10 Summer Programs in Nevada for High Schoolers
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
1. THINK Summer Institute
High-achieving high schoolers will want to check out his fantastic residential Nevada summer program. Over the course of 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.
Affiliation: Davidson Institute
Ages: 13-16
Cost: $4,050
Deadline: 3/1/22
Application requirements:
- Transcript
- SAT/ACT scores
- Recommendation
- Three essays
2. Nevada Youth Range Camp Program
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.
Affiliation: Society for Range Managements | Nevada Section
Ages: 14-18
Cost: $250
Deadline: 4/30/22
Application requirements: Letter of recommendation
3. Engineering Exploration Camp
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.
Affiliation: University of Nevada – Reno
Ages: 15-17
Cost: $350
Deadline: N/A
4. Smallwood Multimedia Boot Camp
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.
Affiliation: University of Nevada – Reno
Grades: 11th and 12th
Cost: Free
Deadline: 5/31/22
Application requirements:
- Academic reference
- Personal statement
- Work samples
5. Lake Tahoe Music Program
Musically inclined students will love this residential camp situated on its own private beach on the shore of Lake Tahoe. 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.
Affiliation: University of Nevada – Reno
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: $470
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements: Audition video for placement that consists of a chromatic scale and excerpts from camp music
6. Nevada Boys State
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 without the distraction of girls.
Affiliation: Nevada Youth Leadership and the American Legion
Grades: 11th
Cost: $60
Deadline: 4/30/22
Application requirements: Personal statement
7. Nevada Girls State
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.
Affiliation: American Legion Auxiliary
Grades: 11th
Cost: $290
Deadline: 6/3/22
Application requirements: Statement detailing three issues affecting your community
8. RYLA
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.
Affiliation: Rotary
Grades: 11th and 12th
Cost: Free
Deadline: 3/1/22
Application requirements: Personal statement
9. Exploring Careers in Health | Summer Institute
This healthcare-focused summer program is the result of 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 given the opportunity to explore various healthcare careers, build essential skills, and gain first-hand experience in a wide range of settings.
Affiliation: Sierra College
Grades: 9th-12th
Cost: Free
Deadline: 4/20/22
Application requirements: Questionnaire and recommendation
10. Nepantla | Summer Bridge
First-generation college students will want to check out this six-week summer program designed to help them prepare for college—providing insight into the rigor of coursework and tips for everything from navigating campus to meeting faculty. Participants of this program will find their college careers get a jumpstart—it’s possible to earn between eight and ten college credits through the program!
Affiliation: Nevada State College
Grades: 12th
Cost: N/A
Deadline: N/A
Application requirements: Clark County high school senior or graduate who will be a first-time, full-time freshman at Nevada State College and who identifies as a first-generation college student
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 a number of 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.
Wondering what 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.
