Twenty-nine students participated in the intensive summer experience that included skill development and ACT preparation. Additionally, these youngsters took part in a first-time offering, a Community Action Research Project. Thirteen community organizations stepped forward and provided teens the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with them on a project of importance to the community organization that needed a teen perspective.

Akron Art Museum: The Akron Art Museum used this opportunity to ask teens to research programs that will appeal to teens. With a new museum about to open, this was a real opportunity to create “out of the box” ideas.

Akron Children's Hospital: Akron Children's Hospital is looking to boost its image with teens and young adults. Teens from Destination College contacted other children's hospitals across the nation to learn ways to attract teens.

Akron-Summit County Public Library: The library is figuring out unique ways to use technologies like podcasting, blogs, and instant messaging to “connect” with teens. The teens explored the emerging technologies.

Barberton Community Ministries: Faced with the question of gathering data about the homeless, teens visited sites that serve the homeless to find out who is affected and whether the numbers were growing.

Barberton Public Library: How does the library “reach” teens in new ways and offer top-notch programs for them? The teen group identified new avenues for the library to engage teens.

Boys and Girls Clubs: How does this organization help young adults set high goals but ones that are achievable in a fun and interesting way? The teens reviewed programs and offered their best advise.

Coming Together Akron: Teens talked directly to former high school students from across Summit County that participated in its teen board to learn what impact serving on this board has had on their lives.

Family and Children First Council: Did you know that there are 40 Assets that are predictors of student success? You'll use these, particularly ones that relate to mentoring, to determine what we need to do here in Summit County to increase student success in and out of school.

GAR Foundation: The foundation asked the teens to help hunt down summer programs for elementary-age youngsters that are available so they know who is served and who is not.

Project Learn of Summit County: Project Learn works primarily with adults to develop their reading and English skills. The teens were asked how to market to adults in public housing where the need is high but participation is low.

Salvation Army: Teens focused on the question: How can the Salvation Army get more neighborhood teens involved in its recreational/community programs?

Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens: The teens learned about the trades practiced at Stan Hywet while gathering information to determine if there is a shortage of trade workers , e.g., metal, wood, electric, plumbing, and how Stan Hywet can demonstrate that trades are skilled professions worth investing in and reviving.

Summit County Children Services Board: Teens talked with other teens that were formerly placed in foster homes to help figure out what makes a placement work and what needs to be in place for that to happen.

Another benchmark this year was that all 29 took the ACT on October 28. They were treated to a special breakfast and lunch sponsored by Alumni Association at The University of Akron. Another first was a special Saturday session with Torchbearers who planned and offered a day called Get Real About College . Torchbearers shared their own personal experiences from choosing college majors to what it takes to pay for college and what it means to repay loans.