Summer Opportunities for 2023
A few academic/career-minded camps and experiences to share with you
A few academic/career-minded camps and experiences to share with you
This page is continually being updated. We don’t always know when a program will be announced for the coming summer.
Some of the below links may be to last year’s program as the new program has not been announced yet. They are marked as TBA.
Return often for more updates. We will do our best to monitor announcements.
Families have questions about extracurriculars. How can families make the most of summer? Why are extracurriculars part of the college application process at all? How many do we need? Are some better than others?
We developed this deep dive webinar to answer questions and also explore how time spent in extracurricular activities can fuel your child’s growth in their personal, academic, mental, and social development.
You can watch this program now. Click to request access to the recording of this program.
Summer can be an awesome experience! Plus, believe it or not summer experiences can be great preparation for the careers of tomorrow.
We’ve gathered up a few (!) of our academic/career-minded options to share with you.
Air Camp (registration open February 15 through April 15)- Grades 4-9 – Dayton, OH
TBA – Illinois Aerospace Institute Summer Camp – Grades 9-12 – University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
TBA – Space Adventure Camp (can sign up for 2023 waiting list) – Ages 11-13 – Marietta College, Marietta, OH
Space Camp – Age 9 through adult – Offers space, aviation, robotics, & cyber camps
TBA – Camp Architecture & HS Design Studio – Grades 3-12 – The Center of Architecture & Design, Columbus, OH
CATCO Youth Summer Program – Ages 5-17 – Columbus, OH
TBA – The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati – Ages 6-18 – Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company – Grades 1-12 – Cincinnati, OH
Cleveland State University School of Film & Media Arts Odyssey Program – Ages 13-18 – Cleveland, OH
TBA – Columbus Children’s Theater – All ages – Columbus, OH
Columbus College of Art & Design College Preview Program – Grades 10-12 – CCAD, Columbus, OH
Columbus College of Art & Design Creative Summer Workshops (registration opens March 2023) – Grades 1-12 – CCAD, Columbus, OH
Columbus Museum of Art (registration opens March 1) – Grades 1-8 – Columbus, OH
TBA – Columbus Youth Jazz & Vocal Summer Workshops – Min. 2 yrs experience – Columbus, OH
Content Creator Camp – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green State University, OH
Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning Camps (registration opens early March, complete Interest Form for reminder) – Grades 10-12 – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
TBA – High School Arts Immersion (ballet, band, jazz, composers, musical theater) – Grades 10-12 – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Interior Design Summer Workshop (virtual or in person) – High school grades – Ball State University, Muncie, IN
TBA – Lovewell Institute (theater) – Grades 9-12 – Columbus, OH
Music Camps (strings, choir, band, music theater, junior counselors) – Grades 5-10 – Baldwin Wallace University, Berea, OH
Music for All Summer Symposium (music production, band, color guard, drum majors, leadership, percussion) – Middle and high school – Ball State University, Muncie, IN
TBA – Ohio Craft Museum – Grades 1-12 – Columbus, OH
Ohio State Summer Music Programs (includes marching band clinic offering) – Middle & High School – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Ohio University Summer Studios (Registration opens January 9; art + design, dance, film, music, & theater) – Ages 14-18 – Ohio University, Athens, OH
Rhode Island School of Design Pre-College – Ages 16-18, finished 10th or 11th grade – RISD, Providence, RI
School of Rock – Ages 7-18 – Columbus, Dublin, & Gahanna, OH
Summer Fashion Academy (various offerings; virtual & in-person) – High school – LIM College, New York City, NY
Summer Dance Immersion – Grades 7-12 – Baldwin Wallace, Berea, OH
Summer Music Camp (registration coming soon) – Grades 7-12 – Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH
TBA – Summer Music Experience – Grades 9-12 – Otterbein University, Westerville, OH
TBA – Summer Music Institute – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green University, Bowling Green, OH
Summer Music Programs (programs listed under “Summer Programs”) – High school & college – Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH
TBA – Taft Museum of Art – Grades 1-12 – Cincinnati, OH
TBA – Winds and Percussion Camp – Grades 7-9 – Capital University, Columbus, OH
Guided Self Assessment – Grades 10 & up – Summer is the perfect time to do this career/college major thinking.
