Looking Back on Summer Discovery 2026

Over five weeks this summer, 24 high school students from Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Somerset counties explored careers, built confidence, formed new friendships, and discovered new possibilities for their futures through the Readiness Institute Summer Discovery program.

From the very first day at Lakemont Park and the Altoona Curve to the final celebration at Lake Rowena, Summer Discovery challenged students to step outside their comfort zones, ask questions, and experience the many career pathways and opportunities available across central Pennsylvania.

Throughout the summer, students visited businesses, nonprofit organizations, health care providers, manufacturers, colleges and universities, government agencies, and community organizations. They met professionals from a wide range of industries who shared not only what they do, but how they found their own career paths and why they are passionate about their work.

I liked meeting new people, forming relationships, and learning about all the different opportunities in my community.

Students explored careers in entrepreneurship, banking, manufacturing, engineering, health care, biotechnology, counseling, public service, the arts, media, and many other fields through site visits, interactive workshops, and hands-on learning experiences. Along the way, they developed skills in leadership, communication, teamwork, financial literacy, design thinking, and problem-solving while building lasting relationships with their peers and mentors.

One thing that I made the most progress in is communicating and working with others. I struggled before, and now I feel much more confident in it.

One of the program’s signature experiences was the Community Design Challenge. Throughout the summer, students worked in teams using human-centered design thinking to develop solutions to a real challenge facing their communities: how to encourage more young people to live, work, and thrive in Central Pennsylvania. During the final week, each team presented its ideas to community partners, local leaders, and Readiness Institute leadership, demonstrating the creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking they had developed throughout the program.

Completing the Community Design Challenge changed my view on how much power the youth hold in improving the world.

Students also had the opportunity to experience college life firsthand. They visited Penn State Altoona and Penn State University Park to explore campus life, hear from admissions, financial aid, and career services, and learn about the many resources available to succeed.

Giving back was another important part of the Summer Discovery experience. During the program’s Day of Service, the Altoona cohort volunteered at Everett Area School District while the Johnstown cohort spent time serving residents at the Windber Senior Center. The experience reminded students how even small acts of service can make a meaningful impact.

As Summer Discovery 2026 comes to a close, we celebrate everything our students accomplished over the past five weeks. Thank you to our students, instructors, families, community partners, and supporters for making this summer one to remember. We can’t wait to see where these future leaders go next.

Readiness Institute Summer Discovery is offered in Central Pennsylvania through a partnership with Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (AIU8).

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