How to choose the best summer program for my teen

The final bell rings, the school doors open, and the students cross the threshold for the final time until August or September. Ahhh. The sweet freedom of summer break! For many teens, this vacation offers time to enroll in a summer program or two. So, why should teens spend precious free time taking a summer program? Here are a few reasons.

• Summer programs keep teens’ minds engaged during break, preventing knowledge loss that can happen while school is out. With an enrichment summer program, teens return to class in the fall ready to jump back into learning without spending time catching up.
• Summer programs keep teens active! We live in a world increasingly focused on screens—televisions, computers, tablets, phones—but teens need physical activity to stay healthy. Many summer programs focus on outdoor time, sports, swimming and other physical activities. Summer is the perfect time for getting active.
• Summer programs foster self-assurance and a positive outlook. According to Rustic Pathways, six months after participating in a summer camp or program, students maintained significant growth in self-awareness, a desire to impact others, openness to new experiences, a sense of shared humanity, and wonderment. Three years after participating in a summer program or camp, teens still have an affinity for nature and a willingness to explore new experiences. Teens in a group, team, or program develop individually and collectively—a valuable social and developmental experience.
• Summer programs invite teens to discover new passions.  Unlike the classroom, many programs and summer camps allow teens to select the activities they want to participate in. This choice and responsibility motivate teens and allow them to try something new (with less pressure) and explore something further that they’re already excited about.
• Summer programs benefit families, too. A day program or day camp is a great place for teens to spend their days and a practical option for parents who need a flexible schedule to accommodate their job. While sleep-away camps and residential programs work for some families, they’re not always the right fit for other teens and parents. 

But now, let’s look at some of the questions you can ask as you evaluate summer program options and decide which is best for your teen.

What are the different kinds of summer programs and summer camps?

Summer programs and camps offer a range of experiences, ranging from traditional overnight camps to specialized programs focused on sports, the arts, academics, STEM, and more. Day, international, and summer programs also cater to specific interests like faith-based preferences or special needs. Other summer programs include academic enrichment and pre-college programs designed to help teens prepare for college or explore specific fields.

What are my teen’s interests?

When choosing a summer program, consider your teen’s interests. When a program aligns with their interests, your teen’s more likely to be engaged and motivated to participate actively. Passion fuels learning, and when teens are interested in a subject, they’re more likely to absorb information, ask questions, and develop skills related to that area. Summer programs can offer teens a fantastic opportunity to explore their identities and discover new aspects of themselves. Participating in activities they enjoy can build confidence and self-esteem, contributing to personal growth.

Consider your teen’s short- and long-term goals. If they aspire to attend art school, look for art-focused summer programs. If they’re interested in healthcare, an intensive medical program over the summer could be beneficial. If they want to improve in a specific sport, attending a sports-based summer program might offer the perfect opportunity to polish those skills. Aligning a summer program with your teen’s goals can help them progress toward what they hope to achieve.

Your teen’s personality also influences the type of summer program that will be a good match. An introverted teen might thrive in a smaller, more focused program, while an extroverted teen might enjoy a larger, more social environment. A highly creative teen might prefer an arts-based summer program, while a more analytical teen might enjoy a STEM-focused one. 

How do leadership summer programs differ from regular summer programs?

Leadership summer programs differ from traditional summer programs primarily in their focus and curriculum. While regular summer programs often emphasize a broad range of activities, skill-building in specific areas (like sports, art, or academics), and general enrichment, leadership programs specifically aim to cultivate leadership skills and qualities in their participants.

A leadership summer program presents opportunities for your teen to develop communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, grow their self-awareness, and motivate and inspire others. These programs often include activities to practice those skills, like:

• Workshops and training sessions to teach leadership theories and skills.
• Team-building exercises to encourage collaboration and leadership within a group.
• Problem-solving scenarios where teens must take the initiative and find solutions.
• Mentoring or leading younger participants. 
• Community service projects where teens take charge and make a difference.
• Discussions and reflections to help teens understand their own leadership style and growth.

A leadership summer program aims to empower teens to become effective leaders in their schools, communities, and future endeavors. Ultimately, teens develop tangible leadership skills, increased self-confidence in leadership roles, a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses as leaders, and a greater sense of civic responsibility.

While a traditional summer program might incidentally help teens develop leadership qualities through various activities, a leadership summer program intentionally and directly focuses on leadership development through its curriculum and activities designed to nurture the leader within.

