15 Virtual Summer Camps for Middle School Students
A summer camp doesn't have to mean traveling across the country or living in a dorm. Virtual camps let middle schoolers join from home, making it easier to learn something new without the time, cost, or hassle of travel.
What do virtual summer camps for middle schoolers involve?
Summer camps cover coding, business basics, robotics, science, writing, art, and a bunch of other subjects you won't find in a regular class schedule. You might be building something, working on a project with other kids from around the country, or joining live sessions where you can actually ask questions and get answers.
Why try a virtual summer camp in middle school?
There's no test at the end, so no pressure to be good at it right away, and you get to poke around in a subject and see if it clicks. Camp is also a chance to meet other kids who are into the same things you are, which isn't always easy to find at your own school.
For more ideas, check out our guides on business programs for middle school students and summer programs in NYC for middle school students.
Quick Look
1 free camp: Kode With Klossy, a two-week coding bootcamp for young women and gender-expansive students.
1 entrepreneurship-focused program: the Junior Innovator Program, which pairs you with one-on-one mentorship as you build a real project.
6 coding and computer science camps: Kode With Klossy, CS@SC, theCoderSchool's Vibe Coding Camp, Computer Science K-12 Outreach, and others.
4 writing-focused camps: UCLA Writing Project, UCI's Virtual Program for Youth, Young Writers Camps, and the Virtual Speech & Debate Summer Camp.
Costs range from free (Kode With Klossy) to around $695 for NCSSM's two-week Summer Accelerator Online.
15 Virtual Summer Camps for Middle School Students
1. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and in-person options
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Two-week summer camps; exact dates vary
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Young women and gender-expansive youth ages 13–18; no prior coding experience required
Kode With Klossy Summer Camps introduce young women and gender-expansive students to computer science through two-week coding bootcamps. Depending on the track you choose, you'll learn web development, AI and machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, or mobile app development. For example, the AI/ML curriculum includes building image classifiers and training machine learning models, while the web development track covers HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Every student completes a final coding project and presents it at the end of camp.
2. Junior Innovator Program
Location: 100% virtual, with one-on-one mentorship and interactive events
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective admissions
Program Dates: Flexible start dates; vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to middle school students
The Junior Innovator Program is a virtual entrepreneurship incubator where you develop an actual project that solves a problem you care about. Over the course of the program, you take an idea from curiosity to creation by applying principles of entrepreneurship, pitching, and business thinking in a structured, hands-on setting. You work through one-on-one mentorship sessions that cover ideation, market thinking, and foundational business concepts, while also participating in fireside chats, remote socials, and group discussions with a global cohort of student founders. You also receive mentorship from entrepreneurs and professionals with backgrounds at organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey. The program can be useful if you want to strengthen communication, leadership, and project-building skills before high school.
3. CS@SC Summer Camps
Location: Virtual and in-person options
Cost: Varies by course track; refer to the official CS@SC portal
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 6–31
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grades K–12, including middle school students
The CS@SC Summer Camps at USC Viterbi let middle school students explore computer science through short, project-based courses. You can choose topics like programming, web design, game development, mobile apps, or robotics, depending on the session. Classes meet on weekdays over two weeks, giving you enough time to build a complete project while learning the fundamentals behind it. The curriculum is designed by USC faculty and instructors and introduces concepts that often go beyond a typical middle school computer science class. You'll finish the course with a project you can continue building after camp.
4. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Application deadline: Varies based on cohort
Program dates: Eight weeks | Timing varies by cohort
Eligibility: Students in grades 6 to 8
Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings.
5. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course; financial aid may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Eligibility-based; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Year-round and summer options available
Application Deadline: Varies by course and session
Eligibility: Advanced learners in grades 2–12
The Johns Hopkins CTY Online Programs offer advanced online courses for students who want to study beyond their school curriculum. Middle school students can choose from subjects like mathematics, biology, chemistry, writing, computer science, and world languages. Depending on the course, you'll complete graded assignments, receive instructor feedback, and participate in discussions with other students. Courses run throughout the year, so you can study at your own pace or join instructor-led sessions.
