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    Summer 2026 Application is Open! Enroll Now.

    Summer 2026 Application is Open! Enroll Now.

    Ages 12–14 • Day or Residential • Wellesley, MA

    Immersive EXPLO summer programs for middle schoolers

    Try more, be more, and find your spark. Our two-week residential or day pre high school summer programs are for ages 12–14 (rising grades 7-9). Join us on Wellesley College’s campus—just outside Boston. Have an unforgettable summer where you can be all you.

    EXPLO Friends at Wellesley

    Life at Wellesley College (near Boston)

    • 500‑acre campus with studios, fields, and a lakeside backdrop
    • Day or residential options with full menus of evening + weekend activities
    • Easy access to Greater Boston museums, harbor, sports, and attractions
    • Designed specifically for middle schoolers

     

    Programs that spark

    • EXPLO 360°
    • Vet Science
    • Medical Rotations
    EXPLO 360°
    Vet Science
    35Meet real vets

    Go behind the scenes at clinics and wildlife centers. See how teams care for animals, ask questions, and learn how curiosity becomes a career.
    33Animal care in action

    Practice hands-on skills—vital signs, bandaging, basic triage, and lab techniques—using models and simulations designed for middle schoolers. When you do more, you learn more.
    34Discover your path

    Explore the many roles in veterinary medicine and animal science—small animal, wildlife, research, and beyond. Build confidence as you find what fits.
    Medical Rotations
    36Try real rotations

    Sample different areas of healthcare through demos and simulations—emergency response, diagnostics, and patient intake—guided by medical professionals.
    37-1Collab on cases

    Work with your group to solve patient issues. Practice observation, decision-making, and communication—the skills that help care teams thrive.
    38See yourself in healthcare

    Meet people in a range of roles and learn how they got there. Build habits and confidence that make high school (and your next steps) feel exciting and possible.
    • EXPLO 360°
    • Vet Science
    • Medical Rotations
    EXPLO 360°
    Vet Science
    35Meet real vets

    Go behind the scenes at clinics and wildlife centers. See how teams care for animals, ask questions, and learn how curiosity becomes a career.
    33Animal care in action

    Practice hands-on skills—vital signs, bandaging, basic triage, and lab techniques—using models and simulations designed for middle schoolers. When you do more, you learn more.
    34Discover your path

    Explore the many roles in veterinary medicine and animal science—small animal, wildlife, research, and beyond. Build confidence as you find what fits.
    Medical Rotations
    36Try real rotations

    Sample different areas of healthcare through demos and simulations—emergency response, diagnostics, and patient intake—guided by medical professionals.
    37-1Collab on cases

    Work with your group to solve patient issues. Practice observation, decision-making, and communication—the skills that help care teams thrive.
    38See yourself in healthcare

    Meet people in a range of roles and learn how they got there. Build habits and confidence that make high school (and your next steps) feel exciting and possible.

    An age that matters

    We built this summer program for middle schoolers specifically for ages 12-14. We get that you're figuring out who you want to be—and the more you experiment, the more you'll know. Discover the world of people, places, ideas, and you.

    Days built by you

    Join a glow stick party. Go to Six Flags. Experience whale watching. Try comedy. Play soccer (football) with friends from around the country—and world. Have a beach day. And so much more in EXPLO summer programs for middle schoolers.

    26-1

    Workshops + Electives

    Get more choices. Pick from options across arts, STEM, design, cooking, and leadership.

    25-2

    Community + Events

    Afternoon activities and clubs, evening events and showcases. 

    24-2

    Taking Charge

    You pick everything. From academic enrichment to daily choices on how to connect, unwind, and manage your time. 

    360 (3)

    Weekend Adventures

    Boston Excursions and big group trips.

    People who connect

    • Faculty + Staff
    • Alumni
    Faculty + Staff
    Alumni
    40-1Katie Stack Morgan, PhD

    Research Scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Lab, Mars 2020 Rover Mission | Forbes 30 Under 30
    39-1Salvador Gomez

    Climate Resilience and Youth Empowerment Activist Founder, Light and Hope for Puerto Rico 
    41-1Celia Rose Gooding

    Actor + Singer | Grammy Award Winner, Tony Award Nominee 

    See Alumni

    From MIT startup to discovery powerhouse

    There’s a reason our alumni go on to found startups like Instagram and nonprofits for climate resilience, win Grammy and Tony awards, become NASA scientists, and more.

    EXPLO Summer History Timeline

    Why EXPLO

    Why EXPLO collage

    Frequently Asked Questions

    EXPLO summer programs for middle schoolers are for ages 12–14 (rising grades 7–9).

    Wellesley College, just outside Boston, MA (day and residential).

    EXPLO residential and day summer programs for middle schoolers are the same; residential adds dorm life, evenings, and weekend adventures.

    Our application opens on October 15, 2025 for Summer 2026.  Enroll Now.

    EXPLO is a blend of both. You’ll engage in hands-on learning, explore new subjects, and participate in fun social activities and weekend trips.

    Use the summer to try new things, meet new people, and build skills that school doesn’t always cover. It’s the perfect time to explore what really excites you—and build confidence for high school. 

    That depends on what you’re looking for—but programs with a long history, real-world experiences, and standout alumni are definitely worth your time.

    Absolutely. They show colleges that you’re curious, motivated, and not afraid to go after new experiences outside the classroom. And summer programs for middle schoolers set you up for a more confident, engaged high school experience.