Above: Visiting professor of biology Chris Freeman gives high school students in the Honors College Summer Institute’s Saving Biodiversity program hands-on experience. (Photo by Heather Moran)

School may be out for the summer, but learning never stops at the College of Charleston!

With a variety of day camps for K-12 students focusing on everything from computer engineering to dance to community health to biodiversity – the College has something educational and fun for everyone to learn over the long days of summer. The College also offers a variety of athletics camps for athletes of all ages.

Check out the following camps on campus that will help students of all ages avoid the summer slide!

STEM 360

The STEM 360 program gives students a sample of STEM disciplines – including biology, marine biology, chemistry, environmental geosciences, engineering and computer programming – and shows them what it’s like to major in these fields in college.

  • Who: Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in STEM
  • Location: The College’s state-of-the-art facilities, with tours and fieldwork at Stono Preserve and Grice Marine Lab
  • Dates: July 17–21, 2023
  • Times: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Price: $300
  • Application Deadline: May 31, 2023*
  • Deposit Deadline: June 15, 2023**
  • Full Payment Deadline: June 30, 2023

*Late applications may still be accepted if space remains open. Contact India Ballard to determine availability after the deadline.
**The nonrefundable deposit of $100 is applied to the full enrollment cost.

Honors College Summer Institute

The Honors College Summer Institute is the perfect opportunity for high school students to experience Charleston from a unique vantage point and cultivate their curiosity, enhance their skills and lay the foundation to become change-makers in their community. All courses are offered in-person on the College of Charleston’s beautiful downtown campus, with opportunities for field trips and local excursions.

There are several programs available:

Saving Biodiversity in the Anthropocene

  • Who: Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who dream of saving the planet, but aren’t sure where to begin
  • Location: College of Charleston campus, with daily field trips
  • Dates: June 12–16, 2023
  • Times: 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Price: $700*
  • Apply Now**

Mapping Memory in Charleston

  • Who: Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors who want to make change in their communities
  • Location: College of Charleston campus, with interactive excursions throughout the city of Charleston
  • Dates: June 19–23, 2023
  • Times: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
  • Price: $500*
  • Apply Now**

Bodies and Anti-Bodies: A Visual History of Medicine in Charleston

  • Who: Rising high school sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in why arts and humanities are so vital to the Charleston community’s health
  • Location: College of Charleston campus, with walking field trips
  • Dates: June 26–30, 2023
  • Times: 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
  • Price: $500*
  • Apply Now**

*A limited number of $100 scholarships are available to help offset tuition costs. Once you submit your application, you will receive additional information about the scholarship application process.
**Apply ASAP! Programs are filling up, so interested students are encouraged to apply as early as possible by submitting a nonrefundable deposit of $150. Applications for each course will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the course reaches capacity.  

Contact the Honors College or Brooke Permenter for more information.

Camp Art Attack

Camp Art Attack gives students a rich hands-on experience with the visual and performing arts. College of Charleston M.A.T. students will instruct campers in a variety of activities, such as painting, paper sculpture, drama and music. Campers will also experience the connection of the arts with other areas of the curriculum such as math, science, engineering, literature and social studies.

  • Who: Rising kindergarten through 6th grade students
  • Location: College of Charleston campus, second floor of the Thaddeus Street Jr. Education Center (25 St. Philip St.)
  • Dates: June 19–22, 2023
  • Time: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
  • Price per session: $80
  • Register Now: Space is limited

For more information, contact Tracey Hunter-Doniger.

Studio Art Summer Immersion

The two-week intensive Studio Art Summer Immersion (SASI) program is coordinated by the College of Charleston Department of Studio Art and provides college-bound students with a dynamic summer experience in an arts-focused college setting. Students will get experience working with local artist-educators to produce drawings, paintings, digital photos and mixed media works. Students will walk away with portfolio-quality work and images for their college application and personal use.

  • Who: Rising high school juniors and seniors and graduated gap-year seniors with a strong demonstrated interest in studio art
  • Location: Cato Center for the Arts (161 Calhoun St.)
  • Dates: July 17–28, 2023
  • Times: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (drop-off: 9:30–10 a.m.; pickup 3–3:30 p.m.)
  • Price: $450
  • Application Deadline: July 1, 2023

For more information and to apply, contact Cristina Victor. 

Summer Dance Experience

The Summer Dance Experience is hosted by the College of Charleston Department of Theatre and Dance and aims to foster the growth of young artists through technique classes, seminars and repertory. Students will learn from professional artists and experienced educators who will nurture and challenge both bodies and minds. The program culminates in an informal performance.

  • Who: Intermediate- and advanced-level high school and college dancers
  • Location: Cato Center for the Arts (161 Calhoun St.)
  • Dates: August 7–11, 2023
  • Times: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. daily; informal showing at 5 p.m. on Aug. 11
  • Price: $300 (+$15 application fee)
  • Application Deadline: July 1, 2023
  • Apply Now

Contact Gretchen McLaine for more information.

Athletics Summer Camps

The Athletics Department holds several sports camps over the summer: