The Original Leader in Summer Program Solutions
For over 57 years, We've Set the Standard.
Imitated by Many. Matched by None.
Make Summer Work for You!
Whether you’re in summer sessions, academic departments, conference and events, auxiliary services, the finance, provost or president’s office — we’re here to support your goals and give you a plan for success.
Residential Life | Staffing | Compliance | Growth | Risk Management
What We Do
For nearly six decades, Summer Discovery has been the industry trailblazer in summer solutions.
Residential Life Management
We manage every element of the student residential experience — from move-in to curfew to community life — so your campus shines in summer, without burdening your staff.
- Move-in and housing assignments
- Student supervision and safety protocols
- Conflict resolution and emergency response
- Wellness support and curfew management
- Inclusive community-building and evening activities
Safe, seamless, university and student-centered residential experiences.
Our nearly 60 Year Track Record - Built on Generations of Experience.
With over 60 years of experience in youth programming and 40 years of hands-on campus operations, our legacy is built on trust, innovation, and results. With over 100,000 students served since our founding and an average of 14 years of experience among our on-campus Directors, our team brings trusted expertise and proven systems to every partnership.
Summer 2024 Highlights:
• 15,000+ students served across pre-college, youth, and undergraduate programs
• $67M+ in revenue generated for university partners
Behind every number is a student supported, a campus brought to life, and a university goal achieved.
Summer is in our DNA. We’ve helped leading universities across the country keep their Summer term vibrant, their operations smooth, and their programs impactful.
Custom Solutions
No two universities are the same. We tailor our services to your campus, from private-label program delivery to co-branded partnerships that reflect your unique goals.
- White-label and co-branded service models
- Flexible scope of work based on your needs
- Operate quietly behind the scenes or in collaboration
- Designed to align with your strategic and enrollment goals
Your university mission, vision, and brand — our operational expertise.
Staff Recruitment, Training, and Management
Staffing summer is hard. We make it easy. Our seasoned team handles hiring, onboarding, and managing summer staff — who represent your university with professionalism and care.
- 225+ years of collective leadership experience
- Multistep hiring and rigorous background checks
- Comprehensive training and daily oversight
- On-site leadership and performance management
- Staff remain our employees, reducing your risk
We staff your summer so your team doesn’t have to.
Risk & Compliance Management
We maintain the highest standards in child protection, supervision, and policy compliance.
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Unmatched liability coverage and safety protocols - Emergency response planning and drills
- Compliance with campus and state policies
- Crisis management and incident reporting
- Insurance coverage with the university as additional insured
We mitigate your risk. From insurance to safety protocols, we bring peace of mind to your summer operation.
Student and Family Customer Care
From move-in to departure day, our baseline service includes warm, responsive, and reliable support for students and families — all designed to reflect and enhance your university’s brand. We act as an extension of your campus culture, ensuring students and families feel informed, connected, and confident during the program.
Included in Every Partnership:
- On-campus support and care team access
- Student wellness and issue resolution
- Parent communication during the program
- Staff trained to represent your university professionally
Optional Enhancements:
- Concierge-style service from inquiry through enrollment
Pre-arrival guidance and onboarding - Family communications before arrival
- FAQ management and parent-facing tools
- Extra engagement touchpoints during the program
Personalized care for students and families during the program experience. We treat your students and families like our own.
Holistic Student Development
We create immersive, 24/7 experiences where students grow as learners and leaders. From co-curriculars to weekend excursions, we help them find purpose and connection.
- Co-curricular and college search workshops
- Community building and social programming
- Curated weekend excursions
- Leadership and team-building opportunities
- Inclusive community and identity development
- Reflection and goal-setting frameworks
- Laundry workshops!
Your students don’t just attend — they grow.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
At Summer Discovery, each person brings unique and varied experiences which inform our thoughts, actions, and decision-making processes. Our mission is to create an inclusive, safe environment for staff, students and stakeholders, where everyone’s differences are celebrated, every perspective is valued, and everyone feels safe to bring forth their authentic selves.
We continuously strive for diversity, equity, and inclusion through ongoing education and self-awareness.
Program Development & Growth Strategy (Optional Add-On)
We help you expand or launch new programs through data-driven consulting, student demand insights, and long-term strategic planning.
- Support academic operations
- Program design and infrastructure support
- Market research and demand validation
- Year-round and online program strategy
- Enrollment targets and success metrics
- Turnkey launch support or consulting-only models
Grow your impact and revenue with purpose.
Enrollment Management (Optional Add-On)
For partners who need it, we offer full-cycle enrollment services — from outreach to application processing — as an extension of your team.
- Marketing and recruitment campaign planning
- Comprehensive enrollment support, covering application system setup, lead management, personalized customer service, data-driven communication, and yield optimization.
End-to-end enrollment support when you need it.
Our Team
Our managed program team has backgrounds in higher ed leadership, residence life, student development, and pre-college operations – It’s our expertise.
We work with your team to create a custom residential program that suits your needs.
Adriane Thorpe
CEO
Adriane boasts over 17 years’ experience in the education and experiential travel hospitality sectors, hosting programs for over 250,000 students worldwide. A graduate of University of Delaware Alfred Lerner College of Business & Economics with a degree in finance, Adriane is one of the youngest CEOs of a 200+ portfolio company.
Esteban Olivares
Head of New University Partnerships
Esteban helps universities bring their summer vision to life. With nearly 30 years in higher education and over 15 years in leadership roles, he guides institutions in creating impactful student experiences that generate revenue, ease operational strain, and build long-term capacity. Esteban brings deep expertise in enrollment management, academic collaboration, summer learning, residential life, and operational strategy — helping partners align their summer programs with their institution’s mission, values, and vision.
Bob Musiker
Owner/Executive Director
Bob is an experienced executive director with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Bob’s vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen helps universities and college partners realize their summer program potential.
Jimmy Musiker
Owner/Executive Director
Jimmy has over 40 years of experience in business development, operations, and summer program management. He is an entrepreneurial leader who brings his experience and passion for student experiences to our managed partner relationships with colleges and universities.
Our enduring partnerships showcase our industry expertise.
Nearly 60 years of experience
For nearly six decades, Summer Discovery has worked with youth from around the world into our transformational summer programs. We provide the most experienced, well-trained, diverse, and professional staff in pre-college enrichment. We work directly with campuses in multiple states and internationally. From Ivy League universities, to first-class state colleges, to small private institutions – we’re here to support your needs.