Boston · Summer 2026
A 13-day immersive academic and personal growth program in Boston
for students aged 12–17.
Boston Teen Enrichment Camp (TEC) is a 13-day immersive summer program designed for students aged 12–17. Based in Boston, the program integrates academic exposure, cultural exploration, and personal development.
Rather than traditional campus tours, TEC focuses on helping students experience how learning, research, and real-world thinking happen in top academic environments such as Harvard and MIT. We place students inside these institutions — not as visitors, but as emerging thinkers.
"We don't just show students the world —
we help them learn how to stand in it."
Build the voice and presence to express ideas clearly in any setting.
Develop the intellectual curiosity and analytical skills of a lifelong learner.
Experience Harvard, MIT, and the Broad Institute as engaged participants.
Build relationships and perspective through meaningful cross-cultural exchange.
Since 2015
Everything stems from a promise. In 2015, Apple Li came to the United States to further her education and made a promise to her students: to create the best and most suitable summer program for Chinese students. She planted this seed in Boston — the "smartest city" in America — nourishing it with years of front-line teaching experience from educators in both China and the United States, supported by education experts and dedicated parents.
In 2016, the first "Harvard MIT Elite Summer Camp" brought students to study and experience Boston's top universities — gaining not just knowledge, but a new understanding of themselves and clearer goals. In 2017, the upgraded "H&M Growth Camp" brought deeper engagement with experts from diverse fields. In 2018, a sudden chickenpox crisis taught us cross-cultural lessons in crisis management. In 2019, while maintaining its consistent quality, the camp added a new MIT STEM course.
When COVID-19 swept the globe, the U Plus Education team continued to dig deeper and develop. In 2023, the camp evolved into Boston Teen Enrichment Camp (TEC) — gathering professors and students from Harvard and MIT to create a camp entirely centered on the growth of teenagers. In 2025, Boston Teen Enrichment Camp set sail again for another brilliant summer.
"You are not only participants of Boston Teen Enrichment Camp — you are its creators and nurturers. Every bit of your investment, every effort you make, will add a possibility to your future."
A Letter from Our Founder
Confidence comes from effort. Effort comes from action — not daydreams.
Both our Harvard & MIT Elite Camp and Growth Camp have been a success — students loved them, parents were satisfied, and everyone broadened their horizons. At Harvard’s commencement, I heard Zuckerberg speak about helping others, just one hour a week. Sitting in that audience, I was deeply moved. There are no shortcuts in language learning — it’s built through time. Yet it’s also simple: listen enough, read enough, learn your words. Our mission: do what needs to be done, together.
— Apple Li · Founder, U Plus Education
TEC is built on the belief that true education is multidimensional — academic, experiential, personal, and cultural. Every element of our program is designed with intentional purpose.
Structured academic sessions led in and around world-leading institutions — not as spectators, but as active participants in the learning process.
Learning happens beyond the classroom. Students engage with institutions, civic spaces, and history as active interpreters, not passive tourists.
Facilitated by our youth psychology specialist, these sessions build self-awareness, resilience, and the ability to engage thoughtfully with difference.
Boston is one of America's most storied cities. Students experience its history, neighborhoods, and culture as genuine participants in civic life.
Every day at TEC is purposefully structured to balance intellectual challenge, active exploration, and personal reflection.
Structured learning at Harvard or MIT — public speaking workshops, STEM modules, research methodology discussions, and institution-led seminars.
Campus immersions, city explorations, museum visits, civic site tours — applying the morning's learning in real-world environments.
Facilitated group reflection sessions, peer dialogue, and personal journaling — helping students integrate the day's experiences and articulate their growth.
The complete day-by-day itinerary for Session 1. Session 2 (Aug 1–13) follows the same structure. Click any day to expand.
Note: The itinerary may be adjusted due to weather or other factors; the final on-site schedule prevails. ★ marks the day’s signature activities and special evening cultural experiences; exact showtimes confirmed closer to the date.
Founder, U Plus Education
Apple Li has lived in Boston for 11 years — educator, entrepreneur, and mom. With nearly two decades as an English teacher, a Master’s in Project Management, and a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, she founded Boston Teen Enrichment Camp in 2015. Her rare combination of business acumen, clinical training, and deep experience with international students underpins TEC’s core belief: that growth is intellectual, emotional, and social — all at once. “I love education, I love people, I love kindness.”
Harvard Public Speaking Instructor
A beloved Harvard faculty member with decades of experience both in academia and on stage as a professional actor. This is his third consecutive year teaching TEC campers the art of public speaking — building confidence, voice, and clarity.
STEM Course Director
Professor of Biostatistics and Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He researches the human microbiome — the bacteria, viruses, and other microbes we carry day to day — and how they influence diseases like cancer. He studied computer science, chemistry, and mathematics as an undergraduate, worked as a software developer at Microsoft, then earned an M.S. in Computational Linguistics from Carnegie Mellon and a Ph.D. in Computer Science and Quantitative Biology from Princeton. He co-led the Human Microbiome Project and currently co-leads the Human Virome Program.
