Summer Discovery Campus Safety & Security

• Our team is carefully monitoring ALL situations across our programs and working closely with our university partners to enhance our preparation and action plan to useif necessary in the event of protests taking place on campus.
• When any unexpected event takes place on campus — even something such as a road closure, or a weather activity — our campus director is the first to know. Our on-campus team works closely with campus security to make adjustments. These procedures will also apply in the unlikely event that protests occur.
• We will be monitoring sites and locations off-campus for activities and pivot if needed. Summer Discovery will avoid protests in every possible way, up to and including moving classes, changing activities, etc.
• It's important to know that on the majority of our campuses, there will be far fewer students present during the summer and any disturbances are therefore less likely. Because of the reduced student population, universities are much less of an attraction for protestors, media, etc. during the summer months. And, with more youth programs on campus during the summer, universities have different security standards in place while hosting minors on their campuses.
• We recognize that students and staff may be passionate about the issues related to campus protests. For the safety of our students, staff, and program community as a whole, we have a blanket policy that NO staff or students are to participate in any protests while on our program. We recognize that students and staff may be looking for an outlet to discuss the events of the world, and we will share more information about these opportunities once students arrive on campus.
• We have a very experienced team of administrators and resident counselors who will be taking wonderful care of our students this summer. In the unlikely event activities intensify and additional support is required, we will be able to upgrade security in and around the program as needed.
• Summer Discovery Students have access to a mobile app for daily communication and important updates. In case of an emergency, we will send push notifications and text messages to alert students and provide additional direction. Additionally, students have access to our Campus Emergency Phone Number should it ever be needed. Calls are immediately routed to our on-campus Directors.
• Summer Discovery provides international students with SIM cards to ensure they have access to a workable phone while on our programs.
• All Summer Discovery programs hold a Student Orientation within the first 24-hours after arrival to cover our on-campus policies, emergency protocol, and introduce our full administrative team.
• We have plans in place to increase security in and around our programs if necessary in partnership with campus police and external security resources.

At Summer Discovery programs, all college credit and enrichment classes are dedicated solely to Summer Discovery students where middle school students are grouped with only middle school students, and high school students are grouped with only high school students.

At Summer Discovery Institute for the Gifted, academic courses are offered to students of the same grade grouping. However, the cultural and recreational classes for middle school and high school students are usually open to all students. Class grouping can accommodate varying ability levels. Please see our Grade Band distinctions below by Completed Grade as of June 2024:

Lower Elementary: Completed Grades 1-3

Upper Elementary: Completed Grades 4-5

Middle School: Completed Grades 6-8

High School: Completed Grades 9-11

Summer Discovery offers residential, commuter, full-day, and half-day programs depending on campus, grade, and program type. Here are some examples of typical student experiences; however, we encourage you to contact a summer program specialist at info@summerdiscovery.com or +1 (516) 447-4907 for more information about the rich and varied experiences across programs and campuses!

Summer Discovery Residential Programs: 

With the diversity of our programs, classes, activities, and recreation across our campuses, every day at Summer Discovery is unique, but here is a preview of what you can expect on campus:

8:00 AM - Wake Up

• Roll out of bed and head to the dining hall – or take a little extra time to get ready for the day!

8:30 AM - Breakfast

• Enjoy an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Maybe a bagel, eggs, fruit? Or try one of our grab-and-go options!

9:30 - 11:30 AM - Morning Course or Academy

• Grab your notebook and pen (or your laptop) and don’t be late for class.

11:45 AM - Lunch

• What’s one great thing about college life? Long lunch breaks. Enjoy a leisurely lunch with friends, catch up on homework, or work out at the gym.

1:00 - 3:00 PM - Afternoon Course or Academy

• Back to class, but not always in the classroom. Many classes take field trips around town to enhance your learning experience.

3:30 PM - Afternoon activities, hanging with friends or studying for class

• Your summer, your way. Sign up for the activities you want to do. Choose from sports, shopping, museums, beaches, and more.

6:00 PM - Dinner

• Dinner time. Enjoy the unlimited portions at the dining hall. We really like the dessert bar.

8:00 PM - Primetime activities both on and off-campus (sometimes we'll leave a bit earlier to travel to off-campus activities)

• Movies. Comedy shows. Concerts. Major league sports. You will never forget the memories you make with your friends at Summer Discovery.

10:30 PM - Students back in residence hall for the night

• Enjoy a pizza, watch a movie, or play video games in the lounge. After a full day, it’s nice to relax with friends.

11:30 PM - Students must be back on their floors for the night

• Netflix with your hallmates? Time to start winding down for the night. If you're an early riser, you might even be heading to bed by now!

12:00 AM - Students must be in rooms

• Time to get some rest. But we'll do it all again tomorrow.

You may choose from dozens of enrichment and/or college credit classes that are challenging, but not overwhelming. Most classes are small and emphasize interactive, innovative learning. The teachers are enthusiastic and supportive, which makes learning exciting and fun.

Institute for the Gifted:

Institute for the Gifted course periods provide a robust academic experience that offers students a variety of instructional learning opportunities. These experiences range from collaborative work groups, group and independent investigations, experiments, interactive explorations, research, performance tasks, and so much more to develop personal passions, divergent/convergent thinking, and creative production. Course instructors will include necessary breaks based on the flow of the course to provide an optimal learning experience based on the instructional needs and age-level considerations for the grade band.

