Summer for high school students can be a much-needed pause from hectic academic work, a time to rest and recharge. However, your summer break can also bring something very meaningful. Through free summer camps for teens, students have the chance to develop skills they might not learn in school and grow in ways not always possible in traditional classroom settings. You can spend the summer learning new things, building self-confidence, and strengthening college applications.

Imagine spending your summer in an interactive environment, learning cybersecurity, understanding public health concepts, reporting real stories as a young journalist, or working on projects in science and engineering. These camps allow you to attend workshops, take part in team challenges, enjoy outdoor activities, and build meaningful friendships with people your age while exploring interests in a fun, supportive environment.

What kinds of free summer camps can teens actually apply to?

There are so many options for teen summer camps out there that choosing the right one can feel quite overwhelming. This is where finding the right information is essential, so that you only pick a summer camp that aligns with most of your requirements.

Many Universities, non-profits, and organizations all around the world offer fully funded summer camps for teens. These camps explore different areas and disciplines, including STEM, leadership, law, business, journalism, environmental studies, and more. 

Whether you want to gain more knowledge about a specific subject you’re passionate about or like to explore new disciplines and interests, these camps involve hands-on learning, mentorship, and team-building exercises for you.

You’ll have to put in effort once the camp starts, but we’ve made things easier for you for now. To help you get started, here is a carefully selected list of 15 free summer camps for teens. They’ve been chosen for their accessibility, impact, and overall learning experience.

15 Free Summer Camps for Teens 

1. Camp Rising Sun (CRS)

Location: Upstate New York
Cost: Free
Dates: Vary
Application Deadline: Varies by region
Eligibility: 15-16-year-old students; International students can also apply

The Louis August Jonas Foundation’s Camp Rising Sun offers a four-week-long summer experience for teens and is one of the most impactful free summer camps for teens focused on leadership and community building. You’ll spend time with other people your age, practice compassion, develop leadership skills, and participate in community building. You’ll understand the idea of empathy, become globally aware, and learn to be a more socially responsible individual.

The camp offers two sessions and is an interesting mix of gaining knowledge, making friends, and developing personal, social, and cultural understanding. By the time the camp concludes, you’ll be more equipped to make positive change in your own community.

Why it stands out: It brings together teens from different parts and cultures of the world and gives them a space to become socially aware and compassionate leaders.

2. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights Summer School

Location: Boston, Cambridge, London, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions.
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor.

The program includes practical experiences such as dissections in medicine, robotic arm building in engineering, or moot courts for law. You can choose from over 20 subjects, including architecture, artificial intelligence, business management, computer science, economics, medicine, philosophy, and more. By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll study undergraduate-level subjects in small groups with world-class academics while gaining hands-on experience and personalized mentorship.

3. National Youth Science Academy’s National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp)

Location: Monongahela National Forest, Huttonsville, WV
Cost: Free
Dates: July 11th – August 1st
Application Deadline: To Be Announced
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; International students from specific nations are eligible 

If you join the National Youth Science Camp, you’ll be immersed in a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) focused learning experience. You’ll learn the art of living in the present moment, attend a world-class lecture series by STEM experts, interactive seminars around fun topics, including juggling, cooking, language practice, and more.

The camp also offers a directed series led by an expert where you’ll engage in deeper learning, discussion, and conversations. You’ll experience outdoor activities such as backpacking, hiking, rock climbing, biking, kayaking, and more. Participants in the past camps have participated in museum tours, met congressional members, and attended panel discussions at the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Why it stands out: You’ll immerse yourself in an experience of fun and learning through expert-led STEAM lecture series and interesting outdoor activities.

4. Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) Law Camp

Location: Connecticut Bar Association offices in Hartford, CT
Cost: Free
Dates: July 7-11
Application Deadline: May 31st
Eligibility: High school students; must be enrolled to attend a Connecticut high school

On joining the Connecticut Bar Association (CBA) Law Camp, one of the few free summer camps for teens focused on law, you’ll be exposed to the legal profession and develop critical and analytical thinking skills. You’ll participate in panel discussions, advocacy training, and observe court proceedings. You’ll also interact with professionals in legal fields, including attorneys, judges, and law students, and witness the law profession from up close.

The camp offers a limited number of spots and encourages students who have overcome a life adversity or identify as the first individual in their family to join the legal profession to participate. The camp is sponsored by the Connecticut Bar Association’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and is a great opportunity to learn about law and legal careers from experts in the field.

Why it stands out: You’ll gain hands-on exposure to legal careers and build critical thinking skills through panels, advocacy, court observations, and build a network with expert professionals.

