25 Summer Programs in Florida for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
- 25 Summer Programs in Florida for High Schoolers
- How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
There are many summer programs for high schoolers from Florida that can blend your academic interests with enjoyable activities where you build valuable skills, explore new fields (or deep-dive into old favorites), make new friends, gain firsthand experience, and ultimately put yourself on the path to success. Keep reading to see 25 of the best summer programs in the Sunshine State!
25 Summer Programs in Florida for High Schoolers
1. UM Summer Scholars
Dates: June 28 – July 18
Location: University of Miami
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost:
- Commuter: $8,144
- Residential: $9,532
The University of Miami’s three-week Summer Scholars program provides high schoolers with the opportunity to sample the college experience—taking college-level work, earning college credit, and learning from the university’s faculty. A wide variety of courses are available in five fields:
- Architecture
- Business
- Filmmaking
- Healthcare and medicine
- Marine biology
- Sports medicine
2. National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC)
Dates: Varies
Location: University of Miami
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $4,295 – $4,195
NSLC offers several opportunities for students to have an immersive college-like experience at the University of Miami. Participants will study in university classrooms, live in dorms, eat in dining halls, and ultimately learn to navigate life on a college campus while exploring the fields of marine biology or medicine and healthcare.
3. UM Academies
Dates: June 30 – July 10
Location: University of Miami
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost:
- Commuter: $4,605
- Residential: $5,494
UM Academies at the University of Miami allow high schoolers to gain hands-on experience in the fields of entrepreneurship, weather, forensic science, criminal law, marine biology, and Spanish. These immersive academic experiences are taught by experts in the field, and they involve working in labs, visiting research facilities, and participating in cultural activities.
After classes, there’s plenty of time to explore life at one of the nation’s most well-known research universities and the surrounding area.
4. Young Scholars Program (YSP)
Dates: June 8 – July 19
Location: Florida State University
Application Deadline: February 15
Cost: Free
The YSP is a free six-week residential program aimed at Florida high school seniors interested in pursuing careers in STEM. Participants typically attend three courses in the fields of math, science, and computer programming—the courses are specifically designed for this program.
Coursework can be rigorous, but there’s also an abundance of social and athletic activities scheduled, including themed dances, canoe trips, fireworks, and scavenger hunts.
5. FSU College of Medicine Summer Institute
Dates:
- Session 1: June 8 – 13
- Session 2: June 22 – 27
- Session 3: July 13 – 18
Location: Florida State University
Application Deadline: January 15
Cost: $1,650
Students interested in pursuing a healthcare career will want to look into this stellar summer program. Participants are introduced to a variety of clinical settings, gain perspectives on life as a medical student, and are given access to information about pre-health advising and programs. As a residential program, students also gain a firsthand look at life at college and meet a network of similarly minded peers.
6. Student Science Training Program
Dates: June 8 – July 26
Location: University of Florida
Application Deadline: April 1
Cost: $5,500
UF SSTP is a seven-week residential research program for students who will enter their senior year, ages 16 and up, and are interested in science, medicine, math, computer science, or engineering careers. It focuses on research participation with a UF faculty research scientist and their team. Applicants must be capable of independent living and learning, collaborative, and genuinely interested in research.
Application requirements include an essay, transcripts, and teacher recommendations.
7. Summer Media Institute (SMI)
Dates: June 22 – 27
Location: University of Florida
Application Deadline:
- Early bird: March 1
- Regular: May 15
Cost: $949 – $999
This summer program is a great choice for rising high school juniors and seniors with a talent for storytelling and communication, or those interested in exploring careers in media. A number of specializations are offered, including:
- Anchoring and hosting
- Broadcast reporting
- Communication for the greater good
- Feature and news writing
- Filmmaking
- Photojournalism
- Social media
- Sports reporting
8. Camp Connect
Dates:
- Session 1: June 9 – 13
- Session 2: June 23 – 27
- Session 3: July 7 – 11
Location: University of Central Florida
Application Deadline: April 25
Cost: $200 – $300
Camp Connect is an engineering program offering activities, presentations, and lab tours to introduce students to different engineering fields, such as:
- Electrical
- Computer
- Industrial
- Mechanical
- Aerospace
- Civil
- Environmental
- Construction
- Computer science
Every day features a specific department, and the activities are led by the faculty and students. Students will collaborate on a team project to be presented on the final day of the camp. The program is open to students in grades 8 through 11.
