CALS Summer Programs

We offer opportunities for youth to learn more about ag and life sciences. Explore our programs for elementary, middle and high school students.

Want to learn more about CALS Summer Programs?

Start your summer adventure

4-H Camp

The 4-H camping experience will help youth develop life skills in areas such as building self-esteem, responsibility, decision-making, cooperation, social skills, sharing, leadership and teamwork. Serving ages 5 to 17.

Learn more about 4-H Camp

AgDiscovery Camp

Students learn about careers in plant science. They will listen to lectures, conduct laboratory experiments, and participate in workshops and field trips. Students live on campus and participate in character- and team-building exercises. Serving ages 15 to 17.

Visit the USDA website for more information

CAALS 3-D

CAALS 3-D provides an opportunity for high school students to experience a college campus atmosphere while conducting a one-week scientific research project. Serving rising juniors and seniors.

Learn more about CAALS 3-D

Horticultural Science Summer Institute

HSSI students will participate in workshops and explore career opportunities in horticulture. Students will live in residence halls, experience campus life at NC State, engage in leadership development, and enjoy evening entertainment and team-building activities. Serving high school students.

Howling with CALS Camp

This residential camp offers eligible rising high school freshmen an opportunity to learn about CALS. We help NC rural and underrepresented students explore all aspects of CALS’ people, facilities and resources. Tentative summer 2024 dates: June 9-13, 2024. Application opens late January 2024. Email cals_recruiting@ncsu.edu with questions. Serving high school freshmen.

Institute for Future Agricultural Leaders

The NC Farm Bureau sponsors a week-long program in the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences at NC State for high school students interested in the agriculture industry. IFAL emphasizes career opportunities, emerging technology, citizenship and leadership development. Serving high school seniors.

Visit the NC Farm Bureau for more information

Little girl feeding chickens in the field

JC Raulston Arboretum Summer Garden Camps

Summer Garden Camps engage campers in hands-on science lessons, garden investigations, arts and crafts, and fun, energetic games and activities. Serving preschool to 8th graders.

Learn more about Summer Garden Camps

Livestock Science Camp

Participants will spend a week living on campus, engaging in hands-on lessons with livestock at the teaching farms and campus laboratories, touring local livestock industries and developing leadership skills. Serving ages 15 to 18.

Learn more about Livestock Science Camp

North Carolina Youth Institute

This program is part of the Global Youth Institute and World Food Prize and provides a platform for students to research and give recommendations to solve key global challenges that range from food insecurity, access to potable water, poverty, human rights and more.

Poultry Science Summer Institute

Students interested in biology or a career in the poultry industry attend a four-day, four-night conference designed to broaden the high school student’s understanding of the educational disciplines, scholarship opportunities, careers and industries related to poultry science. Serving ages 14 to 18.

Resource Conservation Workshop

The Resource Conservation Workshop is a week-long intensive study and hands-on conservation workshop requiring student application and participation in various conservation topics.

Learn more about the workshop

Turfgrass Academy

Students who attend Turfgrass Academy visit classrooms and research facilities, gain hands-on experience and meet with NC State University students to learn about their major.

Learn more about Turfgrass Academy

VetCAMP

VetCAMP is a five-day summer camp hosted by the Veterinary Professions Advising Center (VetPAC) at NC State. Since 2011, this camp has educated students about careers in veterinary medicine and the various opportunities within the field. Serving rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and college freshmen.

VetCAMP Coordinators Lead the Way

CALS animal science majors Kylie Deuser, Abby Todd and Ashley Kropf gained invaluable leadership experience as VetCAMP camp coordinators during the summer of 2022.

Meet the VetCAMP Coordinators

Three young women smiling — Kylie Deuser, Abby Todd and Ashley Kropf led operations during the 2022 VetCAMP summer program.

Consider participating in one or more of the pre-college summer programs in CALS.

Full list of pre-college programs