What are the summer program’s stated, measurable goals?

Beyond the fun it offers, a quality summer program should have a clear purpose and quantifiable objectives for participants. These goals may include personal development — like fostering greater self-assurance, intercultural understanding, autonomy, and leadership and collaborative skills. Objectives might include tangible achievements — learning a new skill, earning credentials or college credits, or accumulating community service hours.

Knowing the summer program’s goals will help you decide if the program is right for your teen. Here’s why it matters.

• Understanding the program’s goals allows you to see if they align with what you hope your teen will gain from the experience. This knowledge also helps you make a more informed decision about whether the program is worth investing time and money. 
• The stated goals often reflect the program’s core focus and types of activities offered. A program with a stated goal of enhancing artistic expression probably has a curriculum centered around art projects and techniques, for example. 
• The goals provide a framework for understanding the program’s intended outcomes. If a program’s goal is to build leadership skills, you can expect activities designed to foster these abilities.

How will the summer program help my teen achieve their goals?

Summer programs are an excellent way to help your teen achieve goals by providing opportunities for skill development, focused time and resources, networking and mentorship, and more.

• Summer programs focused on STEM, writing, debate, and specific career fields, for example, can provide foundational knowledge, practical skills, and insights relevant to your teen’s future academic or career aspirations. Arts programs offer intensive training, mentorship, and opportunities to hone their creative talents and build a portfolio. 
  
• Summer offers more concentrated time to dedicate to a specific area of interest without the distractions and responsibilities of the regular school year. Summer programs provide structured time, expert instruction, and resources that might not otherwise be available. For example, a summer engineering program hosted at a local university might give teens access to labs and equipment unavailable at their high school.
  
• Many summer programs connect teens with instructors, mentors, and peers who share similar interests or are further along in their academic journey or careers. These connections can provide valuable guidance, inspiration, and networking opportunities.
  
• Successfully completing a challenging summer program can boost a teen’s confidence and belief in themselves. Witnessing their progress and receiving positive feedback can fuel their motivation to pursue their goals further.
  
• Some programs allow teens to dive deeper into specific aspects of their interests that they might not have a chance to explore during the school year. This more granular engagement might solidify their passion and provide a clearer direction for what to study in college or what career to choose.
  
• Even summer programs not directly aligned with a specific goal can help teens develop transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, time management, communication, and resilience, which are crucial for reaching any goal in school, college, and career.

Does the summer program encourage personal growth?

A summer program designed to encourage and provide opportunities for personal growth will have the following characteristics. It should allow teens to make their own decisions, manage their time, and take on responsibilities without consistent parental guidance, which fosters self-reliance.

The program should push teens out of their comfort zones by offering new activities, subjects, or situations they haven’t encountered before. It may focus on developing “soft skills” like communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Ask the program director if there are opportunities for teens to reflect on their experiences, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and define and understand their values and goals. Some programs incorporate journaling, discussions, or mentoring to facilitate this development. Other questions to ask:

• Does the program encourage interaction with a diverse group of teens and peers, helping teens develop empathy, social skills, and an understanding of different viewpoints and cultures? 
• Are there counselors or instructors serving as positive role models, offering guidance and support? 
• Does the program create a nurturing space where teens feel comfortable taking risks, making mistakes, and learning from them?

You can often gauge the answers to these questions by reading the program description and learning objectives. Look for keywords like “leadership,” “teamwork,” “personal development,” “skill-building,” “independence,” and “challenge.” Read testimonials or reviews to see what past participants and their parents have said about the program’s impact on personal growth. Contact the program organizers and ask specific questions to learn how the program fosters these qualities.

What’s the difference between academic programs, pre-college programs, traditional camps, and specialty camps?

