Summer break in high school is a great time to pursue various forms of enrichment. This resource will help students and parents find the right opportunity.
Grade level indicated refers to application year preceding the summer program.
Non-Academic Programs
- Boy’s Club of NY
- Neighborhood-based camp
- Grades K-12
- $25 registration fee
- East Harlem
- Police Athletic League (PAL) Summer Camps
- Find a center near you and apply in person
- FREE
- YMCA Teen Programs
- Multiple locations
- Harlem Location
- Scholarship application
- Third Street Music School
- Grades K-12
- Union Square
- Scholarship application
- Breakaway Hoops: Basketball Camp
- Ages 7-17
- Harlem and Washington Heights Locations
- NOLS Scholarships: National Outdoor Leadership School
- Inside Schools: Listing of NYC Free Arts Programs
- Free Summer Sports Opportunities
Academic Programs
- College Prep Programs
- High school students seeking academic enrichment and college prep during the summer should check out our College Access page.
- High school students seeking academic enrichment and college prep during the summer should check out our College Access page.
- GOALS for Girls: STEM Camp
- FREE
- Grades 8-9
- iDtech: STEM Programs
- Various locations
- Ages 7-17
- Scholarship application
- Summer on Campus: Directory of College and University-based programs
- Various programs serving grades K-12
- Various programs serving grades K-12
- Inside Schools: Listing of NYC Free Academic Programs
Scholarship Organizations
- SCOPE
- Provides scholarship funding for a variety of programs
- Provides scholarship funding for a variety of programs
- Wishbone
- High School students can apply for funding to specific programs
- High School students can apply for funding to specific programs
- American Camp Association: Comprehensive camp directory that includes scholarship search
- Scholarship Search Resource
Unpaid Internships/Volunteering
- Natural History Museum
- Grades 9-12
- Donors Choose
- Grades 10-12
- Health Professionals and Human Services
- Grades 9-12
- Bronx Botanical Garden
- Grades 9-12
- Bronx Health Center
- Grades 10 - 11
- GO Project: Work in classrooms
- Ages 16 and up
- Teen Life: Directory of volunteer opportunities in New York.
- DORORT: Volunteer program for elderly
- Grades 9-12
- Free NYU Journalism Workshop
- Ages 16-18
Job Readiness Training and Workshops
- West Side YMCA Teen Career Connection
- Includes training workshops and 8-week internship placement
- Grades 10-12
- Application due March 16
- PAL In-Step Program: The Police Athletic League offers academic supports, as well as career development services.
- Development School for Youth
- Ages 16 – 21
- Workshops during academic year and summer internship placement
- NYC Services
- In-School Youth Programs: High School students apply in September for school-year career services and summer internship placement
- Ladders for Leaders: Pre-employment training program and internship placement for ages 16-22.
- Work, Learn, and Grow (WLG): Employment during academic year for previous SYEP participants.
Paid Positions
- Camp jobs: Working as a camp counselor can be a great way to earn money while working with kids in a fun environment. Many camps offer positions for teens that are paid or include free attendance. Try the following search resources:
- SYEP: NYC Summer Youth Employment Program
- Ages 14-24
- Lottery-based placement
- Includes job training workshops
- Wave Hill Public Garden – Bronx
- Grades 9-12
- Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
- Grades 10-12
- NY Historical Society
- Grades 10-12
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Grades 11-12
- Bronx Zoo: Project True
- High School Juniors
- New Victory Theater Apprenticeships
- Grades 10-12
- Museum of Art and Design
- Rising Grade 10 and 11 Students