2026 Summer Opportunties

Arts, Creativity, and Performing Arts

Central Wisconsin School of Ballet (ages 3 to 22) ~ Offers training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and musical theater with professional instructors and guest artists


Children's Theater of Madison (PreK to 12th graders) ~ Exploration of performing arts, including arts, singing, and stage performance, in a supportive and creative environment


Graphic Novels Writing Camp  (3rd to 8th graders) ~ Combines writing and illustration for students to create their own graphic novels


High School Writing Camps  (9th to 12th graders) ~ Intensive programs for high school students to enhance writing, storytelling, and literary analysis skills


John Michael Kohler Arts Center (ages 7 to 12) ~ Offers a hands-on summer experience where they create mixed-media art, explore performing arts, and enjoy outdoor play in a creative, collaborative environment

Madison Museum of Contemporary Art  (ages 3+) ~ Free outdoor art-making programs that travel to parks, playgrounds, beaches, and festivals around Dane County, offering guided creative projects led by museum educators


Midwest Clay Project (ages 6+) ~ Provides ceramics-focused summer programs where students can develop skills in handbuilding, wheel-throwing, and glazing in a creative, hands-on setting


Monroe Street Fine Arts Center  (ages 3 to 14) ~ Offers summer art camps with hands-on activities for young artists, fostering creativity and artistic exploration in a fun, supportive environment


Young Shakespeare Players ~ Theater camp where students develop acting, stagecraft, and performance skills while performing scenes from Shakespeare and other plays


Youth Press Corps  (7th to 12th graders) ~ Gives students hands-on experience in journalism, including reporting, writing, and producing content for a youth-led publication


Wausau Conservatory of Music  (5th to 12th graders) ~ Music camps where students build musical skills, gain confidence, and collaborate with peers through hands-on music activities and performances

Enrichment Programs

Center for Advanced Academics (3rd to 8th graders) ~ Offers enrichment and acceleration opportunities across multiple subjects for gifted and talented students


EAGLE Summer Camps (1st to 9th graders) ~ Offers broad enrichment programs, including arts, languages, chess, Science Olympiad, speech and debate, musical theater, and more


MCDS Summer Discovery (PreK to 7th graders) ~ Offers week-long camps featuring hands-on activities in STEAM, arts, sports, and outdoor exploration that encourage creativity and curiosity


MCDS Summer Research Academy (8th to 12th graders) ~ In-depth one-weekprogram where students explore advanced topics in science and humanities beyond the typical high school curriculum


Northwestern Center for Talent Development (6th to 12th graders) ~ Academic day and residential camps offeringchallenging courses in math, science, writing, and leadership to support gifted and high-achieving students


Pre College Academic Campus Experience (PACE) (UW-Madison) (4th to 8th graders) ~ Exploration in STEM, humanities, and creative arts on campus


SOAR Camp (3rd to 8th graders) ~ Residential summer camp in northern Wisconsin designed specifically for gifted students, offering intellectual, social, and creative challenges in a supportive environment


Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) (UW-Madison) (6th to 8th graders) ~ Designed to bridge the gap between grade levels, offering hands-on experiences in academic and enrichment courses


UW-Madison Precollege Programs (1st to 12th graders) ~ A wide range of academic enrichment programs programs including STEM, humanities, arts, and advanced courses to prepare students for future learning


UW-Oshkosh Precollege Programs ~ Offers summer workshops and camps that provide academic enrichment and hands-on learning experiences for middle and high school students across multiple disciplines

Leadership, Civic, and Career

Madison College Career Discovery Youth Camps (3rd to 12th graders) ~ Allows students to explore academic and career pathways, including STEM, health sciences, trades, and creative fields, helping teens make informed decisions about future studies


Wisconsin Area Health Education Center – Upward Bound Summer Camps (high schoolers) ~ Provides students exposure to healthcare careers through hands-on learning, workshops, and mentorship


Wisconsin Association of Student Councils Leadership Camp (middle and high schoolers) ~ Leadership-focused program for student council members and student leaders, emphasizing team-building, communication, and civic responsibility

Music and Performing Arts

Central Wisconsin School of Ballet (ages 3 to 22) ~ Offers training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, and musical theatre with professional instructors and guest artists


Madison Youth Choir (3rd to 12th graders) ~ Provides choral training, performance opportunities, and vocal development for youth in summer choir programs


UW-Madison Summer Music Clinics (6th to 12th graders) ~ Provides intensive music training, including performance, ensemble work, and music theory instruction


UW-Whitewater Summer Music Camps (middle and high schoolers) ~ Music camps with ensemble participation, private instruction, and performance opportunities for middle and high school students


Wausau Conservatory of Music (5th to 12th graders) ~ Music camps where students build musical skills, gain confidence, and collaborate with peers through hands-on music activities and performances

