outside Opportunities
Welcome to the Outside WSD Opportunities page!
These are opportunities are not run by the Wentzville School District and have not been vetted.
Opportunities will be added throughout the year. Many colleges have summer opportunities but may not send literature. If there is a specific college you are interested in, check their website for possible summer events.
** Before applying to and paying for any of these summer camps and opportunities, here are two important things to know:
You should always research any companies before deciding to sign up (Google reviews, BBB, find out who endorses the programs, etc.)
It is HIGHLY unlikely that any summer experience is going to impact college admissions and/or scholarships. These opportunities should be considered exploration and/or enrichment activities only.
Summer 2024
CSI Camp at Missouri State - CSI Camp covers topics like basic criminal investigation, forensic analysis techniques, crime scene processing, and collection and packaging of evidence. Camp activities include lifting and examining fingerprints, casting tread impressions, identifying and examining blood spatter/stains, and much more. June 10-13, 2024, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Webster University is hosting a one-week summer camp for high school students (entering 9th -12th grade) from July 8-12th; 9-3pm, on the campus of Webster University in Webster Groves, MO. The camp will be a week of interactive, hands-on activities, no boring lectures. Students will leave camp with a real sense of what it's like to work in the healthcare field. They will be working side-by-side with college faculty from Webster University's, Nursing and Psychology departments, and other experts in healthcare field.
Apply for the Heavy Metal Summer Experience, absolutely FREE for high school students aged 17-19, offers a unique introduction to the Sheet Metal Trade as a potential career path. Participants will receive FREE Milwaukee tools, boots and safety gear. Engage in hands-on projects using state-of-the-art tools and equipment, learn from industry experts, and connect with potential employers. The camp concludes with a graduation ceremony, inviting family and friends to celebrate their accomplishments. June 11th-13th and June 17th-21st. Deadline to apply is March 28th.
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy Summer Immersion Program every summer that gives students a first-class experience in health careers. During the week-long program, students will: Explore different career opportunities in health care, including pharmacy and research; Engage in hands-on, college-level academic and lab experiences; Build leadership and networking skills and develop lasting friendships; Enjoy evening activities throughout the City of St. Louis; Leave enriched and prepared to take the next steps to apply and transition to college. Application deadline: May 28th ; Cost: $850
Session I: June 23-29, 2024
Session II: July 21-27, 2024
Washington University | Sponsors a variety of summer programs in the area of writing, pre-med, business and pre-engineering as well as a summer scholars program.
Maryville University Pre-College and Summer Camps - Maryville is offering a variety of pre-college and summer camps to area students. There are a variety including cybersecurity, visual art, health, athletics, business, sports business, music and more.
Missouri Fine Arts Academy | 3 week summer program at Missouri State University. Open to current sophomores and juniors. This program is often partially funded for the student. Scholarships are available as well. Applications are due in late January.
Mizzou Mini Medical School - Missouri high school students interested in careers in medicine can preview what medical school is like during Mini Medical School. The students will stay in residence halls and eat in dining rooms on campus. We strongly encourage students from underrepresented minority groups and from rural communities to apply. Participation is open to current Missouri high school juniors.
Mizzou Summer STEM/Lego/Engineering Camps - Interested in engineering? At Mizzou’s Engineering Summer Camp, you will hear presentations from each of the College’s departments and work on hands-on projects designed to give students a taste of what each discipline specializes in. These projects include building balsa wood bridges, designing and creating super balls, building soda-bottle rockets, constructing circuits, coding on computers and more.
You’ll also receive the full Mizzou campus experience, staying in the dorms and getting a taste of what MU’s campus dining options have to offer. You’ll also have the chance to make good use of the pool facilities at the rec center and several other campus activities.
Columbia College Summer Camps - Choose from affordable, week-long programs in Art, Entrepreneurship, Forensics, STEAM, Girls Who Game.
Experience America - Game experience, Entrepreneurship, Fashion Design, Travel opportunities
Summer at SLU - two different programs: Click here to learn about 20+ summer camps and academies. Click here for college credit courses offered to high school students during the summer term.
National Security Agency - There are cybersecurity summer camps and foreign language camps
Western Illinois University - STEAM, CSI, Cos-Play, E-Sports, Music, Agriculture, Leadership
Southeast Missouri State Summer Camps - STEM, Theater, Cheer, Dance, and Sports camps
Missouri University of Science and Technology - Aerospace, Cyber-camp, Explosives, Engineering, SAE Electric Car, Nuclear Engineering, Robotics, and Sports camps
UMKC School of Medicine - Summer Scholars Program - The Summer Scholars Program gives you the opportunity to learn more about a career in health care. From gaining additional knowledge in the basic sciences to experiencing clinical rotations, you will spend three weeks investigating health care as a profession. In Summer Scholars, high school students learn about the health professions in hospitals, clinics and other resources on Hospital Hill, including Truman Medical Center, the Kansas City Missouri Health Department, Children’s Mercy, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Schools of Medicine and Dentistry. Choosing a career in health care is a big investment and the Summer Scholars Program will assist you in determining whether or not it is the right choice for you.
Duke Summer Session - Choose from Summer College (credit), Summer College Online, Summer Academy (enrichment), or Intensive STEM Academy.
Yale Young Global Scholars Summer Programs - Programs offered in Science & Engineering, International Affairs, Sustainable Development & Entrepreneurship, Politics & Law, and Biomedical Science. Applications open in September.
St. Louis Community College Youth Summer Program - College for Kids presents Xploration-Health Care, a unique opportunity for youth, ages 11-15, to explore medical careers in a college classroom training environment.
Echo CATT Camp - Located in O'Fallon, MO. Join us for a week of learning improv. This camp will not only teach games like you would see on, "Whose Line Is It, Anyway?" but it will also help with confidence, public speaking, stage presence, and communication.
