PROGRAM DATES:
ELIGIBILITY: Any current U.S. high school student who will be a sophomore, junior or senior in the Fall of 2026.
COST: $2,000 — Up to 90% of the cost will be covered by financial aid for qualifying students. If you are an Earlham employee, ask about our employee discounts.
LOCATION: Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana
APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 1, 2026
Online registration available in November!
Summer sessions
Session 1: June 7-12, 2026
Nature of Birds
This course introduces the evolution, ecology, and identification of birds, with a special focus on Indiana species. You’ll combine interactive classroom learning with hands-on experiences, including field trips to Earlham Nature Reserve and lab work using specimens from the Joseph Moore Museum. By the end, you’ll understand bird diversity and conservation challenges while gaining practical skills in bird identification and field techniques.
Taught by Joshua Angell
Medicine and Microscopes
This course combines pre-health career advising with hands-on biomedical research, including molecular biology projects, microscope work, and potential cadaver access. You’ll meet local physicians, explore contemporary lab techniques, and gain practical insight into medical and health professions.
Taught by Peter Blair
Conflict Resolution
Through interactive role-plays and discussions, you’ll explore diverse approaches to conflict resolution and practice nonviolent techniques. By the end, you’ll feel more self-assured in navigating disagreements and equipped with practical strategies for real-world situations.
Taught by Joanna Swanger
A Week at the Museum
Discover how museums preserve and interpret art, objects, and specimens through hands-on work in collections and exhibit design. You’ll create tours or programs and complete a mini research project using real museum data, gaining practical experience in curation and public engagement.
Taught by Ann-Eliza Lewis
Session 2: June 14-19, 2026
Encounter with the Cosmos
Explore the universe with robotic telescopes! This course blends short interactive lectures with hands-on web-based astronomy labs. You’ll capture images using remote telescopes, analyze real data to measure planets, stars, and galaxies, and uncover the structure of the cosmos while learning essential scientific techniques.
Taught by Seth Hopper
Psychology of Food
Discover the psychology behind what we eat! Through a mix of discussion, activities, and interactive lectures, you’ll explore how experiences shape food-related behaviors and examine research findings. By the end, you’ll gain insight into your own choices and the science behind them.
Taught by Maggie Thomas
Metalsmithing
Create jewelry that tells a story! In this hands-on course, you’ll explore how art and adornment communicate ideas while learning foundational metalsmithing techniques. From sawing and piercing to patinas and cold connections, you’ll design and craft a unique pendant that reflects your identity and concept, then share your work through critique and discussion.
Taught by Lauren Darrouzet
Nature of Birds
This course introduces the evolution, ecology, and identification of birds, with a special focus on Indiana species. You’ll combine interactive classroom learning with hands-on experiences, including field trips to Earlham Nature Reserve and lab work using specimens from the Joseph Moore Museum. By the end, you’ll understand bird diversity and conservation challenges while gaining practical skills in bird identification and field techniques.
Taught by Joshua Angell
Session 3: June 21-26, 2026
Chemistry of Cooking
This course mixes short interactive lectures with hands-on experiments in the lab and kitchen, exploring what happens chemically when you boil an egg, make an emulsion, or taste sweet versus sour. You’ll apply real chemistry concepts to cooking, design creative projects, and gain practical skills that connect science to everyday life.
Taught by Lori Watson
Costume-Cosplay
This course introduces the art of costume design for theatre, film, and television, exploring how clothing shapes storytelling and character development. You’ll dive into historical and cultural influences while learning the creative principles that make costumes a powerful visual language.
Taught by Mia Slayton
Fraud-Business-“The anatomy of Fraud”
Explore why people commit corruption, theft, and financial statement fraud, and analyze famous cases like Enron. You’ll investigate real company reports using SEC data, tackle ethical dilemmas, and learn how businesses prevent fraud through tools like blockchain and strong ethical cultures. The week ends with student presentations on recent fraud cases, giving you hands-on experience in research and critical thinking.
Taught by Ryan Hudgins
Poetry and Gaming
Fuse gaming with creative writing to tell powerful stories! In this course, you’ll play video games and use them as inspiration for poetry, exploring themes like love, grief, victory, and tough decisions. We’ll discuss assigned poems and games, write about our experiences, and consider what gaming reveals about social inequities and the world we live in.
Taught by Dez Brown
What’s included
Join us for Earlham Summer, a weeklong pre-college summer camp for high school students. Students will have the chance to try on college life while earning a college credit and building lifelong friendships with their new classmates. You will also become eligible for a $500/year scholarship if you choose to attend Earlham after completing your session.
Throughout the week, you’ll get:
You’ll leave Earlham’s campus more prepared for college and the journey you’re about to embark on.
Not sure if pre-college programs are for you?
Our donors
Our generous donors and partners make Earlham Summer possible.
Interested in learning more?
We believe that our community is a special place and would love to have you be a part of it, even just for a visit! Plan your visit to campus today or request more information about Earlham College.