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FREE YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMS

I have listed free summer aviation, STEM and college preparation programs that your children can apply to. I will continue to update new programs as I find them.
Subscribe for Free to be informed immediately of all new programs.

Free Youth Summer Programs: List

BLAST FREE STEAM RESIDENTIAL SUMMER 2023 PROGRAM 

BUILDING LEADERS FOR ADVANCING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY - APPLICATION DEADLINE - FEBRUARY 1, 2023

Virginia Space Grant Consortium's FREE summer program will ignite your kids curiosity and help you discover what a career in STEM is like. BLAST participants are immersed in the college experience for 3 exciting days packed with STEM activities and demonstrations led by university faculty. Participating students get to stay in a college dorm and see what campus life is like on-site at one of their five partner universities: Old Dominion University, Radford University, the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, or William & Mary.

Students must be in 8th or 9th grade when they apply.  No previous experience in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is needed.

A: Students must be in 8th or 9th grade when they apply, with a B-/C+ minimum grade average (GPA at least 2.7). They must also be either a U.S. Citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident, and they must live and attend school in Virginia (public or private middle school, high school, or homeschool). Students must also be interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), but they do not have to have previous experience with STEM extracurriculars like clubs or camps.

What does “rising high school freshman or sophomore” mean?

A: BLAST takes place during the summer after a student’s 8th or 9th grade year. Students apply during the school year as 8th or 9th graders but are considered “rising” 9th and 10th graders, respectively, during the summer before the next school year begins.

APPLY TODAY!

Application Deadline is February 1, 2023

NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS - SEEK -SUMMER ENGINEERING EXPERIENCE FOR KIDS

SEEK is a free, three-week summer program that offers a fun and engaging educational experience for students in grades 3–5. SEEK aims to provide high-quality learning opportunities to underrepresented students who otherwise may not have access to a STEM education.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE (NMUSAF) INTRODUCTION TO BECOMING A PILOT- FREE PROGRAM - AGES 14-18 -2023

This FREE course has been designed to inspire towards, and educate students about a career as an Aviator. This program consist of introductory level courses, which will provide a brief overview of what an actual Flight School would be like.

Register Today!! 


LADY CARDINAL PAID MENTORSHIP PROGRAM 

4 WEEKS - NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS 9TH TO 12TH GRADE APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 24, 2023

The Lady Cardinal Mentorship is a 4-week summer enrichment opportunity for North Carolina high school girls, grades 9-12, interested in exploring careers in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics within state government.

  • Paid program: July 10 – Aug. 4

FREE SUMMER HIGH SCHOOL FLIGHT ACADEMY - PATHWAY FLIGHT ACADEMIES -VIRGINIA RESIDENTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 26, 2023

Virginia Space Grant Consortium, in partnership with the Commonwealth of VirginiaAverett UniversityAviation Adventures, and the Virginia Department of Aviation, is offering FREE flight academies for selected high school students statewide. Students admitted to this intensive program will undertake ground school and flight training that can culminate in their first solo flight at the end of the academy. Students must be U.S. citizens, Virginia residents and 16 years old by the start of the Academy. Additional requirements are stated in the application link below.

 Apply Today!

PRINCETON SUMMER JOURNALISM TUITION FREE SUMMER PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 27, 2023

This is an awesome opportunity if have an interest in aviation, but wants to major in journalism.

The Princeton Summer Journalism Program traditionally hosts a 10-day residential journalism institute in August on the campus of Princeton University. Participants visit Princeton from their hometown or state and stay in University undergraduate dorms. The Princeton Summer Journalism Program is for students from low-income backgrounds

Students do not pay any fees to us to participate in PSJP. They arrange and pay for all travel, lodging, food, and supplies during the residential program, although students are encouraged to bring spending money for souvenirs or treats off-campus. 

  • Must be a junior in high school at the time of application.

  • Must live in the United States and intend to attend college here.

  • Additional requirements are listed on the applications.

  • The program starts Friday, July 28 - Monday, Aug 7, 2023

2023 NATIONAL YOUTH SCIENCE CAMP (NYSCAMP) - FREE 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2023

The 2023 National Youth Science Camp (NYSCamp) is scheduled to be held from June 19, 2023, to July 12, 2023, with a hybrid model. The first five days are virtual and the remaining days of the camp are in-person at Camp Pocahontas in West Virginia. Two delegates per state will be selected by representatives of their governor’s office to attend the camp. Housing, meals, transportation, and supplies are provided to participants at no cost.