5. Summer Physics Camp (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

Location: New Mexico School for the Arts in Santa Fe
Cost/Stipend: Free; Stipend paid upon completion
Dates: June 2-13
Application Deadline: April 1st
Eligibility: Students living in New Mexico, NM tribal communities, or East Hawaii Island; Must have completed Algebra I or a higher-level math course

Summer Physics Camp offers a two-week opportunity to explore careers in STEM. You’ll engage in hands-on activities, demonstrations, attend lectures, go on tours, and work on interactive projects in a range of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, engineering, science, robotics, and more. The camp offers to help you develop professional skills in resume writing, as well as job application and interview skills.

You’ll learn a wide range of topics in energy and energy security, including solar, geothermal, and wind energy, and nuclear power. Although the Summer Physics Camp is a day camp, a limited number of free residential spots are also available.

Why it stands out: You will explore STEM careers through hands-on projects in physics, engineering, robotics, and energy topics like solar and nuclear, while building a resume, interview, and other professional skills.

6. AFA CyberCamp

Location: Remote and National Museum of the US Air Force, OH
Cost: Free
Dates: Standard camp: June 2-6; Advanced Camp: June 9-13
Application Deadline: Not available publicly
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7-12. Camps are located across the United States

Joining the AFA CyberCamp will introduce you to cybersecurity and STEM career opportunities. You’ll engage in hands-on activities, develop cyber defence skills, and learn to protect your personal devices from external threats. You’ll also gain knowledge and skills to harden entire networks running Windows 10 and Ubuntu operating systems.

The camp is sponsored by the Air Force Museum Foundation and concludes with a final team competition focused on real-world cybersecurity challenges faced by industry professionals. You can participate in either the standard camp (for beginners) or the advanced camp that offers more learning opportunities and knowledge in cybersecurity, including cyberethics, Windows 10, Ubuntu 18, and more.

Why it stands out: You will build cybersecurity and STEM career skills through hands-on defense activities, network hardening on Windows 10 and Ubuntu, and simulating real-world cybersecurity challenges

7. Action for Conservation Summer Camps

Location: Multiple locations in the United Kingdom: South West – Pembrokeshire Coast National Park; North West – Peak District National Park, and South East – South Downs National Park
Cost: Free
Dates: Typically between July and August
Application Deadline: May 5th (tentative)
Eligibility: 12-16 year olds living in England and Wales

Action for Conservation Summer Camps are free camps run during the summer for teens who want to learn about environmental justice, engage in conservation activities, and develop skills in taking action. You’ll be guided by young environmental professionals, participate in conservation activities, and receive valuable career guidance and advice.

You’ll not only gain environmental knowledge but also interact with other participants and form meaningful friendships. You’ll develop self-confidence and gain inspiration to make positive changes in your community. If you’re a teen interested in learning about the environment in a fun, engaging space, then this camp can be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You will engage in conservation activities guided by young environmental professionals, gain career advice, and build confidence to make positive community change.

8. New York Institute of Technology High School Business Bootcamp

Location: Virtual and on-campus (Long Island and New York City, NY)
Cost: Free
Dates: Ongoing sessions, can be registered individually
Application Deadline: NA
Eligibility: High school students from all nationalities

Joining this bootcamp will allow you to participate in college-level workshops, learn from expert faculty, and prepare for college. You’ll learn a wide range of concepts, including media branding, stock market investment, financial literacy, and real estate. You’ll also receive critical training to prepare for job interviews and build a strong resume.

You can either attend the workshops individually or participate in all six sessions. You’ll receive a completion certificate for each bootcamp session that you attend. If you’re a student interested in learning about business and finance, either virtually or in person, then this program can be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll learn practical business and finance skills like investing and resume building through college-level workshops.

9. AAJA’s JCamp

Location: Minneapolis, MN
Cost: Free
Dates: June 20-26
Application Deadline: January 11th
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors; international students are welcome to apply

AAJA’s JCamp offers you a six-day diverse training experience. You’ll learn from top media executives and experienced journalists, engage in hands-on training, and work on producing multiplatform news packages for the news site JCamp Live. You’ll interact with students from diverse backgrounds, participate in interactive workshops, and also go on field trips.

You’ll develop cross-cultural communication and leadership skills, learn the importance of diversity in media coverage and newsrooms, and gain knowledge about ethical journalism practices. If you’re a high school student interested in broadcasting, photojournalism, newspaper, magazine, and online media, then this program can be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll receive hands-on, real-world journalism training by producing multiplatform news, working with top media professionals in a highly diverse and immersive newsroom environment.

10. Roy G. Perry Girls Techno Summer Camp

Location: Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: June 8-11
Application Deadline: April 30th
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors worldwide aged 16-18

Roy G. Perry Girls Techno Summer Camp offers a three-day residential opportunity to high school female students. The camp aims to increase female participation in computer science and engineering. You’ll be introduced to design thinking, data science, artificial intelligence, computer programming, and robotics. You’ll engage in hands-on projects, attend lectures by faculty, and develop self-confidence.

