ALZAR SCHOOL GAP YEAR

• Idaho & Chile (Idaho only during COVID) - emphasis on experiential learning, leadership development, & eco/ cultural awareness-building

  • recent videos: Introduction to Alzar; I am Alzar School - profile of an alum

Apogee Adventures
(ages 11-18)

At Apogee, we create community, build confidence, and foster a love for the outdoors. From our cycling and hiking trips to our writing camps and community service programs, we connect teens and young adults with nature, with purpose, and with each other. You’re ready for an adventure, and adventure is ready for you.

ARCC Middle & High School Summer Programs 

For 40 years, ARCC has offered summer programs for teens in 3 categories: Focus | Cultural Immersion | Service Learning. By traveling to locations rarely visited by tourists, they provide unique, immersive, and educational experiences for our students. They have 20 summer program options on six continents. Their summer travel programs for teens take place between June and August and last from two to four weeks.

Deer Hill Expeditions

CO & American Southwest wilderness adventures, community service, & cultural exchange for ages 13-18.

Elk Creek Ranch 

At Elk Creek Ranch, our 4-week summer camp experience is more than just a getaway—it's an opportunity for teenagers to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of Wyoming while developing lifelong skills and friendships. Our carefully designed programs offer a balance of adventure, responsibility, and personal growth.  Whether it's the thrill of horseback riding across mountain trails, the challenge of backpacking through unspoiled wilderness, or the satisfaction of contributing to meaningful ranch work, each camper plays an active role in shaping their summer. 

Ask Mr. Kaplan about his summers at the Ranch!

Ecology Project International 

EPI runs Individual Student Travel Programs for middle school, high school, and college students. You'll travel to some of the world's most incredible field sites, work with endangered wildlife and renowned scientists, and meet like-minded peers that care about the future of the planet.  Destinations include Belize, Baja California, Costa Rico, and Yellowstone.

High Mountain Institute 

5-week Colorado writing & backpacking program

THE ISLAND SCHOOL

Semester program in the Bahamas (emphasis on experiential learning & marine biology) -  part of Semester Schools Network

• Video: Applying to Summer or Semester Program (2021)

International Field Studies
(ages 16-adult)

IFS' Forfar Field Station is a rustic former dive resort nestled in a beachfront coconut grove on the east coast of Andros, the largest of the Bahamian Islands. Summer Marine Biology Week week-long immersive marine biology experience for teens at Forfar Field Station is perfect for students interested in learning more about marine ecosystems and conservation. 

NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership Schools): experiential outdoor leadership adventures

• • ages 14-15

  • ages 16-17

Overland Summers -- summer hiking trips for 4th-12th graders

MANY members of the BH community have done these trips!

Outward Bound Expeditions

Experiential outdoor adventures in various locations & of varying lengths & levels of difficulty

SEA Program

SEA offers unique summer high school programs for current high school students as well as graduating seniors. Choose from a shore-based field program on our campus in Woods Hole, Massachusetts on beautiful Cape Cod, or an at-sea voyage aboard one of our sailing research vessels. At SEA, there’s an adventure with a purpose waiting for every student interested in exploring the marine environment through hands-on, experiential, and community-based learning!

American Field Service summer programs 

(1-3 weeks & 4-8 weeks)

African Impact 

Since 2004, African Impact have delivered life changing and responsible volunteer and internship programs across Africa. Come join our dedicated teams and experience projects developed and grown hand-in-hand with local communities.

CIEE Center for International Educational Exchange 

CIEE High School Summer Abroad Virtual Fair

Founded in 1947, CIEE operates multiple high school and college study abroad programs with a mission to humanize international relations and foster peace through cultivation of intercultural understanding.

Summer Program with Homestays in Galicia, Spain

For 13-17 year-old students, Clover Abroad offers 3-4 week summer programs that include 4-day trips to Madrid, Toledo, and Salamanca and a 2-3 week homestay with carefully screened families in the small coastal city of Vigo. Program includes activities plus 3 weekly 50-minute Spanish lessons per week taught by local high school  and university faculty.  An ideal opportunity to become immersed in Spanish culture. 

