Online High School History Camps

The TCR History Camp is an immersive online workshop designed to ignite a passion for historical research and writing in secondary students. Guided by experienced instructors, students choose their own topic and transform their research into a compelling first draft of a historical paper.

Before the camp, students dive into their topic, reading 3-5 books and exploring online databases like JSTOR for primary and secondary sources. Throughout the camp, our dedicated instructors provide personalized coaching.


Class Description

Each student prepares for the workshop, in advance by:

  • Choosing a topic

  • Procuring at least 3-5 books on that topic (many if not all of which the student should read before the start of the program)

  • Arranging for online access to other primary and secondary sources on digital databases (e.g., JSTOR, eLibrary, Gale, EBSCO, Congressional Quarterly, etc.).

The TCR History Camp Session is an intensive online workshop in historical research and writing for secondary students. In each session, experienced instructors will coach students, all working remotely, to compose a first draft of a historical research paper on a topic of their choice.

Instructors work one-on-one with students, coaching them through the research and writing process: formulating productive research questions; finding and making discerning use of primary and secondary sources; taking accurate notes; analyzing evidence, formulating a provisional narrative and testing it with more research; marshaling evidence to support one’s position or narrative; puzzling together a narrative structure for one’s essay; documenting evidence with University of Chicago-style source citations; writing and rewriting.

Each day begins with two virtual Zoom meetings of all students and instructors, devoted to instruction on methods required for the historian’s craft. Students then exercise those methods in their research and writing. Each student has a one-on-one conference with an instructor on the weekend.

Before applying for any program, please review our FAQ page carefully. You'll find the application link at the bottom of the page.

2026 Fall Weekend High School Session

Intensive online two-week session

2026 Winter Vacation High School Session

2027 Winter Vacation High School Session

2027 Summer High School Session