AI and Social Science Summer Program by Stanford Alumni: Inspirit AI is a 25-hour project-based AI program taught by Stanford graduates that introduces middle and high school students to fundamental AI concepts to build interdisciplinary AI projects across disciplines. In 2024, the team is excited to announce new projects such as Generating Language Safely with ChatGPT. No CS experience is necessary to apply and priority applications are due by March 31.
GENERAL OPPORTUNITIES
Coursera: online courses from major universities and companies
EdX: online courses from major colleges, universities, and other institutions
Free Weeklong Virtual Summer Camps for all ages from Varsity Tutors
WRITING
WRITING
Bard College at Simon's Rock (Mass.): Young Writers Workshop
Gifted Writers and Artists Program: High School Writers (St. Louis)
Gifted Writers and Artists Program: Middle School Writers(middle school only)
Indiana University Bloomington: High School Journalism Institute
Kenyon College (Ohio): The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Lewis & Clark College (Oregon): Fir Acres Workshop Summer Writing Program
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis - Summer Immersion Program
University of Iowa: Between the Lines, The International Writing Program
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Juniper Institute for Young Writers
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
Cultural Leadership Program: promoting understanding through African American and Jewish experiences
Debate Camps by Capitol Debate (held at Wash U and other universities)
SDG Changemakers: Youth Action Program from the United Nations Association of St. Louis
Teens Make History program at the Missouri History Museum - learn how to research and curate - behind the scene look. FREE program, stipend paid to student at end, possibility to apply for a part-time job at the end.
Volunteer with U.S. Congresswoman Cori Bush (St. Louis or DC office)
Volunteer with U.S. Senator Roy Blunt office (St. Louis or DC)
Volunteer with U.S. Representative Ann Wagner office (St. Louis or DC)
Washington University Middle School Summer Challenge(middle school only)
William & Mary - National Institute of American History & Democracy (Virginia)
LANGUAGES
Appalachian Young Writers' Workshop (Tennessee) - check for 2021 updates
Bard College at Simon's Rock (Mass.): Young Writers Workshop
Gifted Writers and Artists Program: High School Writers (St. Louis)
Gifted Writers and Artists Program: Middle School Writers(middle school only)
Indiana University Bloomington: High School Journalism Institute
Kenyon College (Ohio): The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop
Lewis & Clark College (Oregon): Fir Acres Workshop Summer Writing Program
University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis - Summer Immersion Program
University of Iowa: Between the Lines, The International Writing Program
University of Massachusetts Amherst: Juniper Institute for Young Writers
BUSINESS
BUSINESS
Global Summer Learning Institute (for rising seniors only)
Real Estate Exchange Summer Programs (for rising juniors and seniors)
Social Innovators Program - 8-week online program leading to certificate in Social Entrepreneurship.
Trulaske Business Academy at Mizzou - for minority students (1 week - Free program & housing)
Virtual Internship: Project Based Career Exploration Program
SPECIFIC COLLEGES
SPECIFIC COLLEGES
NSLC National Student Leadership Conference: Summer Programs
USC Bovard Scholars | College and Career Mentoring (California)
Vanderbilt University's Program for Talented Youth has a Mentor Immersion program (rising 11th and 12th grade) and a Rising Expert Mini-Immersion program (rising 9th & 10th)
Wake Forest Summer Exploration Program (middle school only)
MUSIC & ART
EarthWatch Institute - Unearthing Ancient History in Tuscany
Indiana University Bloomington Jacobs School of Music: Summer Music Clinic
Wash U's Architecture Discovery Program
Wash U's Portfolio Plus program
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING & MATH
BEST Pharmacy Summer Institute (BJC, STL College of Pharm, ExpressScripts)
Boeing Pre-Employment Training Program - 12th grade
Health Professions Summer Program at Kansas State University
Missouri Botanical Garden Youth Fellowship Program(graduating seniors apply by January 9th)
MIT Lincoln Lab Intro to Radar Systems (FREE, including housing! 2 weeks at MIT)
NASA / UT-Austin Space Research: Earth Science High School Summer Intern Program
Pediatric Student Research Program - 12th grade only
Saint Louis University: Adventures In Medicine and Science (AIMS) Summer Workshop
(STARS) Students and Teachers As Research Scientists - JUNIORS APPLY IN MARCH
Sternberg Science Camps program from Fort Hays State University. *
Summer Focus - Seniors
Summer STEM Institute - VIRTUAL
Truman State University Summer Talent Academy for Professions in Health
University of Illinois - Girls' Adventures in Math, Engineering, & Science (GAMES) Camp
University of Illinois - Illinois Aerospace Institute Summer Camp
University of Illinois - Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Summer Camps
University of Southern California/Chevron Frontiers of Energy Resources - Summer Camp
Washington University SIFT and TERF - Ecology Field Research Programs
Washington University Middle School Summer Challenge (middle school only)
Wake Forest Summer Immersion Program in Medicine (week in NC)
Workshops at Creative Experience Digital Makerspace | St. Louis Public Library*
Zoo Teens (St. Louis Zoo summer volunteer program)
Code Connects (coding courses offered entirely online)
NCWIT Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award for 9-12th graders*
VOLUNTEERING
Aim High - Teaching Assistantship (JBS campus) link to application
ENRICHMENT
Khan Academy
Test Prep for AMC and SAT/ACT
Review, videos, and practice of all course content searchable by topic
Math for Fun and Glory: cool, crazy, extra-curricular math explorations
Optional summer math packets (problems and solutions for each grade level
Enrichment and Extra Help resources
Homework and Educational Resources
YouTube channels with interesting math videos, listed from most accessible to most advanced:
GeoGuessr geography game using Google street view