The Experiment in International Living 

2024 high school summer abroad programs in Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, & Switzerland

Felsted School International Summer School

Located 90 minutes from London, the Felsted School offers Junior (ages 7-11) and Senior (ages 12-17) summer programs in English and Global Studies to students from around the globe.

ISB Global Ambassador Program

The International School of Beijing (ISB) is an extraordinary school, with a history of excellence spanning over 40 years. Our mission, vision, and core values are fulfilled by passionate, highly qualified educators who all want the best for every student, early years through grade 12.   The International School of Beijing was the first international school in Beijing and today is recognized as a leading learning community. (US State Dept)

The Global Ambassador Program (GAP) invites high school students (aged 15-19) from around the world to gain a place in the program and enjoy our top co-curricular and academic programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and immersive Chinese culture and language experience. Prior experience learning Mandarin is required.  To more about the Summer GAP programs, reach out to gap@isb.cn. 

Experience LITA 

3-week and 5-week Spanish-language immersion programs (including homestays) in rural Spain (COVID update: accepting applications, but uncertain if program will run Summer 2022)

Putney Student Travel 

Summer trips for students in high school and middle school across a variety of focus areas including Service, Language, Pre-College, Exploration, and Career.

Salem - International Summer School

100+ year-old program based at a lakeside southern German medieval castle. Founded by Kurt Hahn, the school is centered on collaborative, experiential learning.  Classes in English.  For ages 14-16.

SYA  - SCHOOL YEAR ABROAD

Summer programs in France, Italy, & Spain

SEGL - the School for Ethics & Global Leadership

Summer in London

Teen Spanish Language Camp

Summer Spanish intensive program with homestays in Costa Rica.

Where There Be Dragons -- Rooted in genuine cultural immersion, our programs offer a unique blend of themes and activities. Whether you’re apprenticing with local artisans, living with homestay families, trekking through breathtaking landscapes, or building language fluency, each program offers you extraordinary experiences. Our travelers come from all walks of life, and no prior experience is required—just curiosity, openness, and a desire to engage.

NOTE: WTBD now offers summer language immersion programs in Mandarin & Spanish.

School the World

High School service trips to  bolster education infrastructure in rural Central American communities in Panama and Guatemala. 

Global Leadership Adventures
Teen Travel & Volunteer Experiences

Global Works
Summer Service Trips for Teens

2024 Summer Service Adventure Catalog

Hurricane Island Center for Science & Leadership

Putney Student Travel 

Summer trips for students in high school and middle school across a variety of focus areas including Service, Language, Pre-College, Exploration, and Career.

VISIONS Service Adventures

(30 year-old program)

Montana Blackfeet - 21 & 15-day service programs on the Blackfeet reservation (ages 14-18). (NYT article about this program)

Brown University Pre-College Programs

Brown Pre-College Programs are designed for high school students to explore the challenges and opportunities of the college experience. You’ll enjoy the excitement and responsibility that comes from balancing rigorous academics and enriching social activities—without the pressure of formal grades.  Programs offered both on-campus and offline  and for 1-6 weeks of length.

Concordia Language Villages

Since 1961 the mission of Concordia Language Villages has been  to inspire courageous global citizens.

Offering 1, 2, and 4-week programs in addition to the high school credit program,  youth overnight campers are assigned into one of 14 Language Villages, according to their chosen language  (Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or Swedish). 

Georgetown University Summer High School Programs

This summer, get a head start and earn college credit at Georgetown. Our Summer College courses ease your transition into the college learning environment through a blend of lectures, class discussions, and featured guest speakers. You’ll have the opportunity to take classes with current undergraduate students, learn from prestigious Georgetown faculty, and engage in challenging coursework that will prepare you for success in college and beyond. Choose from our approved list of five-week on-campus courses, eight-week online courses, or opt to do a combination of both. Upon completion of your course(s), you will have access to an official transcript from Georgetown University.

Felsted International Summer School

Summer 2024 will run from Monday, June 17 to Friday, August 2, offering over 20 of GOA's most popular semester courses in an intensive seven-week format for all high school students. Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, GOA provides an official transcript after course completion, which may be eligible for school credit at students’ home schools.

Harvard MEDscience program for high school students.  Highly recommended by BH Science Dept!

