiques and participate in writing exercises that spark creativity. Students leave with portfolio-worthy work for college essays or publications.

Outside of class, IYWS provides a vibrant literary community with nightly readings by faculty and visiting authors, open-mic nights, talent shows, and social activities.

Admission is selective, with applicants needing to submit a writing sample, and a modest amount of financial aid is available.

If you want a closer look at one of the most beloved creative writing experiences in the country, check out our complete guide to the Iowa Young Writers’ Studio for tips on the application and insights into the program.

10. Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program

• Dates: June 8 – July 30, 2026 (8 weeks)
• Location: Stanford University (Stanford, California) – on-site, residential program
• Cost: Free for those admitted (no tuition or lab fees; a small application fee, with waivers available)

The Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is an eight-week biomedical research camp for high school students that allows about 50 selected rising seniors to intern in Stanford University’s state-of-the-art medical research labs.

As one of the most immersive STEM programs, SIMR places students into specific research tracks—such as cancer biology, bioengineering, or bioinformatics—where they work under the guidance of Stanford faculty, postdocs, and graduate student mentors on real research projects.

A unique feature is the Bioengineering Team Project, where a subset of students collaborate to design a medical device prototype. By the program’s end, all students present their findings at a poster session for the Stanford community. SIMR is fully funded, and students receive a stipend to offset expenses, which helps remove barriers for talented applicants.

To be eligible for the program, you must be a U.S./permanent resident, 16 years or older, and have strong academics..

If you want to learn more about how high school students can dive into real biomedical research at Stanford, read our comprehensive blog on the Stanford SIMR program.

11. Boston University RISE

• Dates: June 28 – August 7, 2026 (Residential track) / June 29 – August 7, 2026 (Commuter track)
• Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
• Cost: $9,785 (residential) / $6,185 (commuter) – covers program tuition; limited financial aid available

BU RISE is a six-week summer camp for high school students (specifically rising seniors) that offers two tracks:

• Internship Track. Students are matched to a BU laboratory and work 40 hours/week on a research project under the mentorship of faculty or grad students.
• Practicum Track. A structured computational research course (in areas like neurobiology or data science) where students tackle a group research project and learn data analysis techniques.

RISE students attend workshops on topics like Python programming or research poster design, and at the end, everyone presents their work at a university-wide research symposium. BU RISE is test-optional and looks for students with strong grades, a teacher recommendation, and genuine enthusiasm for research in their essays.

While the program isn’t free, participating in RISE gives students a chance to contribute to real research and often solidifies their interest in STEM careers. It’s not unusual for RISE alumni to continue their projects into science competitions or even future publications.

To get a comprehensive inside look at this STEM summer program for high school students, read our full blog on BU RISE—it covers the application process, track details, and tips from past participants.

12. UCSB Research Mentorship Program

• Dates: June 15 – July 31, 2026
• Location: University of California, Santa Barbara (with a required virtual start and then on-campus research)
• Cost: $5,675 (commuter) / $13,274 (residential, includes housing and meals)

The UCSB Research Mentorship Program (RMP) is a competitive six-week research camp for high school students (primarily rising juniors and seniors) held at UC Santa Barbara. Each student is paired with a UCSB faculty researcher or doctoral student mentor and works on a dedicated research project in a field of their choice, spanning STEM fields like engineering and biology as well as social sciences and humanities.

Students commit around 35–50 hours per week to lab and project work. They also take two small academic courses, namely “Introduction to Research” and “Presentation Techniques,” that teach them how to write a full research paper and create conference-style posters and talks. By the end of the program, RMP students will have produced a research paper and presented at a closing symposium, earning  8 units of college credit.

Admissions for RMP are selective: applicants need a strong academic record (around a 3.8+ GPA) and must propose a thoughtful research question in their personal statement, which UCSB faculty use to match them with appropriate mentors. RMP offers need-based scholarships that can cover up to most of the cost for some students.

For an even deeper understanding of UCSB RMP and advice on the application, you can read our complete guide on the program.

13. MITES at MIT

• Dates: Late June – Early August 2026 (6 weeks, exact 2026 dates TBA; 2025 ran June 25–Aug 5)
• Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (on-campus residential)
• Cost: Free (fully funded: no tuition, plus housing and meals are provided)

MITES—formerly known as Minority Introduction to Engineering and Science—is a six-week summer camp for high school students (specifically rising seniors) that aims to develop talented students from underrepresented or underserved backgrounds in STEM. This rigorous program has students enroll in a full schedule of freshman-level MIT courses in math, science, and humanities or elective subjects.

Mornings and afternoons are for classes, labs, and study sessions, while evenings and weekends are filled with homework, collaborative projects, and enrichment activities like guest lectures, workshops on college admissions, and cultural or social events.

