8 Camps for Middle School Students in California
Summer camps allow middle school students to explore new interests, develop valuable skills, and step outside the traditional classroom setting. These experiences not only promote personal growth but also help you build a strong foundation for your academic future. Whether in STEM, the humanities, or the arts, early exposure to various fields through camps can positively impact a student’s high school trajectory and college applications.
Here are 8 camps for middle school students in California!
Young Scientists Camp, held at California State University Long Beach, offers a two-week program for 2nd-8th grade students. Past topics have included specialized courses like “CSI: Long Beach” for those entering 5th/6th grade where you study crime scenes and solve mysteries using fingerprints, hair and fiber analysis, chromatography, chemistry, and more.
2025’s camp topic explores the exciting world of ocean science, where 5th/6th grade students will dive into marine biology, physics, chemistry, and geology to understand the mysteries of waves, tides, water, salinity, and more! Campers also get to take field trips, work in college science labs, and are guided by local teachers and future CSULB educators in a safe and engaging learning environment.
Location: California State University, Long Beach, CA
Cost: $500 per student with a $25 sibling discount
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025
Camp Dates: July 14–25
Eligibility: Students grade 2 to 8
The Sally Ride Science Academy offers a summer camp for middle school students (grades 3–12) focused on STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The camp includes workshops on topics like space exploration, marine biology, and computer programming.
You can choose from week-long courses with morning and afternoon sessions, or opt for asynchronous courses that you can complete at your own pace over four weeks. The program also highlights stories of women working in STEAM fields. Academic credits are available — 1.50 for week-long courses and 4.0 for asynchronous ones.
Location: University of California, San Diego, or virtual
Cost: $175-$450; financial aid is available.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in April/May.
Camp Dates: July 7— July 25
Eligibility: Students entering 3rd - 12th grade.
3. Camp SEA Lab
Camp SEA Lab offers both Day and Overnight Camp programs this summer for middle school students in California. In Day camps, including Stewards of the SEA, Beach Biology and Breakers, and Ocean Forest Odyssey, you get to try out snorkeling, surfing, and kayaking.
Overnight camps such as Kelp Forest Quest, Keepers of the Coast, and Curious Creatures of the Bay offer deeper exploration of marine life, conservation, and scientific studies. Here, you get to go whale watching or monitor tide pools. All programs require swimming ability and provide opportunities for scholarships and sibling discounts.
Location: Monterey, CA
Cost: $595 for each day camp. $1,450 for each of the overnight camps.
Application Deadline: Rolling
Camp Dates: Multiple week-long sessions are offered in June and July.
Eligibility: Students aged 8–15 (Day Camps); aged 10–16 (Overnight Camps).
Nueva Summer’s Camp offers a multidisciplinary program for middle school students, focusing on literature, art, debate, design thinking, engineering, and math. The camp is designed for high-ability learners and follows Nueva’s “learn by doing” approach. Each week offers hands-on activities, games, and opportunities to explore academic interests in depth with Nueva teachers. Camps will be held at the Hillsborough campus from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with lunch provided. Early Day and Extended Day options are available for an additional fee.
Location: The Nueva School, Hillsborough, CA
Cost: $850/week.
Application Deadline: Registration opens on March 1 for Nueva families and March 3 for the general public. Registration will close one week before each camp.
Camp Dates: Various week-long camps starting June 23, June 30, July 7, July 14, & July 21.
Eligibility: Students in grades 5–8 can apply.
The Marine Science Institute’s Summer Marine Science Camp provides middle school students the opportunity to explore the rich marine life of the San Francisco Bay Area through hands-on experiences. In small cohorts, you will participate in various activities such as interacting with live animals, using scientific collection equipment, and conducting field studies on local marine habitats.
The camp also includes boat trips aboard research vessels, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in real-world settings. Daily lessons are designed to foster environmental stewardship, with interactive games, crafts, and themed activities to help you connect with marine science.
Location: Redwood City, CA
Cost: $860 — $865 depending on program (Scholarships available).
Application Deadline: Opens on Feb 4.
Camp Dates: Jun 9 — Aug 8
Eligibility: Students in grades K-8 can participate.
Ojai Valley School offers a variety of sleep-away summer camps in Southern California for students ages 8–15, with options across subjects like performing arts, outdoor activities, equestrian training, robotics, flight, fine arts, and English language. These camps are held on two campuses in the scenic Ojai Valley, providing an opportunity to build friendships with peers from around the world while exploring different interests. With a focus on personal growth and hands-on learning, you can choose between two 3-week sessions or one 6-week session for both resident and day campers, running from June to August.
Location: Ojai Valley School, Ojai, CA
Cost: From $1650 to $9640. Breakdown of costs here.
Application Deadline: TBA
Camp Dates: Multiple 3 and 6-week options from June to August.
Eligibility: Middle school students are eligible to apply for certain camps.
The University of California, San Diego offers a variety of summer camps for middle school students, covering areas such as programming, robotics, engineering, filmmaking, and animation. While these camps were not operational in 2024, they are returning for 2025. The programs provide an introduction to coding, 3D modeling, and engineering principles, as well as opportunities to explore more creative fields.
For example, the “Beginning Robotic Adventures with LEGO EV3 & SPIKE PRIME” program introduces robotics through teamwork and problem-solving. Alternatively, camps like “Introduction to Filmmaking Boot Camp” and “Creating Awesome Stop Motion Animation” allow you to explore storytelling, filming, and animation techniques. Here is the list of past camps!
Location: University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA
Cost: Varies for different camps; financial aid is available.
Application deadline: Registrations open February 15, deadline unspecified.
Camp dates: 4-day camps in June-July
Eligibility: Varies for different camps, click here for specific details on programs and eligibility.
Camp Kala offers a creative and engaging summer experience for middle school students, with week-long camps focused on various art forms such as painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, and digital photography. Led by experienced teaching artists from the Kala Art Institute, the camps provide a hands-on approach to learning, with small class sizes that ensure individual attention and a supportive environment.
Throughout the program, you’ll have the chance to explore new artistic skills, collaborate with peers, and celebrate your work in a fun, safe space. Camp Kala is a great opportunity to develop your creativity and artistic abilities during the summer.
Location: Kala Art Institute, Bay Area, CA
Cost: $465/week for 5-day camps and $372/week for 4-day camps. Tuition assistance is available.
Application Deadline: TBA
Camp Dates: June 9 – August 8
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 6–17 years can apply.
One more option - The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program
The Lumiere Junior Explorer Program is a program for middle school students to work one-on-one with a mentor to explore their academic interests and build a project they are passionate about. Our mentors are scholars from top research universities such as 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, 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!
Disclaimer: The program above is not a traditional summer camp, but allows students to apply, and do research with professors/PhD students from prestigious universities.