Summer Programs for High School Students

🌞It's time to start planning for the summer!
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Yes, you read that correctly!

Although we are a few months from the end of the spring semester, summer will be here before you know it. How are you going to take advantage of the summer break?

Many college-bound students like yourself are going to attend camps or take classes.  Summer programs will help you gain experience in your field of interest, build your resume, and network with professionals.

While some areas of the country have limited mobility because of the COVID-19 restrictions, others are open for business. Do your research and proceed if you and your parents feel that it’s safe to travel and participate.

Here are a few options to consider:

🏛An eight-week paid internship to Washington DC…

💼Free day-camp for upperclassmen wanting to learn about becoming entrepreneurs…

💪🏻Two-week military leadership academy…

🍲Earn certificates in coding or cooking…

⛺Along with scout camps and church camps, there are many, many educational camps to attend: law, fashion, aerospace, journalism, robotics, fine arts, ROTC, girls only, nursing, healthcare, band, engineering, sports, architecture, veterinary medicine, interior design, leadership, medicine, national security, creative writing, music…

To search for summer programs, type in “summer programs for high school students” and one of the options above or the name of a local college.

Save your programs on a spreadsheet to sort by subject, location, time, length, description, and cost.

If your camp offers “college credit” for attending, know that the credit will be redeemable at the college that hosts the camp. As an example, you would not be able to transfer your college credit from George Mason University to, let's say, Georgetown University.

If you don’t want to attend a camp, you can volunteer in your community or get a part-time job.

Another option is to apply for an internship through your states’ Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP). The SYEPs provide work experience for high school students typically between June and August. Students are matched with local organizations to earn income, job skills, and work experience.

Unless you are joining an eSports team or planning to study game design in college, tending to your virtual farm or gaining experience points may not prepare you for your future career.

Completing a career assessment will help you determine which summer programs are in your best interest. 

Take advantage of your summer break!

□ Kyle Mills (Unsplash)