PAYS POMONA COLLEGE ACADEMY FOR YOUTH SUCCESS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 6, 2023

The Pomona College Academy for Youth Success (PAYS) enrolls over 90 local high school students and seeks to support them in preparing for admission to selective and highly selective colleges and universities.  PAYS scholars engage in a thought-provoking combination of courses, cultural events, workshops, projects and field trips during the intensive 4-week, residential program as well as throughout the academic year.

  • Ninth graders attending high school in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

  • There is no cost for participation in PAYS. Pomona College covers all costs including housing, food, activities, and transportation to field trips. Students will only be required to bring basic school supplies, such as pencils and paper.

COMPUTER SCIENCE TUITION FREE 4-WEEK RESIDENTIAL SUMMER PROGRAM - HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS -  CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2023

The 2023 summer program is a four-week residential experience on the Carnegie Mellon campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 

  • Must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Students who are registered with DACA are also eligible.

  • Must be a current sophomore or junior in high school at the time of application submission.

 APPLY TODAY!!

THE SUMMER ACADEMY FOR MATH AND SCIENCE (SAMS) TUITION FREE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY - APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 15, 2023

The Summer Academy for Math and Science will consist of 2 parts:

PART 1: Part one of the SAMS program will occur prior to the start of the residential program (dates to be determined). This will be a virtual jumpstart for participants, focusing on some skill-building that will be needed for the in-person program. During this time the program will be connecting virtually for portions of these days, but students will not be needed for full days.  

PART 2: Part two of the SAMS program will be a 5 week, in-person Pre-College program. Students will move into the residence halls on July 1st, and the first day of classes will be July 3rd. SAMS Scholars will be in courses and meetings for full days during the 5-weeks they are here. The academic portion of the program will conclude with the symposium on Friday, August 4th and students will move out of the residence halls on August 5th.

SAMS is a fully funded, merit-based program. There is no cost for scholars to participate. 

  • Must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

  • Must be a junior in high school at the time of application submission.

APPLY TODAY!!

NATIONAL SUMMER TRANSPORTATION INSTITUTE - FREE TWO-WEEK SUMMER DAY CAMP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - 7TH TO 9TH GRADE STUDENTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2023

This free two-week summer day camp at the University of Minnesota will introduce you to the many aspects of the transportation field.

  • Go behind the scenes on exciting field trips around the Twin Cities to places like an airport, transit facility, construction site, or maintenance facility and more. 

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY  AGRITREK/SCITREK AND AGDISCOVERY SUMMER 2023 RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE MARCH 31, 2023

The AgriTREK/SciTREK Summer Institute and AgDiscovery Summer Program are two-week residential programs that create an awareness of the educational opportunities that are available in Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics (STEAM) for 9th to 12th graders.
How much does it cost to attend?
The AgriTREK/SciTREK Summer Institute and the AgDiscovery Summer Program are both FREE programs.  Participants receive a small stipend (up to $200) to help defray the costs of travel to the program location (Tuskegee University).

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES SUMMER SESSION (BOSS) SMEAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY TUITION FREE SUMMER 2023 PROGRAM - HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: MARCH 31, 2023

BOSS is a two-week in-person program held on Penn State's University Park campus for high school students interested in pursuing a business education in college. It’s an opportunity for these students to take college prep and business fundamentals courses taught by Penn State faculty
Who is eligible?
The BOSS Program is for students who are entering 12th grade and have a strong interest in pursuing a business education at the college level.

CONSIDER ENGINEERING HIGH SCHOOL FREE PROGRAM - APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 15, 2023

Consider Engineering is a challenging and rewarding four-day summer program for high school juniors to get a taste of college life and what it takes to be an engineer.

Be one of 108 students from Maine and around the U.S. invited to spend four days at the University of Maine participating in exciting engineering experiments, 

2023 Program Dates: July 9-12, July 16-19 or July 23-26 

DONAGHEY COLLEGE OF STEM - TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING INSTITUTE
UA LITTLE ROCK - 8TH TO 11TH GRADERS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2023

The Transportation Engineering Institute is a fun and interactive two-week residential program for high school students that permits exploration of various transportation fields and careers (land, water, air, and safety)

Current 8th-11th graders who are Arkansas residents 

Engineering Scholars Program 

Engineering Scholars Program is to increase the number of students entering engineering programs in Arkansas through exposure to hands-on engineering projects, plant trips, and interaction with industry engineers. In addition, the one-week residential summer program includes counseling and advising sessions to assist students in preparing for college.

