25 Summer Programs in Nebraska for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
- 25 Summer Programs in Nebraska for High Schoolers
- How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Summer is just around the corner, and for many teens that means time to relax and unwind. However, high schoolers hoping to gain admission to competitive colleges will want to use their summer vacation wisely to build their college profiles, whether it’s through the pursuit of an internship, job, or class. Another great option for grabbing the attention of colleges is to enroll in a summer program.
25 Summer Programs in Nebraska for High Schoolers
1. Young Nebraska Scientists Camp | Explorations in Biology Camp
Dates: June 16 – 19
Location: Nebraska Wesleyan University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $150
In this four-day residential camp at Nebraska Wesleyan University, students in grades 9 through 11 learn to perform and interpret various physiological tests, survey microorganisms, and investigate bacteria through hands-on workshops and labs. Participants are also treated to various evening activities and enjoy access to campus recreation centers. Scholarships are available for this program.
2. Young Nebraska Scientists Camp | Biodiversity: Field Science
Dates: June 6 – 12
Location: Cedar Point Biological Station
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $150
Learn about Nebraska’s high plains ecosystem while living at the Cedar Point Biological Station—a 900-acre field research and teaching facility located in western Nebraska—during this week-long summer program. Students will take part in a variety of activities, including observing burrowing owls, identifying plant and animal species, and measuring insect diversity and abundance. This program is open to ninth through eleventh graders, and scholarships are available.
3. Young Nebraska Scientists Camp | Discovering Food Science: The STEM in Your Apple
Dates: June 4 – 6
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $150
Participants in this summer program learn about food science through a variety of hands-on activities. Students will discover how STEM fields are intertwined with the production of food products—or, more simply, how agricultural commodities are turned into the items lining grocery store shelves. This program is open to eighth through eleventh graders, and scholarships are available.
4. Young Nebraska Scientists Camp | Discover Quantum
Dates: July 29 – 31
Location: Online
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $20
Participants in this online summer program for students in grades 9 through 12 are introduced to the fundamentals of quantum mechanics while learning about potential careers in quantum technology. Participants will explore topics like quantum superposition, quantum entanglement, and quantum information science and engage in hands-on activities such as writing code and running quantum programs.
5. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | Animation
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $750 – $850
During this six-day residential camp, students learn the art of animation from professional, LA-based animators. While watching a variety of films that use various animation techniques, students will study the principles of animation through both a camera and a computer. Scholarships are available for this program.
6. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | Discover Engineering
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $625 – $725
Led by faculty and staff from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering, students in this six-day residential program learn about a variety of engineering fields, including biological, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, and mechanical. Participants go on field visits to various on-campus labs and facilities, as well as off-campus sites, while learning to think and act like a real engineer. Scholarships are available for this program.
7. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | Discover Digital Media
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $625 – $725
Students in this six-day residential program are taught by faculty from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Participants learn the skills needed to succeed in careers in advertising, public relations, broadcasting, journalism, sports media, and communications. Students will explore writing, photography, and videography, and work as a team to create a multimedia project. Scholarships are available for this program.
8. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | STEM Odyssey
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $675 – $775
This six-day summer program serves as a great introduction to the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). Participants engage in a variety of hands-on activities at numerous labs and centers on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s campus—gaining insight into the multitudes of career pathways available to STEM students. Scholarships are available for this program.
9. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | Mission Maker: Robots and Drones in Action
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $700 – $800
This hands-on program puts students to work designing a robot or drone to tackle real-world challenges and working as a team to solve challenges in agriculture. Participants also explore how robotics and drones are revolutionizing modern farming and scientific research. Scholarships are available for this program.
10. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | Discover Weather & Climate Science
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $625 – $725
Through this six-day program, students discover how scientists observe and forecast the weather, as well as monitor the changing climate. Students learn about the tools and instruments used for making weather observations and predictions, conduct experiments to demonstrate basic weather and climate processes, and explore weather and storm photography. Scholarships are available for this program.
11. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | Discover Unicameral Youth Legislature
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $625 – $725
During this six-day residential program, participants are immersed in a legislative simulation, in which they will roleplay as lawmakers to sponsor bills, conduct committee hearings, and debate legislation. Students will learn firsthand what it’s like to serve as a state senator as they explore the unique processes of Nebraska’s state government, the nation’s only unicameral. Scholarships are available for this program.
12. Big Red Summer Academic Camps | Discover Fashion Entrepreneurship: Branding & Business
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $625 – $725
Aspiring fashionistas and taste makers will want to check out this six-day summer program exploring what it takes to get a garment from concept to closet. Students explore a wide range of topics, including entrepreneurship, fashion design, product development, and textiles. The program is held in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Mary Mitchell Fashion Studio, and all equipment and materials are provided. Scholarships for this program are available.
13. Career Explorations in Architecture, Interior Design, and Landscape Architecture Workshop
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: April 19
Cost: $650
During this six-day residential course, students learn about design issues, the design process, and the design professions of architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design. Students learn through discussions, design studio explorations, field trips, and video presentations.
14. Nebraska Writing Project: Young Writers Camp
Dates: July 7 – 18
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $250
This two-week, half-day camp is offered on the University of Nebraska’s Lincoln campus and is open to aspiring young writers of all genres in grades 8 through 12. Students work with accomplished writers in the community, participate in workshops, and receive one-on-one writing mentorship. Work is collected in an annual YWC Anthology, and students participate in a public reading of their writing on the evening of the final day of camp.
