Donate
Your investment uplifts Summer Searchers intro critically-conscious leaders and thriving adults.
We offer mentoring, summer experiential learning, and support during the critical transition from high school to post-secondary education through to launching a fulfilling career.
Our program. Your flight plan.
Supported from day one by your full-time, professional Mentor, takeoff at Summer Search with experiential learning, legit CONNECTs for the real world, and the energy and expertise of our community. Your destinations? Prosperity & purpose.
How much does all this cost?
Summer Search is fully-funded and free!
(Hey, grown folks! Donate here to uplift Summer Searchers and our communities.)
Your Communities.
Bay Area
Since our 1990 launch in San Francisco, California, 3,982 young people from the Bay Area have become Summer Searchers.
In 2023, 98 percent of our high school seniors graduated on time or early; 97 percent were accepted to college.
Flying hyphy!
Next Up: Boston
Boston
Since launching in 1996, 2,545 young people from The Hub have become Summer Searchers.
In 2023, 99 percent of our high school seniors graduated on time or early; 99 percent were accepted to college.
#BostonStrong
Next Up: New York
New York
Summer Search in The City launched in 2003; since then, we’ve had the privilege of serving 1,341 Summer Searchers.
In 2023, 100 percent of our high school seniors graduated on time or early and 92 percent continued their education into a four-year/community college or vocational school.
Fly state of mind!
Next Up: Philadelphia
Philadelphia
In 2008, Summer Search launched in The City of Neighborhoods; over the next 15 years, 479 young people from Philly have become Summer Searchers.
In 2023, 100 percent of our high school seniors earned their diplomas!
Big Philly style!
Next Up: Seattle
Seattle
Looking down at the fog since 2003, 692 young people from Jet City have become Summer Searchers.
In 2023, 97 percent of our high school seniors graduated as 89 percent continued their education in a four-year or community college.
Emeralds up!
Next Up: Bay Area
"Summer Search taught me authenticity, self-determination, and agency."
— Kati, Boston Alumna
"[The 2023 Alumni Summit & Leadership Conference] was exciting! It was invigorating, and I'm looking forward to the future. "
— Mykala, Philly Alumna
"Because [Summer Search] provided me with opportunities I wouldn't have known about otherwise."
— David, Seattle Alum & Staff
"There's something so wonderful about the Summer Search community where, aside from challenging you to grow, you are just always welcomed with open arms, and feel right at home."
— Dariela, NYC Alumna & Staff Alumna
"Because we're looking for students like you that want to grow, that want to challenge themselves, that wanna get it put in a new environment and learn. That's WHY!"
— Chano, Bay Area Alum
Collaborate.
Interested in supporting Summer Searchers and our Communities? Whoever you are, you have something to contribute!
The Summer Search community stands strong and moves with purpose. Whether financially, becoming a Mentor, through volunteering or Board work, or maybe Program partnership, there’s a place for you.
Explore Partnerships
Why Summer Search?
"Because people of color deserve to have access to the outdoors just as much as everyone else."
— Morgan, former Bay Area staff
"[Summer Search] gave me the tools, the space, the challenges, the opportunities, the mentorship I needed in my life to help me embrace where I come from and who I am."
— Lupita, Bay Area Alumna and Boston Alumni Board Member
"I chose Summer Search 'cause of the many opportunities and adventures I was able to go on."
— Kalkidan, Seattle Student
"Rakuten is immensely proud to support Summer Search's commitment to empowering students with skills and support to move past systemic obstacles and fulfill their potential. Working with their team has been a profoundly enriching experience. It’s humbling to be a collaborator with Summer Search on their heartfelt mission to equip students with skills and knowledge that will transform their lives and build secure futures."
— Elizabeth, University Recruiting Program Lead, Rakuten International
"The heart of what we do is relationships. And that's the heart of what alumni work is."
— Seth, National Staff
"I have witnessed how transformational [Summer Search] is for young people. I saw students that were struggling to find their place become leaders in and outside of school. I have watched former Summer Searchers become adults that are making a difference in their communities!"
— Jennifer, College & Career Readiness Specialist, Foster High School
"You should join Summer Search because there's nothing more powerful than having a group of people believe in you, sometimes, even more than you believe in yourself."
— Nick, National Staff
"Because Summer Search helps you open your eyes to new opportunities. It helps you grow your mind and meet new people and get yourself out there. It helps you learn more about people in your community. "
— Evelyn, NYC Summer Searcher
"To this day, I wear a bracelet on my wrist which I earned from my trip. It’s a reminder that leadership is about service—a lesson I learned through my Summer Search journey."
— Jamal, NYC Alum
"You should join Summer Search because you get amazing mentors, amazing help, and you get to make really cool, lifelong friends and you get to travel for free somewhere really cool."
— Edan, Seattle Summer Searcher
Stay Connected
Sign up for stories, voices, and inspiration from the Summer Search Community .If you are a prospective Summer Searcher (or family to a prospective Summer Searcher) and looking for more information about joining our program, please visit our APPLY page.
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