Accounting Careers Awareness Program – Grades 9-12 (racially and ethnically underrepresented) – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Business Bootcamp (info coming in April 2023) – Grades 10-12 (first-generation college, rural, or underrepresented-minority) – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Business is Global: Summer Language Program (deadline April 14) – Grades 10-12 – Virtual, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
CPA Camp – Grades 9-12 (underrepresented including, but not limited to those who identify as: having a disability, LGBTQ+, students of color, and first generation) – University of Toledo, Cincinnati State, & Kent State University, OH
Future Women in Business Summit (info coming in April 2022) – Grade 12 (first generation and underrepresented women) – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – JA BizTown – Grades 5-12 – Columbus, OH & Virtual
Ohio Business Week – Current high school students – Bowling Green University, OH
YEA! The Young Entrepreneur’s Academy – Grades 6-12 – Nationwide (Ohio location in Union County)
TBA – Young Women in Business Leadership Program – Rising seniors – Bowling Green University, Bowling Green, OH
TBA – Additive Manufacturing (3D printing, CAD) Summer Institute – Entering grades 9-12 & college freshmen – Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH
Build Your Own Computer (BYOC) Summer Camps (registration will open in February) – Ages 9-17 – Virtual
Classroom Antics – Ages 7-13 – Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Detroit Areas
Code Ninjas – Ages 7-14 – Powell & Hilliard, OH
TBA – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Summer Camp – Grades 10-12 – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Game-U – Ages 6 & up – Virtual
TBA – GenCyber – Entering grades 9-12 & college freshmen – Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH
Ohio Supercomputer Center Summer Institute (deadline April 16) – Grades 9-11 – Columbus, OH
Robot Academy – Ages 5-13 – Central Ohio locations
TBA – Robotics Summer Camp – Entering grades 9-12 & college freshmen – Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH
Summer Tech Camps & Academies – Ages 7-17 – Offered by iD Tech (using Ohio State University location); other locations nationwide
Young Women’s Ohio Supercomputer Center Summer Institute (deadline April 16) – Girls Grades 6 & 7 Ohio residents – Columbus, OH
Abbey Road Study Abroad & Pre-College Programs – Grades 7-12 – Worldwide
Business is Global: Summer Language Program (deadline April 14) – Grades 10-12 – Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Camp OFLA–Ohio Foreign Language Association (registration opens in January) – Grades 3-8 – Bellville, OH
Center for Language Studies (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, & Russian) – Grades 11 & 12 (and adults) – Beloit College, Beloit, WI
TBA – Global Citizen Summer Camp – Grades 6-8 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Hillsdale High School Summer Travel Program (deadline to apply 2/15/23) – Grades 10-12 – Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI
High School Study Abroad – High school
Kelley School of Business “Business is Global: Summer Language Program” – Grades 10-12 – Virtual Program, Indiana University
Rotary Youth Exchange – Ages 15-19
Virtual Summer Linguistics Institute for Youth Scholars – Grades 9-12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Central Ohio Rowing – Grades 7-12 – Dublin, OH
Hoover Sailing Club (registration will open in January) – Ages 7 & up – Westerville, OH
TBA – Leatherlips Sailing School – Ages 8 & up – Powell, OH
TBA – Ohio 4-H Sea Camp – Ages 15-17 – Kelley’s Island 4-H Camp, Kelley’s Island, OH
TBA – Buckeye Vet Camp – Grades 9-11 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Camp Canopy Discover Forestry (registration coming soon) – Grades 9-12 – Ohio FFA Camp Muskingum, Carrollton, OH
TBA – Cincinnati Zoo Camps – Grades PreK-8 – Cincinnati, OH
Columbus Zoo Camps – Grades PreK-10 – Columbus, OH
Virtual Cosmetic Science and Formulation Design Camp/Pharmaceutical Science (registration opens in January) – Grades 10-12 – Virtual – University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
CREATES-HS Cancer Research Experience for the Advancement and Training of Emerging Scientists (deadline February 3) – Rising seniors underrepresented in medicine – Full-time, 8-week, paid experience – Ohio State James Cancer Center, Columbus, OH
Explorations in Neuroscience Summer Camp – Grades 11 & 12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Explore Ag Careers (application coming soon) – Grades 6-12 – Ohio State University, Central State University, and the University of Findlay
TBA – Exploring the Scientific Method and Careers in Medical Research – High school & undergraduate students – Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
Farm Camp (deadline January 7) – Ages 3-17 – Stratford Ecological Center, Delaware, OH
Forestry and Wildlife Conservation (camp dates April 28-30; deadline April 3) – Grades 7-11 – Canters Cave 4-H Camp in Jackson, Ohio
