Opportunity Guide I Summer, Enrichment & Activities Guide

Versed Opportunity Guide is a comprehensive pre-college enrichment program listing that details the vast array of US-based academic and extracurricular programs that provides opportunities for students to explore and pursue their interests and passions.  All entries are curated and many are recommended by our Parent Advisors.

The purpose of the guide is to educate parents and students about the best opportunities available at each age and academic level. These programs maximize learning opportunities and allow students to pursue their interests at the highest levels throughout their school years, which may give them an edge when applying to college.

How to use this guide:

The guide lists educational programs, camps, contests, competitions and other activities, both online and onsite, available to students that are categorized by academic and extracurricular interest. Additionally, the platform allows parents and students to search based on age, school year, location, and general search terms.

To begin, start with a broad interest category that pertains to your child and familiarize yourself with the activity path and how children interested in the same areas have successfully engaged in the variety of activities and programs listed in the guide. As you click on narrower categories, you will get a sense for many of the ways that highly engaged students follow their interests to the highest levels. At the same time, feel free to explore adjacent categories to find related areas as interests change and evolve over time.



  1. The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories… Read more
  2. The Davidson Institute of Science Education is a non-profit organization that serves as the educational arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science. Website lists educational science projects, contests… Read more
  3. Davidson THINK Summer Institute (THINK) is a three-week-residential program for exceptionally gifted students, ages 13 to 16. Located on the University of Nevada, Reno, THINK offers students the… Read more
  4. The United States Intelligence Community offers students a wide variety of excellent programs at the DIA to get a jumpstart on a career in intelligence. Academic Semester Internship Program: Academic… Read more
  5. Young Artist Programs at DCAD are designed for high school students who are eager to pursue an art and design education. Offerings in: animation, fine art, graphic design, illustration, photography… Read more
  6. The OSCAR Summer research program is an 8-week program where DSU and local-area high school students are mentored by OSCAR scientists and conduct research in various OSCAR laboratories. Research… Read more
  7. The Reynolds Young Writers Workshop at Denison is an energizing 8-day program for motivated high school students (rising juniors and seniors) who love to write. For over 20 years, the Reynolds… Read more
  8. The USDA Pathways Program provides students enrolled in a wide variety of educational institutions, and recent graduates programs with opportunities to explore USDA careers in the agricultural… Read more
  9. The National Agricultural Library is always looking for bright, talented people to help us develop innovative services, programs, and exhibits. Internships and volunteer opportunities are available… Read more
  10. The Department of Education (ED) offers internships for students interested in seeking valuable work experience in government and federal education policy and administration. Volunteers have the… Read more
  11. In the Challenge, teams research, interpret, apply and then design an infographic that responds to 1 of 5 bioenergy topics. This contest is not held every year, but the materials are provided on the… Read more
  12. Volunteer internships provide students opportunities to complement their academic endeavors through direct experience with EERE in the field of energy efficiency and renewable energy. For those… Read more
  13. JBEI welcomes high school students to the lab each summer though iCLEM, Biotech Partners, and other partner programs. If you are a high school student at Berkeley, Oakland Tech, Antioch or San Marin… Read more
  14. The Introductory College Level Experience in Microbiology (iCLEM) is an eight-week paid summer science intensive for economically disadvantaged high school sophomores and juniors. The program seeks… Read more
  15. JBEI takes a limited number of interested, well-prepared high school students for research mentorships throughout the year for course credit. If you are interested, see the website for application… Read more
  16. Launched in 1991, the National Science Bowl® (NSB) is a highly competitive science education and academic event among teams of high school and middle school students who compete in a fast-paced… Read more
  17. Sponsored by PBS Kids, these contests challegne kids to design and build a structure and to post their results online. Projects are voted on by other kids. A fun project to do at home.
  18. To develop opportunities that inspire the global community of learners to utilize diverse approaches in applying 21st century skills and creativity. The Destination Imagination program is a fun,… Read more
  19. Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program (DAPCEP) is a nonprofit organization with 40 years of experience partnering with universities, training programs, and K-12 school systems in order to… Read more
  20. On 5 July, the first student academies started this year. It started with Braunschweig and Grovesmühle. Waldenburg and Torgelow followed on July 12, and the Academy in Rossleben on July 19. Further… Read more
  21. ProjectFUN's programs offer exciting learning experiences for students of all ages. These courses introduce students to a variety of fun and engaging topics in video game programming, art and… Read more
