Each summer, Summer Search sends more than 600 high school students on transformative experiences matched to their interests. Sophomores embark on 2–4 week outdoor expeditions – like sea kayaking or backpacking – while juniors join international service trips, academic programs, or paid internships. Upon return, students reconnect with their mentors to reflect on and apply what they’ve learned.  

Summer Search is lucky to partner with local businesses to help ensure students have what they need to step into their summer experiences prepared. One such local business in the Bay Area is Redwood Trading Post.  

The history of Redwood Trading Post is rich. Founders Joe and Tessie Weber both fled Nazi Germany in 1939, eventually meeting and marrying in Shanghai. Their path to the United States took them through Bolivia, where Tessie taught ballet while Joe mined tin in the mountains, and where they welcomed their first two children. In 1952, the family finally arrived in San Francisco and opened Redwood Surplus – now Redwood Trading Post – a family owned business that specializes in providing top-quality outdoor gear.  

Redwood Trading Post has helped outfit Summer Search Bay Area students heading out on summer experience trips for three years, providing essentials like water shoes, socks, rain gear, warm jackets, thermals, mosquito head nets, and hiking pants.  

Two students wearing convertible hiking pants provided by Redwood Trading Post!

For many students embarking on their first-ever trip into the outdoors, having the right gear isn’t just about comfort – it’s essential to feeling confident, safe, and fully present in the experience. As Redwood Trading Post manager Jim Hornibrook puts it, “Interacting with Summer Search and finding the right clothing for their students reinforces the need to communicate with the customer to ensure they get the proper equipment and clothing to maximize their safety and enjoyment of the outdoors.” 

When asking Jim about what it means to work with Summer Search, helping to prepare students who may never have undertaken a backcountry trip before, he shared: 

“I’m grateful that Summer Search has entrusted me and my crew to outfit their students. It’s very crucial to have the right equipment in the outdoors—not just to enjoy the experience, but to be safe. I enjoy making sure the Summer Search students have a positive first experience outside.” 

Thank you Jim and to all our friends at Redwood Trading Post! We are so grateful for your partnership. Is your business interested in supporting Summer Search students with their gear needs? Get in touch by contacting Director of Quality & Partnerships, Sharonda Clay, at sclay@summersearch.org.