FutureMed: Exploring Health Careers (early consideration deadline March 1) – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green State University, OH
Gorman Farm Camp (veterinary science option) (registration opens February 21) – Evandale, OH
Health & Biomedical Sciences Camp – Grades 10-12 – Lebanon Valley College, Annville, PA
Health Career Scholars Academy (deadline February 22) – Current grades 10 & 11 – University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
Health Science Summer Camp – Rising seniors (economically and/or educationally disadvantaged background) – Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH
Improving Diversity in Optometric Careers (deadline March 19) – Underrepresented undergraduate college students – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Marine Biology: The Life Aquatic at BGSU – Grades 10-12 – Bowling Green State University, OH
TBA – MD Camp – Grades 10-12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Mechanisms of Human Health and Disease (deadline February 13) – Grade 11 – Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH
Medical Academy (registration opens March 1; deadline April 17) – Grades 10-12 – Ohio University, Dublin/Columbus, OH
Nursing Camp (early consideration deadline March 1) – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green State University, OH
Ohio Wildlife Center Camps (registration opens first week of January) – Ages 3-16 – Powell, OH
Pathways to Nursing Summer Nurse Camp (sign up for interest list) – Grades 9-11 – Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
TBA – Pharmacy Camp – Grades 11 & 12 – Ohio Northern University, Ada, OH
Pharmacy Camp – Grades 11 & 12 – University of Findlay, Findlay, OH
TBA – Pills, Potions and Poisons – High school – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Pre-Med Summer Camp – Grades 8-12 – University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Summer Institute for Future Nurses (registration opens January 10) – Grades 9-12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Stone Lab – Grades 11 & 12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Veterinary Science Camp (early consideration deadline March 1) – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green State University, OH
Wildecamp – Ages 8-18 – Columbus Zoo’s The Wilds, Cumberland, OH
Heritage Village Museum (history) – Ages 6-15 – Sharonville, OH
Humanities & Cognitive Sciences High School Summer Institute – Grades 10-12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – John Glenn College of Public Affairs Democracy Camp (application still says 2022) – Grade 12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
John Glenn College of Public Affairs High School Internship Program (deadline January 31) – Grade 12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp (registration opens in January) – Grades 9-12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Summer Law & Trial Institute – Grades 11 & 12 – Ohio University, Athens, OH
Abbey Road Study Abroad & Pre-College Programs – Grades 7-12 – Worldwide
TBA – Columbus Academy Summer Experience – Lower grades & middle school – Columbus, OH
TBA – Delaware Area Career Center – Rising Grades 7-9 – Delaware, OH
Disney Youth Educational Workshops – All ages – Various locations
Dublin Community Recreation Center (registration opens March 28) – All ages – Dublin, OH
Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools Career Exploration Camp (registration will open this winter) – Current Grades 6-8 – Groveport, OH
Gifted Summer Programs – Grades PreK-12 – Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Inspiring Girls Expeditions – Ages 16 & 17 – Nationwide
TBA – The Learning Spectrum – Ages 10 & up – Central Ohio
Math Plus Academy Camps – brain games, escape room design, money & investing, chess, coding, LEGO engineering, LEGO robotics, digital designing, Javascript, video game design, 3D modeling, Minecraft, Roblox, YouTube, public speaking – Ages 5-15 – Virtual & Powell, OH
Online Advanced Courses and Programs – Grades 6-12 – Offered by Northwestern University
TBA – Powell Parks and Recreation – All ages – Powell, OH
Rustic Pathways Student Travel – Middle, high school, & college – Worldwide
NYC Summer Academy from the School of the New York Times – Grades 10-12
TBA – Tolles Pathways Camp – Grades 6-8 – Plain City, OH
Wellington School (registration opens March 1) – Grades 4-12 – Columbus, OH (Wellington students only due to COVID-19)
**As a side note, attending a college’s summer program does not improve your chances of admittance to that college.**
Barnard College Pre-College Summer Programs – Females grades 10-12 – New York, NY
TBA – Bowling Green State University Pre-Law Camp – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green, OH
Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs (early decision deadline February 1; Regular decision deadline March 15) – Grades 11 & 12 – Pittsburgh, PA
Cornell Pre-College Studies Residential Program (application opens late January) – Grades 10-12 – Ithaca, NY
