15 South Carolina Summer Programs for High School Students

Summer programs are an excellent option for high school students looking to build real-world skills, gain industry exposure, and make valuable connections, often without the steep price tag of traditional summer options. These opportunities allow you to explore career paths, engage in hands-on projects, and immerse yourself in environments that mirror college and professional settings. Whether you’re interested in STEM, the arts, leadership, or research, South Carolina summer programs for high school students offer diverse ways to grow academically and personally.

Why should I do a summer program in high school?

Participating in a summer program as a high school student can provide a significant boost to your college admissions profile, especially when programs involve real work, mentorship, or project presentations. Admissions officers value students who take the initiative to learn beyond the classroom because it demonstrates curiosity, autonomy, and dedication. Summer experiences also help clarify academic and career interests early, build practical skills in fields like research, engineering, writing, or leadership, and can open doors to professional networks. On top of that, many programs offer opportunities to work with peers from varied backgrounds as an excellent way to develop teamwork, communication skills, and cultural awareness before college.

To help you navigate the options, we’ve narrowed down 15 South Carolina summer programs for high school students, ranging from rigorous research experiences to hands-on academic camps.

Check out other programs for high-school students in South Carolina here!

1. University of South Carolina’s Carolina Master Scholars Adventure Series

Location: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Cost: $675–$750 (commuter), $1,150–$1,250 (residential) depending on registration date; partial scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 20 students
Dates: June 7–12; June 21–26; July 5–10; July 12–17
Application Deadline: Currently rolling
Eligibility: 9-12 grade students 

Hosted by the University of South Carolina, the program offers courses ranging from STEM and law to game design and medicine, with the option to enroll in one intensive course per week. During each course, you will participate in workshops, academic instruction, social programming, and a final presentation. For instance, the Graphic Design and Content Creation course covers zine production fundamentals like sketching, inking, layout design, sequencing, and printing techniques, allowing you to create your own zine by the end of the session.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

3. South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities Summer Programs - Creative Writing 

Location: Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville, SC
Cost: $1,400; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 14–26
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until January 10
Eligibility: South Carolina residents currently in 7th, 8th, or 9th grade during the application school year

The South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities (SCGSAH) Creative Writing Summer Program is an immersive, residential arts experience designed to provide pre-professional writing training to middle and high school students (7th–9th grade) living in South Carolina. In this program, young writers develop their skills in poetry and fiction by participating in the following activities: daily workshops led by published authors, constructive and supportive critique, broadening their knowledge of contemporary writers, engaging with reading materials to expand their critical vocabulary, and presenting their work in a public reading. You also benefit from one-on-one feedback sessions that help refine your voice and strengthen your writing techniques.

4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically, 1:1 mentor-student ratio
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Spring, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)

Founded by Harvard and Oxford researchers, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective 12-week remote initiative where you work one-on-one with a PhD mentor to conduct independent research. You can explore a wide variety of subjects spanning the broad categories of STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences. During your journey, you will collaborate with your mentor to pinpoint a research question, draft a comprehensive academic paper, and present your findings at a graduation symposium. The program stands out by offering personalized guidance from top-tier academics alongside the unique chance to earn university credit or pursue a journal publication. Ultimately, you will walk away with sharpened skills in critical thinking, data analysis, problem-solving, and academic writing. Apply now!

5. Clemson University Summer Scholars Program - Biotechnology and Public Health

Location: Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities, Greenville, SC
Cost: $1,400; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 21–26; July 19–24
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th - 12th grade students

The Clemson University Summer Scholars Biotechnology and Public Health program is a one-week, residential summer camp, where students will explore the concepts of biotechnology. The camp will allow opportunities to investigate how biotechnology couples with biomolecular and cellular processes to develop products and technologies that help improve the health of our planet and, ultimately, our lives. You will engage in hands-on activities and experiments that demonstrate real-world applications of biotechnology in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and environmental science. You will also learn about current innovations and ethical considerations in the field, gaining a broader perspective on how biotechnology impacts society.