Harvard Summer Programs for Secondary School

Harvard’s Summer College Programs for high school students are intensive programs designed to give students a glimpse of college and the opportunity to challenge themselves in college-level academics. You’ll meet new friends and build important life skills that can make your future college experience a success — all while strengthening your college application.

UMass Amherst Pre-College Academy

Summer Pre-College programs at UMass Amherst combine all the major elements of college, including rigorous academics, living in a residence hall, and eating in our #1 ranked dining commons (Princeton Review). Explore academic programs in 25+ topics including STEM, business, architecture & design and more, plus unique six-week lab Research Intensives. Discover why UMass Amherst is the destination of choice for high school students across the country.

UM Summer Language Institute - Arabic & Chinese

Based on the University of Mississippi campus, the program emphasizes linguistic and cultural skills for real-world applications and includes co-curricular activities that explore career and educational pathways, preparing them to compete for scholarships and selective programs after graduation.

Attracting high-achieving students nationwide, the program offers college credit and is supported by UM faculty and tutors.  Applications open the December before a summer term.

MA Life Sciences Center High School Apprenticeship Challenge

The High School Apprenticeship Challenge facilitates and funds paid internships for underrepresented and low-income high school students throughout Massachusetts. The program creates more than 150 new internship opportunities each year by subsidizing intern wages for research institutions and small life sciences companies to enable them to hire paid interns. The program also offers pre-internship training programs that provides rigorous biotechnology/biomedical and professional skills development.

MA Life Sciences Center High School Apprenticeship Challenge

The High School Apprenticeship Challenge facilitates and funds paid internships for underrepresented and low-income high school students throughout Massachusetts. The program creates more than 150 new internship opportunities each year by subsidizing intern wages for research institutions and small life sciences companies to enable them to hire paid interns. The program also offers pre-internship training programs that provides rigorous biotechnology/biomedical and professional skills development.

Northeastern University Young Scholars Program

YSP offers future scientists and engineers a unique opportunity for a hands-on research experience while still in high school. This free program is open to Massachusetts residents (within commuter distance) who have completed their junior year of high school (i.e. rising seniors).

Penn Arts & Sciences High School Programs

Penn delivers the challenge of an Ivy League curriculum to academically talented high school students seeking a pre-collegiate experience—on campus and online. Students engage with leading faculty and build intellectual connections within accelerated two-, three-, or six-week Penn SAS High School Summer Programs.

Pioneer Academics

The world's first and only college-accredited online research institute for high school students. Pioneer's network spans 77 countries, offering access to diverse perspectives and expertise. This global reach enhances Pioneer's ability to collaborate, innovate, and drive positive change around the world. "Together, we can achieve more and make a greater impact."

Research & Engineering Apprenticeship Program (REAP)

A summer STEM program offered by the Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) that places talented high school students, from groups historically under-represented and under-served in STEM, in research apprenticeships at area colleges and universities. REAP apprentices work under the direct supervision of a mentor on a hands-on research project. REAP apprentices are exposed to the real world of research, they gain valuable mentorship, and they learn about education and career opportunities in STEM. REAP apprenticeships are 5-8 weeks in length (minimum of 200 hours) and apprentices receive a stipend.  For answers to FAQs, CLICK HERE.

Rolling applications.

Tufts University STEM+Medicine Summer Program

For high school sophomores or juniors interested in a career in STEM or healthcare. 

Designed for students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM and Medicine like first-generation college students and low-income students.  Full scholarship to Tufts Pre-College Mini Med School or Lab Science Investigations program.

Wharton Global Youth Program

Join us in summer 2026 for a full lineup of learning opportunities on Wharton’s Philadelphia and San Francisco campuses and in Cambridge, UK, as well as online with weeks of simulation-powered virtual programs. This is an exceptional chance for high school students (grades 9-12) to explore business, entrepreneurship, data science, AI, innovation, leadership and finance – and to meet some motivating educators and peers along the way.

Wolfeboro Camp School

Situated in the glorious lakes region of New Hampshire, the Wolfeboro Camp School has been supporting student success since 1910. Blending academic purpose with summer camp excitement, Wolfeboro provides a remarkably unique social, academic, and recreational experience.  

The 5-week Main Session is open to rising 6th-12th graders.  Middle School Boost (3 weeks) is open to rising 5th-7th graders.