  22. The Digital Arts Festivals recognize the achievements of Club members through local, regional or national festivals building confidence and motivating participants to explore new avenues for artistic… Read more
  23. It’s our mission to foster a learning community of diversity and excellence through memorable and innovative educational experiences led by the highest-quality instructors; building skills and… Read more
  24. Launched by tech educators at Stanford University, Digital Media Academy camps are the best place for students to get their start as designers, developers, programmers, engineers, animators,… Read more
  25. Digital Youth Divas is an out-of-school program that engages middle school girls, especially those from non-dominant communities, in design-based engineering and computer science activities driven by… Read more
  26. The annual Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge invites students in grades 5-8 to submit a 1-2 minute video describing a unique solution to an everyday problem for the chance to win $25,… Read more
  27. The DNA Learning Center (DNALC) of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) is the world's first science center devoted entirely to genetics education. The DNALC "invented" DNA camps in 1985, and since… Read more
  28. DolphinCamp is a seven-day program that introduces children to the amazing world of dolphins. Students meet DRC's resident dolphin population, learning to respect each dolphin as an individual… Read more
  29. Since 1987, The Donna Reed Foundation for the Performing Arts has recognized merit and the pursuit of excellence with awards in honor of Iowa actress, Donna Reed. Backed by the generosity of her home… Read more
  30. Pre-college programs in architecture, dance, interior design, design and merchandising, graphic design, industrial design, film and tv, fashion design, music and photography.
  31. Drury University in Springfield, Missouri, provides one of the oldest and most complete pre-college programs for gifted children in the state of Missouri. Two residential programs, Summerscape and… Read more
  32. The Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke TIP) is a nonprofit organization that has served over 2.8 million academically talented students in grades four through twelve since 1980. Each… Read more
  33. Duke Youth Programs is a part of Duke University Continuing Studies and has provided summer academic enrichment for academically motivated youth for over 35 years. Each summer approximately 650 youth… Read more
  34. Why do young people choose Young Writers’ Camp? It’s not like school: Imagine a place where learning and fun are the same. It’s a stress-free, nonjudgmental, open environment. It gives campers… Read more
  35. TEEN EXPEDITIONS Earthwatch knows that young people understand their role in tackling today’s most pressing environmental concerns. So we’re empowering them to be part of the solution. Earthwatch… Read more
  36. Every year, generous foundations, corporations, and individuals concerned about our future leaders provide funding for Earthwatch fellowships for students. Fellowship funding is critical to make it… Read more
  37. The summer months in the School of Music are full of week-long camps, multiple-day workshops, seminars, and other special events for all ages, including: Summer Chamber Music Institute Violin, viola… Read more
  38. ECU hosts numerous programs and camps for youth both on and off campus. Here are a few camps being offered during past summers: Coastal Studies Summer Camps Campus Recreation and Wellness STEAM… Read more
  39. Pre-college day and residential programs for high school musicians at the University of Rochester Eastman School of Music. Programs include: Residential Programs: Summer Jazz Studies — a two-week… Read more
  40. Summer music day camps for serious musicians at the Eastman School of Music. Non-Residential Programs: Adventure Music Camp (students entering grades 5-9 (current grades 4-8) ) Half-Day Programs:… Read more
  41. The premier program for classical musicians. This internationally acclaimed residential Classical Studies program is for academically inquisitive performers, conductors and composers currently in… Read more
  42. CYBERMISSION is a web-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) competition for students in grades six through nine that promotes self-discovery and enables all students to… Read more
  43. Study abroad summer programs in France and Spain. Destinations change annually. Life-changing individual and group immersion programs for high school students. The highest quality summer Study… Read more
  44. Emagination is summer camp for kids who love technology! Sessions are two-weeks long so campers have time to become part of a community and make lasting friendships. Many campers attend multiple… Read more
  45. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is one of the best technological universities in the country, and we strive to be an active and positive member of the community. We invite you and your kids to… Read more
  46. Pre-College offers challenging one-, three- and five-week summer programs for high school students. Programs are intensive, fun, and designed to teach students competitive, practical skills in one… Read more
  47. Emory Summer College is a nonresidential program in which exceptional high school students who have completed their sophomore or junior year may enroll in Emory undergraduate courses and earn college… Read more
  48. This division is best-suited for students who have the opportunity to debate competitively in policy debate during the regular academic year as students will focus on the upcoming high school topic.… Read more
  49. Emory University is one of the top 25 Universities in the United States and the Barkley Forum is one of nation’s most successfully competitive intercollegiate debate teams for the last fifty years.… Read more