Explore UW–Madison Precollege programs

UWCCC ARISE (Advancing Research in Science with Equity) program partners with UW-Madison to provide an authentic science research lab experience in cancer discovery. This seven-week, 25 hr./week paid internship program is for high school students that have either completed their sophomore year of high school or are 16-years old. During the program you will be part of a cancer research lab and work alongside those researching to find a cure. You will participate in weekly lab meetings, enrichment activities on medical ethics, pathology, health disparities and more. Interns will conclude their summer with a required scientific presentation about their summer work. Associates at the University, lab Principal Investigators/mentors/supervisors, the community, friends, and family will be invited to the final presentation to celebrate the intern’s accomplishments.

Badger Precollege is pleased to offer engaging online courses to students in grades 6-12. Each live online course meets for one to two weeks and includes high-quality educational and social content to help prepare students for the college experience — all backed by the academic reputation of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition to academic enrichment, students will have the opportunity to build friendships in a community of like-minded individuals.

The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) gives gifted students finishing ninth through twelfth grades the chance to learn and live alongside each other on the beautiful UW–Madison campus. ALP is an intense, three-week summer camp designed to push students to the next academic level while housing them in an intimate learning environment. Students enroll in a single course for an in-depth experience not possible in crowded high school schedules. Students gain insight from instructors who are experts in their fields. ALP participants experience a truly unique learning environment where gifted students can interact, learn, and grow with each other. Course options include engineering, physics, biology, neuroscience, theater, psychology, political science, philosophy, sociology and economics, and computer science.

Spend your summer with UW–Madison, exploring a college-level course, living and learning with a community of peers. Badger Summer Scholars is a transformative learning opportunity for high school students across several academic areas of interest. Applicants should be ready to take the next step in their academic journey and to engage in a lively college program with peers from all over the country.

The Growing Early Minds (GEM) program is designed to challenge and engage advanced learners finishing grades one through four. Students will be exposed to multidisciplinary concepts and themes that will feed their curious minds. Each class is small and designed to enrich learning and introduce new areas of interest, helping students expand their knowledge about the world and discover how much there truly is to learn. Social and emotional curriculum components will focus on fostering autonomy, encouraging development of growth mindset, and fostering effective collaboration skills. Course options include biology, engineering, coding, psychology, architecture, and multidisciplinary options.

Conference for Latino middle school students to explore and build their knowledge about college through workshops and activities.

This program gives students finishing fifth through eighth grade an opportunity to explore their current interests and passions with like-minded peers in a college setting. Students will spend one week taking one accelerated course designed specifically for middle school advanced learners on the UW–Madison campus. This program is designed to engage, intellectually challenge, and inspire young minds. Not only will you explore the area of study in your class, you will have the opportunity to spark your curiosity during on-campus field trips during the week. Course topics include engineering, science, writing, politics, biotechnology, improvisation, computer science, and art.

The Junior session of Summer Music Clinic has an opportunity for each student in 6th-8th grade to come and play, sing, create, and learn about music at all experience levels. Students will choose one of four paths based on what they create, sing, or play and then have one hour per day to choose an elective to dig deeper, try an additional path, or try something new! Students will expand their musical horizons by working with experienced educators from around the country, rehearsing and performing in ensembles with peers from other communities, and participating in classes and activities that will sharpen existing skills or open the door to new topics.

Senior session has an opportunity for each student in 9th-12th grade to come and play, sing, create, and learn about music at all experience levels. Students will choose their complete experience based on your goals! Each path has a balance of small and large group instruction learning of technique combined with student creativity and choice. Students will work with experienced educators from around the country, rehearsing and performing in ensembles with peers from other communities, and participating in classes and activities that will sharpen existing skills or open the door to new topics.

The Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) gives an opportunity for students finishing grades 7-8 to spend two weeks on a college campus studying one accelerated course. STEP is designed to engage, intellectually challenge, and inspire. lt offers a learning atmosphere that nurtures students’ talents and abilities, enriches social life, and encourages creativity. STEP strives to balance the academic and recreational sides of camp. This program is for those who are ready for above-grade-level challenges and are serious about having fun in and outside of the classroom with peers who share similar aspirations and interests. Course options include forensic science, acting, psychology, robotics, engineering, writing, computer programming, chemistry, law, biology, and economics.

The University of Wisconsin offers an array of Boys Basketball Camps: Father/Son Camp, Resident/Commuter Camp, Advanced Camp, Team Camp and the Badger Basketball Experience Day Camp.  Headquartered at The Kohl Center, these camps are focused on providing a first-class learning experience using dedicated and enthusiastic staff.  Current Badger coaches will lead the instruction at each camp, with support from current and former members of the Badger Men’s Basketball team as well as visiting coaches and clinicians.

The University of Wisconsin Badger Boys’ Golf Camps focus on teaching sound fundamentals for a player’s entire game. Camps will cover full swing, scoring game, course management, introduction to competitive golf, rules and etiquette. All camp activities take place at the nationally acclaimed University Ridge Golf Course which includes the exclusive Badger men’s and women’s team outdoor practice facility and new indoor UW Golf Training Center. Whether you are interested in playing college golf or making your high school varsity team, the Badger Boys’ Golf Camp will maximize your potential and give you a clear plan to improve. Our camp is for players of all skill levels. The small coach-to-camper ratio allows for an optimal learning environment for each student. And we are committed to HAVING FUN!

The University of Wisconsin offers a variety of Boys Hockey Camps which are focused on developing the skills of hockey in an enjoyable atmosphere. Current Badger coaches will lead the instruction at each camp, with support from current and former members of the Badger Men’s Hockey team as well as visiting coaches and clinicians. The Team camp will include position practices, off-ice conditioning and post-game recovery, and tournament-format competition throughout the week. The Youth Skating and Skill Camp is a day camp that will focus on power skating, puck skills and small area games.

Campers will be instructed on the basic skills required to succeed at a top rowing college. Our campers represent a variety of athletic backgrounds. Many have never rowed before, while some have extensive high school experience. We will tailor the camp experience to fit the needs of the individuals. The camp will be staffed by University of Wisconsin coaches and oarsmen.

The University of Wisconsin Soccer camps will provide players of all levels with advanced training activities and playing opportunities that can be used to take their game to new heights. Whether you are looking to improve your technical skills, make your local club or high school team or are trying to advance your game to the college level, the University of Wisconsin Soccer Camps can help you reach your goals. Camps will feature a staff of coaches who have the experience and dedication necessary to help you develop on and off the field.

The Wisconsin Cross Country Camp of Champions is a five-day program open to any and all entrants for boys and girls who are cross country and middle-distance runners from high school and junior high. At 42 years old, it is one of the country’s oldest camps of its kind. The camp’s purpose is to provide quality individual instruction in the techniques and training that are necessary for young athletes to reach their full potential. Workouts, lectures, films and activities are all designed to instruct, entertain and motivate. We are aware that our campers represent a wide variety of talent, motivations, education and experience, and we are prepared to tailor our program to each athlete’s needs.

The University of Wisconsin offers a variety of summer, fall, winter, and spring diving clinics. Since the summer of 2011, Head Coach Anton Slobounov has offered instructional camps and clinics for campers of all ages and skill levels on campus at the UW Natatorium. Training includes both dive well and dry land instruction, tailored for campers to receive the maximum amount of individual instruction.

The 2018 Wisconsin Badgers Football Camps provide players of all ages a first class learning experience. Held at Camp Randall Stadium, current Wisconsin coaches will lead the instruction at each camp, with support from current and former members of the Wisconsin Football Team as well as visiting coaches. Campers will be instructed on the fundamental skills of their selected position.

The University of Wisconsin offers a variety of Girls Basketball Camps: Badger Day Camp, Elite Camp, Team Camp, All-Skills Camp, and Youth Skills Camp. Each of these camps have a different focus that will contribute to player development. Head Coach Jonathan Tsipis and the rest of the UW coaching staff will lead the instruction at each camp, with support from current and former members of the Badger Women’s Basketball team.