The camp will allow you to engage in a range of activities, including brainstorming, testing, and prototype building to develop design projects. If you’re a female student interested in a practical learning experience in engineering and computer science, then this camp can be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll gain hands-on exposure to computer science and engineering through design thinking, AI, and robotics in a supportive, women-focused residential learning environment.

11. Longhorn Engineering Summer Camp

Location: Austin, Houston, and San Antonio, TX
Cost: Free; $75 commitment fee
Dates: Vary with sessions
Application Deadline: February 22nd
Eligibility: Rising 8th and 9th-grade students all over the world

Longhorn Engineering Summer Camp offers an interactive learning experience in STEM. You’ll learn engineering fundamentals through presentations, engage in guided hands-on activities, and understand the connection of engineering with arts, medicine, sports, and sustainability.

The program aims to provide fair and equal opportunities and encourages students overcoming social or economic hardship to apply. If you’re a high school student interested in learning engineering in a supportive environment that also promotes extracurricular activities, then this program can be a good option to consider.

Why it stands out: You’ll explore engineering through hands-on learning in a supportive, inclusive environment that connects STEM with real-world applications.

12. Electrical and Computer STEM Summer Camp

Location: Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: June 8-14
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students worldwide

Electrical and Computer STEM Summer Camp explores a wide range of topics in STEM, including mathematics, science, agriculture, and robotics. You’ll apply mathematical concepts to practical challenges in agriculture, build and program robots, and develop skills in engineering and problem-solving.

The camp will allow you to conduct experiments, learn the impact of biology, technology, and environmental science on agriculture, and the role of math in improving efficiency, crop production, and sustainability. If you’re looking for a program that will develop your creativity and critical thinking skills, then you can opt for it.

Why it stands out: You’ll apply math and engineering to real-world challenges like robotics and sustainable agriculture while building strong problem-solving and creative skills.

13. Summer Journalism Bootcamp by The Daily Free Press

Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: Session 1: August 5th; Session 2: August 12th; Session 3: August 19th
Application Deadline: August 1st
Eligibility: High school students from the U.S.

Summer Journalism Bootcamp by the Daily Free Press offers an immersive journalism experience to high school and college students. You’ll receive one-on-one mentorship from editors, engage in workshops, discussion panels, and attend webinars featuring FreeP alumni working as reputable journalism professionals at The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Boston Globe.

The camp aims to build your knowledge and confidence and prepare you to pursue a career in journalism. If you’re a young aspiring journalist interested in gaining knowledge from the comfort of your home, this camp might be for you.

Why it stands out: You’ll gain mentored, real-world journalism training online while learning directly from experienced editors and industry professionals.

14. SFEPD Financial Literacy Camp For High School Students

Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Dates: July 26-30
Application Deadline: To Be Announced
Eligibility: Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors across the country

The Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD) Financial Literacy Camp offers a week-long virtual experience. You’ll work in a team setting with participants from across the country and gain knowledge about financial education. The camp aims to improve your financial understanding, along with helping you develop a range of skills, including leadership, communication, professional development, and team building.

You’ll have an interactive learning experience through training and learning events. If you’re a high school student looking to deepen your knowledge in financial literacy, joining this camp can benefit you.

Why it stands out: You’ll build strong financial literacy skills while learning teamwork, leadership, and professional skills in a collaborative virtual setting.

15. CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp

Location: CDC headquarters in Atlanta, GA
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23-27; July 21-25 (tentative)
Application Deadline: March 7th (tentative)
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school juniors or seniors ages 16 and above

If you join the CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp, you’ll gain a five-day learning experience in an active environment. You’ll gain knowledge about public health, explore careers in the field, and learn directly from subject matter experts and CDC Museum experts.

You’ll attend lectures, engage in hands-on activities, and mimic the work of the CDC staff, including research, data collection, data analysis, and health education. You’ll participate in mock press conferences, environmental and global health activities, and attend laboratory sessions. You’ll have a busy schedule during the camp and experience a challenging and social learning environment. 

Why it stands out: You’ll experience public health firsthand by learning from CDC experts and taking part in real-world disease investigation activities.

Growing Independence Before College Life

Summer experiences outside school help you grow in confidence, adaptability, and independence while learning to manage time, responsibilities, and relationships in unfamiliar environments.

Many summer camps for teens are free, making them accessible spaces for learning, friendship, and personal growth beyond the classroom.

Living, learning, and working alongside others helps you build resilience, communication skills, and cultural awareness that prepare you for the realities of student life.

To explore independence, wellbeing, and community in more depth, visit our Student Life and Cultural Immersion blogs for expert guidance on thriving academically, socially, and personally before university.