8 Design Camps for Middle School Students
Why wait until high school to start exploring your passions? Summer camps offer middle schoolers the perfect opportunity to dive into fields they’re curious about while building foundational skills. For aspiring designers, these camps are more than just a fun summer activity—they’re an introduction to the world of creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.
Getting early exposure to design not only helps you discover your interests but also equips you with skills that can shine on a high school resume or college application. Whether it’s crafting logos, designing 3D models, or learning the basics of architecture, these camps offer hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and creativity.
In this guide, we’ve curated eight fantastic design camps for middle schoolers. From small cohorts that allow personalized mentorship to dynamic projects and field visits that immerse students in real-world design challenges, these programs are perfect for anyone eager to explore what it means to be a designer. Let’s dive in!
Location: BCS Middle School, Los Altos, CA
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in June and July
Cost: $715695
Eligibility: Rising 6th–9th graders
Application Deadline: Rolling admission
This design camp is for students interested in fashion design. In this program, you will create a complete garment—such as a dress, romper, or jumpsuit—while honing your sewing techniques. You will delve into how historical events and global cultures shape fashion trends and integrate artistic principles into their designs. Whether you’re a beginner or have prior experience, the program builds machine sewing confidence and encourages independent project work. The program culminates in a lively fashion show, where students showcase their creations and practice their runway presentation.
Location: SoHo, New York, NY
Program Dates: June 16 – August 23
Cost: $635/week
Eligibility: Ages 8–12
Application Deadline: N/A
This week-long camp offers young fashion enthusiasts an immersive dive into the world of design and sewing. Each day spotlights a new designer or theme, and guides you through sketching collections, creating patterns, and sewing garments. The experience concludes with a Friday Fabulous Fashion Show where students proudly present their creations.
Spanning ten weeks over the summer, each session highlights a unique theme inspired by legendary fashion houses like Chanel, Gucci, and Alexander McQueen. The camp provides all fabrics and art supplies, while you are required to bring your sewing tools. Sewing machines are available for rent if needed. This program is an ideal blend of creativity and practical skill-building, perfect for budding designers eager to explore the industry.
Location: New York
Program Dates: August 19-23
Cost: Free
Eligibility: 6th–12th graders; priority for underrepresented groups (minority and low-income backgrounds)
Application Deadline: N/A
This program merges architecture, urban design, and hip-hop culture to create a one-of-a-kind learning experience. You’ll explore architectural principles like structure, volume, and site design, all inspired by hip-hop music, lyrics, and themes. You will also work with architects, DJs, dancers, and community activists to design city models, write songs, and produce music videos tied to their visions for social change. You will engage in hands-on design sessions, learn 3D modeling techniques, and collaborate to create a music video based on their architectural projects. It’s open to 6th-12th graders interested in architecture, design, and music.
Location: Knowlton School of Architecture, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Program Dates:
Week 1: June 2 - 6
Week 2: June 9 - 13
Week 3: June 16 - 20
Week 4: June 23 - 27
Week 5: July 7-11
Week 6: July 14-18
Week 7: July 21-25
Cost: $365 (scholarships available)
Eligibility: Grades 3 - 8
Application Deadline: Rolling application
Camp Architecture and Design (CAD) is a one-week program for students in grades 3-8 that introduces them to architecture and design. You will engage in hands-on projects, presentations, and tours, all aimed at fostering creativity and teamwork. Led by experienced directors and supported by counselors from design and architecture programs, the camp takes place at the Knowlton School of Architecture at The Ohio State University.
Location: Otis College of Art and Design, California
Program Dates: June 16-August 8
Cost: Varies based on the program. Click here to see.
Eligibility: Ages 5-14
Application Deadline: Not specifiedN/A
Otis College's Summer Youth Camps offer young creatives ages 5-14 the chance to explore art and creativity through engaging programs at one of the top art and design colleges in the country. These week-long day camps let you learn and experiment with a range of subjects, including drawing, painting, 2D animation, cartooning, graphic design, and more. The camps encourage creativity and collaboration among participants.
Location: Chicago
Program Dates:
July 7-18
July 21-August 1
August 4-15
Cost:
Fall and Spring Course Tuition: $600
Summer 2-Week On-Campus Tuition: $1,260
Eligibility: Age 10-13
Application Deadline: Varies for different programs
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago offers two summer camps for middle school students aged 10-13, with a range of subjects including fashion, animation, drawing, and graphic novels. These camps provide you with the opportunity to dive deep into your areas of interest, gaining both conceptual and technical skills while exploring your creativity.
The Art Institute of Chicago plays a key role in the program, with frequent visits to the museum enriching students' learning experiences. Led by their esteemed faculty, the camps focus on skill-building, concept development, and self-expression, all within a supportive community of creative peers and mentors.
Location: UT Austin, Austin, TX
Program Dates: Varies by camp from June 2 to 30
Cost: $700-$800, depending on the camp
Eligibility: Students grade 8 to 12th grade students
Application Deadline: N/A
These camps cover a variety of creative technologies, from video game design and animation to theme park design and personal branding. You can choose as many camps as you'd like, allowing you to broaden your interests or dive deeper into new ones.
Small class sizes ensure individualized attention, making it a great fit for those new to design or digital tools. There are numerous offerings like developing 2D video games, understanding motion capture systems, and product design. By the end of the week, you'll have portfolio-ready projects, more confidence in your skills, and a taste of college life.
Location: NC State Design Lab, North Carolina
Program Dates: Between July-August
Cost: $750
Eligibility: Grades 6-8
Application Deadline: April 11
Design Camp, organized by the NC State Design Lab for K-12 Education and Outreach, is a pre-college summer program for middle and high school students. This week-long camp, held annually, will introduce you to the field of design. You will learn about design thinking through hands-on 2D and 3D projects, and explore several design disciplines which will be offered at the College of Design. This will allow you to enhance your creative problem-solving skills and visual literacy.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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