The University of Wisconsin Badger Girls Golf Camps were developed to expose girls to the fundamentals of the game of golf and provide a fun learning environment in a college setting. The camps feature professional instruction, educational seminars, and rounds of golf. All camp activities take place at the nationally acclaimed University Ridge Golf Course which includes the exclusive Badger men’s and women’s team outdoor practice facility and new indoor UW Golf Training Center. There is also time for other fun activities, so come join us this summer and take your game to a new level!

The University of Wisconsin offers a variety of Girls Hockey Camps at the home of Wisconsin Women’s Hockey, LaBahn Arena, which are focused on developing the skills of hockey in an enjoyable atmosphere.  Each of our camps will include sessions on power skating, skill development and stick handling, and team concepts for both offense and defense.  Our camps are great for players that are looking to take their game to the next level.

The University of Wisconsin offers a variety of seasonal sessions of Women’s Rowing Camps, which will be tailored to both experienced and beginner-level rowers.

The University of Wisconsin Badger Girls’ Soccer Camps are designed to prepare players to compete and train at a higher level. Sessions focus on technique development as well as teamwork and special team tactics and strategy. An additional area of concentration is the development of positional skills through practices designed to improve positional awareness and understanding. The Girls’ Soccer camps provide an excellent opportunity for girls to enjoy great soccer, meet new friends, and have a great camp experience. Under the direction of Wisconsin’s goalkeeper coach, Tim Rosenfeld, the Girls’ Soccer Camps will provide specific goalkeeper instruction.

The University of Wisconsin offers a variety of softball camps throughout the year.  The softball camps are focused on developing the fundamental, individual skills of softball in an enjoyable atmosphere, as well as providing instruction on game situations.  Each of our camps will include sessions on individual and team concepts for both offense and defense.  Our camps are great for players that are looking to take their game to the next level.

The University of Wisconsin Badger Swim camps provide an enjoyable, challenging learning experience for campers.  The camps focus on swimming all four strokes in the most effective manner with proper technique to maximize efficiency.  Special attention is also given to the training principles involved in successful competitive swimming, which includes dry land training.  Each camper will receive one-on-one skill stroke attention along with help on all different types of starts and turns.  Campers will also have the opportunity to be filmed above and below the water while swimming all four competitive strokes and receiving instant feedback.

The University of Wisconsin Tennis program offers multiple co-educational instructional camps this summer. Please consult each session page for details regarding the target population for each camp. We are happy to offer beginning players the opportunity to advance their skills and highly skilled players the opportunity to take their game to the next level. All camps will focus on individual skill instruction and will expose campers to the Badger Tennis experience.

The purpose of our various track and field camps is to provide quality individual instruction in the techniques and training that are necessary for young athletes to reach their full potential. We are aware that the athletes represent a wide variety of talent, motivations, education, and experience and we are prepared to tailor our program to each athlete’s needs.

The University of Wisconsin Badger Volleyball program is happy to offer an array of volleyball camp opportunities to participants that range in age and experience. We have programs which are intended to attract the interest of young campers to introduce them to the game as well as programs that seek to focus on advanced, specific skill instruction for advanced and experienced players. Under the direction of Wisconsin Head Coach Kelly Sheffield, each of our camps will focus on making better volleyball players in a fun, competitive environment.

The University of Wisconsin Badger Wrestling Camps are designed to provide technical instruction, develop and improve skills in a competitive atmosphere, and prepare student-athletes for the upcoming wrestling season. Camp instruction will be led by our very successful Badger Coaching Staff with assistance and demonstration from current and former UW wrestlers.  Our camps will address all aspects of becoming a better wrestler with emphasis on drill technique, live wrestling, and mental toughness.

BioTrek is the science outreach program of the University of Wisconsin Biotechnology Center and of UW Madison – Division of Extension.

