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Summer Search offers students once in a lifetime summer experiences after both their sophomore and junior years of high school. These are opportunities to have fun, build connection and grow in whatever way excites you.
Sophomores typically attend an outdoor adventure which often includes hiking, lots of time connecting with peers and opportunities to gain leadership skills.
Juniors are offered an array of experiences including service-learning abroad, academic programs on college campuses, hybrid leadership development program and a few paid internships for a limited number of students.
What Are You Searching For?
Sophomore Experiences
Experiential Learning
Junior Experiences
Experiential Learning
Student & Family Resources
Experiential LearningWhat It’s Like
Hear from students about their summer experiences:
(Pictured: Students on an outdoor adventure with Deer Hill Expeditions)
“My greatest success during my summer trip experience was having that huge confidence boost and proud feeling in myself when we would reach our goals and the top of the mountain, best feeling ever.”
~ Summer Search Participant
“To this day, I wear a bracelet on my wrist which I earned from my [Summer Search] trip. It’s a reminder that leadership is about service—a lesson I learned through my Summer Search journey.”
~ Jamal, Summer Search Alumnus
" I felt empowered, motivated to continue the work and reconnect with my summer search family."
— Angelica, Bay Area Alumna
"Summer Search has given me the courage to do anything that I put my mind up to it"
— Jana, NYC Summer Searcher
"I chose Summer Search 'cause of the many opportunities and adventures I was able to go on."
— Kalkidan, Seattle Student
"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
Sophomore Experiences & Resources
We’re excited to have you join Summer Search and offer you a Summer Experience! As a Summer Searcher, you receive a scholarship to participate in a meaningful and explorative summer experience. This scholarship covers the cost of the program, most equipment, and transportation.
Your Sophomore Summer Experience is typically a 1 – 4 week outdoor adventure in California or another state. We partner with a select few incredible organizations that allow Summer Searchers to connect and bond with others, explore identity in a safe space, and challenge themselves as much as they’d like.
We believe that through a Summer Experience you’ll have the opportunity to:
-
Try something new & get a little out of your comfort zone
-
Apply your strengths in new ways
-
Connect with others & form new friendships
-
Discover more about what you’re capable of
-
Focus on yourself and explore who you want to become
Although some Summer Searchers feel a little unsure going into their Summer Experience, many return saying it was a transformative experience they enjoyed, they learned a lot that they’ll bring into other parts of their lives, and would recommend to others.
Next Up: Sophomore Program Partners
Our Summer Experiences offer a variety of activities including hiking, rafting, and rock climbing. Most experiences include a backpacking component that varies in rigor and some may include another activity or two.
If you’re curious and want to learn more about some of the activities you might do, click through the links below!
Backpacking
When you’re backpacking, you’ll have everything you need to survive and camp in the outdoors all in a backpack. This includes your food, tent, sleeping bag and clothes. This bag can weigh close to 40 pounds, and you’ll carry this with you as you hike through the mountains or forest. Your trip leaders will teach you how to safely navigate through the terrain, use a map and compass, find & set-up camp, and how to cook in the outdoors. You’ll do many of these activities as a group and work together to share the load and navigate through your trip. It sounds hard, but students say it’s one of the most rewarding and empowering parts of their Summer Experience.
Kayaking
Kayaking is a watersport that involves a kayak and paddle – and that’s it! You will mostly like be in a tandem (or two-person) kayak, so you’ll have the support of another person to paddle. It takes some arm and upper body strength to paddle, but you’ll get the hang of it quickly and learn a few tricks to make it easier. All of our kayaking trips will be led by trained guides who will teach you everything you need to know to kayak safely and effectively. You’ll also wear a personal flotation device (PFDs) or life vest when you’re on the water.
Rafting
Rafting or white water rafting is also a water sport where you’re in an inflatable raft with 6-8 people paddling down a river with rapids. As you’re moving down the river, some portions will be calm and give you an opportunity to play games with your raft mates. Other sections will have rapids where the water is moving faster and rougher, and you’ll work together as a team to navigate through it. All white water rafting portions are guided and led by trained professionals, so your experience will be safe and fun. You will also be required to wear a helmet and personal floatation device (PFDs) while rafting.
Rock Climbing
Some of our experiences will include top-rope style of climbing. Top-roping is a style of climbing where you wear a harness and a rope is attached it and the top of the wall. As you climb, another person will be holding the other end of the rope (the belayer) who will make sure the rope catches you if you slip or need a rest. All rock climbing adventures are facilitated by professional guides who will teach you the basics, such as how to tie climbing knots, belay someone with a rope, and how to rappel (or descend) down after you reached the top.
Next Up: Sophomore Dates & Resources
January 2024
Welcome to Summer Search! Receive Summer Experience Information & Survey
March 6, 2024
Deadline to complete the Summer Experience Survey
Week of March 18 – 22, 2024
Sophomore Experience placement match revealed!
April 19, 2024
Deadline to complete your program’s primary application
May 3, 2024
Complete any secondary paperwork & apply for an ID (if needed)
Be entered to win a prize for completing 100% of your application materials!
April 27 & 28, 2024
Join us for a Community Hike!
May – July 2024
Goodbye talk with your mentor & receive equipment
June – July 2024
Embark on your summer trip!
Next Up: Sophomore Experiences
Sophomore Experiences & Resources
Sophomore Experiences
We’re excited to have you join Summer Search and offer you a Summer Experience! As a Summer Searcher, you receive a scholarship to participate in a meaningful and explorative summer experience. This scholarship covers the cost of the program, most equipment, and transportation.
Your Sophomore Summer Experience is typically a 1 – 4 week outdoor adventure in California or another state. We partner with a select few incredible organizations that allow Summer Searchers to connect and bond with others, explore identity in a safe space, and challenge themselves as much as they’d like.
We believe that through a Summer Experience you’ll have the opportunity to:
-
Try something new & get a little out of your comfort zone
-
Apply your strengths in new ways
-
Connect with others & form new friendships
-
Discover more about what you’re capable of
-
Focus on yourself and explore who you want to become
Although some Summer Searchers feel a little unsure going into their Summer Experience, many return saying it was a transformative experience they enjoyed, they learned a lot that they’ll bring into other parts of their lives, and would recommend to others.
Sophomore Program Partners
Learn more about the Program Partner you’re matched with & where you can find even more info.
Sierra Nevada Journeys
ARC
ETC
Deer Hill
GirlVentures
PUENTES
Outdoor Activities
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Dates & Resources
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FAQs
Are Summer Experiences free?
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Where do we go?
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How long do they last?
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Why should I participate?
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Contact Us
Oakland
304 12th Street, Suite 4A, Oakland, California 94607
415.362.0500
Richmond
210 Washington Ave, Suite B, Richmond, California 94801
415.362.0500
Santa Rosa
635 5th Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
707.763.2001
Connect With Us
Connect with us in person, on Summer Search CONNECT, and on Instagram to learn about all of the new, exciting projects we’re taking on here at Summer Search.
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