15 Summer Camps for Girls Entering High School

TL;DR

You’ll find 15 summer camps here for girls about to start high school, spanning math, animation, engineering, media, law, technology, veterinary medicine, marketing, science, and research. The biggest difference is cost and reach, from free local programs like FIU’s Journalism Jumpstart and New Orleans’ Justice Camp to Georgetown’s $6,465 residential academy. Most accept rising 9th graders, and several, like MathCON and UMN’s VetCamp, also welcome younger students. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway offers two-week courses in more than 20 subjects for students aged 13 to 18 in cities including Cambridge, Oxford, and London.

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Starting high school is a big step, and you might be wondering what freshman year will bring, from harder classes to new teachers and classmates. A summer camp before ninth grade lets you explore subjects you rarely meet in a regular classroom, from animation and journalism to forensics and mediation. 

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Summer camps for girls entering high school come in many forms, from short workshops and week-long day camps to residential programs on university campuses. Depending on the camp, you might animate a short film, investigate a mock crime scene, report for a published journal, or pitch a marketing campaign to a real client. If you want even more options, you can browse these summer programs for rising high school freshmen.

What are summer camps for girls entering high school?

Summer camps for girls entering high school are short programs, often run by universities and professional organizations, that let rising ninth graders explore a subject in depth. Most last from a few hours to two weeks and mix instruction with projects, labs, field trips, or performances.

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Access varies from camp to camp. Some only accept students from a particular county or region, while others welcome students from across the country or around the world. Before you apply, check the grade range, cost, and whether the camp is residential or a day program. 

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To help you find an experience that matches your interests, we’ve put together a list of 15 summer camps for girls entering high school!

15 Summer Camps for Girls Entering High School  

1. MathCON Summer Camp

Location: Loyola University Chicago, Water Tower Campus, Chicago, IL
Cost: $2,400; $1,600 if you took the MathCON Online Test, which includes an $800 MathCON Online Test Scholarship
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: June 15th to 19th, 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Not yet posted for 2027
Eligibility: MathCON students in grades 7 to 12 | International eligibility not specified

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MathCON Summer Camp is an intensive one-week program for mathematically talented middle and high school students who register for the MathCON Online Round. You’ll study number theory, problem-solving, algebraic expressions, geometry, and combinatorics, with topics that reach into undergraduate and even graduate-level math. Selection considers your past MathCON participation and performance, other math competitions, and your passion for the subject.

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The camp also aims to prepare you for the American Mathematics Competitions (AMC), the first stage in selecting the US team for the International Mathematical Olympiad. Registration covers classes, all meals, and activities such as a fireworks boat cruise on Lake Michigan and team bonding at an escape room, with optional accommodation at Loyola.

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Why this stands out: You build competition-ready problem-solving skills while exploring math well beyond the school curriculum.

2. Immerse Education’s Pre-University Summer School

Location: Cambridge, London, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students aged 13 to 18; open to international students from around the world

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Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway gives you two weeks of university-level study in one subject, taught by expert tutors from leading universities. You can choose from more than 20 subjects, including Architecture, Artificial Intelligence, Business Management, Computer Science, Economics, Medicine, and Philosophy, Politics & Economics. Seminars average 7 students, and you also get two 1:1 tutorials where you receive focused feedback on your work.

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Masterclasses and guest speakers broaden your view of your subject, and you can choose a residential or commuter format. The programme ends with a personal project that you present on the final Friday. You can find more details about the application here.

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Why it stands out: You get an early taste of university-style learning through small seminars, 1:1 tutorials, and an independent project.

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Remote, you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.

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The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! 

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You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.

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Why it stands out: You get 1-1 mentorship with a Ph.D. mentor and produce an independent research project by the end.

4. The College of New Jersey: 2D Animation Camp

Location: The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ
Cost: Residential Camp: $1,200; Commuter Camp: $800
Cohort size: 20 students
Dates: July 5th to 10th, 2026 (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Not specified on the camp page
Eligibility: Rising ninth graders to graduating high school seniors; no prior experience required | International eligibility not specified

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TCNJ’s 2D Animation Camp takes you from sketching out ideas to creating a fully animated short film. You’ll learn the techniques professional animators use to turn drawings into moving, expressive stories, whether you want to animate action-packed adventures or comedic moments. Classes run in the Art and Interactive Multimedia (AIMM) Building’s classroom and lab with faculty and counselors.

