Discover Summer offers weeklong sessions of daytime programing throughout the summer for youth ages 8-17 with a diagnosed disability. At Discover Summer, youth will experience structured activities that are designed to develop, maintain, and increase their skills through social engagement, are adapted to meet the needs and abilities of each individual, and provide skill building opportunities to increase independence with self-care, communication skills, and interpersonal skills.
The Discover Summer experience includes participation in nature, access to MORA’s waterfront property and pontoon, the recreational gym that includes multi-sensory and gross motor equipment, and community engagement with day trips to various places and with volunteers who are invited to join our groups. Individuals will be invited to increase their confidence with fishing, paddle boating, swimming, computer use, playing various games, and creative arts. The property also has an in-ground trampoline and accessible swings for use. Discover Summer is located in Victoria MN, transportation during the day is provided by staff, but transportation to/from is a parental responsibility. Participants are asked to bring their own snacks, lunch, and water bottles daily.
Staff are specially trained to assist with and adapt programming to meet the needs of each individual through person-centered implementation while providing support, supervision, and monitoring at a 1:2 ratio (1 staff to 2 youth). This allows for more individualized planning to ensure adaptations are made for further skill building, an increase in confidence while participating in activities, building coping and problem-solving skills during moments of challenging behavior, and support while completing activities of interest and trying new things. Staff are also trained to meet each person’s needs in regard to safety, health, and well-being. MORA nursing staff are available for consultation to support each person’s health care needs while at Discover Summer in addition to the trained staff who provide the daily programming.
Application Requirements - applications will not be confirmed or processed until the following have been received:
- All questions in the application must be answered before the application is submitted.
- A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required. Payments can be sent to MORA’s Finance Department: ATTN: Finance 7200 Rolling Acres Road, Victoria, Mn 55386. Please distinguish the payment as a deposit for Discover Summer and include the participant’s first and last name. Historically, families have utilized waivered CDCS funds or private pay.
- The individual’s IEP and Support Plan must be sent with your application. Please call your Case Manager to obtain a copy or for additional questions.
- A completed plan approval signed by the case manager to confirm payment for Discover Summer services. If the total cost of the session is not covered, the guardian(s) will be billed accordingly. Financial assistance may be available.
2026 Specifics
Discover Summer will take place between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday of the following weeks:
- Session 1: June 15- June 19
- Session 2: June 22-June 26
- Session 3: June 29-July 2 (4 days. Reduced rate.)
- Session 4: July 27- July 31
- Session 5: August 3- August 7
- Session 6: August 10- August 14
The cost for each session is $1530 to cover activities, staffing, daytime transportation, and community experience costs. Please note that Week 3 is $1224 due to a shortened week for the July 4th holiday.
**Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2026, to allow time for a team meeting to be scheduled. This will permit Discover Summer Staff to meet the participant and engage in planning conversations before their session begins.
Contact Us
recreation@mtolivet-mora.org.
612-859-7186.