Summer Discovery is back and families don’t have to pay anything! In 2025, the program reached nearly 30,000 students at 169 sites across Wayne, Macomb, and Oakland counties with hands-on learning, enrichment, and fun-filled experiences.
In 202590% of families said they would return to Summer Discovery next year if given the option
No-Cost Summer Learning
In 2025, students' ELA and math proficiency increased by an average of 16 points and 93% of families said the program helped prepare their child for the next school year. This summer, even more kids will have the chance to build skills, make new friends, and explore exciting opportunities.
Rising K – Rising 10th grade students (students entering Kindergarten-10th grade in fall 2026) are eligible. Programs are full-day (with some half-day options for rising 9th and 10th graders) and run for at least 4-5 weeks, offering a mix of academics, creative activities, and field trips to keep kids engaged and growing.
And the best part? Summer Discovery doesn't cost families anything! Hosted at select schools and community sites, it ensures students have access to a high-quality summer learning experience at no cost to families.
Give your child an unforgettable summer of learning and fun!
Program Benefits
About Summer Discovery
Families can use our site finder to find a Summer Discovery site near their home or work. New sites will be added throughout the winter and spring, so bookmark the tool and check it regularly to see what is available in your neighborhood.
As soon as possible! Many families were interested in Summer Discovery, so please reach out to sites and sign up as soon as you can. If you need assistance, please let us know using this form.
All programs are provided at no cost to families.
Summer Discovery sites may offer programs for students entering kindergarten through 10th grade in the fall of 2026, although not all sites serve all ages. Sites may also provide opportunities for younger or older students, just not as part of Summer Discovery. Feel free to contact sites using the information on the map to confirm whether they serve students of a particular age.
Summer Discovery is a long-term program within our community and will continue in the coming years. Sites may change yearly, so participating students must register each year even if they attended the same site in previous years.
Program Details
While all sites include academic learning in English language arts and math, each site is able to design its own enrichment program. You can reach out to individual sites via our site finder tool to learn more about what they are offering and to register.
All Summer Discovery sites will
Provide at least 20 days of programming
Provide at least 3 hours of academic instruction
Provide full-day care for students, with the exception of some half-day programs for Rising 9th and 10th graders
Beyond traditional instruction, all sites provide exciting activities to ensure the summer is fun and that students are excited to attend! Activities vary by site but may include field trips, community-based activities, volunteering, career exploration, STEAM, digital literacy, and more!
Students who register for Summer Discovery must commit to attending the full program. Summer Discovery is not a drop-in activity: it is essential for students to attend daily to receive the full benefits. If you have concerns about your ability to attend the entire program, please discuss them with the site contact before registering.
All programs run for at least 20 days. Each Summer Discovery site sets its own schedule. Program dates will be listed on our site finder.
Many Summer Discovery programs offer transportation to help students get to and from their sites. Please contact sites directly to learn more and discuss your family’s specific transportation needs.
Each Summer Discovery site offers at least lunch and a snack, and many offer additional meals like breakfast as well. Please contact individual sites directly to learn more.
Students will receive literacy and math instruction during Summer Discovery. Some sites use their own curriculum, and others use the Lavinia RISE curriculum (see more information here). If you have questions about a site’s curriculum, please contact that site. All students will take a short pre- and post-test.
Summer Discovery is made possible by Ballmer Group
Ballmer Group generously funds Summer Discovery, allowing Rising K – Rising 10th grade students to attend free high-quality education programs during the summer. Programs are provided at no cost to families and feature fun and engaging learning experiences to support the whole child.