BioTrek’s goal is to cultivate science savvy: to transform how people view and do science, and to enable people to use science better in making personal choices, in forming public policies, and in making decisions in the face of uncertainty.

BioTrek welcomes visitors of all types: school groups preK-16, 4-H groups and other youth groups, retiree groups, teachers and teacher in-services, service clubs, and more. BioTrek does not charge a professional fee. Check the website for a list of activities the visitors to BioTrek can choose from. We also host tours of the cores within the UW Biotechnology Center.

CAPE is affiliated with the School of Education’s Office of Equity Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI) at UW-Madison. The School of Education is home to a wide range of undergraduate majors for students pursuing careers in education, the arts, or health fields. CAPE is a 2- week summer collegiate experience for rising high school seniors interested in academic majors/fields within the School of Education. CAPE participants reside on the UW–Madison campus and take 2-credit courses taught by award-winning faculty and staff in the School of Education. Much like a first-year college student at UW–Madison, CAPE students engage in coursework that explores their academic and career interests.

College Ready @ Badger Precollege is a 3-day online college preparation course for high school students. This holistic program combines a broad college readiness experience with a jumpstart in analytical skills exploration to help prepare students for college success. While each course helps prepare students for academic success, our curriculum also includes information about the path to college.

Interact with PhD students from the Wisconsin Applied Computing Center to help each side gain a better understanding of research topics in the field of Computational Dynamics.

Earth Focus Day Camp nurtures a sense of wonder for nature and guides youth as they explore the habitats, plants, and animals of the Arboretum. Camp activities include outdoor discovery hikes and observations, hands-on science exploration, and nature games and activities.

The EducationUSA Academy at UW–Madison provides students age 15-17 the tools and experience to successfully prepare for and excel in the American college environment. We invite international students to join us for the EducationUSA Academy at UW-Madison, providing an in-depth experience of life at an American university. Take your learning beyond the classroom, your time here will provide educational, social and services opportunities to prepare you for success in higher education and create lifelong memories. Join us for an unforgettable three weeks at the University of Wisconsin-Madison!

EducationUSA Academy Connects at UW-Madison provides international high school students the opportunity to experience life at a US university, in an online environment. Students will learn about study opportunities and the admissions process at three different higher education institutions, develop their leadership skills, and perfect intercultural communication abilities. Students can decide between College Preparation or Business Skills Development sessions, each interacting live with UW-Madison instructors and students from around the world.

Engineering Summer Program (ESP) is a fully funded, six-week residential program for students who will be high school juniors or seniors in the upcoming school year. The ESP course curriculum includes math, physics, chemistry, engineering, and technical communications. Other structured programming such as industry site visits, field trips, guest lectures, workshops, and faculty mentoring will help students gain a better understanding of the field of engineering and its applications.

Grandparents University is an intergenerational learning experience for children aged seven to 14 who are accompanied by a grandparent(s) or older adult relative(s) who is not a parent. Grandparents University offers a wide range of “majors” taught by UW faculty, staff, and graduate students from disciplines across campus. You and your grandchild will stay together in the same major for the entire two-day program. An adult must accompany each child at all times during the activities related to the major.

Words and images come together in this exciting collaboration camp! Students will learn fundamentals of cartooning and illustration as well as storytelling from Greater Madison Writing Project educators and professional artists!

Young writers meet in the beautiful setting of the Olbrich Botanical Gardens and use their surroundings as inspiration for writing, in a supportive environment, led by a staff of Greater Madison Writing Project Fellows and experienced teaching of writing. Participants then share their favorite pieces from the week with their families and friends at an evening celebration.

A supportive and creative environment to learn new techniques and meet other writers. Led by Greater Madison Writing Project Educators and guest writers. For students entering grades 9-12.

Courses in sailing, windsurfing, and racing for youth from beginner to advanced, designed to teach outdoor recreation skills and support personal growth.

ITA programs serve students in the communities of Lac du Flambeau, Madison, and Oneida. Through ITA, high school students build technology knowledge and skills with hands-on training, and receive academic support, leadership development, community service, and internship opportunities. ITA is designed to increase the enrollment and success of diverse students at UW–Madison.