As one of the most enriching STEM summer camps for high school students, MITES is completely free of charge; MIT covers tuition, room, and board for all participants. Admission is very competitive, requiring an application that includes essays, recommendations, and standardized test scores or alternates. Students do not earn college credit, but they do receive qualitative evaluations from instructors.

If you want a closer look at what this program offers and how to apply, check out our full blog on MITES for a comprehensive guide.

14. Stanford University Mathematics Camp

• Dates: Residential: June 21 – July 17, 2026; Online Session 1: June 15 – July 3, 2026; Online Session 2: July 6 – July 24, 2026
• Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (with both on-campus and online program options)
• Cost: $8,575 for the residential program; $3,580 for an online session (financial aid available)

Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is one of the most prestigious math summer camps for high school students,  specifically rising juniors and seniors. The curriculum explores advanced topics well beyond the typical high school curriculum, such as algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology.

The program is offered in two formats: a four-week residential camp on Stanford’s campus (with around 40 students) and two three-week online sessions (around 64 students per online session). In both formats, students engage daily in interactive lectures, proof-based problem solving, and even guided research problems, learning directly from Stanford instructors and TAs in a very collaborative environment.

The residential SUMaC adds extra elements like field trips (such as visits to tech companies or science museums) and social activities on evenings and weekends.

Admission to SUMaC is extremely selective—applicants must submit an extensive application, including teacher recommendations and a difficult qualifying exam of math problems to demonstrate their passion and aptitude.

If you’re excited by the idea of immersing yourself in high-level math with peers from around the world, read our comprehensive guide on Stanford’s SUMaC—it offers insights into the program experience and tips for a strong application.

15. Brown Summer Programs

• Dates: Late June through July 2026 (courses range from 1 to 4 weeks in length, with start dates throughout this period)
• Location: Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island (with on-campus and online course options)
• Cost: Varies by course length – for Summer 2026, approximately $3,748 for a 1-week residential course up to $8,372 for a 3-week residential course (inclusive of housing and meals)

Brown University’s Summer Programs are expansive summer camps for high school students. Summer@Brown (the on-campus program) provides a full residential experience: students live in Brown dormitories, participate in workshops on college success (like essay writing or time management), and join a variety of activities and weekend trips around Providence.

It offers over 200 courses across all disciplines, allowing students to experience Brown’s Ivy League campus and its open curriculum philosophy. Brown’s pre-college courses are open-enrollment (non-credit) programs, meaning motivated students can choose subjects of interest, such as creative writing, molecular biology, computer science, business, and more, and study them in a college-style format without the pressure of grades.

Courses run from one to four weeks. Regardless of your course, you can expect to attend classes taught by Brown faculty or experienced instructors, engage in discussions and projects, and often work on a final presentation or paper to demonstrate what you’ve learned.

If you want to explore more options at Brown or learn how to choose the right course, check out our blog on Brown’s top pre-college programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best summer camps for high school students in 2025?

Some of the top-rated summer camps for high school students in 2025 include highly selective programs like the Research Science Institute (RSI), Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC), and competitive pre-college offerings at institutions such as Harvard and Brown.

These programs span a wide range of academic and creative fields—from advanced STEM research and mathematics to writing, humanities, business, and leadership development.

2. Are there free summer camps for high school students?

Yes, there are free and low-cost summer camps provided by universities, nonprofits, and other organizations. For example, MIT’s RSI and the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program are fully funded and free of cost.

3. What subjects do summer camps typically cover?

Summer camps for high school students cover a wide range of subjects, from STEM fields like math, physics, biology, engineering, computer science, and research, to business-focused areas such as economics, finance, and leadership. Many programs also offer strong humanities and arts tracks, including writing, journalism, literature, and social sciences.

In addition, some camps provide specialized workshops in public service, medicine, health, and other niche topics, allowing students to explore both broad academic interests and specific career pathways.

4. How can summer camps help with college admissions?

Summer camps can strengthen your college admissions profile by showing initiative, genuine interest, and engagement beyond the classroom. Pre-college and research programs offer college-level coursework, advanced skill-building, and in some cases, the chance to earn credits. They also provide valuable networking opportunities with peers, mentors, and faculty, which can lead to stronger recommendation letters, research experience, or future internships.

5. When should I apply for summer camps?

Most summer-camp applications open in late fall or winter, and many have deadlines in winter or early spring. Because spots (especially in top or free programs) fill quickly, it’s best to apply as early as possible, ideally soon after applications open.

Takeaways

• Choosing from the top summer camps for high school students in 2025–2026 comes down to finding a program that aligns with your interests, goals, and future plans.
• Whether you’re drawn to STEM research, leadership development, creative arts, writing, or outdoor exploration, these summer camps for high school students offer experiences that build confidence, expand skills, and strengthen college applications.
• No matter which path you take, the right summer camp can spark new passions and make a lasting impact on your academic journey.
• If you want personalized guidance on which summer camp matches your goals, check out our Academic & Extracurricular Profile Evaluation to make your experience stand out on college applications.