9. Summer Institute | Computer Science
Dates: June 9 – 27
Location: University of Central Florida
Application Deadline: April 25
Cost: $1,250
This three-week program is geared towards students interested in learning about computer science and computer technology. Participants build programming skills, participate in a variety of interactive activities, and listen to lectures. Participants also meet like-minded peers, building friendships and networks.
10. Summer Institute | Competitive Programming Overview
Dates: July 13 – 25
Location: University of Central Florida
Application Deadline: April 25
Cost: $2,750
High-achieving high schoolers with a background in computer science and an interest in algorithms and programming competitions will want to check out this interesting two-week summer program.
The camp is designed specifically to help students improve their performance in contests such as USACO, CodeForces, and ultimately the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC). Over its two weeks, participants learn about the algorithms and data seen in competitions, participate in practice competitions, and receive personalized coaching.
11. Summer Institute | Mathematical Exploration
Dates: July 21 – 25
Location: University of Central Florida
Application Deadline: May 2
Cost: $275
Rising juniors and seniors interested in mathematics will want to check out this one-week day program, which allows participants to explore mathematics not normally encountered in a high school classroom. Students will engage in hands-on activities, listen to lectures, discover new arguments, and learn how to explain their arguments to peers—ultimately immersing themselves in a mathematical community.
12. USF High School CyberCon
Dates: July 21 – 25
Location: University of South Florida
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $450
The USF High School CyberCon is a week-long summer program providing a similar experience to a professional conference, where high school students can select from a range of sessions hosted by experts and educators, take part in practical activities, and engage with peers and industry professionals to expand their knowledge and skills in cybersecurity.
This offers a valuable opportunity for the next generation of cybersecurity experts and ethical hackers to learn, gain experience, and establish connections within the field.
13. Bulls Finance Summer Camp
Dates: July 14 – 18
Location: University of South Florida
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $650
High schoolers in grades 9 through 12 can explore finance, fintech, and investing in this week-long summer program. Participants develop financial literacy and valuable skills, enabling them to make informed financial decisions—whether for themselves or in business careers.
14. USF Art of Filmmaking Camp
Dates: July 14 – 18
Location: University of South Florida
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $750
Aspiring filmmakers will want to look into this summer program focusing on visual storytelling. Students explore components of filmmaking and build skills like shot composition, cinematography, lighting, and editing techniques needed to make impactful films.
By the end of the program, students will have crafted a short film, which they will showcase at a screening event for friends and family, and can include in their digital portfolio.
15. CodeBreakHERS
Dates: June 23 – 27
Location: University of South Florida
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
The USF High School Cyber Camp provides a comprehensive learning experience for students interested in cybersecurity. Through hands-on activities and expert-led sessions, students will explore key concepts such as hardware security, internet security, information encoding, error-correcting codes, cryptography, and blockchain. The camp will also include Capture the Flag competitions, where students can apply the knowledge they’ve gained and compete with their peers.
The camp is open to girls in grades 8 through 12.
16. St. Petersburg College (SPC) Summer Musical Theater Program
Dates: May 27 – June 29
Location: St. Petersburg College
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This is a great chance for high school and college students to gain firsthand acting and technical theater experience over the summer. The program runs for five weeks and culminates in performances in front of real audiences. Past SPC Summer Musical Theater performances of Urinetown and Pippin have earned accolades and been counted among the “Top 10 Productions in Tampa Bay.” Inclusion in the production is not guaranteed; those interested are required to audition.
17. Summer of Success (SOS) Program
Dates: June 16 – July 25
Location: St. Petersburg College
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This program is aimed at graduating seniors from Pinellas County high schools who are either disabled or come from a low-income background. Over the program’s six weeks, participants are introduced to college—attending classes, earning credit, familiarizing themselves with campus, making new friends, and receiving assistance with financial aid.
18. Marine Science at Eckerd College
Dates:
- Session 1: June 8 – 13
- Session 2: June 15 – 20
Location: Eckerd College
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,100
This summer program is perfect for students who want to explore college life while on the ocean. The program is modeled after Eckerd College’s undergraduate marine science program and includes lots of hands-on experience on the water and in the lab—learning about marine biology, marine geology, marine chemistry, and more.
