17 Summer Programs in Arkansas for High Schoolers in 2025
What’s Covered:
- 17 Summer Programs in Arkansas for High Schoolers
- How Do Summer Programs Impact Your College Chances?
If you want to maximize your summer, consider a pre-college summer program! These programs are a great way to better understand your favorite subjects in a more rigorous context. Also, spending a summer academically engaged on a college campus is a great way to get a glimpse of college life and prepare yourself for the demands of learning after high school.
From short day-camps to full-summer residential programs, these experiences provide you with the invaluable opportunity to learn from and alongside talented faculty and peers alike, ultimately helping you realize your full academic potential.
17 Summer Programs in Arkansas for High Schoolers
1. Arkansas Governor’s School (AGS)
Date: July 6 – August 2
Location: Arkansas Tech University
Application deadline: February 10
Cost: Free
This four-week residential program at Arkansas Tech University provides gifted students the opportunity to explore their creativity through intellectually driven pursuits. Rising seniors who live in Arkansas are eligible to participate in this program that seeks to nourish potential leaders of the 21st century. Participants will leave with the skills and creative mindset to be change-makers in their communities.
2. Senior High Band Camp
Dates: July 15 – 19
Location: Arkansas Tech University
Application deadline: June 2
Cost: $300-$399
During this four-day program at Arkansas Tech University, students will receive specialized musical instruction for varying levels of skill, ensuring that every high schooler gets the chance to grow stronger in their musicianship. At the end of the week students will participate in a final concert that families will be able to attend.
3. In-Person Design Camp
Dates:
- June 9 – 13
- June 16 – 20
- June 23 – 27
Location: University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Bentonville, and Little Rock
Application deadline: May 19
Cost: $450 – $800
These four-day camps at the University of Arkansas expose high schoolers to the exciting world of architecture. High schoolers will learn key design principles of architecture via engaging projects, tours, presentations, and discussions led by the faculty of the Fay Jones School.
4. Advanced Design Camp
Dates: June 15 – 27
Location: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Application deadline: N/A
Cost: $2,000
This two-week program for students with design experience delivers an immersive experience and challenges participants with demanding design problems and activities led by the architecture, landscape architecture, and interior design faculty of the Fay Jones School.
5. Orchestra Camp
Dates: July 13 – 18
Location: University of Arkansas
Application deadline: June 23
Cost: $317 – $555
Players of string instruments looking to improve their performance skills will want to check out this week-long summer program at the University of Arkansas. During the program, students will participate in rehearsals, take lessons, and prepare for the final concert that concludes the program. Check the program website for more information about how and when to apply to this music-focused camp.
6. Engineering Summer Academy
Dates: June 22 – 28
Location: University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Application deadline: N/A
Cost: $675
During this weeklong program at the University of Arkansas—Fayetteville, students will participate in engaging engineering activities in the University’s cutting-edge labs alongside U of A faculty and current students.
7. Engineering Scholars Program
Dates: June 15 – 21, 2025
Location: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Application deadline: May 1
Cost: Free
This week-long residential program at the University of Arkansas – Little Rock aims to increase the number of students entering engineering programs in Arkansas through exposure to exciting engineering projects and leading industry engineers.
Additionally, this fantastic summer program for Arkansas high schoolers includes career advising to help students prepare for college and beyond.
8. Transportation Engineering Institute
Dates: July 13 – 25
Location: University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Application deadline: May 1
Cost: Free
This two-week residential program at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is an interactive program that allows students to explore various transportation fields and careers in sectors such as land, water, air, and safety. Additionally, English, science, math, and technology courses provide students with a strong foundation for concepts directly related to projects and labs.
9. Mini M*A*S*H (Medical Applications of Science for Health)
Dates: Various, depending on location
Location: 40 throughout the state
Application deadline: N/A
Cost: N/A
These two-week summer health careers camps allow high schoolers to learn about a wide variety of health professions while gaining practical first aid skills along the way. During this program, students will be exposed to learning basic CPR and first aid, casting and suturing, medical terminology, and more.
10. HEALERS Program
Dates: N/A
Location: Little Rock
Application deadline: N/A
Cost: Free
This program aims to provide aspiring medical professionals with practical knowledge, such as how to administer first aid and CPR, while exposing students to a variety of medically related fields. Additionally, students will have the invaluable opportunity to gain clinical experience through active volunteering. Students interested in healthcare careers should check back later for information on how and when to apply.
11. Summer at ASMSA
Dates: June 8 – 13
Location: Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts, Hot Springs Campus
Application deadline: April 30
Cost: Free
The Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts offers a wide variety of free, weeklong, residential summer camps for high school students in Arkansas. ASMSA promises excellent options for students interested in everything from art to environmental and computer science.
12. International Affairs Summer Camp
Dates: July 13 – 18
Location: University of Central Arkansas
Application deadline: May 15
Cost: Free
Hosted at the UCA Department of Government, Public Service, and International Studies, Arkansas and the World: International Affairs Summer Camp is one of a handful of summer camps in the United States that focuses specifically on international affairs. Participants can look forward to workshops and activities centered around diplomacy and current international issues.
13. 4-H Artisan Camp
Dates: July 16 –18
Location: C. A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center
Application deadline: June 1
Cost: TBA
This 4-H camp is open to both members and non-members and promises to help youth aged 9-19 develop artistic skills that will be useful throughout their lives. The finished products that campers take home could be used to ignite new hobbies and interests, expand into small businesses, or enter into local or state fairs. Past campers have decorated cookies, carved wooden pens, made soap, sewn pillows, and more!
14. JBU Summer Academy
Dates: June 9 – 13
Location: John Brown University
Application deadline: May 19
Cost: $650
John Brown University’s weeklong summer camps allow students to try out one of six different college paths. With an option to live residentially, JBU gives students a real glimpse at what college life might look like. This program will appeal to students looking to explore a potential major in a low-stress environment and, as it is hosted by a Christian university, offers students a chance to develop spiritually as well.
15. CUSI Coding Camp
Dates: June 9 – 13
Location: Arkansas State University
Application deadline: None, but only 11 spots are available
Cost: $300-$450
At this computer science camp, hosted by ASU with support from Continental Utility Solutions, Inc., students will learn about programming and coding fundamentals. This camp will focus on the Python 3.7 language with drones as a platform for students to learn. Commuting campers can participate in day camp with breakfast and lunch provided, or campers can participate residentially and live in dorms on the ASU campus. Limited scholarships are available.
16. Engineering Boot Camp
Dates: July 14 – 18
Location: Arkansas State University
Application deadline: None, but only 11 spots are available
Cost: $300-$450
At this engineering boot camp, students will learn fundamentals of engineering, modeling, and problem-solving. Camp activities include working with 3D printers, creating robots, and visiting a manufacturing facility to talk to industry experts. Commuting campers can participate in day camp with breakfast and lunch provided, or campers can participate residentially and live in dorms on the ASU campus. Limited scholarships are available.
17. Summer Arts Workshop
Dates: June 14 – 21
Location: University of Arkansas
Application deadline: March 21
Cost: Free
Hosted by the University of Arkansas School of Arts, this in-person workshop week includes housing, meals, and work materials. Campers will meet with current students and arts offices on campus to learn about college applications, scholarships, and artistic careers. Field trips will include visits to local museums and galleries. 100 spots are available, and students will be accepted via a lottery system.
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. A good example of a top-tier Arkansas summer program is the super-selective Arkansas Governor’s School.
Lower-tier extracurricular activities don’t hold the same sway with 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 your profile.
