Even if your child is just finishing middle school, it’s not
too early to start thinking about what comes after high school. College is on
the horizon, and the opportunity to start learning about potential schools and
developing the skills necessary to succeed is now.
For our oldest child, Andrew, a little time spent over the
summer at a William & Mary camp proved inspiring when he was just entering
high school. In addition to giving him the opportunity to explore what it’s
like to live away from home for a week, it also gave him an opportunity to go
deeper into what he thought at the time he wanted to do – astronomy – and
discover a new field that inspired him to pursue his passion – Languages.
Not every camper will experience that dramatic a turnaround,
but they will be exposed to a world of ideas and possibilities that they don’t
have access to in high school. Further, working with people who are genuine
experts in their fields gives young minds an appreciation for what it means to
move beyond the obvious to explore the unknown.
Many Virginia universities offer camps tailored to the next
generation of college students, or kids just interested in stretching their
minds. Which one is right for you? Use our guide to help you decide.
Pre-college programs
If your child is college-bound, these programs will give
them a small taste of what’s to come in the classroom. Explore the range of
learning possible, or just relish in the variety of students and ideas you’ll
encounter.
2025
Summer Enrichment Program at the University of Mary Washington
July 13-19
Rising 10th-12th Graders
Cost: $1,200 – covers tuition, room and board, course materials, field trip
transportation, and recreational activities. Fee reductions may be available
for eligible students.
Apply
For a week, students get to explore a range of classes from
photography and the arts, to math and genetics. It’s an opportunity to explore
college life, become familiar with the campus and faculty at UMW, and take
those first tentative steps toward higher education
Northern Virginia Community College Bridge Program
Application Deadline: March 9
For high school juniors and seniors, this free program will
help students decide if a career in engineering technology, data center
operations, information technology, or computer science are right for you.
Pre-Summer
College Institute at Virginia State University
Dates Not Provided
Cost: Not Provided
The Summer Transportation Institute is a four-week program
for students interested in pursuing a career in the expansive world of
transportation. Consult the website for more information.
UVA Advance Pre-College Program
Cost: $6,995
Dates: July 12 – August 8
For highly motivated 11th and 12th graders
Apply
Geared toward academically motivated students, this program
affords students the opportunity to earn up to 6 hours of transferable credits
from the University of Virginia. An excellent opportunity for driven students
preparing to enter college.
Science Programs
Virginia Tech Science Camps
Cost: $1,100 – $1,450 depending on camp selected
Dates: Vary by Program
Apply – Applications close when programs
fill.
Virginia Tech offers four camps that focus on different
aspects of the sciences. Each is geared toward high school students pursuing
careers in these fields. The camps are:
- Explore Science: June 29- July 3, 2025
(rising 7th-8th grade); July 13-17, 2025 (rising 9th-10th grade). Offers
hand-on experiences in a range of science disciplines. - Data Science to Solve Real World Problems:
July 6-12, 2025 (rising 11th-12th grade). Students learn to build and
use a simple computer cluster and work on a problem of interest to them. - Explore Physical Science: July 20-25, 2025
(rising 11th-12th grade). Solar energy, nanoscience, and chemistry are
just some of the topics students will explore. - Explore Life Science: June 22-27, 2025
(rising 11th-12th grade). Neuroscience, bacteriology, and ecology as
some topics that participants will work in.
For the Younger Set
Virginia
Institute of Marine Science
Costs: None – the camps are free
Applications, Dates: Available early
March
Children in grades 3 through 8 attend day camps named:
- Bay
Buddies (rising 3rd and 4th Grade) - Chesapeake
Champions (rising 5th and 6th Grade) - Estuary
Explorers (rising 7th and 8th Grade)
High School students attend a two-day training, and then
serve as a junior counselor at one of the three aforementioned camps.