6. Northwestern Center for Talent Development Summer Online Programs
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by course; financial aid may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Eligibility-based; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Summer courses range from 2-week intensive sessions to 9–11 week courses, depending on the course
Application Deadline: Varies by course
Eligibility: Middle and high school students; specific grade requirements vary by course
The Northwestern Center for Talent Development (CTD) Summer Online Programs offer enrichment and honors-level courses for academically motivated middle school students. You can choose from subjects like advanced mathematics, science, English, language arts, social sciences, and interdisciplinary seminars, depending on your grade level. Courses are taught by experienced instructors through live online classes, discussions, assignments, and independent work, giving you a taste of accelerated learning outside your regular school curriculum. Since programs range from a few weeks to nearly three months, you can explore a subject in much greater depth than a typical summer camp allows.
7. theCoderSchool – Vibe Coding Camp
Location: Multiple locations with virtual options available
Cost: Varies by location
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small-group format with an approximate 6:1 student-to-instructor ratio
Dates: Summer sessions available
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Students ages 10 and up; middle school students are eligible; no prior coding experience required
The Vibe Coding Camp from theCoderSchool introduces students to a new way of building software using AI-powered development tools. During the camp, you'll come up with your own startup-style app idea and use platforms like Bolt and Lovable to turn it into a working prototype. Along the way, you'll learn how AI coding assistants generate code, how to write prompts that produce useful results, and how developers quickly test new ideas through rapid prototyping. Small class sizes give students plenty of opportunities to ask questions and receive feedback while building their projects. By the end of the program, you'll have built and demonstrated your own AI-assisted application.
8. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Summer Accelerator Online
Location: Virtual
Cost: $495–$695 for virtual courses, depending on the course/session
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Application-based; cohort size not specified
Program Dates: June–July sessions; online courses for rising 7th–9th graders run for two weeks
Application Deadline: Not specified on the course page; applications are reviewed beginning in January
Eligibility: Rising 7th, 8th, and 9th graders
The NCSSM Summer Accelerator Online gives rising seventh, eighth, and ninth graders the chance to study advanced STEM topics through a structured two-week online program. During the first week, you'll complete self-paced lessons and activities before joining live classes and discussions with instructors and classmates in the second week. Courses cover a variety of STEM subjects and are designed to encourage problem-solving, scientific thinking, and collaborative learning. The curriculum is developed by the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, one of the United States' leading public STEM schools.
9. Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp
Location: Virtual
Cost: $500; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; cohort size not specified on the official admissions page
Program Dates: One week
Application Deadline: Final application deadline is July 6; waitlist remains open until July 22
Eligibility: Middle school girls and gender-nonconforming students; age requirements should be confirmed on the program site
Wolfram Middle School Summer Camp introduces you to computational thinking through the Wolfram Language and project-based activities. You learn how computation can be used to explore math, science, data, and real-world questions. The camp is especially useful if you like logic, patterns, coding, or problem-solving, but want something more exploratory than a standard coding class. You work through guided activities and learn how technology can help you model ideas, investigate questions, and communicate results. The financial aid option is important to note, especially if cost would otherwise be a barrier.
10. UCLA Writing Project Summer Camps for Students
Location: Virtual and in-person options
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Online writing workshops run in July; exact dates vary by grade-level workshop
Application Deadline: Not specified; some workshops may fill before summer
Eligibility: Students entering grades 5–12, with grade-specific workshops
The UCLA Writing Project Summer Camps help middle school students become stronger writers through small workshops led by experienced teachers. Each workshop focuses on a different theme, with options such as Crafting the Story for younger students and Visible and Invisible Identities for older middle schoolers. During the program, you'll write regularly, receive detailed feedback from your instructor, revise multiple drafts, and share your work with classmates through guided discussions. Since the emphasis is on revision as much as drafting, you'll learn how writers improve their work through multiple versions. The programme concludes with a portfolio of revised writing pieces developed over the course of the workshop.
11. Virtual Program for Youth
Location: Virtual
Cost: Not specified on the main program page
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Small classes; exact cohort size not specified
Program Dates: Fall, winter, spring, and summer sessions; eight classes per session
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Grade requirements vary by course; middle school options are available
The UCI Writing Project Virtual Program for Youth offers small online writing classes for middle and high school students throughout the year. Depending on the session, you can choose courses in creative writing, research writing, podcasting, AI-assisted writing, storytelling, and other digital communication topics. Classes are led by experienced teachers who provide detailed feedback on your work and encourage discussion in a small-group setting. Many courses focus on writing for real audiences while helping you strengthen organization, revision, and critical thinking. Since each session includes eight classes, you'll have enough time to develop a piece of writing from an early draft to a polished final version. The program concludes with a portfolio or completed writing project based on the course you choose.
