You’re a high school student looking ahead to summer 2024 and want to find the best summer programs in the country to build your skills, expand your interests, and have an amazing experience. With so many options out there, how do you even start to narrow it down? Don’t worry, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to the top summer programs across the United States for 2024 based on program quality, unique opportunities, affordability, and student reviews.
Whether you’re interested in academics, sports, arts, technology, community service or something else entirely, you’ll discover some incredible programs that fit your goals and help you make the most of your summer break. We’ve dug into the details so you can quickly get a sense of each program’s strengths and decide which one is right for you. Get ready for the best summer ever!
Top Science and Tech Summer Programs for High School Students
NASA High School Internship Program
This prestigious 10-week internship program lets students work on real-world engineering challenges at one of NASA’s facilities. Participants get hands-on experience building robots and satellites, analyzing data, and collaborating with scientists. Applicants must be 16 or older and U.S. citizens to qualify.
MIT Summer Program
For over 50 years, MIT has invited high school students to campus for an intensive 4-week program. You’ll take advanced courses in fields like artificial intelligence, biotech, and game theory taught by MIT professors. Students live in dorms and participate in social events to experience college life. Applicants must demonstrate strong academic performance, especially in math and science.
iD Tech Summer Programs
Held at 150 prestigious campuses nationwide, iD Tech offers 2-week and 4-week programs where students can build websites, design video games, engineer robots, learn to code in languages like Python and Java. Courses are project-based and led by instructors from companies like Google and Apple. No experience is required, so it’s ideal for students just getting started in tech and engineering.
Breakthrough Collaborative
If you’re interested in teaching, Breakthrough Collaborative’s 8-week program places high school students as paid teaching assistants in low-income schools. As a teaching fellow, you’ll help plan lessons, tutor students, and mentor middle schoolers. It’s an opportunity to inspire students while developing valuable leadership abilities. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for helping others and strong communication skills.
With amazing opportunities across the country, any science or tech-minded high school student can find a perfect summer program to boost their skills and experience. The challenge is picking just one!
Best Summer Study Abroad Opportunities for College Students
Cultural Immersion in Europe
Want to experience life in another culture? Check out study abroad programs in Europe. You could spend a summer in London, Paris, Barcelona or Rome, taking classes on history, art, politics or whatever interests you, while living with a host family or in a student apartment. No better way to become fluent in a new language and gain a fresh perspective on the world.
Learn a New Language in Latin America
If you want to become bilingual, look at programs in Latin America. Spend a summer in Mexico, Costa Rica or Chile and immerse yourself in Spanish. Take intensive language classes, live with a host family, and engage in cultural activities. Your Spanish will improve tremendously through constant interaction and practice. You’ll return home conversant in the language and in love with the vibrant culture.
Intern Abroad for Career Experience
Build your resume by interning abroad. Programs in English speaking countries like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or South Africa are ideal for gaining career experience. You could do a summer internship at a local company, non-profit or NGO in your field of study. Not only will you get real world experience for your resume, but you’ll form connections that could lead to job opportunities upon graduation.
Adventures in Asia and Beyond
For excitement and adventure, check out programs in Asia, Africa or the South Pacific. You could spend the summer studying environmental issues in New Zealand, learning about microfinance in India or Swahili in Tanzania. Or teach English to school children in Thailand, go on safari in Kenya or help with community development in Fiji. An eye-opening experience that will broaden your mind and change your life.
Most Popular Wilderness and Adventure Camps for Teens
National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
For over 50 years, NOLS has offered wilderness adventure camps for teens in stunning locations across the US, including the Pacific Northwest, Wyoming, and Alaska. Their courses teach leadership, teamwork, and outdoor skills on 2- to 30-day backpacking, canoeing, and sea kayaking trips. If your teen dreams of summiting remote peaks or paddling pristine rivers, NOLS is a premier choice.
Outward Bound
Outward Bound pioneered the concept of using challenging outdoor adventures to build character and leadership skills. They offer over 500 courses across 11 US schools, including canyoneering in Utah, mountaineering in Colorado, and sailing in Maine. Trips range from 8 to 85 days for teens 14 and up. Outward Bound’s courses are truly life-changing experiences for many students.
Camp Cheley Colorado Camps
Located in the stunning Rocky Mountains, Camp Cheley has offered traditional summer camps for over 90 years. They have specific teen adventure camps for 13- to 17-year-olds featuring activities like backpacking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and survival skills. Cheley’s down-to-earth philosophy and caring staff provide a supportive environment for teens to push their limits.
