Boston University Summer Programs

At Boston University, summer represents a unique opportunity to explore, in depth, what you truly love doing most in life. Thanks to Boston University Pre-College and Youth Summer Programs, students of all levels can now gain valuable academic experience, enhance their existing skill sets...or simply grow as people. Boston University hosts 18 exciting and challenging programs, covering a wide range of academic interests and disciplines. Learn more.

Institute of Reading Development

The Institute of Reading Development offers eight different reading skills and speed reading programs. Each program emphasizes lessons in reading skills and comprehension, helping to stimulate a lifelong interest in reading for pleasure.

• 8 sessions per summer. 5 weeks. End of June to end of August.

Boston University Cooking Up Culture Day Camp offers a week-long culture and cuisine experience. Each day, students spend the morning learning about a specific region or country, its customs and cooking traditions. Under the guidance of an expert chef, the class then prepares a hands-on lunch, learning cooking techniques along the way. Afternoons are spent exploring other historical and cultural angles, using maps, music, and other interactive activities to better understand global cultures. 2 sessions per summer.

• One week. Second and third weeks of July.

U-Design

U-Design offers a hands-on laboratory and workshop experience that gives young students the opportunity to learn about science and technology by engaging them in the real work of scientists and engineers: design, exploration, experimentation, and invention. Here, students are encouraged to think of their own ideas, and build their own way-cool inventions.

• Three different workshops customarily held the 2nd and 3rd weeks of July.
• Two sessions per summer. One week per session
• Registration begins January 12, 2009: Deadline and full payment should be received no later than May 22, 2009
• 2009 Program: Week 1 begins July 13-17 and Week 2 begins July 20-24
• Grade Levels: Six through nine.
• Contact: Marlene Jreaswec, Program Coordinator 617-353-9771

Challenge your artistic side while you check out exciting career possibilities at the Center for Digital Arts Summer Camps. This summer we’re offering creative learning opportunities in Digital Filmmaking, Digital Photography, and Maya Digital Animation. Each hands-on, two week camp gives you the chance to explore the latest digital imaging tools as you express your ideas, tell your stories, and stretch your imagination.

• 3 two week sessions. Sessions begin on July 11 and end on August 19.
• Age level: 15-18.

High School Honors Program

The High School Honors Program offers talented rising juniors and seniors the chance to earn college credit through Boston University undergraduate courses.

• 1 session. 6 weeks. End of June to beginning of August.

Academy of Media Production

Academy of Media Production (AMP) is a five-week, hands-on program for high school students interested in the many aspects of media production. Students can create their own 16mm film, direct a live multi-camera TV program, write news and documentary scripts, produce a live radio web cast, edit projects on nonlinear editing systems, and much more. At AMP, students learn by doing.

• 1 session per summer. Five weeks. Middle of July to middle of August.
• Grade Level: Rising juniors and seniors.

Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists

The Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists (PROMYS) is a six-week summer program at Boston University designed to encourage motivated high school students to explore the creative world of mathematics in a supportive community of peers, counselors, research mathematicians, and visiting scientists.

• Six weeks. Beginning of July to middle of August.
• Grade level: Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Sargent Center Adventure Camp

Sargent Center Adventure Camp’s goal is adventure! Twenty-one programs from 6 to 26 days long offer your child choices among ropes courses, canoeing, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, community service, leadership development, and other exciting adventures. Programs range from our popular onsite Adventure Challenge to multi-day wilderness trips in five different states.

• Multiple sessions per summer. 6 days, 13 days, 20 days, and 26 days. Beginning of July to middle of August.
• Age Range: 10-17.

Summer Investigative Journalism Workshop for High School Students

The 2009 Summer Investigative Journalism Workshop is a one-week program designed to give high school students intensive training in investigative reporting and the chance to work on investigative stories that could be published in their own school publications or in major media outlets in New England.

• Dates: July 20-24, 2009
• Location: Boston University College of Communication

Summer Challenge Program

The Summer Challenge program offers students a preview of college life and college coursework. During this two-week program, students participate in two academic seminars in the areas of business, creative writing, international politics, law, persuasive writing, psychology, science, and visual arts.

• Two weeks. Middle of June to beginning of August.
• Grade Level: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Biotechnology SummerLab Program

SummerLab provides students with an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of basic techniques and concepts associated with biotechnology and DNA science. This is a hands-on, laboratory-based program during which students work cooperatively in laboratories at the Boston University School of Medicine.

