In high school, history often means textbooks, timelines, and preparing for exams. But outside the classroom, history can be much more hands-on. It can involve studying real historical documents, working with museums, visiting important sites, or even taking part in archaeological research. History summer programs for high school students give you the chance to experience the subject in a more active way.

Maybe you already enjoy learning about the past and want to explore it more deeply. Or maybe you’re curious about how historians actually study events and interpret evidence. History programs can give you that opportunity. You might work on research projects, write analytical essays, explore archives, or take part in discussions about important historical ideas.

Some programs focus on research and historical writing. Others explore history through museums, archives, field visits, or archaeology. Some are short-term, while others run for several weeks and offer a deeper academic experience. Each program approaches history a little differently, but they all help you build skills in research, critical thinking, and analysis.

What kinds of history summer programs are available for high school students?

With multiple programs offered by universities, museums, and organisations, it can be hard to know which ones are worth exploring. Some focus more on seminars and academic discussions, while others include hands-on learning and real research work. This is why having a carefully chosen list can be helpful.

You’ll learn from experienced instructors, engage with peers who share your curiosity about the past, and strengthen skills such as critical reading, analytical writing, and argumentation. Along the way, you’ll gain a clearer sense of what studying history at the university level might involve and how it connects to fields such as politics, law, journalism, and international relations.

Below, we’ve curated a list of 15 History Summer Programs for High School Students. These programs offer meaningful ways to explore history through research, mentorship, and immersive learning experiences.

For more subject options, you can check out summer programs for high school students.

15 History Summer Programs for High School Students

1. Immerse Education’s History Summer School

Location: Oxford, Cambridge, Online
Cost/Stipend: Varies by format; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Dates: Multiple sessions for 2026
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18; Open to students worldwide 

Immerse Education offers one of the most academically immersive history summer programs for high school students, offering a university-style learning experience. You’ll gain knowledge about important events in history, engage in historical analysis, and learn from experienced professionals in the field. You’ll work on research projects, engage in archival work, and participate in critical discussions.

You’ll participate in group workshops, receive personalised guidance, mentorship and feedback along with the opportunity to develop a range of skills in research, academic writing, and analytical and critical thinking. If you’re a high school student interested in exploring historical concepts through hands-on learning, this program could be a good option to consider. 

Why it stands out: You’ll study major historical events through university-style seminars, archival research, and discussions while developing skills in research, academic writing, and critical analysis.

2. New York Historical Society – Student Historian Internship Program

Location: New York Historical Society, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $700 stipend is paid
Dates: July 7th – August 13th
Application Deadline: March 29th
Eligibility: Rising 9th-12th grade students living and attending school in the NYC metro area, including the five boroughs and parts of New York State, New Jersey, and Connecticut

The New York Historical Society- Student Historian Internship Program offers a paid learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll conduct in-depth research, develop creative digital projects through your scholarship, and engage in hands-on work to gain knowledge about American history and the digital humanities.

You’ll interact with professional staff and gain knowledge about a range of fields, including history, digital humanities, library, and museum. You’ll work in collaboration with other participants and develop a range of skills in historical thinking, digital media, and communication. The historical theme of the internship is Our Composite Nation: Frederick Douglass’ America.

Why it stands out: You’ll conduct historical research and create digital projects while learning about fields like history, museums, and digital humanities through mentorship and collaboration.

3. Museum of History and Industry’s (MOHAI) History Lab

Location: Museum of History and Industry, Seattle, WA
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $150 stipend is paid
Dates: July 21st – August 1st (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: May 23rd (tentative, based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grades; Open to students worldwide 

Museum of History and Industry’s (MOHAI) History Lab offers an intensive summer learning experience to high school students. You’ll explore local history and storytelling and sharpen your research and interpretation skills. You’ll learn to effectively communicate ideas, engage in creative exercises, and develop a range of skills in history, including writing, editing, analysis, and research.

The program also allows you to conduct your own unique research involving historical interpretation and have it published on the Rainy Day History Website. If you’re a high school student interested in a paid research opportunity in history, this program could be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll research local history, develop storytelling and analysis skills, and create a project that may be published on the Rainy Day History website.

4. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Voluntary Internship Program

Location: Multiple locations
Cost: Free
Dates: Summer: June – August; Spring, Winter, and Fall cohorts also offered
Application Deadline: Summer applications open on March 23rd
Eligibility: Current high school, undergraduate, and graduate students with U.S. citizenship; Minimum age: 18 years

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) Voluntary Internship Program offers a 10-12 week learning opportunity to high school students. NARA works by preserving and maintaining valuable documents and allowing the general public to have access to them.

