Student Summer Camps: A World of Opportunities
Summer camps offer an amazing array of benefits to children and families alike. They provide a structured and positive environment, keeping kids active and engaged while offering opportunities to build relationships and explore the world. For students, summer camps offer unique avenues for exploration, skill development, and personal growth outside the traditional classroom setting. From academic enrichment to sports and arts, a wide variety of programs cater to diverse interests and age groups.
Academic and STEM-Focused Camps
For students passionate about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), numerous summer programs offer hands-on learning experiences.
- Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR): This no-cost, 8-week summer research internship program is open to current high school juniors and seniors. Participants engage in hands-on research under the guidance of a mentor at a Stanford Institutes of Medicine research laboratory, covering areas such as immunology, cancer biology, stem cell research, neuroscience, cardiovascular studies, genetics, bioinformatics, and bioengineering. A $500 transportation stipend is offered, with larger stipends available based on need, with preference given to Bay Area residents. This is a day program, and participants are expected to get to campus on their own.
- Cardiothoracic Surgical Skills and Education Center Summer Internship: This internship educates high school students considering careers in science and medicine, focusing on cardiothoracic surgical anatomy, physiology, and surgical techniques relevant to pre-medical and medical training. Early application is encouraged.
- Clinical Anatomy Summer Program: High school students considering careers in medical and health-related fields (medicine, surgery, dentistry, EMT/paramedics, nursing, biomedical engineering, occupational therapy, physical therapy, sports medicine, and medical education) can participate in this one-week course.
- CNI-X: Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience: This intensive two-week summer program is designed for students who have completed their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school. It provides an introduction to neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology, with an opportunity to complete a collaborative capstone project. Scholarships are available.
- GRIPS: Genomics Research Internship Program at Stanford: High school students can participate in this 20-hour, eight-week research-intensive experience. Participants are placed in a research laboratory and conduct genomics research under the supervision of a lab mentor, committing to the program's entire duration. Scholarship and financial aid are available.
- Inspiring Future Scientists through Shadowing (IFSS): This free day program offers rising high school juniors and seniors (at least 16 years old) the opportunity to learn about cutting-edge chemical research through shadowing different researchers and exploring a wide array of scientific topics and techniques.
- SAGE Camp, Science Accelerating Girls’ Engagement in STEM: This weeklong, residential program at SLAC National Laboratories in Menlo Park is designed for girls aged 14-17. Hosted by the Dept. of Energy National Laboratories, it offers hands-on activities in scientific projects, job shadowing, facility tours, professional growth talks, and an inside look at leading-edge experiments.
- SLAC Summer Internship Program: High school students (ages 18 and older), undergraduates, and graduates can participate in this program at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. Interns gain real-world work experiences for up to twelve weeks (May-September), depending on department needs and student schedules, and must pass a basic background check.
- SPINWIP: The Stanford Program for Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Physics: This is a free, virtual 3-week summer outreach program hosted by the Stanford Physics Department and the Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology. It aims to excite high-school girls, particularly those who are underrepresented in the field, about physics. Students will learn about cutting-edge research in physics (quantum physics, quantum computing, astrophysics, and cosmology), learn how to code in Python, and apply their coding skills to physics-based projects. Students will attend lectures by Stanford professors and researchers and attend college planning and career development workshops and have the opportunity to form mentorship relationships with Stanford students and professors.
- Stanford AI4ALL: This three-week online program aims to increase diversity in artificial intelligence, immersing students in AI through lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentoring activities. Participants engage with professionals to learn about cutting-edge ideas, such as applying AI to medicine, disaster response, and combating poverty. Financial aid is available.
- Stanford CARE Explorers: AI x Asian Health: This dynamic two-week in-person summer experience is designed for high school students passionate about improving health outcomes in Asian and Asian American communities. Participants will explore critical health topics impacting Asian populations, examine how AI tools can improve their understanding of precision health data, learn statistical data analysis fundamentals, and develop essential leadership and teamwork skills.
- Stanford Cancer Institute Undergraduate Summer Program: This program combines mentored research experiences in Stanford Cancer Institute labs with scientific seminars and skill-building workshops, providing hands-on lab experience to Stanford undergraduates interested in cancer-related career tracks.
- Stanford EXPLORE 2025: A Lecture Series on Biomedical Research for High School Students: This three-week Zoom webinar series (tentatively with in-person option) covers the basic fundamentals and current research areas represented by Immunology, Neuroscience, Regenerative and Stem Cell Medicine, Cancer Biology, Bioengineering and Bioinformatics at Stanford Medicine. Taught by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, with some faculty lectures, there will be opportunities to learn about the graduate and medical school education pathways from current students. There are daily and no homework assignments. Financial aid available.
