Our
History
Since 1990, more than 9,300 high school sophomores from the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Seattle have chosen to become Summer Searchers.
Today, we are a vast organization of team members, mentors, partners, and supporters who are dedicated to providing opportunities for growth and empowering the next generation of thriving, purpose-driven leaders.
Summer Search was founded in 1990 by Linda Mornell, an adolescent counselor in private practice, who was inspired by the positive impact of her own children’s transformative summer experiences and wanted to provide more young people with similar opportunities.
In our first year, Summer Search sent 14 students—students with potential to succeed, but who faced systemic inequities that could get in the way of their journeys to higher education—on outdoor education programs, to help them strengthen the skills needed to succeed in school and in life.
Recognizing that students would benefit from year-round support, Summer Search began to offer long-term mentoring by trained staff, as well as college access and success support, thereby redefining itself as a leading innovative youth development organization.
With the help of local high schools, community-based organizations, families, and our summer program partners, our comprehensive program now spans those critical years after high school, giving high school students what they need to strengthen the personal and practical skills to become leaders who give back to their families and communities.
1990
Summer Search San Francisco founded by Linda Mornell
1996
Summer Search’s first alumnus graduates college and Summer Search Boston launches
1996
Mentoring by trained youth development practitioners begins
1998
Summer Search North Bay opens and the first alumnus serves on a board of directors
1999
College counseling and professional development support added
2003
+
Summer Search launches in New York City and Seattle
2005
Summer Search Silicon Valley launches
2006
Summer Search opens office in Philadelphia
2008
College access and success programming added
2011
Students served hits 2,000 nationally (a goal set back in 2008)
2015
In celebration of our 25th Anniversary in 2015, we built a living archive to tell the stories of Summer Search's past. This was completed in partnership with Summer Search alumnus Niles Lichtenstein and his company, Enwoven.
Browse the photos, stories, videos, and archival materials and stay tuned for updates in honor of our 35th anniversary!
2016
Our San Francisco, North Bay, and Silicon Valley sites merge to become Summer Search Bay Area
2017
15 Summer Search Alumni serve on boards, with 40+ alumni in a variety of leadership roles.
9% of staff are alumni
2018
Summer Search unveils a bolder vision of success for our students – including educational attainment, workforce preparation, and financial stability
2019
Summer Search introduces group mentoring and the Depth Mentoring Institute
2020
Summer Search CONNECT is launched
2023
Students served surpasses 9,000
2025
Summer search celebrates its 35th anniversary
Where We Are Now
For Students
& Families
Learn more about how our program builds bright futures for students.
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Join us in creating lasting change helping students thrive and lead with purpose.
Partner with us
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