About Explore Summer

Explore Summer started the way most useful things do, out of our own frustration. As parents, we spent hours every year cross-referencing dates, costs, eligibility and application deadlines across dozens of scattered program websites. Even after going through this overwhelming process, we often felt that we didn't have the full picture. We built the tool we wished had existed.

Explore Summer is for families with kids in grades 6–12 who are seriously comparing summer options, whether that's a fully-funded STEM research program, a marine biology field course, or a college-credit intensive. It's built for the comparison stage of the process, not just browsing for ideas.

Every program on Explore Summer was identified and researched by us, not submitted or paid for by program providers. We take the information from publicly available sources: official websites, handbooks, FAQs, parent portals, etc. We give you the ability to filter 1450+ programs from 600+ providers based on your own criteria and needs, creating a shortlist that works for you in as little as 90 seconds. We flag our sources, note when pricing or details couldn't be confirmed, and tell you when something needs a second look before you apply. Explore Summer is never sponsored, and no program can pay to be listed, ranked, or featured. That said, a few honest caveats:

• This isn't a complete list. There are hundreds of summer programs out there, and new ones launch every year. We've focused on programs we came across in our own research, not an exhaustive catalog.
• Details change. Dates, pricing, eligibility requirements, and application deadlines shift year to year — sometimes mid-season. What's listed here reflects what was publicly posted at the time we last checked, not a live feed from each program.
• Always verify before you apply. Click through to the program's official website to confirm current details before you commit time or money. Treat this list as a starting point for your research, not a final answer.
• Most programs don't publish exact acceptance rates. We estimated competitiveness based on how programs describe themselves. Free and fully funded programs are usually the most competitive, since funding (not payment) caps the seats.

If you spot something outdated, missing, or just plain wrong, contact us or report an issue.