Explore Summer helps you find programs based on what actually matters to you: interests, location, dates, grade, budget, and more.
The programs below match the starting criteria All these programs match the starting criteria Colorado and grades 6–12.Refine these results further (e.g. by dates, length, budget, etc.) or start a different search.
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6th–12th grade
31 programs to compare
30 updated for 2027 · 1 pending
31 programs is a lot to scan. Find the ones most relevant to you.
Try “under $3,000,” “in July,” or “2 weeks”Try “under $3,000,” or “in July”
Science & STEMSelectivePending 2027 refresh
Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Dates:
Not confirmed for 2027
Length:
7 weeks
Cost:
$0
Location:
NIST Boulder campus, Boulder, CO
Grades:
High school juniors and seniors at time of application; U.S. citizens; 3.0+ unweighted GPA; must live within 50 miles of the Boulder campus
Format:
Commuter
Deadline:
Jan 31, 2027
Seven-week unpaid research internship at a NIST federal laboratory where high school students work alongside NIST scientists and engineers on a research problem, carry out their own project, and present a poster at the end of the summer.
Residency restriction: Within 50 miles of the NIST Boulder campus only
2 sessions between Jul 25–Jul 30, 2027 (5 days and 6 days options)
Length:
5 days–6 days
Cost:
$3,099–$3,499
Location:
University of Denver, CO
Grades:
Students currently in grades 6–8
Format:
Residential / Commuter
Middle school STEM program on a college campus with hands-on challenges across fields such as coding and robotics, forensic science, and anatomy, offered as a residential program with dorm stays and evening activities or as a day program.
Outward Bound Colorado Rockies – Intro to Adventure
Colorado Outward Bound School
Dates:
2 sessions between Jun 14–Jul 18, 2027 (5 days options)
Length:
5 days
Cost:
$2,000
Location:
Colorado Rockies (course starts in Denver, CO)
Ages:
12–14 (completed grades 6–8)
Format:
Residential
Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Colorado Rockies for middle school students (backpacking, rock climbing, ropes course), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.
2 sessions between Jul 3–Jul 24, 2027 (9 days options)
Length:
9 days
Cost:
$3,599
Location:
Colorado (Rocky Mountain National Park, Boulder)
Ages:
12-14 (completed grades 6–8)
Format:
Residential
Hiking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting through Rocky Mountain National Park, ending with a community service project in Boulder. Rated Challenge Level 3/10 - a beginner-friendly trip.
3 sessions between Jun 6–Jul 23, 2027 (14 days options)
Length:
14 days
Cost:
$5,695
Location:
Denver, CO (begins/ends)
Grades:
6th-7th grade (current grade 2026-27), ages 12-13
Format:
Residential
Multi-sport Colorado backcountry trip: backpacking in the San Juan National Forest, whitewater rafting the Arkansas River's Browns Canyon, ziplining in Salida, a sunrise hike at Great Sand Dunes National Park, rock climbing at Taylor Canyon, and fly fishing.
Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders (completed grades 9–11)
Format:
Residential
4-week residential program in Leadville, Colorado, combining cabin-based campus life with two 10-day backpacking expeditions (8-10 students per group). Campus time includes a writing workshop or ecology research track (final essay or research project), plus rock climbing and Arkansas River whitewater rafting — not a backpacking-only trip. No previous outdoor experience required. Flexibility offered for students whose school year end date conflicts with the program start.
28-day active teen tour looping from the Colorado Rockies down the California coast , San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, San Diego , then through Las Vegas, Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon.
Outward Bound Colorado Rockies – Intro to Adventure
Colorado Outward Bound School
Dates:
2 sessions between Jun 26–Aug 4, 2027 (5 days options)
Length:
5 days
Cost:
$2,000
Location:
Colorado Rockies (course starts in Denver, CO)
Grades:
8–12 (varies by track)
Format:
Residential
Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Colorado Rockies for high school students (backpacking, rock climbing, ropes course), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.
8 sessions between Jun 9–Aug 7, 2027 (8 days and 15 days options)
Length:
8 days–15 days
Cost:
$3,375–$5,745
Location:
Colorado Rockies (course starts in Denver, CO)
Grades:
8–12 (varies by track)
Format:
Residential
Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Colorado Rockies for high school students (backpacking), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.
5 sessions between Jun 9–Aug 4, 2027 (8 days and 12 days options)
Length:
8 days–12 days
Cost:
$3,375–$4,896
Location:
Colorado Rockies (course starts in Denver, CO)
Ages:
12–14 (completed grades 6–8)
Format:
Residential
Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Colorado Rockies for middle school students (backpacking, ropes course), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.
Outward Bound wilderness expedition for girls in Colorado Rockies for middle school students (backpacking, ropes course), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.
2 sessions between Jul 7–Jul 28, 2027 (8 days options)
Length:
8 days
Cost:
$3,375
Location:
Colorado Rockies (course starts in Denver, CO)
Grades:
8–12 (varies by track)
Format:
Residential
Outward Bound wilderness expedition for girls in Colorado Rockies for high school students (backpacking, ropes course), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.
3 sessions between Jun 9–Aug 4, 2027 (8 days options)
Length:
8 days
Cost:
$3,375
Location:
Southwest canyons, UT (course starts in Grand Junction, CO)
Grades:
8–12 (varies by track)
Format:
Residential
Outward Bound wilderness expedition in Southwest canyons, UT for high school students (rafting), where a crew of 8–12 teens and 2–3 instructors live in the backcountry, share daily roles like navigator and cook, and build leadership and teamwork skills.
2 sessions between Jun 25–Jul 18, 2027 (10 days options)
Length:
10 days
Cost:
$5,999
Location:
University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO
Grades:
Students currently in grades 9–12
Format:
Residential
Credit:
Yes (2 George Mason University college credits included)
Ten-day residential aviation program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs where students fly in real aircraft, build and fly their own drone, study aerodynamics, and explore aviation careers with industry professionals.