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The camp is taught by Sorraya Brashear-Evans, an Emmy Award-winning motion graphics designer who has created visuals for BBC America, CBS New York, and Paramount+. Optional lab and creative time in the late afternoon gives you extra hours to keep working on your film.

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Why this stands out: You finish a short animated film of your own under the guidance of an Emmy-winning designer.

5. University of Cincinnati: Summer Engineering Camps

Location: University of Cincinnati, Clifton Campus, Cincinnati, OH
Cost: Varies by camp; scholarships may be available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Summer day camps, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Not yet posted for 2027; late applications aren’t accepted
Eligibility: Camps are organized by age and interest level | International eligibility not specified

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The University of Cincinnati’s College of Engineering and Applied Science runs summer engineering camps for students who want to learn, explore, and innovate. Camps are grouped by age and interest level, so you can choose one that matches your experience and the kind of engineering you’re curious about. All sessions take place on the Clifton Campus.

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Scholarships may be available if you need financial assistance to attend. You can join the interest list to hear when 2027 camps open, which matters since late applications aren’t accepted.

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Why this stands out: You explore engineering on a major university campus with camps matched to your age and interests.

6. UGA Summer Media Academy

Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost: Residential: $1,255; Commuter: $530; limited need-based financial aid available
Cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week-long camps in June; 2026 tracks ran June 8th to 12th and June 15th to 19th (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Register through UGA Summer Academy; camps can fill, and the 2026 financial aid deadline was March 20th
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 17 at the start of camp | International eligibility not specified

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The UGA Summer Media Academy is a partnership between the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication and UGA’s Summer Academy, with tracks in areas such as multimedia journalism, broadcast journalism, entertainment and media studies, and advertising and public relations. In Multimedia Journalism, you practise interviewing, fact-checking, shooting video, and editing multimedia packages alongside a professional journalist, ending with a working news website.

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The Entertainment and Media Studies track covers screenwriting, editing, cinematography, and storytelling as you take a media project from concept to final production. In Advertising and Public Relations, you develop a complete campaign in one week, building skills in audience targeting, media planning, and persuasive storytelling.

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Why this stands out: Its specialized tracks let you build a complete media project in the area most closely connected to your interests.

7. Florida Atlantic University: Criminal Justice Summer Camp

Location: Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
Cost: $950, including breakfast, lunch, and transportation during camp hours
Cohort size: 25 campers per session
Dates: Session 1: June 14th to 19th, 2026; Session 2: July 12th to 17th, 2026
Application Deadline: Not specified; register online for your chosen session
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9 to 12 | International eligibility not specified

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FAU’s Criminal Justice Summer Camp is a week-long day camp for high schoolers curious about crime-scene investigation, forensics, and the court system. You learn crime-scene investigation techniques and watch demonstrations from bomb squads, K-9 units, and SWAT teams. Activities take place on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, with field trips to local agencies.

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You also tour law enforcement agencies and the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the week includes a mock trial in a courtroom setting. Instruction comes from criminal justice professionals, and you receive an official certificate of completion at the end.

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Why this stands out: Direct exposure to public-safety agencies helps you see how evidence moves through several stages of the justice system.

8. Florida International University’s Journalism Jumpstart Program

Location: FIU Biscayne Bay Campus, North Miami, FL
Cost: Free, with lunch provided
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment for eligible students
Dates: Two weeks in June, Monday to Friday (the most recently posted dates were June 17th to 28th, 2024)
Application Deadline: The most recently posted deadline was June 10th, 2024
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in Miami-Dade and Broward counties | Not open to international students

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FIU’s Journalism Jumpstart is a free program from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media, supported by the Dow Jones News Fund. You produce a news feature, a short multimedia package, and a graphic for each health or community-themed assignment, researching and interviewing along the way. Writing coaches, former editors from major news outlets, and media professionals guide your work.

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You also get the chance to work with college students on the live news show Caplin News and compete for a Dow Jones News Fund scholarship. Your finished work is published in the Jumpstart Journal.

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Why this stands out: You don’t merely practise reporting; your completed multimedia work is published through the program’s own journal.

9. CWI Tech Quest Summer Camp

Location: Ada County Center Pintail Building, Boise, ID
Cost: $200, including lunch and supplies; scholarships available
Cohort size: Limited space
Dates: June 8th to 12th, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 12; no previous experience needed | International eligibility not specified

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The College of Western Idaho’s Tech Quest Summer Camp is a five-day camp built around exploring and working directly with technology. You might break out of a cyber escape room run with Boise State University, test your skills at the Lock Pick Cafe, build your first AI model, code games and apps, or construct a working network.

