“Here’s to trying new things this summer!” – @summersearchphilly

From late June through August, more than 750 Summer Searchers stepped out of their comfort zones to take on empowering experiences across the country and abroad.

From outdoor adventures to internships, to college tours and international volunteer programs, to academic and social justice experiences, Summer Search high school sophomores and juniors did it all!

Now that our students have returned home, over the coming months they will partner with their mentor to reflect on their experiences and work to integrate and build on learnings from their trips – cultivating their expanded horizons and skills that will serve them in their personal and professional lives.

As always, we’re grateful to our entire community for providing these opportunities for our participants to unleash their potential. In 2023, we partnered with more than 60 summer programs across our five communities, including a number of new BIPOC and Women-led/owned programs.

We invite you to explore a handful of the incredible moments and reflections from our intrepid and indomitable Summer Searchers.

CORE MEMORIES: CREATED!

Elisha (above, left) from Summer Search Bay Area, shared her favorite moments from her trip, a 21-Day “Young Women’s Adventure” with Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC):

“In all honesty, this trip was amazing and it will be a core memory for me. There were so many highlights. One of the memories that will stick with me most was when we went to the river camp for white water rafting. We were almost at the end of our trip, so we finally had a chance to relax and just have fun. I got to meet so many amazing people who really inspired me to come back into the outdoors and do more trips like this.”

BONUS: ETC also provided Bay Area mentor Carly Solberg a chance to join a summer experience.

Pictured above, Summer Search Boston students worked and lived on a farm in New Hampshire with Kroka Expeditions.

More from our Boston Summer Searchers. Clockwise from top left:

• Re-filling supplies and heading back into the mountains with Hurricane Island Outward Bound School;
• Supporting in a classroom and community in Ghana with Global Leadership Adventures;
• Cleaning up on the Esplanade in Boston for the Environmental Justice Brigade (EJB) Program;
• Exploring the rocky terrain of the Granite State with Kroka Expeditions.

Speaking of Kroka, here are some New York City students saying hi during their experience in the New England outdoors.

Also, check out all of NYC’s bags, boots, and gear!

Above are Seattle students on experiences with YMCA BOLD & GOLD on the Olympic Coast and in the Northern Cascades (below) in Washington state.

Seattle student Bethel reflected on the journey and strong sense of community formed in the Cascade Mountains:

“(The trip)…was kind of scary, but when I kept getting positive comments from my team, it made me feel more comfortable. I loved the kids that were in my group and we got along so quickly, and the same thing with the counselors. I had a really good conversations and played a lot of fun games.”

The fun and growth experienced by our Philadelphia Summer Searchers continues to be impactful and well documented!

Pictured above are students sharing their final presentations for Philly’s Environmental Justice Brigade.

Below is a collage of moments from both “skill and preparation day” and summer expeditions with Philadelphia Outward Bound (POBS) and National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).

Finally, our partners at POBS shared this Instagram Reel recapping our how Summer Searcher’s did on their multi-day expedition along the Delaware River and Appalachian Trail:

“To no one’s surprise, they absolutely CRUSHED it on expedition!!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Philadelphia Outward Bound (@outwardboundphl)

As we say at the end of every summer, thank you to EVERYONE who helped make it possible. Your support provides Summer Searchers with the opportunities to learn, grow, and make memories that will last a lifetime.

And to our Summer Searchers: YOU. DID. THAT. It is an honor to watch you FLY.