You’ll explore opportunities in a range of areas, including archival processing, business, public history, records management, cartography, digitalising archival materials, editorial, educational and public programs, and many more. You’ll be provided with work schedules based on mutual agreement between you and your supervisor. 

Why it stands out: You’ll assist with archival tasks like processing and digitising historical records while gaining experience in fields such as public history and records management

5. National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) Summer High School Internship

Location: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Free; $5,600 stipend ($700/week) is paid
Dates: June 23rd – August 14th
Application Deadline: March 20th
Eligibility: High school students ages 15-18; Must be US citizens or permanent resident

The National Museum of Natural History (NMINH) Summer High School Internship provides you with the experience of working at a museum. You’ll have the opportunity to explore science and non-science related work, receive guidance from supervisors, work on projects, and participate in enrichment activities.

You’ll interact with other students with similar interests, prepare for a future career by developing professional skills, and go on field trips. If you’re a high school student interested in a paid learning opportunity in history by working in a real museum setting, this program could be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: It lets you work on museum projects, explore science and cultural fields, and build professional skills while learning alongside other students and mentors.

6. Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS)

Location: Cornell University – Ithaca, NY; University of Maryland – College Park, MD
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21st – July 25th
Application Deadline: December 3rd
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors ages 15-17; Open to students worldwide 

Telluride Association Summer Seminar (TASS) offers a transformative educational experience to high school students. You’ll explore and understand the impact of power and privilege on social dynamics and structures.

You’ll also work on democratic decision-making with your peers, spend from a program budget, plan group activities, listen to guest speakers and participate in a public speaking program. The program also includes activities like book and article reading, essay writing, viewing films and art, and receiving feedback from your instructors.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore topics like history, literature, art, and politics through college-level seminars, discussions, and collaborative projects while developing critical thinking and public speaking skills.

7. Notre Dame Leadership Seminars

Location: University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Cost: Free
Dates: July 18-29
Application Deadline: January 21st
Eligibility: Current 11th grade high school students; Minimum age: 16 years; Open to students worldwide 

The Notre Dame Leadership Seminars offers a free, competitive learning experience for high school students. You’ll explore a range of topics through six valuable seminar sessions focused on business, research, AI, data innovation, America’s social and economic inequities, global issues, the power of investigating, and liberty for all.

You’ll gain knowledge about rising intolerance, authoritarianism, war and violence, systematic discrimination, visits to peace-building organisations and more. If you’re a high school student looking for an engaging learning opportunity to earn transferable college credits, this one program could benefit you.

Why it stands out: It offers a free, competitive seminar experience where you’ll explore topics like global issues, inequality, business, and data innovation while engaging in discussions on real-world social and political challenges.

8. The Met High School Internship Program

Location: The Met Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; $1,100 stipend is paid
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: 10th-11th grade students  residing in and attending a high school or home school in either New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut

The Met High School Internship Program offers a paid, immersive learning experience to high school students. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with art, interact one-on-one with museum professionals from a range of fields, including social media, imaging, curatorial, education, design, and more.

You’ll develop professional skills, build your network, and explore your interests. You’ll attend interactive workshops led by professionals from creative fields, participate in career labs, and explore the practical work at museums from up-close. You’ll also receive guidance from a Met Staff member and get to practice in a museum profession. 

Why it stands out: You’ll gain hands-on experience working with museum professionals, explore careers in art and media fields, and develop professional and networking skills through workshops and real museum projects.

9. St. John’s Summer Academy

Location: St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD and Santa Fe, NM, and virtual
Cost: $1,400 per week
Dates: Vary with program sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15 to 18); Open to students worldwide 

St.John’s Summer Academy offers week-long learning opportunities to high school students. You’ll attend classes led by St. John’s faculty, read books on a range of topics including history, psychology, literature, religion, science, astronomy, economics, and more.

Along with gaining academic knowledge, you’ll also get to participate in extracurricular activities, including swing lessons, hiking, yoga and more. The program also offers off-campus trips to the National Gallery in DC, the Maryland State House, Meow Wolf immersive art experiences, and the Santa Fe Opera.

Why it stands out: You’ll attend discussion-based classes on subjects like history, literature, science, and economics while building critical thinking and reading skills and enjoying cultural trips and activities.

10. James Madison Montpelier Excavate: High School Archaeology Expedition

Location: James Madison’s Montpelier, Montpelier Station, VA
Cost: $950; $300 deposit
Dates: July 13-18 (tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students and undergraduates; Open to students worldwide 

James Madison Montpelier Excavate is one of the most field-based history summer programs for high school students, offering a week-long hands-on archaeology experience. You’ll work on real archaeological research sites alongside professional archaeologists, join specialty tours with Montpelier’s experts, learn key excavation techniques, and contribute to history preservation and discovery.