15. Discover Business: DREAMBIG Academy
Dates: June 23 – 25
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This residential summer program allows participants to explore the world of business, future career paths, and college opportunities. During the program, students work in teams to create a business idea and pitch it to a panel of judges.
The academy is open to current high school juniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Students from low-income families, rural communities, and diverse backgrounds and experiences, as well as those who will be the first in their families to attend college, are strongly encouraged to apply.
Students who complete the summer program may qualify for a $2,000 scholarship.
16. Discover Actuarial Science
Dates: June 9 – 11
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This summer program is an awesome option for high school sophomores and juniors who are considering a business career. Participants will compete to create solutions to business problems, meet professionals and tour workplaces, and experience a slice of college life by living and learning on The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s campus. Students also explore how to prepare and pay for higher education, along with the support systems in place to help them during their college journey.
17. Discover Accounting
Dates: May 28 – 30
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
Rising and graduating high school seniors interested in pursuing a career in accounting will want to look into this free residential summer program, during which students meet professional accountants, tour their workplaces, and participate in accounting-related activities while staying in a university residence hall and gaining insight into college life.
18. Nebraska High School Press Association (NHSPA) Summer Camp
Dates: July 14 – 16
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: June 2
Cost: $350
Students in this summer program have the chance to meet some of the Cornhusker State’s most distinguished journalists. A number of fields are covered by the three-day program, including editorial leadership, yearbook production, newspaper design, photography, journalistic writing, and video.
19. Raikes School Summer Camp
Dates: July 13 – 26
Location: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Application Deadline: May 1
Cost: $1,995
This summer program, offered by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management, blends computer science, engineering, innovation, and business, which makes it a great choice for students with a wide variety of interests. Participants will explore programming concepts and skills, visit local businesses, and connect with peers, faculty, and local professionals. During the two-week residential camp, students will also experience what life is like as an undergraduate on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s campus.
20. Launch Summer Leadership Workshop
Dates:
- Session 1: June 17 – 21
- Session 2: July 15 – 19
Location: Doane University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $575
This five-day/four-night residential leadership camp is open to students in grades 6 through 12 and promises a fun-packed leadership experience in an extremely supportive environment. Students work in small groups to navigate hands-on leadership activities and discuss how to apply the lessons to their everyday lives. Focus points include personal development, group development, time management, and awareness of your own values.
21. University of Nebraska at Omaha College of Information Science & Technology’s Summer High School Internship Program
Dates: June 2 – July 11
Location: University of Nebraska-Omaha
Application Deadline: April 6
Cost: Free
This awesome summer internship program provides hands-on lab experience in fields including robotics, cybersecurity, IT, web development, software engineering, and gaming. Interns gain exposure to careers in computer science and IT, build valuable skills, and gain real-world research experience. Interns are expected to work 20 hours a week.
22. CBA Prep Camps
Dates: Varies
Location: University of Nebraska-Omaha
Application Deadline: Varies
Cost: Free
The University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Business Administration offers several free camps to students in grades 10 through 12 in fields like management, finance, economics, and accounting. Many of the camps are residential, allowing students to gain a firsthand college experience—living and learning on a college campus.
23. Digital Expressions Media Camp
Dates: June 1 – 6
Location: University of Nebraska at Kearney
Application Deadline: May 23
Cost: $400
Participants in this summer program learn to tell stories using high-end audio and video equipment. The program is open to rising freshmen to graduating seniors and provides an excellent opportunity to explore a variety of broadcasting and communications fields.
24. Quest for Understanding Astronomy, Science, and Research (QUASAR) Summer Camp
Dates: June 23 – 25
Location: University of Nebraska at Kearney
Application Deadline: June 9
Cost: $100
Participants in this summer program will explore astronomy, engineering, and physics through hands-on challenges like building circuits, designing and launching water rockets, and observing the night sky with telescopes. Students will also take an engineering tour and enjoy a movie/game night in the planetarium.
This is a residential program, allowing students to get a taste of what it’s like to live and learn on a college campus.
25. Youth Actors Academy of Lincoln (YAAL) Summer Camps
Dates: Varies
Location: Youth Actors Academy of Lincoln
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $200 – $400
Students can gain firsthand experience in the performing arts over the summer in YAAL’s summer camps. The organization stages several summer productions, including Aladdin Jr., Newsies Jr., and Snow White and the Seven Endings. In addition to exploring their creative side, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of theater, build confidence, and develop skills like communication, teamwork, and commitment.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The influence your participation in a summer program has on your chances of getting into college will vary. The selectivity and prestige of a summer program play a significant role in the weight a college gives it. Colleges differ on the value they place on extracurricular activities like summer programs—some search for applicants with robust extracurricular profiles while others are more interested in quantitative metrics, like grades and test scores.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are useful for better understanding how colleges view your participation in activities outside of the classroom, such as summer programs. Tiers one and two are reserved for demanding, difficult-to-get-into summer programs with excellent reputations. Participation in a top-tier summer program is highly likely to grab the attention of admissions offices and bolster your odds of college admission.
Tiers three and four are home to more-common/less-impressive summer programs, and attending these won’t have the same effect on your college chances as that of higher-tiered programs. That said, attending a lower-tiered summer program can still improve your college odds; many lower-tiered programs contain a college-readiness component that can help set you apart from other applicants.
Curious how the summer program you participated in affects your odds of college admission? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors, including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars, to estimate your odds of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
