7 Math Camps for Middle School Students
If you’re a middle school student interested in mathematics, a summer camp could be an exciting way to pursue your interest outside the classroom! Such programs provide a structured environment where students can explore interests, build confidence, and cultivate new passions.
Math camps can strengthen your problem-solving abilities, develop analytical thinking skills, and help you explore high-level mathematics. What’s more, they offer valuable opportunities for personal growth, skill development, and social interaction outside the classroom. Such focused exposure enhances academic performance and prepares you for advanced math courses in high school and beyond!
If you are interested in sharpening your mathematical skills, here are seven camps open to middle school students worth considering:
1. MathPath
Location: Location changes annually; the 2024 camp will be held at the University of Kansas City, MO
Cost: $5950 program fee; need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: TBD for 2025, typically four weeks from June to July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; recommended submission by mid-February for the best chance of acceptance
Eligibility: Students aged 11–14 can apply, provided they turn 11 before the start date and do not turn 15 until after the program ends.
MathPath offers an intensive 4-week summer camp designed for middle school students passionate about mathematics. Here, students engage with advanced topics such as symbolic logic, combinatorics, and induction — subjects typically beyond standard school curricula.
Recent course offerings have included topics like fair division, non-Euclidean geometry, cryptology and codes, heavenly mathematics, origami mathematics, and special relativity! MathPath is a sound opportunity for young math enthusiasts to explore and expand their knowledge in a campus setting.
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost: Varies based on the type of camp selected. $400 for the Half-day camp and $2,000 for the 12-day camp; need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: For the 2025 cohorts, you can expect a 10-day camp in June, and a 12-day camp in July, per this year’s schedule
Application Deadline: Open enrollment. Round 1 applications take place by February; Round 2 applications by March; Round 3 (final round) by April
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 6-8 can apply
Texas State University offers two summer math camps for middle school students. The Junior Summer Math Camps (JSMC) include a half-day option spanning 10 days for students in grades 3–8, and a residential camp lasting 12 days exclusively for middle schoolers. You should apply as soon as possible as this program only has 60 available openings!
Participants benefit from daily math classes led by university professors, engaging study groups, and recreational activities and outings. This program aims to cultivate creative and critical thinking skills, equipping participants for advanced math courses and future careers in STEM fields.
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: Offers a participation fee structure based on family income, between $250 and $1000. More information can be found here
Program Dates: For the 2025 cohorts, you can expect a four-week camp in July. The exact dates are TBD
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 program was April 12, 2024. TBD for 2025.
Eligibility: The program is open to 7-12 grade students from Chicago, the surrounding suburbs, and Northwest Indiana
The University of Chicago’s Young Scholars Program offers middle and high school students a unique opportunity to explore advanced mathematics beyond standard school curricula. Rather than accelerating through the high school curriculum, the program focuses on deepening understanding and fostering problem-solving skills. Each session includes faculty-led lectures, small group problem-solving sessions with undergraduate mentors, and research activities, providing a comprehensive and enriching mathematical education.
In alternating years, the program concentrates on number theory or geometry, tailoring content to the grade level of attendees.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Fees are variable based on the registration date and whether students opt for residential or day camps. Day students pay $2,899 – $3,899 and residential students pay $7,485 – $8,485. More pricing information can be found here
Program Dates: July 6 – July 20, 2024
Application Deadline: Applications remain open until the start date of the camp or seats fill, whichever is earlier
Eligibility: Students aged 9-18; middle school students can apply!
CyberMath Academy’s Summer Math Camp is an exciting and intensive program designed for students eager to enhance their math skills while studying in an Ivy League college. Courses are tailored for advanced 4th to 8th graders, covering algebra, geometry, number theory, and combinatorics.
You will get to solve challenging mathematical problems, puzzles, and ciphers as part of the program, fostering creativity and critical thinking. Guest lectures by researchers and professors from Harvard, MIT, and Stanford complement the curriculum, alongside campus tours of Harvard and MIT. The 2024 camp will take place at the Harvard Faculty Club, with residential accommodations in Harvard Square, immersing you in college life.
Location: Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Cost: $475. Need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: July 29 – August 2, 2024
Application Deadline: Currently accepting applications here. No deadline is specified
Eligibility: Rising grade 5-8 students can apply
The Bard Math Circle CAMP is a non-residential day camp for students entering grades 5–8. Designed for those with a strong grasp of school mathematics, CAMP lets you explore topics beyond the standard school curriculum.
Topics CAMP covers include topology and fractal curves. Through games and other interactive activities, you will learn about the mathematics behind card tricks, the human knot, and more. The program also contains a computer science component to represent concepts in three dimensions.
6. SigmaCamp
Location: Silver Lake Camp and Conference Center, Sharon, CT
Cost: $1,750. Need-based scholarships are available
Application Deadline: The deadline for the 2024 camp was April 15, 2024. TBD for 2025
Program Dates: August 10–17, 2024. TBD for 2025
Eligibility: Middle and high school students aged 12-16 can apply
SigmaCamp is a residential STEM summer camp catering to middle and high school students aged 12–16. SigmaCamp offers a week-long immersive experience where students delve into advanced math and science. Campers attend “Semilabs,” which combine theory and practical lab work into a 1.5-hour session. Graduate students, professors, and scientists from prestigious institutions like MIT, Yale, and Princeton lead sessions. Beyond academics, the camp fosters camaraderie through various non-academic activities like workshops, sports events, and friendly competitions.
Location: Virtual and in-person at Northwestern University, IL
Cost: Varies based on the chosen program and the number of courses selected. Financial aid is available
Program Dates: Varies depending on the program; The three-week camp has two sessions: one in June, and another in July. The one-week camp has three sessions in July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. While the application deadline is not strictly mentioned, you can reference the Summer 2024 dates
Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8 with good academic standing can apply. Learn more about the exact criteria here
Northwestern’s Center for Talent Development (CTD) offers several summer camps and courses that include many math options, some even offering academic credit. Available subjects range from algebra and geometry to specialized courses like Math for Sports, Stock Market, and Mathematical Modeling. You can check out all the math courses offered here. This opportunity is especially beneficial for middle school students, allowing them to advance their math skills and explore diverse subjects, thereby laying a strong foundation for future academic achievements.
One more option — The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a comprehensive program tailored for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests like mathematics while building a project they are passionate about. Students get mentorship from scholars at top research universities like Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale, Duke, and LSE.
The program was founded by a Harvard & Oxford PhD who met as undergraduates at Harvard. The program is rigorous and fully virtual. We offer need-based financial aid for students who qualify. You can find the application in the brochure!
To learn more, you can reach out to our Head of Partnerships, Maya Novak-Herzog, at maya.novak-herzog@lumiere.education or go to our website.
Multiple rolling deadlines for JEP cohorts across the year, you can apply using this application link! If you’d like to take a look at the cohorts + deadlines for 2024, you can refer to this page!
Trisha Malhotra, an Ashoka University alumna, has 5 years of experience being a freelance writer and currently writes for Lumiere Education. She is passionate about music, reading, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as well as a devoted cat parent.
Image Source: MathPath logo