Wild and crazy floral arranging with the Horticultural Science Summer Institute
Horticultural Science Summer Institute July 5-10, 2026
Applications are open! Apply by April 1st, 2026.
High school students are invited to spend a week at NC State University climbing trees, grafting tomatoes, snacking on raspberries, discovering new genes and so much more. The Horticultural Science Summer Institute is a residential, hands-on, pre-college program designed to engage youth into the many career opportunities within horticulture. Students will dig into workshops led by faculty, staff and students on topics ranging from breeding better vegetables, propagating ornamental shrubs, lengthening the life of cut flowers, learning sustainable production and design practices and delving into practical tools that enhance our understanding of plant processes.
Students will visit unique and innovative North Carolina farms, markets, greenhouses and gardens. Youth will also explore college-making decisions and leadership development, enjoy evening entertainment and team-building activities, live in a campus residence hall with campus dining. The camp provides a close-knit forum for high school students across the country to gather together and broaden their interest and knowledge about horticulture.
Any high school student (rising 9th-12th) with a career or hobby interest within the field of agriculture and horticulture are encouraged to apply to the summer institute. We take up to 42 students. The cost for the week is $675 and includes on-campus lodging in the dorms, all meals, field trips, workshop materials, and entertainment. There may be some scholarships for underserved youth and participants with financial need, or payment can be made in installments.
Applications are open for the 2026 summer program with applications due by April 1st and program acceptance occurring in mid-April. To apply, you will need to create a family account in our NC State program registration system called REPORTER. A user guide walks you through the process if needed.
Please contact Liz Driscoll, program director at liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu | cell: (919) 886-3424 | office (919) 513-7346 or Emily Eldridge, program coordinator at emeldrid@ncsu.edu for more information.
Visiting JC Raulston Arboretum Students cross-pollinating petunias
Location
NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina
Program Files
Cross-pollinating petunias in the Fox Greenhouses
Youth visiting a local farm incubator and observing the cut flowers.
Youth climbing a tree at the JC Raulston Arboretum and thinking about canopy management.
Youth grafting heirloom tomato scions onto disease resistant rootstocks.
HSSI brings together youth with a common interest in plants and new friends are found!