Duke Summer Pre-College (early applicant deadline February 1; Regular and late deadline April 1) – Grades 6-12 – Durham, NC
TBA – Education Unlimited – California and East Coast Colleges and virtual
Georgetown University Summer Academies (early bird deadline January 31; Final deadline May 15) – Grades 9-12 – Washington DC
Gettysburg College – Grades 10-12 – Gettysburg, PA
Joyce Ivy Summer Scholars Scholarship Program (not a summer program, but a scholarship to pay for some college programs; application deadline March 1) – female identifying high school students living in Michigan, Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota or South Dakota
TBA – Martin W. Essex School for the Gifted and Talented – Grades 10-12 – TBA
TBA – Miami University Summer Scholars Program – Grades 11 & 12 – Oxford, OH
Ohio Wesleyan University OWjL Camp (deadline January 31) – Grades 6-8 – Delaware, OH
Purdue Fun-Sized Courses (deadline May 15) – High school – West Lafayette, IN
Smith Precollege Programs (early review deadline February 5; final deadline May 15) – Grades 9-12 – Northampton, MA
Stanford Academic Enrichment Programs (deadline February 1) – Middle & high school – Stanford, CA
Stevens Institute of Technology Pre-College Programs (priority deadline March 1) – Grades 11 & 12 – Hoboken, NJ
Syracuse University Summer College On Campus & Online (deadline May 1) – High School – Syracuse, NY
Tufts Pre-College Programs (deadline May 1) – Grades 10-12 – Medford, MA
University of Chicago (deadlines vary)- Grades 9-11 – Chicago, IL
University of Georgia Summer Academy Camps (registration opens January 11) – Ages 11-17 – Athens, GA
TBA – University of Findlay – Ages 6 & up – Findlay, OH
Wake Forest Summer Immersion – High school – Winston-Salem, NC and virtual
Washington University in St. Louis Pre-College Programs (deadline May 1) – Middle & high school – St. Louis, MO
TBA – Wright State University Pre-College Programs – Grades K-9 – Dayton, OH
Yale Young Global Scholars (deadline January 10) – Grades 10 & 11 – New Haven, CT
Additional college programs can be found on this list from Teays Valley School district. Not all the links on the page work.
TBA – Advanced Reading Concepts – Age 12 & up – Columbus, Dublin, Upper Arlington, & Worthington, OH
Capitol Public Speaking & Debate Summer Camp – Middle & high school – Various college campuses – Virtual options
Classic Debate Camp – Grades 9-12 – Miami University, Oxford, OH
Communication and Media Preview CAMP (deadline June 1) – Grades 10-12 – University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
E.W. Scripps School of Journalism High School Journalism Workshop (deadline June 30) – Ohio University, Athens, OH
John Carroll Young Writers Workshop (deadline June 1) – Grades 8-12 – John Carroll University, University Heights, OH (note: program detail links along the top of the page)
Multi-Platform Journalism & Storytelling Camp (early consideration deadline March 1) – Grades 10-12 – Bowling Green University, Bowling Green, OH
Princeton Summer Journalism Program (deadline February 27) – Grade 11 limited-income background – Princeton, NJ
Public Speaking Workshop – Ages 9-15 – Virtual & Math Plus Academy, Powell, OH
Reynolds Young Writers Workshop (deadline March 1) – Grades 11 & 12 – Denison University, Granville, OH
TBA – Thurber House Summer Writing Camps – Columbus, OH
Young Writers Summer Online Workshops (registration opens early January) – Ages 16-18 – Kenyon College, OH
Air Force Academy Summer Seminar (deadline January 15) – Grade 11 – Colorado Springs, CO
Buckeye Boys State (American Legion) – Rising seniors – Oxford, OH
TBA – Buckeye Girls State (American Legion) – Rising seniors – Alliance, OH
Buckeye Student Leadership Academy (June-November) – Rising juniors, first-generation, rural or underrepresented-minority students – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Camp Wyandot Counselor in Training – Ages 16-18 – Columbus, OH
Central Ohio Leadership Academy (deadline April 29) – Rising juniors & seniors – Columbus, OH
Coast Guard Academy AIM Summer Program (registration opens February 8; deadline April 15) – Rising seniors – New London, CT
FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. Youth Leadership Program (deadline February 3) – Ages 14-16 – Quantico, VA
Naval Academy Summer Seminar (application opens January 4; deadline April 15) – Grade 11 – Annapolis, MD
Ohio Association of Student Leaders (registration opens February 1) – Middle and High School – At Capital University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Ohio Attorney General Teen Ambassador Board – Grades 11 & 12
Ohio 4-H Leadership Camp (application available early 2023; deadline March 29) – Ages 15-18; 4-H members – St. Louisville, OH
West Point Summer Leaders Experience (application opens February 1; deadline TBA) – Grade 11 – West Point, NY
Be WISE Camp – Females grades 7 & 8 – Muskingum University, New Concord, OH