Nature, Outdoors, and Environmental

Aldo Leopold Nature Center (ages 4 to 16) ~ Offers nature-based day camps where students explore ecology, wildlife, and environmental science through hands-on outdoor activities and interactive learning


Earth Focus Day Camps (UW-Madison Arboretum) (K to 8th grade) ~ Explores environmental science and ecology through hands-on outdoor activities in the arboretum


Hoofers Sailing Summer Youth Programs (ages 10 to 17) ~ Youth sailing programs that teach sailing skills, water safety, and outdoor teamwork for a variety of ages and experience levels


Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources State Parks Youth Programs (ages 3 to 11) ~ Provides outdoor learning experiences in wildlife, ecology, and environmental stewardship at state parks across Wisconsin

STEM, Math, and Science

Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) (UW-Madison) (9th to 12th graders) ~ Advanced courses in a variety of subjects to help build college readiness and academic skills


Badger Pre College Online (UW-Madison) (9th to 12th graders) ~ Virtual summer courses in STEM, humanities, and the arts for students seeking enrichment opportunities


Badger Summer Scholars (UW-Madison) (9th to 12th graders) ~ Residential program offering college-level courses and academic enrichment for motivated high school students


Camp Biotech (BTC Institute) (9th to 12th graders) ~ Provides hands-on biotech laboratory experiences, allowing students to explore DNA, protein analysis, and other advanced topics


Camp Invention (Kindergarten to 6th graders) ~ Hands-on programs where students engage in creative STEM activities like engineering challenges, problem-solving games, and innovation projects


Space Explorers (BTC Institute) (Kindergarten to 12th graders) ~ Exploration of space science, planetary systems, and STEM-based experiments


EAGLE Summer Camps (1st to 9th graders) ~ Offers broad enrichment programs, including arts, languages, chess, Science Olympiad, speech and debate, musical theater, and more


Earth Focus Day Camps (UW-Madison Arboretum) (Kindergarten to 8th graders) ~ Explores environmental science and ecology through hands-on outdoor activities in the arboretum


LEGO® Design and Robotics Academies (ages 4 to 14) ~ Hands-on program for students to learn engineering, coding, and robotics principles through LEGO design challenges and collaborative projects


MAYDM Camps (6th to 12th graders) ~ Offers engaging STEM experiences, including coding, robotics, and engineering challenges


Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Elementary/Middle School Summer Programs (1st to 12th graders) ~ Hands-on STEM camps covering engineering, robotics, coding, and other technical fields for elementary and middle school students


Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) High School Summer Programs (10th to 12th graders) ~ Advanced STEM programs for high school students with projects and workshops in engineering, technology, and problem-solving


Summer STEAM Experience (9th to 12th graders) ~ Explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through project-based learning and collaborative activities


UW-Green Bay Summer Camps ~ Camps in STEM, arts, and sports for students of varying ages, offering hands-on learning and enrichment in academic and creative disciplines


UW-La Crosse Summer Programs (6th to 10th graders) ~ Academic and enrichment camps designed to engage students in STEM, arts, and leadership activities, building knowledge, creativity, and confidence


UW-Madison Precollege Programs (4th to 12th graders) ~ A wide range of academic enrichment programs including STEM, humanities, arts, and advanced courses to prepare students for future learning


UW-Oshkosh Precollege Programs ~ Offers summer workshops and camps that provide academic enrichment and hands-on learning experiences for middle and high school students across multiple disciplines


UW-Platteville Precollege Camps ~ Focuses on engineering and technology, giving students the opportunity to explore STEM topics, work on projects, and gain practical skills in a college environment


UW-River Falls Summer Youth Programs ~ Offers a variety of science, engineering, and arts programs for middle and high school students, providing hands-on learning and enrichment experiences in academic and creative fields


UW-Stout Summer STEAM Experience (6th to 12th graders) ~ Hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) summer program, developing skills through project-based learning and collaborative experiences


UW-Whitewater Summer Precollege Programs ~ Summer academic programs including STEER (STEM), GAPS (sustainability), and music camps, providing hands-on learning in academic and creative fields


Youth Apprenticeship Program in Biotechnology (BTC Institute) (high schoolers) ~ Paid apprenticeship program giving high school students hands-on experience in biotechnology labs and exposure to careers in STEM

Writing, Literature, and Communication

Graphic Novels Writing Camp (3rd to 8th graders) ~ Combines writing and illustration for students to create their own graphic novels


High School Writing Camps (9th to 12th graders) ~ Intensive programs for students to enhance writing, storytelling, and literary analysis skills


Rise Up and Write Camps (middle and high schoolers) ~ Focuses on advanced writing techniques and portfolio development for high school students


Young Writers Camp (3rd to 8th graders) ~ Helps children develop creative writing skills through workshops and peer feedback