6. Presbyterian College’s School of Pharmacy Summer Camp

Location: Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC
Cost: $400 to stay on campus; $200 for commuters
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 14–20
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Presbyterian College's School of Pharmacy Summer Camp is a week-long, hands-on, immersive experience that allows high school students to explore careers in pharmacy and healthcare by working alongside professionals in labs, pharmacies, and patient rooms. Each day focuses on a different area of pharmacy, with labs and activities led by faculty in biomedical science, pharmacy, and medicinal chemistry. You will get to conduct experiments, record data, analyze results, and explore the impact of pharmacy on patient health and society. You keep a notebook and present results using graphs and calculations. 

7. Furman University’s Young Artist Vocal Experience

Location: Furman University, Greenville, SC
Cost: Resident: $700 Commuter: $580; Private lessons: $40 per half hour session
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 21–26
Application Deadline: June 7
Eligibility: Talented singers ages 14–18 who can bring two performance-ready works and 3–4 additional works for study

The Young Artist Vocal Experience is a one-week summer workshop for high school singers interested in refining their vocal artistry. During the program, you will study a range of styles, including musical theater, opera, art song, sacred music, and oratorio, under the guidance of Furman University faculty and alumni. Daily instruction includes voice classes, acting, masterclasses, faculty recitals, and special topic sessions. You can also opt for private voice lessons for focused instruction. You will perform in a final student recital, giving you some performance experience.

8. Partners for Mentoring in Engineering and Computer Science

Location: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
Cost: Minimal to no cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; up to 120 students
Dates: Week 1: June 7–12; Week 2: June 21–26
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th-grade gifted minority and underrepresented students

The Partners for Mentoring in Engineering and Computer Science (PMECS) program is a summer technical workshop that exposes high school students to STEM disciplines through hands-on applications, mentoring, and academic enrichment to inspire them to pursue college degrees in engineering and computer science. Topics include robotics, fluid mechanics, and design competitions, often concluding with collaborative projects and presentations. You work in teams to solve real-world engineering problems, helping them develop critical thinking and technical skills. The program also includes guidance from faculty and exposure to university labs, giving participants a glimpse into college-level engineering education.

9. Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing - Chemical Engineering Camp 

Location: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Cost: Early Bird $675; Regular $700; Late $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15–19
Application Deadline: June 8
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th grade students 

The Chemical Engineering Camp is an immersive, hands-on summer program that introduces high school students to the field by having them use real modeling software, conduct lab experiments, and apply science and math to design sustainable energy systems and flexible materials. Throughout the week, you will get hands-on experience in university labs and explore topics like clean energy, sustainable materials, bio-inspired polymers, batteries, renewable energy systems, and even the science behind coffee extraction. You will work alongside faculty and current students to see what studying chemical engineering in college really looks like, while learning about research opportunities and career paths in the field. 

10. University of South Carolina - Adventures in Engineering 

Location: University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.
Cost: Residential: $1,150 - $1,250 + $25 lab fee; Commuter: $675 - $750 + $25 lab fee; limited, need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically limited to 20 students
Dates: June 21–26
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th grade students who are academically talented/gifted 

Adventures in Engineering is a week-long pre-university summer camp at the University of South Carolina that allows academically talented high school students to explore various engineering fields through hands-on activities in university labs. Throughout the week, you’ll gain a clearer picture of what it means to earn a degree in one of these fields. Your adventure will include hands-on activities and building sessions in university labs in each area of engineering, so you can personally experience how each field is unique and fascinating. This experience will help you decide which area of engineering you want to pursue.

