Juniors
Junior Summer Experiences
As a junior, you have the opportunity to embark on an impactful summer experience! The Junior Summer Experience is an opportunity for you to choose an experience based on your aspirations, ideally allowing you to explore and discover what you are hoping for in life.
We have a variety of different program options that will allow you to:
Explore new parts of the world or the US to better understand your place in it
Experience first-hand what it could be like to do what you think you want to do in the future for work or for yourself
Discover and learn something new
Practice your known strengths while investing in your growth areas
Engage deeply in community or research projects, either at home or abroad!
Navigate through the resources below to learn more about the types of program options and the steps you need to complete to be successfully placed on a program.
2025 Programs
This summer, we're excited to offer a variety of experiences! Depending on your hopes and aspirations for next summer, we have a variety of programs that fall within five themes: Academic, Arts, Cultural Immersion & Service Learning, Internships, and Wilderness & Outdoor Education.
Below are the specific programs we're partnering with this summer. Click on their links to learn more about each partner, what activities they offer, and links to check-out their websites.
Putney offers intensive workshops, dorm-living, and regular evening activities.
Academic Programs
Located in New York state
Choose & participate in a wide range of academic courses
Opportunity to live on-campus at a college
Offers more independence, you can structure your time with classes & social activities
Acceptance for some programs dependent on GPA/Regents scores
Earn college credits
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At Syracuse University, you will spend 1-2 weeks on-campus learning what it's like to be a college student. Dive into interesting subjects, meet like-minded people, and walk away with a Certificate of Completion and a Syracuse University transcript.
Choose from a variety of art workshops to improve your craft or try something new!
Arts Programs
Located in New Jersey
Choose & participate in a wide range of art workshops and camp activities
Opportunity to stay overnight at camp
Offers structure while also providing a lot of individual choice and freedom to explore
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At Appel Farm, students will participate in a 1- or 2-week arts-based camp experience focused on process-based learning, radical acceptance, and enjoying the classic overnight summer camp experience.
Cultural Immersion & Service Learning Programs
Community service projects are chosen by local leaders.
Travel nationally or internationally & have the opportunity to engage in the local community
Includes a service project that supports the larger community or a local organization
Service can range in intensity and will either span across the entire program or last just a few days
Groups tend to be larger (12-20+ participants)
NY REAL ID required to fly
U.S. Passport required to travel internationally
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If traveling with Global Glimpse, you will engage in virtual pre-trip workshops before participating in an 11-day international experience focused on service-learning, cultural immersion, and leadership development in Costa Rica, Panama, or the Dominican Republic. Earn 20 service hours.
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With Global Works, you will participate in virtual pre-trip workshops before embarking on a 1- or 2-week international experience focused on service-learning, cultural immersion, and leadership development in Costa Rica, Spain, or Puerto Rico.
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Shoulder-to-Shoulder: New Orleans is a 1-week course in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward where you will learn about coastal land loss and climate change while supporting coastal restoration with a community service project.
Working hard!
Internships Programs
Paid, local or in-state programs
Groups are small or students work individually
Opportunity to learn transferable skills and gain professional experience
Practice planning and leading wilderness trips for first-time campers
Learn to add an intersectional dimension to your writing and analysis
Working papers may be required
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College Now: John Jay will offer the unique opportunity for students to earn $300 while taking a college level course on the John Jay Manhattan campus.
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With the Futures and Options Internship Program, students engage in virtual pre-trip orientations and a series of career readiness workshops before participating in a 5-week internship experience focused on gaining hands-on experience and creating networks that can serve your future career. Based in New York City.
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With YMCA Frost Valley, you can participate in a month-long Counselor-in-Training (CiT) or Adventurer-in-Training (AiT) experience focused on working with children, practicing wilderness hard skills, and leadership development in the Catskill Mountains.
Deer Hill is a rigorous, rewarding trip that hikes through various Southwest landscapes.
Wilderness Leadership & Outdoor Education Programs
Located in Wyoming
Learn the hard and soft skills required to survive in the backcountry and to be a community leader
Programs include developing and implementing a research project
Earn high school credit
NY REAL ID required to fly
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APEX aims to educate and inspire an appreciation for the Central Appalachian ecoregion through adventure, community, and sustainable living skills. Juniors will participate in our Cheat River Watershed Expedition!
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Explore a national park with our Global Routes: Hawaii program! Learn wilderness hard skills as well as conservation and sustainability basics.
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At Teton Science Schools, you will participate in a 4-week academic and wilderness experience focused on field-research projects, learning wilderness hard skills, and practicing leadership in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
Not sure what summer experience you’ve been placed on? Click the button below to learn more about what might be happening.
“I learned a lot more communication skills and I learned that although I may be a quiet person at times it is okay to, you know, express yourself. On my program, I really didn’t make friends, I made a family. ”
Summer Search provides a variety of resources to support you in preparing for your Summer Experience. From travel tips to what to expect from outdoor activities to live events, we got you!
Remember that your mentor is always your best resource! Reach out if you have any questions or need help with your application.
Need to schedule office hours with the Summer Team? Create a Calendly appointment here!
a glimpse into our summer experiences
