Philosophy Summer Programs for High School Students – 2025


Please use the comments section on this post to share information about Summer 2025 Programs in Philosophy for high school students.

If you are organizing such a program, please add a comment to this post that includes:
– program name
– dates
– location 
– contact information
– application deadline
– a brief (one-paragraph) description of the program
– link to further information 


Related:
Philosophy Summer Programs for Undergraduates – 2025
Philosophy Summer Programs for Graduate Students/PhDs – 2025

guest

9 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Tristram
Tristram
1 year ago

Philosophy and Critical Thinking Summer Camp
June 23-27 and July 14-18 at
The Ohio State University, Columbus OH 

The Ohio State Philosophy and Critical Thinking (PACT) Summer Camp is a perfect introduction to the exciting world of philosophical thought. This weeklong summer learning program for high school students is organized and led by the Department of Philosophy at The Ohio State University. It’s designed to introduce students to philosophy through learning experiences that are rigorous, engaging, and fun. Over the course of our time together, campers will form a community of inquiry where they can reflect on the issues they care about most, practice critical thinking skills, share some laughs, and (along the way) tackle some of the biggest questions in philosophy today. For the 2025 PACT Summer Camp, we are offering 2 week-long in-person sessions on different themes: Democracy and Justice (week 1) and Science, Faith and Reality (week 2)

for more information go to: https://philosophy.osu.edu/pact

– applications are accepted until camps fill!

Nick
1 year ago

Since 2014, UNH has offered the Future Leaders Institute residential summer camp in philosophy, politics, ethics, and global justice. We provide full scholarships for all accepted students. 2025 theme is Law and Justice. For details, see https://cola.unh.edu/responsible-governance-sustainable-citizenship-project/youth-programs/future-leaders-institute-fli

Peter Bachyrita
1 year ago

Reason & Rationality Summer Program
Princeton June 8-14
Swarthmore July 27-Aug 2
For more information visit reasonandrationality.com

This philosophy and economics summer program starts by asking: What are the 20 Biggest Ideas that spark profound understanding of our world or deepen awe of its greatest mysteries that most students never confront in school? It is organized as a tour de force march through these topics in small groups sessions of 5:1 student-teacher ratio, in an energetic, joyful and relaxed environment. Students leave with concrete knowledge about the core concepts in PPE (philosophy, politics, economics), while also building their critical thinking and verbal dexterity in rapid fire classroom discussions.

Check out our list of the 20 Biggest Ideas on the website or via our active Twitter thread where people can debate what they think ought to be added or taken away from the list.
https://x.com/bachyrita54999/status/1881828859672490317

Daniel Propson
Daniel Propson
1 year ago

Join us at Oakland University this summer to learn as we explore our theme, the Shape of Freedom. We will be exploring what it means for a human being to be free, what sorts of internal or external captivity people experience, how political or moral freedom should be understood, and what sorts of constraints might be compatible with a life of flourishing. This year, we are planning an exciting trip to downtown Detroit, to explore the history of the Underground Railroad.

Dates: June 23-27, 2025 (overnight program)
Location: Oakland University; Rochester, Michigan
Application deadline: register by May 30 (early bird discount through March 15)

REGISTER HERE: https://pace.oakland.edu/search/publicCourseSearchDetails.do?method=load&courseId=1442443&select

More information here: https://www.oakland.edu/phil/camp/

Oakland University Philosophy Camp is a weeklong residential experience for high school students that brings together young people and philosophy professors to talk about important questions in philosophy. Since its inception in July of 2018, the camp has addressed a lack of philosophy or logic instruction in high schools by providing students with a short but rigorous program that will give them skills in the short run and launch them toward further philosophical reading and development. We engage in a variety of activities, such as dynamic discussions, lectures and group activities, as well as time for recreation and socializing. The camp’s main goal is to provide students with a hands-on, engaging experience that will help them develop their critical thinking and reasoning skills.

uogphilosophy
1 year ago

I Chalan Mo’na (The Road Ahead) 
July 13-27, 2025
University of Guam

I Chalan Mo’na (The Road Ahead) offers promising high school students on Guam the chance to engage with the humanities at a college level. During the summer, rising Seniors will participate in a two-week, residential summer seminar designed around important questions relating to self-determination in the context of Guam’s continued decolonization efforts. Students receive support throughout their senior year with college applications and engage in civic projects that apply their academic insights to real-world challenges.

