High school students interested in attending summer programs know that taking the time to continue their education, while many of their peers are merely relaxing, will help them rise above their competition for university admissions.
With programs in STEM fields, arts, medicine, and leadership available across the state, Georgia high school students are sure to find a program matched to their interests and goals.
Students who wish to attend an enrichment program over the summer will find many programs available in Georgia.
Choosing one or two from the many options may be daunting. With this in mind, we have put together a list of 10 of the best summer programs available to high school students in Georgia.
Jewelry and Metal Working Summer Youth Camp at UGA
The Center for Continuing Education and Hotel at the University of Georgia offers students from ages 14 to 19 the opportunity to learn the basics of working metal and making jewelry at the Lamar Dodd School of Art’s Thomas Street Complex in Athens.
The camp provides students the chance to create artistic works in metal under the direction of one of the University of Georgia’s instructors at the Lamar Dodd School of Art.
The instructor, Demitra Thomloudis, has her work displayed in museums across the world and has a background in goldsmithing and metalworking, in addition to her role as an assistant professor.
Students can attend the program as a day camp or as a residential camp.
SAT Summer Institute at UGA
The University of Georgia’s Center for Continuing Education and Hotel offers its SAT Summer Institute to students who wish to increase their preparedness for the SAT through a course designed by SAT question writers.
Sessions are offered from June to August and deliver a minimum of 16 hours of classroom instruction along with access to online resources, practice tests, and reviews of subjects measured by the test.
Students looking for more instruction can choose to attend the “Ultimate” version of the program. This version includes 14 hours of instruction in the classroom and 10 additional hours of proctored practice tests.
Pre-College Program at Emory University
Emory University offers students currently in the 10th and 11th grades the opportunity to get a head-start on their college careers by enrolling in its pre-college program over the summer.
Students may choose to enroll in one college-level class in each of two in-person sessions and learn alongside undergraduate students for college credit.
Students must be at least 15 years old by the beginning of their session and must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in order to be eligible to enroll.
Additional requirements include a $70 application fee, submission of high school transcripts and standardized test scores, a letter of recommendation, and an application questionnaire.
iD Tech Camp at Emory University
The iD Tech Camp held on the campus of Emory University offers students interested in robotics, game development and design, and coding several week-long camps covering topics such as artificial intelligence, coding, robotics, and virtual reality.
Camp instructors are recruited from elite universities such as Caltech, Stanford, and NYU, and many are also employees at major tech companies like Airbnb and Bethesda Softworks.
iD Tech offers scholarships for qualifying students and works with several other partners to assist as many students as possible.
Savannah College of Art and Design Summer Seminars
The Savannah College of Art and Design offers freshmen, sophomores, and juniors in high school interested in arts and design a series of week-long seminars at its Savannah and Atlanta Campuses.
The Atlanta campus offers three sessions over the summer, while the Savannah campus offers four sessions.
Students can live on campus or commute to the campus and will participate in one workshop in the morning and one workshop in the afternoon.
Workshop topics range from game design to fashion and from photography to sculpture.
Students who excel both artistically and academically may qualify for scholarships to offset the program’s costs.
21CL’s EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century
A Georgia organization founded by company executives to promote diversity and leadership in the state, 21st Century Leaders offers students interested in the environment and leadership its EarthCare: The Leadership Challenge for the 21st Century program.
The program is held at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, GA.
Students in the program will participate in workshops, roundtables with business leaders from Georgia Power Foundation, and team-building exercises.
Students entering the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades with a strong interest in STEM fields, the environment, and leadership challenges are eligible to apply for the week-long residential program.
Students must have a teacher, mentor, or employer submit a recommendation form as part of the application process. Unlike many summer camps and programs, there is no cost to attend the camp.
21CL’s Healthcare and IT Institute
21CL’s Healthcare and IT Institute offers students interested in healthcare and related IT fields the opportunity to explore the industry in a week-long residential program on a college campus.
The program is open to students entering the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades. Applicants must submit the online application with short essay answers as well as a recommendation from a mentor, teacher, or employer.
Students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge about the corporate and business operations of the industry as they network with professionals and work with like-minded peers. Admission to the program also requires students to undergo a virtual interview.
The program costs $395, and financial aid is available to students who qualify. Students will be notified of admission into the program in April.
21CL’s Summer Youth Leadership Institute
The Summer Youth Leadership Institute provided by 21st Century Leaders and held at Emory University offers students entering the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades the chance to explore the world of business over a week-long program where they can interact and learn from industry professionals.
Students will stay on campus and network with peers as they develop critical leadership skills.
Students apply online and must submit a recommendation from an educator or work supervisor. Additionally, students will need to participate in a virtual interview before being accepted into the program.
CDC Museum Disease Detective Camp
Students interested in healthcare, medicine, diseases, or public health will be excited to attend the Disease Detective Camp administered by the CDC’s Museum. The camp is open to students entering their junior or senior years.
The CDC Museum offers two week-long sessions of day camp experiences and activities. Some of the subjects explored at the camp are epidemiology, environmental health, public health law, and emergency preparedness.
Applicants must submit a recommendation from a teacher or counselor as well as answers to the application’s short essay questions. Each session only has 30 slots available, so the admission process is competitive.
Students do not have to live in Atlanta or Georgia in order to attend the camp, but they will be responsible for their own transportation and housing needs. Other than the costs of travel and housing, the camp is free to those who are admitted.
Morehouse School of Medicine S.T.E.A.M. Academy 9-12
The Morehouse School of Medicine offers its S.T.E.A.M. Academy to students in the 9th through 12th grades interested in medicine and laboratory research in the field. The in-person program lasts six weeks.
This program is part of Morehouse School of Medicine’s efforts to increase access to and diversity in medicine and biomedical research while immersing students in laboratory research methods and preparing students for further education in the field.
Students who wish to attend must have at least a 3.0 GPA, complete the online application, and submit a copy of their most recent report card, two letters of recommendation, and a letter describing their interest in the field and the research conducted at Morehouse. The in-person session of the program costs $800.