Day students:

Due to the meal and activity schedules for other students and staff, day students must adhere to the drop-off and pick-up times. Times may differ by campus.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday - Friday

• Drop-Off: 8:30 am
• Pick-Up: 6:00 pm

Please visit our High School and Middle School Program pages for sample schedules.

The best way to contact your child is to call the office number or email the office staff during the program duration. Students are not allowed to use their cell phones during class time for personal communications.

Students will be able to receive mail and packages as long as their name and Summer Discovery are indicated on the mail or package. Instructions for sending mail and other packages will be provided to you before the start of your program.

Day parents will be provided onsite contact info for the SIG offices at registration. The Residential Life Dean is the designated point person for day student/parent issues and will provide office hours when families may contact the Dean to discuss issues regarding their students. Day parents must call the SIG campus office to schedule phone or in-person appointments.

Summer Discovery:

Yes! Special meals can be provided during the session. Parents will complete dietary information forms as part of the pre-campus arrival forms. Please advise the Residential Life Dean at the session site of the student’s special dietary needs.

Institute for the Gifted:

Yes! Special meals can be provided during the session. Parents will complete dietary information forms as part of the pre-campus arrival forms. For elementary day program students, parents should also advise the Director at the session site of the student’s special dietary needs to ensure the parent, student, and counselors are aware of the needs and accommodations.

Summer Discovery and Institute for the Gifted students: 

• UCLA: There are trips to Disneyland, Universal Studios, Hurricane Harbor, concerts, baseball games, and much more.
• Dartmouth: There are outdoor activities such as hiking, visits to Mount Moosilauke, Quechee Gorge State Park, Canoeing & Kayaking on the Connecticut River as well as other activities like The Montshire Museum of Science and The Hopkins Center for the Arts.
• Real Madrid School Universidad Europea: There are sightseeing trips to Palacio Real, the Royal Palace, Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Mercado de San Miguel, Prado Museum, Parque del Retiro public gardens, and more.
• UC Santa Barbara: There are trips to Disneyland, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Los Angeles days, Carpinteria Beach, Hearst Castle, Pismo Beach Hummer Tours, shopping malls, baseball games, and other local outings.
• University of Texas at Austin: There are trips to San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Schlitterbahn Water Park, Zilker Park, and so much more.
• University of Michigan: There are trips to Cedar Point Amusement Park, the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, the Henry Ford Museum, Motown Records Museum, major league games, movies, and other local outings.
• Georgetown University: There are trips to the National Zoo, major league baseball games, Shenandoah National Park, music festivals, movies, the Smithsonian Institution, and other local outings. There are also day trips to Baltimore
• University of Pennsylvania: There are trips to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Jersey Shore, Hersey Park Amusement Park, and an MLB game. There are also day trips to New York City and Washington, D.C.
• The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania: There are trips to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, Chinatown, Magic Gardens, Reading Terminal Market, and taking the Rocky Steps up to the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
• University of Cambridge: There are trips to Ely Cathedral, Windsor Castle, Oxford, and other local outings.
• UC Berkeley: Take a trip to the Foodie Land Night Market, University of California Botanical Garden, Tilden Regional Park, Lake Anza, arts and crafts, and game nights.
• Yale University: Visit a local historic amusement park, sporting events, and movie nights, and explore Yale’s many free museums.
• Bryn Mawr: Attend a sporting event, movie night, shopping trip, see an improv comedy show, or take it easy on campus at the pool with friends and games.

Your health, safety, and security are our primary concern. Summer Discovery staff is on duty 24 hours a day. All visitors must check in at the Summer Discovery office. Our ​Resident Counselors (RCs) are committed to the support and supervision of Summer Discovery students. They live on the floors in the residence halls with you. Most residence halls have electronically controlled key card access. Daily sign-ins and room checks are used for your safety. You are free to walk around campus and our ‘home area’ in small groups. If you have a question, RCs are on duty to help.

Students have 24/7 access to medical care at every campus. 

Students are not able to move about campus or go off campus alone, as they are always under the supervision of our staff and may not go off campus without supervision. Older students, ages 14-18, are, at specific times, provided the opportunity to travel in groups around the campus. This privilege is at the determination of the staff. 

Students always will be chaperoned when going off campus on Summer Discovery and Institute for the Gifted-sponsored trips.

Visit our Safety & Security page for more information.

We'll help you feel better. You, your family, and your doctor complete a medical form before you come to campus that informs us of any health-related issues, allergies, and special food needs. Summer Discovery staff make all medical appointments, accompany you to medical facilities, obtain prescription medications, and notify parents after medical visits.

All medication that will be brought to the program must be listed on the Student Health Form and turned in to the Site Nurse upon arrival to the program. All medication (including over-the-counter medication such as Advil and Tylenol) must be stored and administered by program staff, and students are never permitted to possess medication in their rooms. The only exceptions include students who carry injection devices for allergic attacks, asthma inhalers, or certain medications specific to diabetic management (which also must be listed on the Student Health Form and communicated in advance to program administration).

No. Students are not able to move about campus or go off campus alone, as they are always under the supervision of our staff and may not go off campus without supervision.