Start exploring Writing & Humanities summer programs for middle schoolers

Dates:

Jun 21–Jul 2, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

Boston, MA

Eligibility:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

Jul 19–30, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

Hoover Institution, Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Eligibility:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

Jul 5–16, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

The Hotchkiss School, Lakeville, CT

Eligibility:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jun 6–Aug 13, 2027 (2 weeks (12 days) and 10 weekends options)

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)–10 weekends

Cost:

$3,650

Location:

Online (Zoom)

Eligibility:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Online

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Online history research and writing workshop. Each student drafts a research paper on a historical topic of their choice, with group sessions on the historian's craft and one-on-one coaching.

Dates:

Aug 2–13, 2027

Length:

2 weeks (12 days)

Cost:

$5,550–$6,550

Location:

Vancouver, BC, Canada

Eligibility:

Rising 9th graders through current high school students; younger students with strong readiness considered (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Commuter / Residential

Deadline:

Priority Dec 31, 2026 · Regular Feb 28, 2027

Two-week history research and writing workshop where each student develops a research paper on a historical topic of their own choosing, with daily group instruction and seminar discussion, one-on-one conferences with instructors, and afternoons of research and writing in a research library.

Dates:

2 sessions between Jun 27–Aug 8, 2027 (3 weeks options)

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$7,550

Location:

Interlochen, MI

Grades:

6-8

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority Jan 15, 2027

Students choose one arts focus.

Dates:

Jul 3–16, 2027

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$4,985

Location:

Smith College, Northampton, MA

Grades:

Students entering grades 9–12 in fall 2027

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority Feb 1, 2027 · Tuition assistance Mar 1, 2027 · Final May 1, 2027

Two-week residential creative writing program at Smith College where students take one morning and one afternoon workshop in forms such as fiction, poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, journalism, and science fiction, using a multidraft approach, and leave with the start of a writing portfolio.

Dates:

Jul 18–31, 2027

Length:

2 weeks

Cost:

$4,985

Location:

Smith College, Northampton, MA

Grades:

Students entering grades 9–12 in fall 2027

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Priority Feb 1, 2027 · Tuition assistance Mar 1, 2027 · Final May 1, 2027

Two-week residential, discussion-based program at Smith College exploring gender in history, politics, and culture, with morning and afternoon courses on topics such as reproductive justice, queer and trans lives, environmental justice, and social change.

Dates:

Jul 3–31, 2027 (classes start Jul 5)

Length:

4 weeks (29 days)

Cost:

$5,174–$10,475

Location:

Cal Poly Pomona, Pomona, CA

Grades:

Current 8th-12th graders, including graduating seniors (California students; up to 20 out-of-state/international students)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Feb 28, 2027

Credit:

Yes (3 units of CSU college extension credit)

Four-week residential creative writing program at Cal Poly Pomona for about 70 young writers, with workshops in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and dramatic writing led by professional writers, so every student studies every genre.

Dates:

7 sessions between Jul 4–Oct 10, 2027 (2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, and 8 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks–8 weeks

Cost:

$3,240–$7,300

Location:

Kyoto, Japan

Ages:

14-17 per program site (matches completed grades 8–11 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Mar 1, 2027 (apply by Dec 15, 2026 for $300 off)

Credit:

Optional college credit (official transcript, $425 extra)

Japanese language and culture program in Kyoto for independent teens of all levels, with mixed-age classes, structured teen activities two days a week plus biweekly Saturday trips, and a host-family homestay.

Dates:

7 sessions between Jun 6–Oct 10, 2027 (2 weeks, 3 weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks, 6 weeks, 7 weeks, and 8 weeks options)

Length:

2 weeks–8 weeks

Cost:

$2,630–$5,420

Location:

Nagoya, Japan

Ages:

14-19 per program site (matches completed grades 8–12 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Mar 1, 2027 (apply by Dec 15, 2026 for $300 off)

Credit:

Optional college credit (official transcript, $425 extra)

Japanese language program in Nagoya for independent students ages 14–19, with four 50-minute classes each weekday in mixed-age groups, fully optional activities, and a host-family homestay.

Dates:

Jul 4–25, 2027

Length:

3 weeks

Cost:

$4,770

Location:

Fukuoka, Japan

Ages:

14-17 per program site (matches completed grades 8–11 in search filters)

Format:

Residential

Deadline:

Mar 1, 2027 (apply by Dec 15, 2026 for $300 off)

Credit:

Optional college credit (official transcript, $425 extra)

Three-week Japanese language and culture program in Fukuoka for beginners, in teen-only classes and activities, with weekend excursions to cities such as Osaka and Kyoto and a host-family homestay.

Dates:

3 sessions between Jul 5–Jul 23, 2027 (1 week options)

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$1,100

Location:

Online

Eligibility:

High school students (matches completed grades 8–11 in search filters)

Format:

Online

One-week online journalism workshop from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association with courses in news reporting and writing, broadcast journalism, digital media, design, and editorial leadership.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jul 26–Aug 21, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN

Ages:

Grades 2–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

Jun 20–25, 2027

Length:

1 week

Cost:

$1,700

Location:

Columbia University, New York, NY

Grades:

High school students entering grades 9–12

Format:

Commuter

One-week journalism workshop on Columbia's campus run by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, with courses in news reporting and writing, broadcast journalism, digital media, design, and editorial leadership, plus media visits and a Broadway show.

Dates:

13 sessions between Jun 14–Aug 28, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,290–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN

Ages:

Grades 1–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

11 sessions between Jun 14–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,290–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN

Ages:

Grades 1–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jul 26–Aug 21, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN

Grades:

2–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

5 sessions between Jul 19–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN (North Site)

Ages:

Grades 2–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

7 sessions between Jun 21–Jul 17, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN

Ages:

Grades 1–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

4 sessions between Jun 14–Jul 17, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,290–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN (North Site)

Ages:

Grades 2–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

5 sessions between Jul 19–Aug 14, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Camp Patmos, Hackensack, MN

Ages:

Grades 3–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

5 sessions between Jun 21–Jul 17, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN

Ages:

Grades 1–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.

Dates:

6 sessions between Jul 26–Aug 21, 2027 (1 week (6 days), 2 weeks (13 days), and 4 weeks (27 days) options)

Length:

1 week (6 days)–4 weeks (27 days)

Cost:

$1,440–$5,985

Location:

Turtle River Lake, near Bemidji, MN

Ages:

Grades 1–12 (varies by track)

Format:

Residential

Several versions of this program.