Summer Opportunities

Check out these awesome Summer 2025 opportunities! More programs may be shared as information becomes available, so be sure to check often. Please note the deadlines for several of the listed applications.

• Accounting Accelerated Career Awareness Program – A free, one-week residential camp at Point Park University for qualifying students who are accepted through the application process (only cost is travel to Pittsburgh and back). The field of accounting has been identified as one of the fastest-growing professions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. Yet studies have shown that there has been declining enrollment in accounting and finance among underrepresented students. The goal of the Accelerated Career Awareness Program, part of the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc., (NABA) is to increase the understanding of accounting career opportunities among high school students in underrepresented minority groups. Open to qualifying sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Application is Open for 2025
• Elmer Hafer Youth Camp – This camp brings together the PA National Guard, the American Legion, and the State Police to give students firsthand experience in many areas of law enforcement and the military. The six-day program enhances leadership skills, discipline, and self-esteem to morally, intellectually, and physically prepare cadets as future leaders. Open to students ages 15-17 interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement or the military. Deadline to Apply: May 10, 2025
• Geisinger Junior Volunteer Program – Explore healthcare careers with this 8-week program. Get hands-on experience and attend educational workshops. Open to students ages 15-18. Spots are limited. Deadline to Apply: February 28, 2025
• Health Career Scholars Academy – The dynamic world of health care plus the expertise of University of Pittsburgh academics and facilities. This educational mixture shapes a unique, academically rigorous, hands-on campus experience for students attending the Health Career Scholars Academy (UPHCSA) each summer. The Academy is often a springboard for future studies in medicine. Open to academically talented students ages 15 – 18. Deadline to Apply: February 25, 2025
• The Iacocca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive – A four-week, immersive, experiential learning opportunity for high school students to develop skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, the basics of business, intercultural understanding and leadership. At the Iacocca Institute, participants are prepared to take on complex, multi-system, global challenges in creative and collaborative ways. Globally-minded U.S. and international high school students who will graduate high school in 2026 or 2027 are eligible to apply. Participants may not be younger than 15 or older than 17 at any point during the program dates of July 6 – August 1, 2025.  Deadline to Apply: The priority admissions deadline is February 14, 2025. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis until all spaces are filled, at which point qualified applicants will be placed on a waitlist and notified should a spot become available.
• Keystone Boys State – A week-long leadership development program that uses a state government simulation as the vehicle for instilling the principles of civic engagement, democracy, and patriotism in the students who attend. Open to male residents of Pennsylvania who have completed their junior year of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining. Application is Open for 2025
• Keystone Girls State – A one week non-partisan Government and Civics Leadership program designed to teach the importance of responsible citizenship and to empower young women to make a change in their community. Students will gain knowledge about the structure of Pennsylvania government, history of the United States, and using their voice to be force of good. Open to female residents of PA who are rising seniors. Deadline to Apply: May 19, 2025
• Lebonon Valley College Health and Biomedical Sciences Summer Program – Through lectures and hands-on laboratory investigations in state-of-the-art laboratories, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of disciplines such as molecular biology, neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, immunology, and other medical sciences. Students will learn how laboratory science can be translated into improved human health and will engage in investigative experiences that will allow them to apply their laboratory skills to real-life problems. Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Application is Open for 2025
• Pamplin’s Inspiring Possibilities (PIP) Academy – PIP is a ten-day residential program designed to introduce high school students (current juniors and seniors) from diverse backgrounds to the dynamic world of business and business careers. Selected students will explore seven areas, including Accounting and Information Systems, Business Information Technology, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management, Marketing, and Real Estate. This program at Virginia Tech’s campus in Blacksburg, VA is free of charge for selected students! Applications Open: Spring 2025
• Penn College Pre-College Programs – Large variety of exciting program options available for 9-12 grade students, including: Autism College Exploration Experience, Architecture Odyssey, Automotive Technology, Aviation, Design, Build & Grow Landscape & Horticulture, Diesel Truck & Heavy Equipment, Future Restaurateurs, Graphic Design Summer Studio, and Health Careers! Registration will open in April 2025
• Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week – Sophomores and juniors are encouraged to apply to this week-long, one-of-a-kind summer program that offers a unique and challenging opportunity to see what it is like to run a business. Participants will make up an “imaginary” management team where they will learn first-hand about the Free Enterprise System. They will develop their own marketing strategies, design a website and in essence, make all of the decisions that are demanded of real life company executives. PFEW provides students with a chance like no other – to experience what it is like to live on a college campus before the “real” thing, as it is hosted at your choice of either Pennsylvania College of Technology or Lycoming College. Students can also earn up to $20,000 worth of scholarships if they choose to attend either campus at the collegiate level. Early Bird Deadline to Apply: February 27, 2025
• PFEW Intern Job Opportunity – Each summer, several PFEW graduates are hired to assist behind the scenes in the program. Paid positions as Interns are available for students who have graduated from the program. As an intern, you (along with the other interns) would be responsible for all speaker/program activity setups, assembling material handouts, BizSim inputs, photographing events, networking with volunteers, and much, much more! Positions are limited, so apply early! Deadline to Apply: March 1, 2025
• The Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences – Located at Carnegie Mellon University and is a 5-week STEM residency program for rising high school seniors (current juniors) in PA. Students complete rigorous course work in biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physics while also getting hands-on experience in laboratory skills and research. Academic opportunities are provided that even the best high schools cannot offer. Amazingly, there is no cost to participate in PGSS: housing, meals, and tuition are completely covered for each student. Deadline to apply: January 31, 2025
• Pennsylvania School for Excellence in the Agricultural Sciences – Penn State offers this four-week summer residential program held on University Park campus for academically talented and gifted high school students (rising seniors) from throughout Pennsylvania. From July 5-31, 2020, students will explore college life and the expansive and diverse fields of agricultural science and natural resources. Deadline to Apply: February 21, 2025
• Qrew Camp – A two-day immersive experience for rising 9th, 10th, and 11th-grade students, and their parent or chaperone, to learn more about the natural gas industry and careers in the field. Registration opens in January 2025