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Activities connect to technology, engineering, cybersecurity, coding, and digital innovation. You also learn about the education and career pathways available in technology fields at CWI.

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Why this stands out: Its project rotation exposes you to several fast-growing technology areas within one camp.

10. University of Minnesota: VetCamp

Location: Ben Pomeroy Student-Alumni Learning Center, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
Cost: $15; fee waiver available for students with financial need
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Three-hour sessions; 2026 high school camps ran June 10th (small animal) and July 15th (large animal)
Application Deadline: Varies by session; new dates are added periodically
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 12, with separate middle and high school camps | International eligibility not specified

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VetCamp is an interactive program from the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, with activities developed and taught by current veterinary students. You work through cases using simulation animals and learn which foods and household items are toxic to animals on the Toxicology Board.

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In the Careers Game, your team identifies the type of veterinarian needed for each case and learns about different fields of veterinary medicine. Every camp ends with time to ask veterinary students your own questions about their training and careers.

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Why this stands out: The student-led format offers unusually direct insight into what veterinary education is actually like.

11. New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Justice Camp

Location: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA
Cost: Free, with lunch and snacks provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22nd to 26th, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Not specified; the registration packet is on the chapter’s website
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders in the Eastern District of Louisiana and New Orleans area | International eligibility not specified

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Justice Camp has brought summer camp into the federal courthouse since 2018, teaching civics and advocacy skills that prepare you for college, career, and civic engagement. Sessions cover the federal court system, internet safety, implicit bias in jury trials, and constitutional rights such as privacy, free speech, and assistance of counsel.

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Volunteer attorneys teach you trial skills, including how to question a witness. The week ends with a mock trial, giving you a chance to put your new advocacy skills into practice.

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Why this stands out: The federal courthouse setting gives you access to legal professionals that most introductory law camps cannot replicate.

12. Georgetown University: Marketing & Personal Branding Academy

Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Cost: $6,465 (residential tuition and meals); $5,075 (commuter tuition)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Two weeks; 2026 ran June 21st to July 3rd (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: 2027 offerings and applications open on November 16th
Eligibility: High school students | Open to international students, with dedicated resources for international applicants

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Georgetown’s Marketing & Personal Branding Academy teaches the fundamentals of marketing through an intercultural lens, at both the business and personal level. You hear from guest speakers across marketing, from data analytics to creative roles, and work in small teams with a real DC-based client.

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Case studies, site visits, and assignments cover digital marketing, content strategy, customer research, and ethical marketing. By the end, you pitch your own marketing campaign and build a personal brand strategy you can use in interviews and networking.

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Why this stands out: The combination of a real-client campaign and individual brand development produces two highly practical outcomes.

13. Ohio State Marion STEM Summer Camps - Science Adventurers: Elements of Discovery

Location: Ohio State Marion, Science and Engineering Building, Marion, OH
Cost: $185, including lunch and lab costs
Acceptance rate: Limited spaces
Dates: June 22nd to 26th, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: May 31st, 2026, or earlier if all spaces fill
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders in any US school | Not open to international students

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Science Adventurers explores biology, chemistry, and environmental technology through experiments, from decoding DNA to creating molecular gastronomy treats. You’ll learn how artificial intelligence supports scientific research and test water quality using 3D-printed colorimeters.

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Fieldwork takes place in the Larry R. Yoder Prairie Learning Laboratory, plus a field experience such as a visit to the Orton Geological Museum or the Byrd Polar & Climate Research Center. You’ll also race your own cardboard boat in the YMCA Cardboard Boat Regatta before a collaborative environmental capstone wraps up the week.

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Why this stands out: You’ll use everything from molecular biology to AI-supported analysis within one integrated environmental science experience.

14. Kansas State’s Leadership & Auxiliary Camp

Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: Resident camper: $500; Non-resident camper: $325, with an optional $125 meal card
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four days; 2026 ran July 12th to 15th, and 2027 runs July 13th to 16
Application Deadline: Not specified; 2026 registration is closed
Eligibility: Students in grades 8 to 11 | International eligibility not specified

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Kansas State’s Leadership & Auxiliary Camp helps you build leadership and performance skills within your school band. Tracks for drum majors, section leaders, percussionists, and color guard include conducting a live ensemble, video critique, and conflict resolution training.