At an ICE Fun with Chemistry camp, campers actually get to do science—they don’t just watch it happen! Through experiments, projects, and discussions, they explore chemistry and science in laboratories in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Experienced staff supervise students in small groups, emphasizing lab safety while communicating fundamental concepts in science and encouraging campers to exercise their reasoning skills.

This program accepts students grades 5-8

The LEAP Forward Internship Program is a 6 week paid internship for current sophomore high-school students. As a LEAP Forward Intern, you will not only gain key practical experiences within the field of Health Sciences, but will also gain exposure to the opportunities which exist for you beyond High School, whether at UW-Madison or elsewhere.

Day camp that teaches French to children of any language level through interactive stories, songs, crafts, games, snack time, and role play.

Students ages 2-18 whose parents are enrolled in UW Odyssey Project may participate in one of our three Odyssey Junior classrooms. Recognizing that breaking the cycle of generational poverty involves whole families, Odyssey Junior supports children in self-discovery, literacy and expression through writing, speaking, visual arts, music, movement and theater.

PEOPLE (Precollege Enrichment Opportunity Program for Learning Excellence) is for students of color and low-income students. It helps motivated students build study skills and explore and strengthen academic and career interests, and prepares students to be successfully admitted into UW–Madison. Registration, application information, and applicant qualifications are listed on the program page.

The Virtual Pharmacy Program is designed to give high school students traditionally underrepresented in healthcare opportunities to learn about careers in Pharmacy, our PharmD program, and to become familiar with the UW-Madison campus. This virtual camp is open to any high school student who is interested in learning about Pharmacy careers is encouraged to sign-up. Students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, underrepresented races in healthcare, rural communities, or first-generation students are highly encouraged to apply. WI residents who qualify for free and reduced lunch are highly encouraged to register!
Typically, this a residential camp held in summer (called Pharmacy Summer Program) but this year due to the pandemic, we will host the camp virtually from March-June, with a mandatory virtual orientation on March 3rd from 4:00-5:00PM. This camp will be an excellent activity to add to your resume, and campers who actively participate will be given a certificate of completion!

Every tween/teen will tell you that they know how to take photos-and yes they do. They also will probably tell you that they know how to write poetry of some kind. This camp is a combination of the two distinct forms of art, photography and poetry working together to create a new art form. Students will learn about what makes a great photo, the rules of composition, how to photograph different subject matter, AND they will learn about poetry. Their poetry will be about the images photographed, it will connect to specific images using different types of poetic styles. We will print some of the best photos in a small format and present them with their poems. Students must bring their own phone, digital camera, tablet or iPad to use.

Posse identifies public high school students with extraordinary academic and leadership potential who may be overlooked by traditional college selection processes. Posse extends to these students the opportunity to pursue personal and academic excellence by placing them in supportive, diverse teams—Posses—of 10 students. Posse partner colleges and universities award Posse Scholars four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships.

This free six-day residential program on the campus of the University of Wisconsin–Madison promotes a multidisciplinary Computational Science Initiative. Organized by the members of the Simulation-Based Engineering Lab, in collaboration with the Wisconsin Applied Computing Center, ProCSI introduces high-school students to the Computational Science discipline. Participants will be shown how the fundamental building blocks they are currently learning in high-school math, physics, and science classes are connected to advanced concepts in computer science and engineering that they may encounter at the University as a student or in the everyday world around them.

This six-week residential program on campus teaches Russian language and culture through the life and works of Russian national poet Alexander Pushkin.

Our summer day camp features recreational activities and on and off-campus field trips with partners including Outdoor UW, Babcock Hall Dairy Store, science labs, and more for 11 one-week sessions. We strive to provide a supportive and enjoyable environment for children ages 5-14 where learning and fun go hand in hand. Each participant will receive one complimentary summer camp t-shirt. (Score!)

