The application should take about 7-10 minutes to complete.

Dartmouth Students: Please view the registration steps here. Click here to access the Enrolled Student Information page.

New Orleans Students: Please view the registration steps here. Click here to access the Enrolled Student Information page.

For any questions, please contact Bill Cotter by email at wcotter@shouldertoshoulder.com or by phone at (970) 690-0093

Dartmouth Students: A list of required documents and instructions for completing them can be found here.

New Orleans Students: A list of required documents and instructions for completing them can be found here.

There are no required orientations or workshops prior to attending this Summer Experience. Just make sure to attend your Goodbye Group to receive your equipment and travel itinerary, and to meet the other Summer Searchers who will be traveling with the same program!

This program will give you the opportunity to support a working farm while exploring the connection between climate change and food systems. You’ll assist Round the Bend Farm on a variety of projects, including packing food for distribution, mulching, and trail work. You will also get to hike in a wildlife sanctuary, learn how to prepare meals, and delve into the concept of sustainable living. From planting and harvesting food to assisting with animal husbandry and farm chores, you’ll be fully immersed in the daily operations of a working farm.

Available Sessions:

• August 13 - August 19, 2025

This group will travel by train from New York Penn Station to Providence, Rhode Island. From Providence, the group will travel by van to Round the Bend Farm.

Summer Search staff will meet you at Penn Station and escort you to your platform. Program staff will meet you at your destination and chaperone you to the program site.

You will stay on-site at Round the Bend Farm. You will be staying in yurts and tents and will have access to an indoor bathhouse with toilets and hot water showers.

This program will be NYC Summer Searchers only. It’s a great opportunity for you to meet and get to know other students in our program!

You will not be able to use your phones or any electronic device that connects to the internet once you arrive in Dartmouth with program leaders. However, you are allowed to bring e-readers, music devices that do not connect to the internet, and a digital or disposable camera.

Parents and Guardians are always able and welcome to call the program if necessary — leaders always have working cell phones and service. Students will also create daily blog updates, which will be available to read on the Shoulder-to-Shoulder website.

We recommend bringing no more than $100 for personal spending. You may want to buy snacks and souvenirs along the way!

Click here to view the packing list for this program. DO NOT worry about buying any additional items. In May, Summer Search will provide you with any equipment on this list that you are not likely to have already. See this guide to see what equipment we will provide. This is also available on our FAQs + Resources page, along with other helpful links and info — check it out!

Your work with Common Ground Relief will be center at their nursery, helping with tree potting, planting and propagation efforts. You will work in the Louisiana wetlands as well, supporting planting efforts out in the water.

When you are not working on coastal restoration projects, you will have the chance to learn about New Orleans on a trip to the French Quarter, on a swamp tour, and through conversations with local residents.

Click here to view a Canva presentation with more information!

Available Session:

• June 29 - July 5, 2025

You will need to travel by plane to New Orleans. A NY REAL ID is required for all plane travel.

While you may have been chaperoned as a sophomore, juniors are not accompanied by Summer Search to the airport. Program staff typically meet students at the airport and travel with you to your final destination. Program staff will remain with you until you return to the airport for your return flight.

You will be staying at Common Ground Relief's volunteer house in the Lower Ninth Ward. Housing includes central air/heat, communal living and cooking spaces, wifi, bedding, towels, and groceries for three meals a day, plus snacks. Shared bathrooms with hot showers are available on-site, as are a washer and dryer (detergent provided).

This is an open enrollment program, which means non-Summer Searchers will be able to join your group and you’ll meet folks from diverse backgrounds. There may be a couple of other Summer Searchers attending the same program, but most people will probably not know each other!

You will not be able to use your phones or any electronic device that connects to the internet once you arrive in New Orleans with program leaders. However, you are allowed to bring e-readers, music devices that do not connect to the internet, and a digital or disposable camera.

Parents and Guardians are always able and welcome to call the program if necessary — leaders always have working cell phones and service. Students will also create daily blog updates, which will be available to read on the Shoulder-to-Shoulder website.

We recommend bringing no more than $100 for personal spending. You may want to buy snacks and souvenirs along the way!

Click here to view the packing list for this program. DO NOT worry about buying any additional items. In May, Summer Search will provide you with any equipment on this list that you are not likely to have already. See this guide to see what equipment we will provide. This is also available on our FAQs + Resources page, along with other helpful links and info — check it out!