Camp Laurel South
For a traditional camp experience in a gorgeous lakeside setting, consider Camp Laurel South in Maine. Their teen adventure programs offer 2- to 8-week sessions packed with activities like sea kayaking, canoe trips, mountaineering, and wilderness survival skills. Camp Laurel South fosters independence and confidence through their immersive wilderness experiences and tight-knit community.
Some camps may require certain fitness or skill levels for their more advanced courses, so evaluate your teen’s abilities and interests carefully. An open and honest conversation about what they hope to gain from the experience will help ensure they find a program that is challenging yet rewarding. With the right mindset, a summer adventure camp can be a hugely transformative experience for a teen.
Top Music, Art, and Theater Summer Programs for Creative Students
Creative high school students have amazing opportunities to develop their talents at specialized summer programs across the U.S. If you have a passion for music, art, or theater, check out these top programs where you can immerse yourself for a few weeks.
Interlochen Arts Camp (Michigan)
This world-renowned fine arts boarding school hosts a summer program for grades 3 through 12. You’ll work with professional musicians, artists, and actors to improve your craft. Choose from programs in music, creative writing, visual arts, theater, and more. Past attendees include famous musicians like Josh Groban and violinist Hilary Hahn.
School of Creative and Performing Arts (SOCAPA) (Multiple Locations)
With locations in New York, Los Angeles, and Vermont, SOCAPA offers summer intensives in filmmaking, acting, photography, and dance for teens. Learn from industry professionals and collaborate with other creative students on short films, photoshoots, or dance performances. Housing and meals are included so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience.
YoungArts (Miami)
This program is ideal for 10th to 12th graders looking to advance their skills in music, dance, theater, visual arts, or writing. You’ll work with renowned artists to prepare an original piece of work to present at the end of the program. Past participants have included famous musicians like Joshua Bell, and admission is very competitive. The program includes seminars, master classes, and cultural experiences in Miami’s art districts.
Berklee College of Music Summer Programs (Boston)
For high school musicians and songwriters, Berklee’s summer programs are a chance to experience life at one of the top music schools in the U.S. You’ll have access to Berklee’s state-of-the-art facilities while studying with faculty and visiting artists. Programs include songwriting, musical theater, music production & engineering, and more. Many summer program attendees end up enrolling at Berklee for college.
These are just a few of the many options for creative students to improve their skills over the summer. An intensive arts program could help prepare you for a career as a professional musician, actor, or artist. And you’ll surely make lifelong friends with others who share your passions.
How to Choose the Right Summer Program for Your Needs
Choosing the right summer program depends on your interests, goals, and budget. There are many options out there, so think about what’s most important to you.
Focus on your interests
Do you love science, writing, debate, or community service? Look for programs that align with your interests and talents. Programs centered around a theme or topic you care about will be more engaging and help you develop your skills. For example, if you’re interested in medicine, consider a program where you intern at a hospital or clinic. If you enjoy the arts, look for a program where you can improve your craft. Pursuing your passions will lead to a meaningful summer experience.
Set your goals
Are you hoping to get ahead academically, gain life skills, travel, or all of the above? Determine your goals so you can evaluate programs based on how well they meet them. If your goal is to earn college credits, look for programs offered by universities that provide that opportunity. If you want to learn independence and responsibility, consider programs where you live on a college campus. Setting clear goals will help you choose a program that allows you to achieve what you want.
Consider your budget
The cost of summer programs can vary greatly based on the type of program, length, and location. While prestigious university programs and those that involve international travel tend to cost more, there are plenty of affordable options too. Look at programs offered by your local community college or recreation center. See if the programs you’re interested in offer scholarships or financial aid. If budget is a concern, don’t rule out any programs until you’ve explored all the options for funding and support. With some creativity, you can find ways to make an exciting summer program work within your budget.
The most important thing is finding a program that ignites your curiosity and passion for learning. With the right program matched to your needs and goals, you’ll head into the summer ready for a life-changing experience. Take time to explore all the opportunities out there and don’t settle for anything less than the perfect program for you. Your future self will thank you for it.
Conclusion
You’ve got a few months before summer to research programs and figure out your plans. Think about your interests, goals, and budget when deciding what’s right for you. There are so many great options out there, whether you want to get ahead academically, explore a new career path, give back through service, or just have fun and meet new people. Wherever you land this summer, make the most of it! This is your time to try new things, challenge yourself, and create memories. The summer before college goes by fast, so choose wisely and make every experience count.