Summer isn’t just for relaxing—it’s a time to grow, explore, and prepare for the future.
Summer often conjures images of camps for younger kids, where they make friends, learn new skills, and have fun. But as children grow into their teen years, they still benefit from engaging, enriching summer experiences—just tailored to their evolving interests and goals. While babysitting, mowing lawns, or lifeguarding are great ways for teens to spend their summer, there’s a wealth of opportunities that can help them prepare for their future, especially if they’re college-focused. If your teen has identified some of their dream colleges check out each colleges “What We Look For” web page for suggestions on repeated programs and skills needed to be a strong candidate in that school.
Here’s a look at some areas for your teen to consider to boost skills and their benefits:
1. Summer Camps & CIT Opportunities
Community Service Camps: These camps allow teens to give back to their communities while learning valuable skills. Whether it’s packing food for the homeless, assisting with community projects, or even helping to build homes, teens gain hands-on experience that fosters a sense of purpose.
Interest–Based Camps: For teens passionate about sports, arts, computer science or other activities, specialized camps provide an immersive environment to develop their skills. From improving soccer techniques to exploring the arts, building robot or deepening their faith, these camps offer a focused approach to personal growth.
Team–Building Camps: At camp, teens meet peers from diverse backgrounds and learn to work as a team through collaborative activities. Trust-building exercises and group projects teach cooperation—skills that are vital in college and beyond.
2. Internships
For teens with a clear interest in a particular field, internships provide an excellent opportunity to gain real-world experience. Whether shadowing a doctor, assisting in a lab, or working at a local business, internships offer insight into potential career paths and look impressive on college applications. Many universities offer selective paid internships in leadership, STEM, Art and writing. These competitive programs require a lengthy application process which can start the prior fall of the summer but are worth the effort if you get in. College admissions look highly on paid selective internships.
3. Research Opportunities
Teens interested in STEM fields can often find summer research opportunities through universities, science institutes, or specialized programs. These experiences allow students to contribute to meaningful projects, learn advanced methodologies, and connect with professionals in their field. Same as paid internships some of these competitive programs require a lengthy application process which can start the fall of the prior summer but are worth the effort if you get in. College admissions look highly on applicants with research experience if going planning on studying certain majors like computer science, engineering and medicine.
4. Job Shadowing
For those still exploring career options, job shadowing provides a chance to observe professionals at work. Spending a day, once a week with a mentor can help teens understand the day-to-day responsibilities of a job and determine whether it aligns with their interests. Is your teen interested in studying Pre-Med, then shadow a doctor in their office or doing rounds.
5. Developing Interests & Skills
Summer is a perfect time for teens to dive into interests they might not have time for during the school year. Whether attending camps focused on creative arts, sports, or technology, or taking guitar lessons, teens can develop new passions or refine existing ones, which could influence their future studies or careers.
6. Test Prep for PSAT/ACT and/or SAT
If your teen has an eye for a top 50 college they will need to allocate precious time that is hard to come by during the school year to preparing for admissions tests. Spending a few hours a week doing practice tests and utilizing instructional online content like Khan Academy to understand concepts not yet covered in school can go a long way to getting a score in the top ten percent.
Read 6 Reasons Why the PSAT Test Matters
7. College Preparation
Just as it’s hard to take time during the school year for test prep it can be difficult to work on your college essays, visit colleges, in-person and virtually, and research what your teens top college prospects are looking for in a qualified applicant. Summer is also a good time to review your classes and ensure that they align with your intended major, set academic goals, make a plan to develop leadership and address your teens weaker areas that they should work on.
8. Building Independence
Experiences like camps, travel, internships, or job shadowing encourage teens to step out of their comfort zones. These activities require them to adapt to new environments, manage their time, and interact with others—key skills for college and adulthood.
9. Building Healthy Habits
Whether through sports camps, outdoor adventure programs, or summer jobs that involve movement, staying physically active during the summer is essential. These activities help teens maintain their health while fostering discipline, developing skills and teamwork.
10. Cultivating Friendships & Social Skills
Whether through sports camps, outdoor adventure programs, or summer jobs that involve movement, staying physically active during the summer is essential. These activities help teens maintain their health while fostering discipline, developing skills and teamwork.
Sweet Homecoming
Spending time away from home — whether at a residential camp, internship, or through international travel — often helps teens gain a new appreciation for family life and everyday comforts, from home-cooked meals to their own bed. In addition to better appreciating what they have your teen may come back more willing to help out around the house, be more motivated to do school work and show interest in planning for college.
Summer isn’t just for relaxing—it’s a time to grow, explore, and prepare for the future. Whether through camps, internships, research, jobs or other activities, college-focused teens can make the most of their summer while creating memories, making friends and developing skills that will last a lifetime. And yes, there’s still plenty of time for those odd jobs to help fund next year’s adventures!