- Stanford Laboratory for Cell and Gene Medicine - 2026 Summer Internship: Stanford Laboratory for Cell & Gene Medicine (LCGM) offers a unique summer internship opportunity for undergraduate students to educate and train the next generation of cell and gene therapy professionals.
- Stanford Medicine Art and Anatomy Summer Program: This in-person program will include a speaker series from leading anatomists, physicians, and creatives whose work blend art and medicine. This will be followed by a week of drawing mentorship to develop a resolved final illustration. Students will present their final projects to a panel of artists, museum curators, and physicians. No prior drawing or anatomy experience is required. (Ages 13-18)
- Stanford Medicine Clinical Summer Internship: Stanford CSI brings together curious learners from differing backgrounds to actively engage in the exploration of the art and science behind world-class medicine. There will be situations of real medical cases, visits to the emergency room”Life Flight” station and Stanford clinics, sessions with medical students, and residents, plus guided dissections led by Stanford faculty and doctors.
- Stanford Medicine Video Games for Health Summer Program: Video Games for Health explores how interactive media can promote physical, mental, and public health. The program features lectures and workshops by designers, researchers, and clinicians working at the intersection of storytelling, user experience, and healthcare innovation. Students work in teams to prototype their own games for health-related outcomes. The program concludes with a virtual symposium where participants showcase their video game designs.
- Stanford Young Investigators: At the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, high school scholars spend the summer working in research groups and laboratories on the main Stanford campus. Study options include: Environment, Geology and Energy. Students are supervised by graduate scholars, post docs and lab managers.
- World of Creative Contraptions (WCC): WCC is the laboratory where you build things that float, fly, and even explode!
Arts and Humanities Camps
Summer camps aren't just for STEM enthusiasts; they also provide enriching experiences in the arts and humanities.
- Stanford Summer Humanities Institute: Rising high school juniors and seniors can explore big questions at the heart of the humanities in seminars led by Stanford professors during this three-week residential program. Financial aid is granted on need.
- Stanford Medicine Art and Anatomy Summer Program: The Art & Anatomy Program is a popular 1- or 2-week summer immersion in visual storytelling.
- Summer Camp Celebration: Performing arts programs put budding stars in the spotlight.
- Sew Much Fun!: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
- Mythology Mayhem!: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
- Picture This!: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
- Fun with Fiber!: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
Sports and Recreation Camps
For active students, sports camps offer specialized training and skill development in various disciplines.
- Stanford Athletic Camps: Young people aged 7 to 18 can find more than 20 sports-specific camps at Stanford, including soccer, golf, swimming, tennis, basketball, gymnastics, lacrosse, and track, offered at all levels. The programs are not affiliated with, nor are operated by Stanford.
- Camp Cardinal: An experienced team of counselors, innovative programming and daily activities make Camp Cardinal one of the best day-camp options for kids 5 to 12 years old.
- Department of Recreation and Parks Summer Day Camps: The Department of Recreation and Parks offers summer day camps for all ages throughout Anne Arundel County. Summer Fun Center Camps are filled with fun and excitement for school-age children, and Summer Day Camp at Quiet Waters is for kids entering grades K-6. Action-packed Teens on the Go! offers those entering grades 7 through 10 motion-filled activities and field trips to several amusement parks.
- Summer Fun Center Camps: Filled with Fun and Excitement for School-Age Children (Grades 1-6)The fun at each location is planned around a variety of themes. Daily activities include sports, arts and crafts, and action-packed indoor and outdoor activities, special events and field trips.
- Quiet Waters Day Camp: Quiet Waters Day Camp is a full-day, OUTDOOR, camp for children entering grades K-6. Activities may include arts and crafts, nature, sports, music and drama, active games, field trips, special theme days, and MORE!
- Teens on the Go! Camps: Teens enjoy activities such as skating, golfing, swimming, bowling, and more. Field trips may include Jolly Rogers, Busch Gardens, and Water Country.
- Aquatics Week-Long Camps: Our aquatics week-long camps include outside activities, games, crafts, swimming and a weekly field trip. Participants must bring a lunch, snack and drink each day. Campers will need a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and athletic style shoes.
Specialized Camps
Some camps focus on specific skills or interests, offering unique opportunities for students.
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- Stanford Introduction to Logic: A course on symbolic logic is offered in-person and online. In-person two-week camp (non-overnight) for high school students. Online two-week camp for high school students. In-person Teacher professional development.
- Stanford Jazz Workshop: Summer programs have included Giant Steps Day Camp, Jazz Camp and Jazz Institute. Offered to rising middle-school students through high school, the summer programs create an immersive “jazz village” experience for those who choose day or residential programs. Financial aid is available.
- Farm to Table Summer Camp: The Farm to Table Camp provides students in kindergarten through 8th grade with engaging and empowering learning experiences on Santa Clara Unified School District’s 11-acre suburban farm located in Sunnyvale. The camp will teach young farmers the science of farming as well as provide hands-on experience with food and cooking.