• Academic summer programs focus primarily on in-depth learning of specific academic subjects to enhance understanding, build skills, and sometimes earn credit. Activities can include lectures, discussions, projects, research, and potentially field trips related to the subject matter. Academic summer programs deepen participants’ knowledge in a particular field, improve academic performance, encourage exploration of new academic areas, and prepare teens for college-level work within a specific discipline. Check out TeenLife’s Academic Summer Programs.
• Pre-college summer programs are designed specifically for introducing high school students to college life and academics and may offer a taste of a specific major or the rigor of higher education. Professors teach mini-courses, often with a project-based learning approach. Some include college readiness elements like essay writing, campus tours, and social activities. These pre-college programs may even offer college credit. Check out TeenLife’s Pre-College Summer Programs.
• Traditional summer camps include a broad range of activities emphasizing outdoor experiences, recreation, arts and crafts, sports, and general social development. Activities can include swimming, hiking, canoeing, team games, skits, rock climbing, ropes courses, and other classic camp activities. The goal of these camps is to provide a fun, engaging summer experience, foster independence, build social skills, encourage exploration and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone, and create a sense of community. Check out TeenLife’s Summer Camps.
• Specialty summer programs typically immerse participants in a specific interest area or skill. Activities could feature intensive training, practice, and projects focused on the specialty (e.g., coding, robotics, performing arts, a specific sport, creative writing). An instructor with expertise in that particular field may lead and teach the classes, lectures and activities. 
  Use the filters to sort TeenLife’s summer program listings by category, subcategory, destination, and more. 

Does the summer program location matter?

Location may be an important deciding factor in choosing a particular summer program. Some locations offer unique opportunities related to your teen’s interests. For example, if your teen is interested in ecology or marine biology, they might thrive in a marine summer program in Costa Rica. If your teen loves the outdoors and mountaineering, a summer program in Colorado might be a perfect fit. 

Summer programs in a different state or country allow your teen to travel, experience a different culture, broaden their horizons, and see where they fit in the world. It’s an exciting possibility that can contribute to personal growth. Conversely, some teens (and families) might prefer a summer program closer to home for comfort, familiarity, or necessity. Proximity to home can impact travel time, cost, and convenience for drop-offs, pick-ups, or potential visits for residential summer programs. A program’s cost of living can also influence your choice, especially if your teen is considering a residential program. 

How much does the summer program cost?

The cost of summer programs can vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of program (day program, residential program, specialty program), duration, location, and activities offered. Here’s a general breakdown of costs.

• Day summer programs tend to be the most affordable, ranging from free offerings from local organizations to more specialized programs costing between $50 and $500+ per week. Some programs, like Summer Springboard, offer discounts for early decision or application.
• Residential summer programs cost more, with weekly rates from $1,000 to $2,000. Some of the more extensive programs, including overseas options, can cost $3,000 to $10,000+, especially for programs longer than a week. Cornell University’s pre-college residential programs cost between $8,399 and $10,239 for a three-week session and $16,754 and up (depending on the number of credits) for a six-week session.
• Specialty summer programs focused on a specific activity can start at $100 but may be $1,000 or more per week. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn, for example, costs $9,000 for a three-week program in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, computer graphics, computer science, nanotechnology, or robotics.
• Pre-college summer programs run the gamut. Some university-hosted two-week programs cost around $3,000, while commuter options may be discounted. Online programs also vary in price. For example, a two-week online program at a university can start at a few hundred dollars, but an entire summer academy can cost $600 or more. For example, UMass Amherst’s summer pre-college program “Reading and Writing the Graphic Novel” is a two-week residential program where students can stay on campus or commute. Residents pay $3,907 and commuters pay $2,262.

Factors influencing the cost include duration, location, specialization, accommodation and meals, and facilities and amenities. You can potentially reduce your costs by booking a program early to take advantage of early registration discounts or payment plans that spread out the cost. Some programs offer financial assistance based on need, too. 

Does the summer program offer financial aid? 

It never hurts to check whether a summer program offers financial aid or scholarships to increase accessibility. Look for sections on the website like “Costs & Aid,” “Financial Aid,” “Scholarships,” or “Tuition Assistance.” These sections provide information about available aid and how to apply. Read the program details. A summer program’s FAQs may mention the availability of financial assistance. Sometimes, the financial aid application is integrated into the general program application or is a separate form you can download and complete. If you can’t find information online, email or call the program organizers to ask!

Some universities and organizations running summer programs specifically mention their commitment to supporting academically ambitious students with a demonstrated financial need. These institutions might offer full or partial funding. Some programs have specific scholarships for students from certain backgrounds or locations. For example, Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Pre-College Programs provided over $278,000 to 81 students who needed financial assistance in 2023, helping offset the cost of its residential summer pre-college program, which is more than $9,900. 

One final tip: If you have more than one teen attending a summer program, ask whether the program offers sibling discounts. 

How long is the summer program?

Summer program length varies considerably. Many are a week, but there are two-, three-, four-, and even more extended sessions. Choose a program that suits you and your teen's schedules.