Participants should come ready to work hard and dive into an unforgettable experience!
19. Animal Studies at Eckerd College
Dates: June 15 – 20
Location: Eckerd College
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,925
Students interested in exploring animal studies as a potential college major will want to check out this summer program. Modeled after Eckerd College’s undergraduate program, students will dive into fields like the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities—covering topics such as animal behavior, training, research, rehabilitation, and literature.
20. College Prep at Eckerd College
Dates: June 22 – 27
Location: Eckerd College
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This program is available and free to aspiring first-generation college students living in the St. Petersburg area and coming from a family with a maximum annual household income of $78,800 (for a family of four).
This residential college prep program is designed to give students firsthand experience with college—learning what it’s like and what it offers them. During the program, the students will practice numerous skills essential to college survival, including navigating a college setting as an adult, experiencing the rigor of college coursework, and developing the habits needed for college success.
21. Environmental Studies at Eckerd College
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: Eckerd College
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,900
Based on Eckerd’s Environmental Studies major, this summer program explores the natural wonders of the surrounding Tampa Bay area while diving into topics like coastal and wildlife management, green infrastructure, environmental communication, and field research. The program abounds with hands-on activities like kayaking through mangrove forests, interacting with flora and fauna, and visiting local aquariums.
22. Aerospace Camp
Dates: June 29 – July 18
Location: Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $4,830
During this extremely exciting four-week residential camp, students learn what it’s like to be a college student at Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University while exploring career paths in flight, mechanical engineering, global security, and even becoming a NASA astronaut. Students will cover topics like the history of space flight, propulsion theory, orbital mechanics fundamentals, Space Shuttle operations, and U.S. space policy—earning three college credits upon the completion of camp.
23. Robotics & Autonomous Systems Camp
Dates: July 21 – 26
Location: Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $1,030
This program for students between the ages of 15 and 18 introduces them to the opportunities presented by the field of robotics and autonomous systems. Over the course of this week-long program, participants will design, build, program, and test their own autonomous robots while learning about the fundamentals of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering.
24. Florida Atlantic Engineering Academy: I-Deep Learn
Dates: June 23 – 27
Location: Florida Atlantic University
Application Deadline: June 1
Cost: N/A
Just 30 high schoolers in grades 10 through 12 are accepted into this summer program supported by the National Science Foundation. Participants prepare for future studies and a career in computer science, exploring the latest in AI, developing Python skills, and conducting hands-on research on machine learning.
Admission is highly competitive—applicants must possess a 3.25 GPA or higher, have completed a precalculus and computer science class, and submit a one-page essay for consideration.
25. Florida Atlantic Ocean Engineering Summer Workshop
Dates: June 9 – 12
Location: Florida Atlantic University
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This free program provides students ages 14 to 17 with the opportunity to engage in ongoing research projects and learn how fluid dynamics impacts daily life. Participants will take part in activities such as programming robotic carts and drones to perform autonomous tasks and constructing miniature boats—the program culminates in an exciting team-based race.
Admission is limited; only 30 to 40 students will be invited to participate.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The effect your participation in a summer program will have on your college admissions odds varies depending on several factors, including everything from the selectivity of the program to the value a particular college places on extracurricular activities.
In general, the four tiers of extracurricular activities provide an easy-to-understand method to gauge how colleges view your participation in summer programs. Top-tier activities (Tiers 1 and 2) are the most selective, impressive, and prestigious. Consequently, colleges value them the most. The Young Scholars Program at Florida State University is a good example of a top-tier activity thanks to its stringent eligibility standards and the rigorous demands placed on its participants.
Lower-tier activities (such as those in Tiers 3 and 4) don’t have the same influence on college admissions—they’re more common and less attention-grabbing. That said, lower-tier activities can prove very valuable to college admissions as they demonstrate a motivation to pursue subjects you’re passionate about and help build valuable college skills, whether it’s writing, thinking, or auditioning.
CollegeVine can help you determine the influence extracurricular activities like summer programs have on your odds of college admission. Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors, including grades, test scores, and extracurriculars, to estimate your chances of getting into 1600+ colleges while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