Current 8th-11th graders interested in engineering.

Windstream Girls CODE 

The objective of this outreach initiative is to motivate academically prepared females to enter the fields of computer science, information science, or web design. This one-week residential camp is for rising 8th and 9th grade students. In addition to hands-on instruction, students will attend seminars featuring female professionals to learn more about opportunities available for females in computer and information science

All programs are under one Application: Apply Today! - Application Deadline: April 30, 2023

FREE - NORTHROP GRUMMAN SUMMER ENGINEERING CAMP AT USC - ELEMENTRY STUDENTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2023

The Northrop Grumman Summer Engineering Camp at USC is a camp in which current 5th, 6th, and 7th grade students explore aerospace, civil, electrical, environmental and mechanical engineering with hands-on activities such as rockets, circuits, bridges and robots. Students also explore computer science by learning to code and write apps.

FREE - ENERGY OF STEM SUMMER CAMPS - ELEMENTARY/HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2023 

During the camps, students will have the opportunity to explore concepts around Aerodynamics, Physics, Coding, Energy, Electronics and more! 

There will be two Energy of STEM tracks offered this summer:

  • Upper elementary track (grades 3-5; max 18 students)

  • High school track (grades 9-12; max 20 students)

PROJECT PAYLOAD SUMMER PROGRAM MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FREE STEM PROGRAM - APPLICATION DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2023

During this program, middle school students will authentically experience science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through rocket design, payloads, satellites, and Arduino programming. 

Date: July 17 to July 28, 2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Where: USC Main Campus

Who: Middle school (rising 6th, 7th, and 8th graders)

 AVIATION WORKFORCE SUCCESS MINI-CAMP - PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY - NO COST TO ATTEND : SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 2023 AT 8:00 AM UNTIL SUNDAY, MARCH 26, 2023 AT 3:30 PM - 9TH TO 12TH GRADERS - HOUSING NOT PROVIDED. REGISTER TODAY!!

At Aviation Workforce Success Mini-Camp, you'll dive into the growing opportunities within the field of aviation maintenance.  After checking in at the Lumley Aviation Center, you'll spend the weekend learning what it takes to earn a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate. You'll also fly through the labs where Penn College students tear down and repair engines. You'll check out the electrical aspects and specialty instruments. Learn about composite and sheet metal materials used in the fabrication and repair of aircraft structures and try your hand at bending, forming, and riveting sheet metal. Wait, you'll also cruise through the hangar which houses 20 planes.

 AVIATION WORKFORCE SUCCESS MINI-CAMP - PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY -SATURDAY, APRIL 29, 2023 AT 8:00 AM UNTIL SUNDAY, APRIL 30, 2023 AT 3:30 PM - NO COST TO ATTEND : HOUSING NOT PROVIDED. REGISTER TODAY!!

At Aviation Workforce Success Mini-Camp, you'll dive into the growing opportunities within the field of aviation maintenance.  After checking in at the Lumley Aviation Center, you'll spend the weekend learning what it takes to earn a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic Certificate. You'll also fly through the labs where Penn College students tear down and repair engines. You'll check out the electrical aspects and specialty instruments. Learn about composite and sheet metal materials used in the fabrication and repair of aircraft structures and try your hand at bending, forming, and riveting sheet metal. Wait, you'll also cruise through the hangar which houses 20 planes.

NATIONAL AIR SPACE MUSEUM- S.H.E CAN STEAM FREE 2023 AVIATION CAMP 

6TH -9TH GRADE - AK, DC, MD, VA

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2023

Women and minorities remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) fields. With the support of the Walton Family Foundation and the DaRin Butz Foundation, S.H.E. Can STEAM Summer Camp provides services to local and underrepresented communities in the Arkansas, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia,


This camp will introduce your children to the science of flight and exposing them to the diverse careers in aviation. They will receive hands-on flight instruction on FAA certified simulators. take off on a 30-minute discovery flight with a local flight school. visit Air Traffic Control facilities like Dulles Tower, Potomac TRACON, and the Air Traffic Control Center, Explore an aircraft mechanical school and more,


For New Explorers, campers must be in grades six through eight.


For Returning Explorers, campers must be in grades seven through nine


All Explorers with a passion for learning and aviation are asked to submit an application. Campers should live in DC, Maryland, Virginia, or Arkansas. See more requirements in the application.

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