I Chalan Mo’na is funded by a grant from the Teagle Foundation, a key supporter of liberal arts education across the nation. The Teagle Foundation is committed to strengthening liberal arts education, recognizing it as essential to meaningful work, effective citizenship, and a fulfilling life. Their mission is to act as a catalyst for improving teaching and learning in the arts and sciences while addressing the challenges of financial sustainability and accountability in higher education.

https://www.uog.edu/schools-and-colleges/college-of-liberal-arts-and-social-sciences/gpn.php#I-Chalan-Mo-na

Delia Camarena
Delia Camarena
1 year ago

Iowa Lyceum
July 21-25
Virtual attendance
Contact email: [email protected]
Application deadline: April 30th

The Iowa Lyceum promotes philosophy and self-reflective, careful thinking through a free week-long summer camp. The program introduces participants to philosophy interactively by integrating activities, discussion, games, and presentations. Philosophy is essential to a well-rounded education, and the intellectual habits cultivated by philosophy are paramount not only to a well-functioning society but also to living a meaningful life. This year the theme of the week will revolve around the philosophy of technology.

Website: https://philosophylyceum.org.uiowa.edu/

Angela Barnes
1 year ago

The Dialectic: Philosophy Summer Camp
June 2-6th, 2025, 8:30AM-4PM
Arizona State University, Tempe Campus

The Dialectic is a one week (non residential) program that gives high school students the opportunity to explore philosophical topics with similarly curious students while visiting our campus. Our topic this year is Everyday Ethics and The Good.

More information can be found at: https://shprs.asu.edu/PHIsummercamp
Contact: [email protected]

Registration is open and need based scholarships are available.

Mary Rose Stark
1 year ago

Meaning of Life Summer Camp
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

Monday, June 2 – Friday, June 6
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

What is the meaning of life? This is a question many have asked and many have tried to answer. Socrates said that the unexamined life, the kind of life that lacks meaning, is not worth living. What does it mean to live a life of meaning? Meaning of Life asks students to consider how these philosophical ideas connect to how we lead our own lives. Throughout the week, connections will be made between leading a meaningful life and preparation for the journey of college.

This summer camp is open to any student who will be in grades 8 through grade 12 the 2025-2026 academic/school year, as well as recent (2025) high school graduates.

HERE is the link to register for Meaning of Life.

Faculty:

  • Dr. Abigail Aguilar; Department of Philosophy Associate Faculty-In-Residence
  • Dr. David Beisecker; Department of Philosophy Associate Professor
  • Dr. Jesse Fitts; Department of Philosophy Assistant Faculty-In-Residence
  • Dr. Andrew Kauffman; Assistant Professor-in-Residence, Chinese
  • Dr. William Ramsey; Department of Philosophy Associate Professor
  • Dr. James Woodbridge; Department of Philosophy Associate Professor

Testimonials: 

  • “My favorite activity was coming up with our own utopia as it had me questioning values for myself and others.” – Student Attendee, 2024 
  • “I learned to reevaluate my values in a deeper perspective.” – Student Attendee, 2024 
  • “My son enjoyed his camp and he hopes that the College of Liberal Arts keeps expanding their summer camps.” – Parent of Attendee, 2024
Victor
11 months ago

2025 Philosophy Summer Academy: Politics, Law, & PhilosophyLocation: Markham District High School in Markham, Ontario (Canada)
Ages: 14-18
Dates: July 7-11; July 21-25

Philosophy Summer Academy is a yearly summer program run by an Ontario non-profit, Philosophy For Youth. In this year’s camp, Politics, Law, & Philosophy, students will learn how to critically think about the major social and political issues of the modern world through a variety of activities, discussions, simulations, lessons, and more! Students will develop valuable, widely-applicable skills such as:

  • Constructing and presenting well-reasoned opinions
  • Engaging in critical thinking to analyze the strength of an argument
  • Communicating ideas clearly and concisely

Philosophy Summer Academy is made available at a discounted price due to a generous grant from the American Philosophical Association’s Teaching Fund.

For more information: https://www.philosophyforyouth.ca/

Testimonials:

  • “The instructors made the program fun, welcoming, and exciting. Not only did they maintain a healthy learning environment with their positive attitudes, but they also included all sorts of games, activities, and insightful discussions regarding various topics. I would certainly retake this class.” – Grade 11 Student (2024 Cohort)
  • “The program was interesting and fun. The instructors were well-informed and invited you to consider all opinions whilst challenging your own. They promoted and achieved an inclusive environment where everyone was free to share their thoughts.” – Grade 11 Student (2023 Cohort)
  • “Philosophy can be an interesting topic; it’s extremely broad. But without the right teacher it’s very hard to grasp anything at all. That’s why I’m thankful to the teachers at Philosophy For Youth for providing me with the detail, knowledge, and answers to use not just in philosophy, but in every subject that stems from it” – Grade 9 Student (2023 Cohort)