Summer Learning Opportunities

Evergreen High School does not endorse any specific summer, study abroad, or internship program mentioned here. It is the responsibility of the student and their parent or guardian to review the program and its offerings.

There are many pre-college summer programs for high school students. Most of these are offered by colleges and universities, but there are programs offered by independent organizations such as UC Health, the National Student Leadership Conference, and others.

To find a program, try internet searches for "pre-college" and your area of interest (e.g., "pre-college STEM"). Or, search using "high school summer program" and your area of interest (e.g., "high school summer program ART"). Additionally, you can search at specific institutions and organizations to see what they offer.

Do not expect that these programs will help you gain admittance to a particular college or university; do them if you're interested in the specific experiences and skill-building opportunities they offer. Some programs are free, some offer scholarships and many are expensive.

Some specific examples of summer opportunities are listed below.

Summer Art Programs

General

50 Best Pre-College Summer Arts Programs for High School Students, Best College Reviews
Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design's summer opportunities
ArtsBridge's Best Summer Arts Programs

Colorado

Art Student League of Denver's Teen Programs
Arvada Center for the Arts classes
Center for the Arts Evergreen classes
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College Art School Programs
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design's programs for high school students
University of Colorado Denver College of Arts & Media's Summer LYNX Camps
Colorado Summer Camps' arts camps

Sampling of national programs

DePaul University's Summer High School Theatre Training Program
Museum of Modern Art's Teen Programs
School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Early College Program Summer Institute
Interlochen Center for the Arts Summer Programs
San Francisco Art Institute's PreCollege programs
The New School Parsons' Summer Programs
UCLA's Department of Art Summer Art Institute for High School Artists

International

StudyAbroad.com's Summer Art Programs for High School Students

Summer Science Programs

Colorado Summer Camps – Youth programs and summer activities for K-12 students.
TeenInk – Summer program and camp guide for teens.
Astronomy Camp (Tucson, Ariz.) – Engineering-related projects, explore geology and ecology, visit mountaintop observatories, tour the University of Arizona's Mirror Laboratory, and more.
CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp – A week-long camp at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The program is free but does not provide accommodations during the camp.
K-12 Student Outreach Program at Mines – Various science, mathematics and technology-content-based courses for students. View this link as well.
Summer Multicultural Engineering Training (SUMMET) at Mines – A science and engineering program designed for rising juniors and seniors who are from underrepresented populations. The course combines hands-on project, industry tours, sporting activities, and social events to expose participants to the lifestyle, opportunities, and challenges of college to help build skills and experiences for a smooth transition in the future. Free.
Colorado State University's SciTrek Program for Future Scientists – One-week camp to explore current scientific research activities in a variety of laboratory and outdoor field settings.
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center's High School Archaeological Camp – Residential experience that includes participating in research at an authentic Anasazi dig site. Scholarships available.
Denver Museum of Nature and Science Teen Internships – Hands-on summer internships at DMNS for rising juniors and seniors.
Denver Zoo Teen Volunteer Opportunities – Be a volunteer at the Denver Zoo, support education activities, help fun special events, and work with senior volunteers on animal husbandry.
European Space Camp – Weeklong summer camp for youth all over the world to learn about space and rocket physics in Norway.
Junior Ranger Program – city of Boulder – Opportunity for teens 14-17 to be employed by Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks department to work on a variety of natural resource projects.
Canada/USA Math Camp – An immersive summer experience for mathematically talented students from around the world.
International Astronomical Youth Camp – A three-week summer camp to promote knowledge of astronomy and related sciences in the UK.
Keystone Science School – Focus on leadership and development with a dedicated mentor.
MIT's MITES Program – A six-week science and engineering program at MIT for rising high school seniors from around the country. Also check out the MIT Online Science Technology and Engineering Community's (MOSTEC) virtual opportunities and MIT's Women's Technology Program.
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Planetary Science Summer School – Preparing the next generation of planetary explorers
National Youth Science Camp – A residential STEM program designed to honor and challenge some of the nation's rising leaders and provide them with opportunities to engage with STEM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities. Two students are selected from each state.
UCAR's Center for Science Education – Youth programs.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) student and volunteer opportunities.
Army Educational Outreach Program – Apprenticeships and fellowships for STEM careers.
Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program – Designed for high school students with a strong interest in science and engineering.
Summer Science Program – An independent program hosted in cooperation with the California Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College and MIT to provide teens with an exhilarating and inspiring immersion into hands-on experimental science.
Teen Science Cafe – Free, fun programs for teens to explore the big advances in science and technology.
U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp
University of Colorado's Cancer Research Experience for Undergraduates – 10-week laboratory program.
University of Colorado Science Discovery Program – A STEM outreach program for K-12 students.
University of Northern Colorado's Frontiers of Science Institute – A six-week program at UNC that reaches beyond the high school curriculum to introduce new scientific concepts and includes field trips, industrial visitations and seminars.
University of Pittsburgh Hillman Cancer Center Academy – Eight-week program for rising high school seniors for research-focused didactic and experiential learning at six locations.
United States Air Force Academy Summer Seminar – Gives high school students an opportunity to experience life on campus firsthand, explore academic facilities and research labs, and participate in a variety of workshops.
United States Naval Academy Summer STEM Program – Work with high school students all over the country as you test your problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration skills.
United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar – Introduce rising high school seniors to life at the Academy and experiences in academic, athletic, and professional training at the USNA.
Yale Summer Program in Astrophysics – For rising high school seniors with an aptitude for science and math, an interest in astrophysics, and considering careers in scientific research.

Additional Opportunities

Summer Leadership Experience at West Point. Juniors only. Information, flyer, application.

TeamWorks Colorado – A summer youth employment, leadership development and conservation program. Offers $18 hourly summer positions, senior scholarships and more. Watch these informational videos: Blue Spruce TeamWorks Award and TeamWorks Colorado 2021.

Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Camp (RYLA)

Colorado Health Careers Collaborative – Learn about different careers in healthcare through online learning modules, develop workforce skills by building your resume and practice professional interviewing and more. Apply; read the, flyer.

Transportation and Construction Girl Career Week – The HOYA Foundation started Career Week for GIRLs to encourage more young women to pursue careers in transportation and construction. Why? Because only 10% of the construction work force is women. That fact carries economic implications and substantial opportunities. Over one week, girls – ranging from 13 to 20 years old – make five stops to engage with women, ask questions and tour work sites. Each company puts together a day-long insight into their company and into the industry.

Life Changer Trips – Life Changer Trips is dedicated to providing life-changing experiences to high school students, which change the lives of underserved communities through volunteering. This 2023-2024 school year, Life Changer Trips has two free afternoon events in the Denver area (both supporting Denver Rescue Mission) and a summer trip to New York City. Jeffco does not endorse or vet any organization.

Summer health-care opportunities – In counseling, we often hear from college representatives that gaining some experience in the health-care field in high school can enhance your application to a nursing, biomedical or pre-med undergraduate program. Check in with each program of interest for up-to-date information Here are some links for local health care-related summer opportunities for high schoolers:

Putney Pre-College summer programs – Scholarships available.

Pre-College Programs

Colorado School of Mines Summer Multicultural Engineering Training Program (SUMMET) – An engineering, science and technology program designed for rising juniors and seniors who are from underrepresented populations. Application. June.

University of Chicago Summer Programs – Make new friends, learn from the best, challenge

Virtual Model G20 Summit – Harvard Graduate School of Education and Knovva Academy's preeminent youth leadership conference. Each year, thousands of students come together from across the world to discuss issues of economic importance in a global forum. Four summits, one goal: global health, space exploration, climate change, and smart cities.