- Stanford Healthcare Tri-Valley Clinical Academy: Held in Pleasanton, this is a two-week program designed for Tri-Valley high school juniors and seniors with a strong interest in medicine as a career. Students will participate in an enriched curriculum consisting of hands-on activities, interactive lectures, and simulation experiences. Students must be 16 years old to participate. There is a $50 application fee and a $4,000 fee to participate, and scholarships are available.
- Stanford Medical Youth Science Program: This is a five-week immersive enrichment program focused on science and medicine that is open to low-income, first-generation high school juniors who live in Northern California. It includes a hospital internship, lectures and a public health research project. Students must provide their own transportation each weekday.
- Stanford Medicine Video Games for Health Summer Program: Video Games for Health explores how interactive media can promote physical, mental, and public health.
- Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institute: Academic enrichment programs for high school students, grades 8 to 11. Online courses range from a few weeks to several weeks in length, no credit awarded. Now accepting applications.
- Stanford University Mathematics Camp, or SUMaC: This is a three-week camp that admits a select group of rising high school juniors and seniors from around the world for intensive study in advanced mathematics. Explore mathematics beyond the scope of what is typically taught in the classroom. SUMaC is for students who have an exceptional interest in mathematics, and who are prepared for study of abstract algebra and number theory, or algebraic topology. Two online camps and two residential camps will be offered.
- Black Rocket: A.I. Jr.: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
- Nailed It!: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
- Future U programs: Future U programs will be held from June 15, 2026 to July 2, 2026. This class is your gateway to the thrilling world of competitive gaming. basics of eSports, effective practice and the art of high-stakes competition. the eSports industry. dive into the exciting world of eSports.
- Gizmo Garage!: Get your tinkering on here at the Gizmo Garage!
- Holy Guacamole, Nacho Average Camp!: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
- Dr. Game ON!: Summer camps spark curiosity and build lasting memories.
The Salvation Army Summer Camps
The Salvation Army provides a wide range of engaging summer camp activities for kids, such as swimming, canoeing, hiking, archery, and other sports. In addition, the camps also offer educational and non-sports programs, such as arts and crafts, music, and drama. Kids are encouraged to develop social skills through team-building activities, leadership training, and community service projects. Every year, these summer camp programs provide thousands of kids of all ages with a fresh perspective on life as they meet new friends, discover new talents, and experience the benefits that being outdoors provides. In addition to the fun camp activities, kids can learn to swim, play sports, make music, create arts and crafts, and participate in scouting-all under safe and supportive supervision by trained counselors. Moreover, The Salvation Army camp counselors are equipped to help children navigate the complicated emotions and struggles that can arise for those who experience poverty and related hardships. The Salvation Army summer camp programs provide a safe, structured, and positive environment, keeping kids of all skill levels active and engaged while also giving them the opportunity to learn about building relationships with peers and the world around them. For kids from low-income households, the impact of summer camp extends beyond the swimming lessons, adventure and scouting camps, arts and crafts, music development, and sports. At camp, kids are mentored by experienced camp counselors. In an effort to help more children from low-income households to attend camp, most of our summer camps accept state-provided child care subsidies, and scholarships are also available to help families offset the cost.
General Information and Considerations
- Eligibility: Some programs, like Stanford Summer Session, require participants to be at least 16 years old by the program's start date.
- Residential vs. Commuter: Some programs offer both residential and commuter options, allowing students to choose the format that best suits their needs. Stanford Summer Session, for example, offers both.
- Financial Aid: Many summer programs offer financial aid or scholarships to make participation more accessible. GRIPS, CNI-X, Stanford AI4ALL, Stanford Summer Humanities Institute, Stanford Healthcare Tri-Valley Clinical Academy and The Salvation Army summer camps are examples of programs that offer financial assistance.
- Application Deadlines: Internship opportunities may have application deadlines ranging from January to May. Early application is often encouraged.
- Program Dates: Summer camps typically run from June to August, with varying durations depending on the program. Camps will run from June 1 - August 7, 2026. for St.
- Cost Considerations: Seventy-five percent of parents report that high costs prevent them from sending their kids to summer programs, and more than half say limited nearby options are also a major factor.
Benefits of Summer Camps
Summer camps offer numerous benefits for students, including:
- Skill Development: Camps provide opportunities to develop specific skills in areas such as sports, arts, STEM, and leadership.
- Academic Enrichment: Academic camps can help students deepen their knowledge and prepare for future studies.
- Personal Growth: Camps foster independence, self-confidence, and social skills.
- Exploration of Interests: Camps allow students to explore new interests and discover passions.
- Resume Building: Participation in summer programs can enhance a student's resume and college applications.
- Improved Mental Health: The outdoors can do so much for your mental health and wellbeing. You just have to remind yourself to get up and get out there.
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