Harvard Professor
Renowned professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, specializing in political leadership and public communication. Former advisor to U.S. senators and presidential campaigns — bringing real-world political wisdom into the TEC classroom.
Former Mayor of Cambridge
Former Mayor of Cambridge who personally welcomed TEC campers to City Hall, sharing insights on American civic governance and community leadership — an experience every camper remembers.
Camp Director
A performer, educator, and coach with nearly seven years working with students across Harvard and Boston. Holds a B.A. in Psychology and M.A. in Dramatic Arts from Harvard University. Specializes in public speaking, interview preparation, and stage performance.
Engineer · Research Mentor · Senior Consultant, Exponent
Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and former researcher at MIT’s Sloan Automotive Laboratory. Currently Senior Consultant at Exponent and CTO of Mgenius Academy. Nearly two decades of experience spanning academic research and engineering practice — dedicated to inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Camp Art Teacher
Leads the camp's art sessions, guiding campers to explore their inner worlds through drawing and visual expression — turning their American experiences into one-of-a-kind works.
Camp English Teacher
M.A. from the University of York (UK) and International MBA from Peking University. Founder of Zida Study Abroad Academy with over 20 years in English training and study abroad consulting, specializing in IELTS, TOEFL, SAT/ACT, GRE, and GMAT. At camp, he is the all-in-one English support for every camper — writing, reading, speaking, and beyond.
Youth Psychologist
Has known Apple Li for eight years and has accompanied dozens of campers through adventures in Harvard and MIT classrooms. During camp, she listens to campers’ thoughts and feelings, supports parents through emotional challenges, and steps in as a steady presence whenever issues arise. She believes that everyone holds a great treasure inside — her role is to help every camper find their own map to it.
Apple’s growth camp is the most suitable program for children like yours who are visiting America for the first time. The camp offers guided visits to Boston’s top universities and key historical landmarks, opportunities to interact with Ivy League professors in a fully English-speaking environment, and skill-building courses in public speaking, independent mindset development, and practical tips for studying and living in the U.S. I couldn’t think of a better program for a first-time experience in America.
He won class president by a landslide. He told us: “I already spoke at Harvard and stood on stage with the mayor — my own high school stage doesn’t feel so big anymore.” The greatest gift he brought home was his confidence, restored.
Apple’s camp has no flashy ads or fancy slogans — it relies on word-of-mouth and quality. She named it “Growth Camp,” and for me, the growth was twofold: my child grew, and so did I.
The gains from this Growth Camp were tremendous — not just for our child, but for us parents too. The camp truly helped our child grow!
Keep going — this camp must continue. I believe others will be changed and grow because of you, just as I was.
Just two weeks of camp, yet I saw so many changes in my child. Back home, everything was organized without being reminded — study, life, everything. He began communicating proactively and listening to our input. Camp life isn’t about enjoyment — it’s about experience. Only when children feel it themselves can real, inner change happen. Let go, and your child will surprise you.
A summer camp shouldn’t just be about broadening horizons — it should help children find their direction and realize their dreams aren’t out of reach. Apple’s camp is where children dare to dream. Our daughter Xinyu went on to receive offers from the University of Chicago and King’s College London, among others.
Since camp ended, my son has kept up his English practice every single day — without being asked. I feel a quiet force in him now, a determination to go further. Apple never criticized, only guided and encouraged. We are so grateful.
In the photos and videos from camp, I saw my child come alive — laughing from the heart in a way I hadn’t heard since middle school began. After Harvard’s public speaking guidance, he stepped onto the stage with real confidence. Camp built his teamwork, communication, and sense of responsibility in ways school simply hadn’t.
From around April after enrollment, Apple arranged a structured English learning plan — daily practice plus 12 carefully designed pre-camp sessions. Throughout this process, I could feel every day how much Apple genuinely cared about my child, and how patiently she answered every parent question.
To me, Apple is more than a teacher — “mentor and friend” is a more fitting description. She named it a Growth Camp for good reason: it carries a double meaning. My child grew, and so did I. Even now, when I have questions or doubts, I reach out to Apple and she always responds with warmth and genuine insight.
Two months before camp, the team began English training — and under Apple’s watchful guidance, every child followed through. Once in Boston, the thoughtfully planned activities delivered extraordinary results. What moved me most was the teachers’ devotion — especially Apple’s total dedication to the children and to education.
After camp, my son’s organization and initiative shot up. He took third place in the Xinmin Evening News Cup competition, then was voted onto the class committee by a landslide — in charge of arts and culture. His teacher even came to our home and said she believed in him.
My child threw herself into every activity at camp, with Harvard professors personally teaching public speaking — and her confidence grew visibly. When the new school term started, she became far more proactive in her studies and began holding herself to a higher standard.
This transformation happened in just under two weeks. My child’s sense of direction became clearer, and he finally dared to express himself. It’s truly incredible.
Thank you so much — my child finally crossed an important threshold in life. For kids this age, the public speaking course is an unforgettable, life-changing experience.
I missed my child and wanted to see her — yet at the same time, I wished she could stay a few more days and grow even more.
