High School Summer Opportunities 2025

Published On: April 28, 2025

Summer Opportunities:

  • First Responder – Iowa Hero Academy: The Iowa Hero Academy seeks young women interested in pursuing a career as a first responder. This week-long experience is provided at NO COST to the 16-18 year-old females in attendance. The Iowa Hero Academy will be held July 27-August 1 at Camp Dodge in Johnston. The Des Moines Police Department, Des Moines Fire Department, Iowa National Guard, and the Iowa National Air Guard provide hands-on training and drills in firefighting, law enforcement, and military exercises and decision-making. Interested 16-18 year-old females should apply at https://www.dsm.city/departments/fire/iowa_hero_academy.php by April 25, 2025.
  • Business Horizons Opportunity: Students in grades 9-12 interested in a summer experience that builds leadership skills, self-confidence, creative thinking, and collaborative teamwork skills should check out the Business Horizons camp to be held at the Drake University campus July 13-17, 2025. The Business Horizons camp involves an attendance fee with financial assistance available. Students who attend Business Horizons will spend the week listening to dynamic speakers, touring business, participating in workshops, and tackling a real-world problem as a team. To register for Business Horizons, visit www.BusinessHorizonsIowa.com by May 30, 2025.
  • Junior Achievement Rising Women: The Junior Achievement Rising Women conference will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Des Moines. This one-day event focuses on empowering young women and providing them with leadership skills, financial literacy, career-readiness skills, and collaboration skills. This one-day event is limited to 50 female participants between the ages of 14-21 years old by July 1, 2025. Visit https://centraliowa.ja.org/events/ja-rising-women-workshop to register for the JA Rising Women summer event.
  • Drake University Camp: Drake University sponsors the BullD.O.G.S. in Healthcare camp this summer for high school students in grades 9-12 interested in a career in a health-related field. The Drake University BullD.O.G.S. in Healthcare camp will be held Thursday, July 10-Saturday, July 12. This overnight camp at the Drake University campus costs $200 and includes overnight accommodations. Participants will engage in hands-on laboratory activities, educational sessions, and interactive discussions with students and faculty in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences programs. Interested students can register for the BullD.O.G.S. in Healthcare camp here.
  • Nates Lawn Care: Looking for a summer job?  Nates Lawn Care is looking to hire mowers for the summer. You need to be 18 years or older. If interested, contact Nate Hurd at 515-720-3695.
  • Altoona Kids Cafe: CALLING ALL AWESOME VOLUNTEERS! We’re gearing up for our 12th summer of Altoona Kids Cafe, and we want YOU to help make it our best one yet! From June 9th – July 11th (Monday–Friday) at Willowbrook Elementary, we’ll be serving up food, friends, and fun to local kids — and we can’t do it without amazing volunteers like you! Whether you join us for one day or all five weeks, we’d love your help providing healthy meals and enrichment to At-Risk and underserved kids in our community. If you’re 15 or older, you’re invited to jump in!

How to Become a Kids Cafe Volunteer:

    • Step 1: Fill out the 2025 Volunteer Form. Everyone needs a current form on file. Click here to complete the form
    • Step 2: Adults, Complete a Background Check. If you’re out of high school for 1+ year, we’ll email you a background check form after you submit your volunteer form.It’s quick, secure, and required to keep everyone safe!
    • Step 3: Attend Volunteer Training: Monday, June 2 | 6–7 PM at Willowbrook Elementary
    • Step 4: Sign Up for Shifts! Shifts vary from 10:00 – 1:15 PM. Click here to sign up on SignUp.com

Contact your High School Counselor with questions on any of these opportunities.