Camp · STEM · Ages 15–18 · $2,500/week
Directory · United States · North Carolina · Chapel Hill
▌ STEM · Ages 15–18

Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics

University of Wisconsin-River Falls · $2,500/week

Intensive astrophysics research program for rising high school seniors at UNC Chapel Hill.

▌ Editor's read The Summer Science Program (SSP) Astrophysics program, established in 1959 by Dr. George Porter, is a highly selective, immersive residential program for rising high school seniors. The program focuses on celestial mechanics, where students work in teams to determine the orbit of a near-Earth asteroid from their own observations. The website mentions that staff undergo background checks and are trained in youth protection. SSP is a nonprofit organization. While specific Google reviews for the Astrophysics program at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls location were not readily available, the overall Summer Science Program has a strong reputation. The program is not listed as ACA accredited. Social media handles include @summerscienceprogram on Instagram and SummerScienceProgram on Facebook.
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Since 196165+ years operating
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Nonprofit operator501(c)(3) tax-exempt
Shortlist in planner → Visit website

Who thrives here Ages 15–18

Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics serves high-school campers, which means the program is competing against summer jobs, college visits, internships, and residential overnight options. The case for a day camp at this age is usually a CIT (counselor-in-training) track, deep specialization in stem, or a portfolio item parents and kids both value. Programs that don't articulate one of those three usually lose this age band by 9th grade.

Facts & Credentials

Program type
Overnight camp
ACA accredited
Not verified
Established
1961 (65 years)
Operator
Nonprofit organization
Staff-to-camper ratio
Not listed

How we verify these →

Details

  • Category: STEM
  • Ages: 15–18
  • Hours: Full-time residential program
  • Address: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 210 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Cost notes: USD

Logistics

  • Lunch provided: Yes
  • Transportation: No
  • Financial aid: No
  • Setting: mixed

Frequently asked about Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics

What ages does Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics accept?
Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics is open to children ages 15–18. Camps publish their own age cutoffs, and some run mixed-age groups internally; check the registration page for that summer's grouping if your child sits at a boundary.
How much does Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics cost?
Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics publishes $2,500/week for the standard session. USD Final cost depends on session length, sibling discounts, and whether extended care is added on.
What are Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics's hours?
Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics runs Full-time residential program. If those hours don't quite cover your work day, check whether extended care or early drop-off is offered separately.
Who runs Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics?
Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics is operated by a nonprofit organization, with 65 years of operating history. The operator type matters for tuition policy (refunds, financial aid eligibility) and for what kind of staff training pipeline the camp uses.
Does Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics provide lunch?
Yes — Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics includes lunch in the program. Confirm whether it's a hot lunch, cold lunch, or a snack-plus-bring-your-own setup, and ask about allergy accommodations if relevant.
How does Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics compare to other stem camps in Chapel Hill?
Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics is one of 5 stem camps in Chapel Hill that overlap its age range. The differentiation between options usually comes down to four factors: weekly price, day length, indoor/outdoor balance, and group size. Browse same-city alternatives in the directory to compare side by side.

Planning guides

Editorial checklists to use before you compare Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics with other camps.

Camps near here

Same city, with age-overlapping options first. Other camps to consider alongside Summer Science Program (SSP) - Astrophysics.