B-WISER (Buckeye Women In Science, Engineering, and Research) Science Camp (application opens in January; deadline April 20) – Females grades 7 & 8 – College of Wooster, Wooster, OH
TBA – Buckeye Aha! Math Camp – Grades 7-12 – Ohio State University, Columbus, OH & Virtual option
CATALYST Academy (deadline March 1) – Grades 11 & 12 – Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Classroom Antics – Ages 6-13 – Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Detroit Areas
TBA – Design, Build, & Grow Landscape & Horticulture – Grades 9-12 – Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
TBA – Drake Planetarium STEM Camps – Ages K-8 – Cincinnati, OH
TBA – Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Summer Camp – Grades 10-12 – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Engineering and Applied Science Camp (application available in February 2023) – Grades 9-12 – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
TBA – Engineering Basics – Entering Grades 9-12 & college freshmen – Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH
Engineering Possibilities in College EPIC (registration opens February 1; deadline April 15) – Grades 7-12 – California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, CA and virtual
TBA – Engineering Summer Academy – Grades 10-12 – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Environmental Design Institute (deadline April 1) – Grades 10-12 – Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Environmental Studies Summer Youth Institute – Grades 11 & 12 – Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY
Field Studies Experience (outdoor/environment) (applications reviewed every 2 weeks beginning February 1) – Rising grades 10-12 – University of the South, Sewanee Campus, TN
Forensic Science Camp (early consideration deadline March 1) – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green State University, OH
Ignite Stem Day Camp: Adventures with Water – Grades 3-8 – Bowling Green State University, OH
iSPACE (registration coming soon) – Grades K-12 – Cincinnati, OH
TBA – Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center (Ma2JIC) Summer Internship – High school – Ohio State, Columbus, OH
Math & Science Summer Institute – College Undergrads – Capital University, Columbus, OH
Naval Academy Summer STEM – Grades 9-11 – Annapolis, MD
NKU STEM Summer Camps (registration opens February) – Grades 2-9 – Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
NKU Summer Academies (neuroscience, nature, cybersecurity) (registration opens February 2023) – High school – Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY
TBA – Nutrition & Fitness: Fuel for Your Goals – Grades 9-12 – Bowling Green State University, OH
Ross Mathematics Program (deadline April 1) – Ages 15-18 – Ohio Dominican University, Columbus, OH
TBA – Sally Ride Science Junior Academy (register to be notified of program announcement) – Grades 3-12 – San Diego, CA
STEAM Studio (registration is coming soon) – Grades 5-10 – Miami University, Hamilton & Middletown, OH
STEM camp directory for freshmen – Grade 9 – Nationwide
STEM Summer Camp (registration opens April 11; deadline May 31) – math, chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering – Grades 9-12 – Ohio State University, Marion, OH
Summer Engineering Experiences – Grades 11 & 12 – University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
Summer STEM In Person & Virtual Programs (application opens January 17; deadline April 30) – Grades 9-12 – Worchester Polytechnic Institute, Worchester, MA
TBA – Sustainability Camp – Grades 9-12 – Brandon Hall School, Atlanta, GA
TBA – Sustainable Leadership Academy – Grades 10-12 & rising college freshmen – Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA
TBA – Women of Color Summer Engineering Camp – Grades 9-12 – University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
Summer Camp Expo/Card Tournament – Westerville North High School – February 4 – 12:00 to 3:00 pm (sponsored by Westerville Parent Council)
Tips for Parents Teaching Their Teens How to Drive
Tire Rack Street Survival – Nationwide
Honda Teen Defensive Driving Program – Mid-Ohio, Lexington, OH
Better Ohio Teen Drivers – Central Ohio
Magoosh (for online test prep)
Visit our Friends of At The Core page for more trusted companies
50 Community Service Ideas for Teen Volunteers
Dawes Arboretum, Newark, OH
Dublin Area Summer Volunteer Opportunities
Global Leadership Adventures – Ages 13-18 – International
How Your Teen Can Find a Virtual Volunteer Opportunity
Ideas for Volunteering at Home
POINT app – Helps students connect with their favorite causes
Red Cross Hosting a Blood Drive – Ages 16 & up – Nationwide
Volunteer Match – All ages – Nationwide
Volunteer Opportunities in Cincinnati – All ages – Cincinnati, OH
Volunteer Opportunities in Columbus – All ages – Columbus, OH
DISCLAIMER – This summer opportunities list is merely a listing of potential camps and programs we have discovered. This list does not represent or warrant any particular good or service from any party listed and shall not be deemed to be a representation or warranty of any kind or nature.