12. Computer Science K-12 Outreach Summer Camps
Location: Mostly virtual through Microsoft Teams
Cost: $300 for middle school online camp options
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 8–July 31, with multiple two-week sessions
Application Deadline: Not specified; registration is listed as open
Eligibility: Age 12 and up for online camps
The Computer Science K–12 Outreach Summer Camps at the University of Texas at Dallas introduce middle school students to coding and mathematics through live online classes. Popular options include Enjoyable Coding with JavaScript, where you'll build interactive programs while learning programming fundamentals, and AMC 8 Math Preparation, which develops problem-solving skills for middle school math competitions. Classes meet on weekdays over two-week sessions through Microsoft Teams and are taught by university instructors. The curriculum is designed for beginners as well as students looking to strengthen their STEM skills before high school.
13. Virtual Speech & Debate Summer Camp
Location: Virtual through Zoom
Cost: $395 per week for rising 5th–8th graders; early-bird discount may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Weekly sessions from June 8 to August 28
Application Deadline: Not specified; early-bird discount expires April 30
Eligibility: Grades 5–12; groups are separated by grade and experience level
The American Debate League's Virtual Speech & Debate Summer Camp helps middle school students become stronger speakers, writers, and critical thinkers through live online sessions. Whether you're completely new to debate or already have competition experience, you'll be placed in a group that matches your age and skill level. Throughout the camp, you'll learn how to research a topic, organize evidence, construct persuasive arguments, and deliver speeches with confidence. Instructors provide regular feedback through practice rounds, speaking exercises, and group discussions, helping you improve with every session. Many activities mirror the formats used in school debate competitions while also building skills useful for presentations and public speaking. The camp finishes with debate rounds and speeches where you'll apply everything you've learned.
14. Young Writers Camps
Location: Remote and in-person options
Cost: Varies by camp; confirm current pricing on the camp site
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer sessions vary by camp
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Rising 3rd–9th graders
The Bay Area Writing Project’s Young Writers Camps are designed for students who enjoy writing and want to build stronger creative and academic writing habits. In remote writing courses, you work with experienced classroom teachers who guide you through writing instruction, independent writing time, and opportunities to share work with peers. The camp is not a remedial writing program; it is better suited for you if you already like writing and want more time to experiment with voice, structure, genre, and revision. Because BAWP is housed at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Education, the program offers a university-connected writing experience with a strong emphasis on teacher-led feedback.
15. Summer Learning Enrichment Courses
Location: Virtual, self-paced online format
Cost: Varies by course
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer courses and enrichment options; exact dates vary
Application Deadline: Varies by course and start date
Eligibility: Enrichment courses are available for ages 8–14
Michigan Virtual's Summer Learning Enrichment Courses offer flexible online classes for students who want to continue learning over the summer at their own pace. The course catalogue changes regularly and includes subjects related to technology, life skills, creativity, digital media, and academic enrichment for students between the ages of 8 and 14. Since the courses are self-paced, you can complete lessons around family travel, extracurricular activities, or other summer commitments while still following a structured learning plan. Many classes include interactive activities, quizzes, and teacher-supported coursework that help reinforce new concepts. With a wide variety of short enrichment courses available, students can explore new interests without committing to a full academic program.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any free virtual summer camps for middle schoolers?
Yes. Kode With Klossy is completely free and teaches coding through tracks like web development, AI and machine learning, and cybersecurity, specifically for young women and gender-expansive students.
2. Is there a camp focused on entrepreneurship instead of a single academic subject?
The Junior Innovator Program is built around developing a real project that solves a problem you care about, with one-on-one mentorship from professionals at Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey, rather than following a fixed curriculum.
3. Which camps focus on writing rather than STEM subjects?
The UCLA Writing Project, UCI's Virtual Program for Youth, Young Writers Camps, and the Virtual Speech & Debate Summer Camp all focus on writing, speaking, and communication skills rather than coding or science.