10 Summer Programs in Nevada for High Schoolers in 2024
What’s Covered:
For many “Silver State” high schoolers, summer is a time to relax, hang out, and work a summer job. However, high-achieving high schoolers with aspirations of attending a gold-standard institution of higher education will want to take advantage of the summer season to bolster their college profile. One way high schoolers can improve their profile and boost their college odds is to participate in a summer program.
10 Summer Programs in Nevada for High Schoolers
1. THINK Summer Institute
Dates: July 13 – August 3
Location: University of Nevada – Reno
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $4,050
High-achieving high schoolers will want to check out his fantastic residential Nevada summer program. Throughout this three-week program, participants will meet like-minded students, use university resources, and tackle challenging coursework with the option of earning college credit all while having a fun and memorable time.
2. Nevada Youth Range Camp Program
Dates: June 16 – 22
Location: Society for Range Management | Nevada Section
Application Deadline: April 30
Cost: $250
Since 1961, this summer program has been teaching participants about the relationship between people and rangeland. During this week-long course, students learn about plants, wildlife, water, and soil, while also participating in fun activities like swimming, hiking, and campfires.
3. Engineering Exploration Camp
Dates: N/A
Location: University of Nevada – Reno
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $400
This summer program introduces participants to the diverse fields of engineering while providing them with the chance to gain hands-on experience with the engineering process—designing, building, and testing. In addition to building engineering skills, students in this course gain a better understanding of what it takes to succeed in a college engineering program in a fun and engaging environment.
4. Smallwood Multimedia Boot Camp
Dates: July 8 – 12
Location: University of Nevada – Reno
Application Deadline: June 5
Cost: Free
This awesome opportunity to receive instruction in video production, audio techniques, and editing is available to high schoolers from Washoe County, Douglas County, and Carson City. Over the program’s nine days, participants learn valuable skills while also building their digital portfolios, which are needed for everything from college applications to applying for internships and jobs.
5. Lake Tahoe Music Program
Dates: N/A
Location: University of Nevada – Reno (Private beach on the shore of Lake Tahoe)
Application Deadline: N/A
Cost: $470
Musically inclined students will love this residential camp on its private beach on Lake Tahoe’s shore. Participants are treated to workshops, clinics, mentoring, and performances from University faculty, guest conductors, and professional chamber and jazz musicians. The camp culminates in a final concert for family and friends.
6. Nevada Boys State
Dates: June 16 – 22
Location: Nevada Youth Leadership and the American Legion, Reno Campus
Application Deadline: May 31
Cost: $75
This unique week-long summer program is a 24-hour-a-day game that challenges rising male juniors to build leadership skills and friendships that will last a lifetime. Throughout the program, participants work in teams to compete in athletic competitions and team-building exercises.
7. Nevada Girls State
Dates: June 16 – 22
Location: American Legion Auxiliary
Application Deadline: May 31
Cost: $290
Rising high school juniors who identify as female with an interest in better understanding the governmental process will want to explore this interesting summer program. Participants are divided into two parties where they participate in campaigning, party meetings, legislative sessions, debating, and voting. In the end, participants have gained first-hand knowledge of the democratic process.
8. RYLA
Dates: June 16 – 21 and June 23 – 28
Location: Rotary Affiliated | Northern California and Northern Nevada
Application Deadline: April 1
Cost: Free
Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening, or more simply RYLA, is sponsored by the Rotary Districts of Northern California (5180) and Northern Nevada (5190) with the intent of instilling a sense of “service above self” in participants. This week-long program helps participants develop traits like passion, gratitude, compassion, resilience, determination, and mental toughness.
9. Exploring Careers in Health | Summer Institute
Dates: June 10 – 13
Location: Sierra College
Application Deadline: April 30
Cost: Free
This healthcare-focused summer program results from a collaboration between Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Dignity Health, Nevada County Superintendent of Schools, and Sierra College. Just 25 students are chosen to participate in the Summer Institute, where they are allowed to explore various healthcare careers, build essential skills, and gain first-hand experience in a wide range of settings.
10. Empowered Women, Empower Women
Dates: June 10 – 14
Location: Nevada State College
Application Deadline: May 27
Cost: $250
Empowered Women, Empower Women is a summer camp led by College of Liberal Arts instructors and staff that aims to expose young women to empowerment concepts and techniques. Participants examine leadership, mentoring, and the nuanced history of women’s experiences through a range of seminars and activities. Open to students who identify as female and are enrolled in grades 9 through 12 for the 2024–2025 school year, as well as recent 2024 high school graduates.
How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
The influence your participation in a summer program has on your odds of college admission varies depending on several factors, such as the reputation of the program and the weight a school puts on participation in summer programs.
The four tiers of extracurricular activities are a good way to evaluate the value colleges place on activities outside the classroom, such as summer programs. Tier 1 and Tier 2 encompass the most prestigious, rare, and impressive activities. Consequently, participation in top-tier activities has the greatest impact on your chances of college admission.
Tier 3 and Tier 4 activities are more commonly seen by admissions officials and don’t hold the same sway as higher-tiered activities in the college application process. That said, there is value to attending a summer program, even if it’s in a lower tier. Summer programs demonstrate intellectual curiosity and determination to pursue subjects that interest you, both of which are traits highly desirable to colleges. More so, many summer programs build the skills needed to get into—and succeed in—college.
What do colleges think of your participation in a summer program? CollegeVine can help! Our free chancing calculator uses a variety of factors including grades, standardized test scores, and extracurriculars like summer programs to estimate your chances of getting into hundreds of colleges and universities while also providing insight into how to improve your profile.