The program is so well designed — now I understand why every child and parent who’s been becomes a loyal fan for life.
She told me everything she said in her school speech came from what she learned at camp. Looking back, the positive impact of TEC on her has been profound and lasting.
If I had to sum up what the camp gave me, it’s three things: direction, confidence, and friendship. Adolescence is exactly when your worldview begins to form — and this camp lets you see other people’s choices and goals firsthand, then gives you the confidence to plan your own life.
The teachers felt like peers — we could talk about anything. And this was absolutely not a camp where you study every single minute. Learning and fun were woven together brilliantly. When I got back, my English had noticeably improved. Talking to foreigners didn’t make me nervous anymore.
The public speaking course left the deepest impression — it targeted exactly the skill I lacked most. That skill has served me well in school activities ever since. Each session brought new friends, and the bonds formed in just two weeks lasted long after camp ended.
There are many chances to speak in life, but the first one stays with you forever. My first-year speech ended awkwardly — but I refused to accept that. The second year I prepared seriously, and it went well. You need a stumble to have a staircase. That lesson is my greatest takeaway from camp.
Half a year later, I still remember clearly Apple’s smile at the airport exit and the warmth of every teacher. I’d call this less a summer camp and more a “family learning journey.” These 14 days contained the full meaning of the word growth. Thank you to every teacher and fellow camper who shone so brightly. The song may end, but those with heart will meet again.
Back at school, I found myself stepping up to organize and lead activities — something I wouldn’t have done before. Camp gave me real experience in leadership and how to carry myself with others. This is truly a Growth Camp: growth comes from extraordinary experience, and I felt it, and brought it home.
Thank you for helping me discover what it truly means to love something — that matters more than being good at it. I believe this passion will light up my future.
The curriculum was incredibly enriching. I’m grateful this camp helped me broaden my horizons, see the real Boston, and make many wonderful friends.
Living like a real Bostonian was so exciting! This camp made me fall in love with Boston — I’m definitely coming back next summer!
Rich activities, prime location, deep immersion in Boston’s culture and the academic atmosphere of Harvard and MIT. The concept and exploration model are excellent.
I hope this camp continues forever. It genuinely changes how Chinese teenagers see America, and gives us the drive to improve ourselves.
The whole program was packed and well-balanced. Two weeks flew by being happy and fulfilled with everyone — it went by way too fast!
Thank you for giving me a full and unforgettable summer. I will remember every person and every moment from here.
I had an extraordinary time and it was such a pleasure meeting such wonderful people!
Everything from that summer is still vivid. The stumbling version of myself from two years ago has slowly faded. It took a story on the other side of the ocean to make me try different paths and seek the life I truly want. I no longer freeze before a stage. Meeting all of you — that was happiness.
Join the students who came to learn — and stayed to grow.
Every child arrives with their own story — and leaves with a different one. Here are real journeys from past campers.
From Silence to Spotlight
When Daniel first arrived, he barely spoke. His mother said: “He’s warm inside, but wraps himself up tight. Around unfamiliar people, he can’t express himself.” She chose this camp specifically to help him find his voice.
By the end of camp, Daniel gradually opened up and earned “Star of the Day” — recognized as one of the biggest breakthroughs among 50+ talented campers.
From Competition to Appreciation
Luna was an outstanding student from Beijing’s No. 101 Middle School. But during the Harvard scavenger hunt, she and her peers were so focused on winning that they missed the library’s stories. The Harvard guide’s feedback: too goal-oriented, lacking basic courtesy toward others.
This became a priceless lesson. The camp planted a seed of reflection — it may not sprout today, but will bloom at the right moment in the future.
Bold & Independent
Elsa displayed extraordinary independence. In MIT classes, she chose the front row; when called on, she showed zero hesitation; when she accidentally walked the wrong direction alone, she calmly returned after a phone call.
Her counselor marveled: “This kid is incredible — from meals to shopping to every situation, she always knows her own mind and never hesitates.”
A Girl Who Walks Her Own Path
Ziqing isn’t a conventional “well-behaved child” — strong-willed and bold, but also clever and creative. Rather than judging her by standard metrics, the camp saw her unique potential.
Counselor’s advice to parents: focus on two things — eventual financial independence, and a good parent-child relationship. “She won’t follow the typical path, but she’ll be just fine in life.”
Each day, our director and camper journalists write down what actually happens — the confusion of learning, the collision of cultures, the moments of growth.
Freedom Trail scavenger hunt, a face-to-face meeting with Mayor Siddiqui, and a question worth sitting with: why do we still come to America? Day 3 through the eyes of Apple Li and journalists Luca, Mia, and Mike.
Read the full dispatch →Use our intelligent assessment tool to match your academic profile, interests, and goals to the right U.S. universities and programs.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Spaces are limited to ensure a high-quality, intimate learning environment for every student.
Fill in the form below and we'll be in touch within 1–2 business days to help you find the right session for your child. You're also welcome to reach us directly on WeChat: Apple575970
Have questions about TEC, our program structure, or the application process? We're here to help.