Students work in research teams to produce and purify proteins using a variety of techniques. SummerLab is offered as either a residential program or a commuter program (for students in the greater Boston area) and is accessible to students with disabilities.

• Two one-week sessions during summer 2009: July 27-31 and August 3-7
• Grade level: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Summer School Vacation Camp

The Summer School Vacation Camp has been established by the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and the Office of Family Resources to help parents provide quality vacation time for their children during the public school summer break. This general recreational camp program includes activities such as swimming, sports, arts and crafts, field trips, and much more.

• 4 two-week camp sessions each summer with a 1 week pre-camp session.
• 2009 camp season begins June 15 and ends August 14.

Summer Theatre Institute

The Boston University Summer Theatre Institute is a five-week program for serious and mature high school students. It is designed for those who wish to test their interests and abilities in a professional training environment. In this program, students develop confidence and technique, acquire insight and expertise, and learn to meet intellectual and artistic challenges.

• 1 session per summer. Five weeks. End of June to beginning of August.
• Grade level: Rising juniors and seniors.

Swimsport Camp

The Swimsport Camp offers swimming, sailing, basketball, soccer, tumbling, gymnastics, and other activities for instructional and recreational play. Held at Boston University’s award-winning Fitness and Recreation Center. The camp's goal is to provide a safe and fun environment with quality instruction and programming.

• 4 two-week camp sessions per summer, with a Pre-Camp June 15-19.
• Camp season begins June 22 and ends August 14.

Tanglewood Institute

The Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) is recognized internationally as an outstanding educational opportunity for young artists. It is the only program of its kind associated with one of the great symphony orchestras of the world. Under the guidance of distinguished professionals and in the presence of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, young people devote themselves each summer to an artistic experience without parallel.

• Two to six weeks. End of June to middle of August.
• Grade Level: Rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent graduates (for some two-week workshops only).

Upward Bound

The Upward Bound program is a federally-funded college preparatory program that serves low-income students who attend selected Boston Public Schools. Students enter the program in either the grade 9 or 10 and remain with the program until their graduation from high school. Program services include an academically intensive six-week summer residential program and an after-school program of tutoring and academic courses during the school year.

• 1 session per summer. Six weeks. End of June to beginning of August.
• Grade level: Rising sophomores.

Visual Arts Summer Institute

The School of Visual Arts has a longstanding tradition of providing students with exceptional foundation skills. It is ideal for students who wish to pursue art at the college level or those who simply wish to improve their artistic abilities. This residential, four-week, portfolio-building program emphasizes working from observation, and focuses on life drawing, sculpture, and painting.

• 1 session per summer. Four weeks. July 5 – July 31.
• Grade level: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

Summer Reading & Writing Institute

The Donald D. Durrell Summer Reading and Writing Clinic at Boston University School of Education serves elementary and middle school students who experience difficulty with reading and writing. Students who attend the Clinic are evaluated in six key domains of literacy (motivation and interest, word study, comprehension, writing, spelling, fluency) using a collection of research-validated informal and formal assessments.

Based on assessment results, we design an individualized tutoring plan that builds on students' identified strengths while addressing their needs. All instruction is provided by teachers who are experts in literacy. Tutoring is offered in two, three-week terms that meet from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Students may register for one or both terms.

• Session I: Monday, June 29--Thursday, July 16
• Session II: Monday, July 20--Thursday, August 6

Apprenticeship Dance Program

Under the guidance of professional dancers and college interns, sixteen teen-age apprentices will create a 45 minute dance performance and go "on tour" to day camps in the Greater Boston area. Students will hone their technical, performance and choreographic skills during the first two weeks; for the next two weeks, the "company" will perform and lead workshops at a dozen Associated Grantmakers' Summer Fund sites.

In addition, there will be master classes, an evening performance for the public, and an informational session on preparing for college admission. Scholarships are available. Admission by audition and recommendation.

• June 29 – July 10: M-F, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• July 13 – July 24: M-F, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Summer Preview Program

Summer Preview provides an opportunity for rising high school freshman and sophomores to enroll in one, non-credit seminar, choosing from four exciting subjects. For commuters only, Summer Preview also provides a variety of structured social activities that provide exposure to Boston University and Boston—and to the expectations of college life.

• 1 session. 1 week. Late July.

Research Internship in Science & Engineering

The Research Internship in Science & Engineering provides academically motivated rising high school seniors with the opportunity to conduct university-level research in state-of-the-art laboratories, under the guidance of a Boston University research mentor.

• 1 session. 6 weeks. End of June to beginning of August.