New in 2023: Rec Well Teen Camp!
Our Teen Camp aims to provide an enjoyable and beneficial camp experience that allows 13–14 year old students to have fun while also developing soft skills. Throughout the summer, this group will have opportunities to play classic camp games, attend field trips around UW-Madison’s campus, engage in team building activities, participate in leadership workshops, plan camp activities for the younger age groups, and more!

Rise Up & Write is a program from the Greater Madison Writing Project and the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Rise Up and Write will bring together high school students interested in issue advocacy through writing.  Youth writers will work together and with professional teachers of writing to read, research, and write for awareness and change around issues that matter.

SEACAP was established to reach out to and empower rising 7th and 8th grade Southeast Asian American students in Dane County to further their education beyond high school. Additionally, SEACAP is intended to strengthen students’ academic pursuit within the UW System by assisting students in utilizing the optimum educational benefits available to them. Program workshops highlight college and career readiness, financial aid, admission, basic skills and competencies, and campus student support and services.

Join us on the UW-Madison Campus for Summer Academy. This Positive Youth Development program will help you discover pathways to your future. Students in grades 7-10 can signup to learn what it takes to have a career or a hobby in several SPARK areas including agriculture, STEM, service, leadership, arts, trades, and many more. There will be fun opportunities to build networks and friendships with folks from all over the state of WI.

Each summer, the Social Media and Adolescent Health Research Team (SMAHRT) hosts the Summer Research Scholars program. This week-long program provides 9th – 12th grade students with the opportunity to conduct their own research project. These research projects are centered on teen health and social media. Scholars will learn different types of research methods, discover a variety of career paths in research and health-related fields and practice their public speaking and presentation skills. The Summer Research Scholars program aims to engage students who may not have other opportunities to engage with topics in research and health-related fields.

You can apply to take UW–Madison classes during Summer Term during your junior or senior year of high school. You will be admitted as a University Special student, and will earn college credit for face-to-face and online courses. To apply, your GPA must be at least 3.0 overall as well as in your most recent semester of high school. Your guidance counselor must also recommend you for Summer Term. University Housing is accepting high school students taking Summer Term courses in 2018. Depending on the course, students may choose to do a residential program while taking college credit courses.

Our Health Careers Camps are five day programs held around the state of Wisconsin. These camps allow the students to experience first hand the challenges, opportunities and rewards of health professions. This unique experience is a collaboration of the Wisconsin AHEC regional offices, local colleges, technical schools colleges and area healthcare practitioners.

The Town Center at the Discovery Building is an exceptional destination for scientific exploration. Several field trip workshops are offered for students in elementary, middle, and high school either virtually or in person.

Saturday Science at the Discovery Building is a regular series that features interactive exploration stations centered around a particular topic. Families and learners of all ages are invited to explore hands-on science fun during this free drop-in event, which generally is held from 10 a.m. until noon on the second Saturday of each month, either virtually or in the Town Center of the Discovery Building.

The weeklong camps, held each summer at the Discovery Building in Madison, Wis., help rural students learn hands-on science and ignite their passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.  Each participating high school sends a sponsoring science teacher who guides their student teams and participates in professional development. As a modification to the summer science camp, a summer science online workshop series was designed to allow participants to engage with scientists in meaningful ways through weekly webinars over the course of six weeks.

The Wisconsin School of Business (WSB) Pre-college program is designed to provide promising high school students from under resourced and/or diverse backgrounds the opportunity to explore business majors, visit regional corporations, explore their identities, and participate in applied learning activities. WSB Pre-College Program will provide participants access to professional instructors, trained college mentors, free meals and snacks, Madison Metro bus passes upon request, along with activities and experiences that will allow participants to navigate business career pathways and build lasting relationships with each other.

High school students and teachers come to campus for a day of language lessons, presentations, and more.

Do you find yourself curious about the news and what role it plays in our society? What role do journalists play in presenting that news? Whether you want to become a journalist or you crave understanding of the legitimacy of the news presented to you, this fun camp is for you.