6 Environmental Summer Programs for High School Students

Looking to have the best summer of your life with fun-filled activities while caring for Mother Earth?! Forget about working at a fast food joint this summer and go green with a conservation project, from wildlife rehabilitation to planting trees to installing energy sources. You’ll meet people from all over the world while participating in activities like snorkeling, kayaking, hiking, and more!

Taking care of the oceans doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them too!

Blow up that Insta feed with stunning landscape pics of African sunsets, Caribbean beaches, or Central American rainforests. Your parents or guardian will also love that these programs have lots of skill-building activities, support, and learning opportunities.

Spice up your summer, make traveling more meaningful, and feel #blessed for a few weeks or more with an environmental project abroad. For all the teen ecowarriors out there who care about the planet, these environmental summer programs for high school students are for you!

Why find environmental science summer camps for high school students?

Whether you’re participating in an environmental science summer camp for a few weeks or a full summer, you’ll gain international experience that will benefit you in a variety of ways. If you’re thinking of going into a career in biology, ecology, agriculture, zoology, or any other environmental or wildlife field, you’ll be able to get your feet wet before investing in more schooling, internships, and the like.

Many environmental summer programs for high school students offer language learning classes, intercultural awareness classes, and sustainability and conservation courses. The skills you gain and courses you take from your experience will also look really good on your resume for college applications and job prospects.

You’ll also be able to gain global competencies that will give you an edge in a world that is becoming more interconnected and reliant on other countries to solve international environmental issues.

6 cool environmental summer programs for high school students

1. Projects Abroad: Volunteer in Ecuador

Why? Pelicans, sea lions, blue-footed boobies, oh my! See the natural wonderland that inspired Charles Darwin’s research. You can monitor animal populations, collect data, and help with other conservation projects on the Galapagos Islands. Plus, you can dive, snorkel, and island hop in your free time. Didn’t learn much (or any) Spanish in high school? You can take Spanish lessons and practice with the locals with Projects Abroad! The program includes all food, accommodation, and 24/7 support.
Duration: 1-12 weeks; 3-12 months
Focus: Animal welfare, biological research, conservation, environment, organic farming, restoration, tree planting, wildlife
Read Projects Abroad reviews

2. ARCC Programs: Lighting Lives in Kenya & Tanzania

Why? Swim in tropical turquoise waters, walk along white beaches, and snap pics of elephants and giraffes in Kenya & Tanzania. Here you can make a difference by helping to build and install solar panels to provide sustainable energy on a small scale. You may even pick up some Swahili along the way! You’ll also have the opportunity to take a safari through the animal sanctuaries and learn more about wildlife conservation. The nearly all-inclusive program includes lodging, transportation, food, and even activities!
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Focus: Building and construction, community development, wildlife
Read ARCC reviews

3. GoEco: Under 18 Marine Conservation Expedition in Mexico

Why? Dive into the depths of blue waters of Quintana Roo! While you’re there, why not get PADI Open Water certified?! You’ll participate in marine conservation by helping to identify marine species, taking surveys, collecting data, and raising environmental awareness. Throughout your time in Mexico, enjoy excursions to ancient ruins, zipline parks, visit Mayan villages, and get cultured! The program includes accommodation, most meals, 24/7 support, orientation, and more.
Duration: 1-2 weeks
Focus: Conservation, environment, marine conservation, water projects
Read GoEco reviews

4. GoBeyond: Global Community Service Adventures for Teens

Why? From sailing the British Virgin Islands to strolling through Iceland’s glaciers, GoBeyond offers a variety of environmental conservation programs in countries all over the world! Increase global awareness, participate in adrenaline-filled adventures, and meet people from all over the world. Whether you’re helping to protect elephants, clean up coastlines, or rebuild rainforests, you’ll no doubt be making a positive impact. Many reviewers have even praised how the program staff were helpful and supportive.
Duration: 2-4 weeks
Focus: Building and construction, conservation, disaster relief, reforestation, tree planting, wildlife
Read GoBeyond reviews

5. Outward Bound: Surf, Scuba, Raft & Hike in Costa Rica & Panama

Why? One of the best environmental science summer camps for high school students is with OutwardBound in Costa Rica & Panama! You’ll have a range of course options from hiking to SCUBA diving to surfing. A homestay family will help you immerse yourself in the culture while experiencing the local cuisine and practicing your Spanish. Why not trek rainforests, raft whitewaters, and sea kayak while you’re there? Adrenaline-filled activities + community service = the adventure of a lifetime!
Duration: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks
Focus: Agriculture, animal welfare, conservation
Read Outward Bound reviews

6. Intercultura Costa Rica: Spanish Adventure & Leadership Camp for Teenagers

Why? Costa Rica boasts the title of Champion of the Earth by the UN where 95% of the energy is renewable! Enjoy this teen summer camp that teaches participants about sustainable agriculture and interconnected ecosystems. Intercultura Costa Rica also emphasizes the importance of learning about indigenous cultures and practicing empathetic communication. Get this: The program even includes cooking classes, Latin dance classes, and a homestay experience. You can also snorkel at the reef, learn to surf, and hike to see the lookout on a volcano!
Duration: 1-2 weeks
Focus: Community service and volunteering
Read Intercultura Costa Rica reviews

Can’t pick? Compare these programs (and more) side-by-side for FREE with MyGoAbroad

person standing on garbage pile in Myanmar

Our planet can use all the help it can get.

Save the Earth during your summer vacation!

How could you miss an opportunity to see flamingos in Kenya, giant tortoises on the Galapagos Islands, or beautiful butterflies in Jamaica?! Most environmental summer programs for high school students are also flexible with program length and activities, so you can customize them to fit your needs and interests.

Plus, the programs have guides and coordinators that will keep an eye on things (which will make your ‘rents or guardian happy). You’ll also experience new foods, different languages, and unique cultures that will help you grow as a person in more ways than you thought possible.

Do the world (and yourself) a great service by helping to protect wildlife and conserve the environment. Those typical teen summer dramas on Netflix ain’t got nothing on making a difference, and gaining international experience with an environmental summer program for high school students!