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Resident campers stay in Wefald Hall and eat in campus dining facilities, with K-State Marching Band members serving as counselors. The camp ends with a final performance showcasing the skills you’ve built over four days.

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Why this stands out: The camp treats leadership as a performance skill that you practise in real rehearsals and ensemble settings.

15. Grace College Conflict Resolution/PreLaw Camp

Location: Grace College, Winona Lake, IN
Cost: $200 value; $100 after the Summer Lancers Scholarship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22nd to 26th, 2026, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (2027 dates not yet posted)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 7 to 12 in fall 2026 | International eligibility not specified

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Grace College’s Conflict Resolution/Pre-Law Camp introduces you to mediation, a growing alternative to litigation in the courts. You practise developing win-win solutions to complex conflicts and take on every role in the process: client, advocate, and mediator.

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You learn directly from Grace College’s internationally awarded mediation team. The camp suits you if you’re interested in a pre-law track, debate, mock trial, Model United Nations, or public speaking.

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Why this stands out: Its emphasis on mediation broadens the usual pre-law camp model beyond courtroom argument and mock trials.

Frequently asked questions: Summer Camps for Girls Entering High School

What summer camps should you do before high school?

Pick a camp in a subject you’re curious about but don’t get much of in school. If you love math, MathCON’s camp prepares you for the American Mathematics Competitions, while TCNJ’s 2D Animation Camp suits creative students who want to finish a short film. For law, New Orleans’ Justice Camp and Grace College’s mediation camp both welcome rising freshmen. Trying one new field often teaches you more about your interests than repeating what you already study.

Are there free summer camps for girls entering high school?

Yes, a few camps on this list are free or very low cost. FIU’s Journalism Jumpstart is free with lunch for Miami-Dade and Broward students, and the Federal Bar Association’s Justice Camp in New Orleans is free with lunch and snacks. The University of Minnesota’s VetCamp costs $15, with fee waivers available, and Grace College’s camp costs $100 after its scholarship. Paid camps like CWI’s Tech Quest and UGA’s Summer Media Academy also offer financial aid.

Can 14-year-olds stay overnight at a summer camp on a college campus?

Yes, several camps offer residential options for rising freshmen. TCNJ’s 2D Animation Camp has a $1,200 residential option, UGA’s Summer Media Academy offers overnight stays for students aged 14 to 17, and K-State houses resident campers in Wefald Hall. MathCON also offers optional accommodation at Loyola. You can find more ideas in this list of summer camps for 14-year-olds.

When should you apply for summer camps before freshman year?

Start looking in the winter, since many camps open registration months before summer. Georgetown opens its 2027 applications on November 16th, UGA’s 2026 financial aid deadline was March 20th, and Ohio State Marion’s registration closed on May 31st, 2026, or earlier if spots filled. TCNJ and FAU cap sessions at 20 and 25 students, so registering early gives you the best chance of a place.

Can international students attend summer camps for girls entering high school?

Some can, but many camps on this list are designed for local or US students. Ohio State Marion requires you to attend a US school, FIU’s Journalism Jumpstart is for Miami-Dade and Broward students, and Justice Camp is aimed at students in the New Orleans area. Georgetown’s academy offers dedicated resources for international students. Immerse Education’s Academic Insights pathway welcomes students aged 13 to 18 from around the world, with locations including Cambridge, Oxford, and Toronto.

Do summer camps before high school help with college applications?

They won’t decide your admission, but they can give you a head start on interests you’ll build through high school. FAU’s camp gives you a certificate of completion, FIU publishes your work in the Jumpstart Journal, and Georgetown’s academy helps you build a personal brand strategy for interviews. Over the next few years, these experiences can grow into the activities colleges see. If you want to keep exploring, these summer programs for 9th graders are a good next step.

From summer camp to college-ready high schooler

The summer before freshman year is a low-pressure time to test subjects like math, media, or law and see which ones you want to pursue.

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Choosing among summer camps for girls entering high school comes down to your interests, budget, location, and whether you want a residential experience.

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Keep track of deadlines and eligibility rules, since several camps only accept local students or fill their limited spots well before summer.

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When you’re ready to plan your next steps toward college, explore our University Preparation blogs for advice on courses, activities, and applications.