From creative writing and visual arts to engineering, communication and college readiness, The University of Alabama offers a wide range of academic-focused summer camps for students of all ages. These programs give students hands-on learning experiences, a chance to explore future majors and careers, and an opportunity to experience life on UA’s campus.
Below is a roundup of academic-related summer camps being held at UA in summer 2026, organized by grade level.
Summer Camps for High School Students
UA ACTivate
Dates:
- Session 1: June 15-18
- Session 2: July 13-16
Grades: Rising 10th-12th (must be 16 by the program start date)
Application deadline: May 15
Registration: UA ACTivate 2026 Program Application
UA ACTivate is a residential summer program that combines focused ACT test preparation with an immersive college experience on The University of Alabama campus. Students live on campus while strengthening test-taking strategies, exploring UA’s academic and student support resources, and learning more about admissions, majors and campus life. Designed to build confidence and college readiness, UA ACTivate helps students feel prepared and at home at UA before they even apply.
UA Art Camp
Dates: June 22-26
Grades: Rising 9th-12th
UA Art Camp invites high school students to explore one of six creative focus areas: printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, digital animation, graphic design or World Cup 2026: An Architecture Competition by Country. Participants work alongside UA faculty in campus art studios, gaining hands-on experience while developing their artistic skills in a collegiate studio environment.
Communication and Media Preview
Dates: June 22-27
Grades: 10th-incoming college freshmen
Communication and Media Preview, or CAMP, is a six-day, five-night immersive experience for students interested in communication and media-related fields. Participants practice hands-on skills, explore career pathways, connect with fellow aspiring communicators, and become familiar with the college experience. The residential program includes lodging, meals, on-campus transportation and academic programming designed to introduce students to life at UA.
Student Introduction to Engineering Camp
Dates: June 22-27
Grades: Rising 10th-12th
Registration Deadline: June 1
Hosted by UA’s Styslinger College of Engineering, the Student Introduction to Engineering, or SITE, Camp is an immersive, multi-day experience that introduces students to engineering and computing through hands-on learning and real-world applications. Participants explore multiple engineering disciplines, engage with industry professionals and collaborate in teams to solve an engineering design challenge. The week concludes with team presentations and includes campus tours, recreational activities and community-building experiences.
Crimson Choral Camp
Dates: June 24-27
Ages: 15-18
Crimson Choral Camp offers high school students an immersive choral experience led by faculty from The University of Alabama School of Music. Participants develop vocal technique, musicianship and ensemble skills while rehearsing and performing in a collegiate setting. The residential option allows students to experience campus life while refining their musical talents and collaborating with peers who share a passion for choral music.
Summer Camps for Middle School Students
Young Writers Camp
Dates: June 1-12
Grades: 6th-12th
The University of Alabama Young Writers Camp fosters creativity and writing skills in a welcoming, interactive environment. Students write independently and collaboratively in response to creative prompts, share their work, and learn about contemporary literature under the guidance of experienced writers from UA’s MFA Program in Creative Writing. The camp concludes with a public reading celebrating student work.
Transportation Innovation & STEM Academy
Dates: June 8-12
Grades: 6th-8th
Registration deadline: May 8
The Transportation Innovation & STEM Academy offers middle school students hands-on experiences in robotics, physics and problem-solving while strengthening foundational math and reading skills. Through interactive activities and a transportation-focused field trip, students explore how STEM concepts connect to real-world transportation systems and learn about career pathways in transportation and STEM-related fields.
Summer Camps for Elementary School Students
Code-N-Sensor Future Lab
Dates: June 8-12
Grades: 4th-6th
The Code-N-Sensor Future Lab free summer program introduces upper elementary students to a novel and fun experience in coding while learning about various STEM careers. The camp will run for five days and feature innovative lessons for students to learn about novel computer applications, participate in coding activities and culminate in an exciting robotics race. Through these activities, students will be exposed to computer science concepts and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.