11. University of South Carolina — USC Summer Seniors

Location: University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, South Carolina
Cost/Stipend: $100 program fee (waivable for TRIO program participants or those holding a Common App, NACAC, College Board, or ACT fee waiver)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited space per session
Dates: Session 1: July 8–11; Session 2: July 15–18
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors in South Carolina; priority given to residents of rural areas or small towns in South Carolina, students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, and first-generation college students

In this camp, you spend four days and three nights living on the University of South Carolina's Columbia campus, experiencing residential college life while preparing for the admissions process as a rising senior. You participate in College Search Series sessions, take guided campus and academic college tours, and explore majors and support offices at the Academic Information and Student Services Fair. You join peer group discussions led by current USC student counselors, attend a financial aid and scholarships session with your family, and take part in the Summer Seniors Talent Showcase. The experience strengthens your understanding of college applications, academic planning, and campus resources.

12. College of Charleston – Honors College Pre-College Summer Institute 

Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Cost: $350–$700
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited capacity per course
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until courses reach capacity
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

In this program, you will engage in college-level coursework that blends field research with interdisciplinary humanities discussions. If you choose the biological sciences track, you will practice scientific observation and collect environmental data across salt marshes, pine forests, and carnivorous plant bogs. Alternatively, humanities-focused courses challenge you to debate real-world issues, analyze historical narratives, and evaluate digital information ecosystems to understand how claims are validated. Throughout your chosen session, you will actively navigate the city of Charleston as an extended classroom, applying critical thinking skills to local ecosystems or cultural histories. Ultimately, you will gain hands-on academic experience, building confidence in field testing, collaborative debate, and scholarly inquiry before entering college.

13. The Citadel STEM Center – GenCyber Summer Camp 

Location: The Citadel campus, Charleston, South Carolina
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort size
Dates: June 15–19
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 8th to 12th grade students

This one-week non-residential cybersecurity camp on The Citadel campus in Charleston enables you to explore the foundational concepts that protect modern digital systems. During the week, you work through hands-on sessions covering first principles of security, network security, cryptography, secure coding, cybercrime, and cyber ethics. You learn directly from Citadel faculty across the Cyber and Computer Sciences, Mathematics, Criminal Justice, and STEM Education departments, gaining a multidisciplinary view of how cybersecurity intersects with technology, law, and society. A pre-camp component introduces core technical concepts before the main week begins, and mentorship is woven throughout. You leave with practical exposure to cybersecurity practices and a clearer understanding of career pathways in the field.

14. University of South Carolina School of Music – Gamecock Jazz Camp

Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Cost: $500 commuter; $750 residential
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size varies based on annual participation
Dates: June 15–17
Application Deadline: May 25
Eligibility: Rising 9th through 12th-grade students interested in jazz music

In this camp, you will immerse yourself in an intensive three-day musical experience focused entirely on jazz performance and ensemble playing at the University of South Carolina. Working directly with experienced USC Jazz faculty, you will engage in daily rehearsals, focused section work, and targeted musicianship training. The program emphasizes hands-on musical growth, allowing you to strengthen your improvisation skills while collaborating with fellow young musicians. You can choose to stay on campus, participating in evening jam sessions that further develop your collaborative abilities. The camp culminates in a thrilling final big band concert where you will showcase your newly developed skills.

15. SC Governor's School for Science & Mathematics – GoSciTech Residential Summer Camps

Location: Hartsville, SC
Cost/Stipend: $860 tuition for most courses, $930 for Game Design, and $1,360 for Build Your Own Computer (includes a take-home computer kit); financial aid available for eligible South Carolina families
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 14–19, June 21–26, and July 5–10
Application Deadline: Rolling, space-available basis until courses fill
Eligibility: Rising 8th, 9th, or 10th graders; B+ average or higher

In this camp, you spend one week on GSSM's Hartsville campus taking an immersive STEM course led by GSSM, university, and college professors alongside other professionals in their respective fields. Tracks span computer science and engineering, including Cybersecurity, Arduino Electronics, Build Your Own Computer, Game Design, Virtual Reality, Drone Innovators, Codes & Cryptography, alongside life and physical sciences like Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, Genetics, Astronomy of Stars, and Reefs Under Siege. You build, code, run lab experiments, and tackle hands-on investigations, with several courses sending you home with a creation such as a handheld gaming device or an assembled desktop PC.

Image source - University of South Carolina’s Carolina logo