8 Summer Programs in Idaho for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
- Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers
- Summer Programs in Idaho for High Schoolers
- How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Students in big cities like New York or San Francisco might have a broad variety of summer programs, but those in more rural areas might worry they have none. Don’t fear, though. In this post, we’ll give you the details on some great summer programs available in Idaho. While this might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about strong summer program options, there are some great choices available for high school students at local universities here.
Keep reading to learn more about them and how you can sign up for these valuable summer experiences!
Why Summer Programs Benefit High Schoolers
Summer programs are important, and not just for college admissions. Through summer programs, teens meet other students with the same interests while pursuing academic or extracurricular activities. They gain knowledge, real-world experience, and insight into potential career paths. Additionally, summer programs often provide a first look at life on a college campus. At many summer programs, you may find a place where you can be yourself and explore interests that may otherwise be overlooked.
Summer programs are also an important component of college admissions. Some colleges specifically ask how applicants have spent their summers. What are these adcoms looking for? At the very least, they want to see productivity. Are applicants using their time to pursue an interest, give back to the community, or contribute financially? Are they seizing an opportunity to better themselves?
Successful college applicants will be able to outline what they have done over summer break to become better students, explore potential career interests, or contribute to the family or community in another way. Summer programs are an easy solution to the question of summer activities.
Summer Programs in Idaho for High Schoolers
1. High School Art Exhibitions
Dates: April 14 – 26
Location: University of Idaho
Application Deadline: February 28
Cost: Free
The High School Art & Design Exhibition is held by the University of Idaho’s College of Art and Architecture. It has been revamped for 2025 to feature a digital exhibition of all submissions on campus. High school students in Idaho are welcome to attend this event, which gives them a chance to exhibit their artwork in a formal setting. The university’s galleries will invite selected pieces for actual exhibition, and the winners of the awards will receive gift baskets. Digital formats (2-D and 3-D media) with precise file and naming standards are required for submissions.
The show is open from April 14 to 26, 2025. Along with their entry, artists must include a brief statement about themselves. Selected artworks must arrive by February 28 for logistical reasons, and the institution will pay for shipping.
2. Summer Institute for Piano and Strings (SIPS)
Dates:
- Senior division: June 22 – 27
- Junior division: June 23 – 27
Location: Idaho State University
Application Deadline: May 16
Cost: $160 – $540, and a non-refundable $50 deposit
This week-long summer program for intermediate/advanced-level pianists and string players provides the chance to rehearse, coach, perform chamber music, and perform in orchestra and choir. Students work with professional faculty members and camp counselors to bring their playing to the next level with daily sectionals, rehearsals, and master classes. Prices range upwards if students require room and board for the experience.
3. Shakespeare Intensive | Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Dates:
- Session I: June 9 – 27
- Session II: July 14 – August 1
Location: ISF Rehearsal Hall
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $535
The Idaho Shakespeare Festival offers high school students several exciting summer camp options. Admission to the High School Apprentice Company requires an audition, as it’s an intensive program with over 200 hours of acting instruction and a chance to perform on the main stage. The goal of the “15–18-year-old Advanced Shakespeare Intensive” and “Advanced Musical Intensive” is to create a shortened Shakespeare play and musical revue, respectively, which will be performed on the main stage.
4. Camp Improv! | Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Dates: August 4 – 8
Location: ISF’s School of Theater Building – Rehearsal Hall
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $215
Learn to “think on your feet” and say “yes” to the basics of Improv games and exercises. Students ages 14-18 will learn to sharpen their wit and sense of comic timing with this fun and fast-paced class! A performance at the end of this one-week camp will show friends and families just how witty their students can be.
5. Camp Musical | Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Dates:
- Session I: June 16 – 20
- Session II: July 21 – 25
Location: Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $215
The biggest and most popular camp at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival! Sing, dance, and act your heart out while experiencing the joy of musical theater. Each group of students will dive deep into what it takes to be on Broadway! Students will learn choreography and music from some of Broadway’s hits and put all they have learned into a toe-tapping performance at the end of this one-week camp!
6. Musical Intensive | Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Dates:
- Session I: June 2 – 13
- Session II: July 7 – 18
Location: Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $325
A new expansion of our popular musical camps, this two-week intensive is perfect for students who are interested in singing, dancing, and acting! No experience is required, so regardless of whether you’ve been on stage before, if you are excited to learn the ins and outs of being in a musical revue, this is a perfect choice! Students and instructors will work over the two weeks to create a 30-minute performance that will showcase different musical songs and other popular hits! Please note: Performances will be on the mainstage at Idaho Shakespeare Festival Amphitheater on the Monday after the two weeks of classes.
7. Stagecraft | Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Dates:
- Session I: June 16 – 27
- Session II: July 21 – August 4
Location: Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $295
We understand how scary it can be to get up on stage and act your heart out. This brand-new class is for those students who prefer to explore the non-performative parts of theater, like props, costumes, and scenic design! Students will have a chance to learn about different jobs behind the scenes and make up their own artistic designs, which they can take home at the end of the session!
8. Storycraft | Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Dates:
- Session I: June 2 – 6
- Session II: July 7 – 11
Location: Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $215
Do you love to think creatively and write your own stories? This brand-new class focuses on the creative process that goes into making a story live on the page! A perfect class for those who like to work more behind the scenes, rather than on stage in front of an audience. Instructors will work with students to brainstorm different kinds of plot ideas, strong characters, and convincing dialogue, and turn them into a collection of small scenes that they can take home at the end of the session!
How do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
Some summer programs are more competitive than others, requiring letters of recommendation and standardized test scores, while other programs are open to all students within a particular grade level. Consequently, some summer programs are given more weight in college admissions than others.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to understand how colleges value activities outside of the classroom, like summer programs. The most impressive, prestigious, rare, and influential activities are placed in the top two tiers.
Lower-tier extracurricular activities don’t hold the same sway as admissions offices, however, they are often still valuable. Less selective and esteemed programs still show off your interests to potential colleges while highlighting your desire to pursue your passions. Many field-specific activities also help build the skills you need to ace everything from the essays to interviews you’ll encounter in the college application process.
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 the rest of your profile.