You’ll uncover artifacts and features buried in the past and have the opportunity to conduct lab analysis at the Archaeology Department’s new lab facility, Community Archaeology Lab at Montpelier (CALM). 

Why it stands out: You’ll work alongside professional archaeologists at a real excavation site, learn field and lab techniques, uncover historical artifacts, and contribute to preserving history through hands-on research.

11. The Concord Review History Camp

Location: Multiple in-person locations + Virtual
Cost: Not specified
Dates: Vary with sessions
Application Deadline: Varies with program. Early: December 21st; Regular: February 28th
Eligibility: Current high school students and rising 9th graders; Open to students worldwide 

The Concord Review History Camp offers both online and in-person learning experiences to high school students. You’ll learn and develop history research and writing skills, read journal articles and books on a specific topic before joining with a rough draft, and receive guidance from experienced instructors.

You’ll have the opportunity to formulate Research questions, involve in note-taking, research and apply primary and secondary resources and learn the application of different writing strategies, including analytical and narrative. You’ll work on a 4,000-8,000-word research paper, confront structural and organisational problems and analyse the important philosophical dilemmas related to studying history.

Why it stands out: You’ll develop advanced history research and writing skills while working on a long-term research project with guidance from experienced instructors.

12. South Mountain Community College’s Ultimate History Summer Camp

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Cost: $25
Dates: June 12-15
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors worldwide

South Mountain Community College’s Ultimate History Summer Camp offers a four-day learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll gain knowledge about the South Phoenix community, engage in research, documentation and archival of real stories from the local community and culture.

The program gives you the chance to interact with family and friends, discuss stories, and allow your stories to become a part of history. If you’re interested in actively contributing to the historical community and sharpening your research skills, this program could benefit you.

Why it stands out: You’ll research and document real stories from the South Phoenix community while developing skills in historical research and storytelling.

13. BHC’s History Summer Camp

Location: Commonwealth School, Boston, MA
Cost: $1800
Dates: July 7-18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th grade students living and attending high school in the Boston area

BHC’s History Summer Camp offers an immersive learning experience to high school students. You’ll engage in thoughtful discussions, gain knowledge about historical tourism, and explore the city of Boston. You’ll engage in structured writing and research, and work on historical storytelling based on a local site and conduct everyday research at the Commonwealth School in the Back Bay.

You’ll develop practical skills in historical research, convert your research materials into accessible segments and apply specific equipment to edit and record your performance. The program will host an award ceremony on the final camp day, where the best performances by students will receive appreciation.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore historic sites across Boston, conduct research, and create historical storytelling projects while building skills in writing, research, and presentation.

14. Boston TCR Summer Camp

Location: Fisher College/Commonwealth School, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend:
Dates: June 22nd – July 3rd
Application Deadline: Early: December 31st; Regular: February 28th
Eligibility: High school students; Open to students worldwide 

Boston TCR Summer Camp offers a twelve-day intensive learning experience to high school students. You’ll join the program with a preliminary research topic, and work on producing a long-form research paper by refining the focus of your topic, developing a strong foundation in historical scholarship and working on a detailed outline.

You’ll have the opportunity to use primary and secondary sources, formulate research questions, analyse model historical essays, and apply different writing strategies, including analytical and narrative. You’ll receive personalised guidance from instructors and have the opportunity to engage in independent study at the Boston Public Library. 

Why it stands out: You’ll write a long-form history research paper while conducting independent research using primary and secondary sources with guidance from instructors.

15. Historical Games Pre-College Camp

Location: Manhattan University, New York City, NY
Cost: To Be Announced
Dates: To Be Announced
Application Deadline: To Be Announced
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students around the world

Historical Games Pre-College Camp offers an immersive learning experience to high school students. You’ll gain knowledge about the history of Ancient Greece through playing historical games. You’ll take on the role of a Greek figure and engage in a range of activities, including deciding the government of Athens, choosing the participants, and more.

The program aims to emphasise problem solving, active learning, source analysis, debate and negotiation. You’ll attend public speech writing workshops, examine historical texts by Plato, Herodotus and Thucydides. The program will help you develop an understanding of the Athenian system and its construction.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore Ancient Greek history by role-playing historical figures, debating political decisions, and analysing texts by Plato, Herodotus, and Thucydides.

Discover the Books Behind Great Historians

History becomes most meaningful when it moves beyond memorising dates and starts asking why people acted, what changed, and how evidence shapes understanding over time.

The history summer programs for high school students in this guide open that process up, turning curiosity into research, discussion, interpretation, and discovery for you.

Rather than simply showing you the past, they ask you to question sources, compare perspectives, and decide what stories deserve closer attention and study.

Open our History Top Books Guide now to find the books that deepen your insight, sharpen your arguments, and keep your historical curiosity growing.