Discover Your Future This Summer
DiscoverU (formerly known as SummerU) at Kennesaw State University's Community and Professional Education offers summer camps for high school students who want to explore careers, gain real-world skills, and experience campus life through fun, hands-on learning.
Choose from culinary arts, architecture and design, and medical skills—week-long camps for rising 9–12th graders in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Early Bird Discount
Save on your 2026 DiscoverU registration when you register early. Offer available January 20, 2026 through April 3, 2026.
2026 Camp Schedule
Browse our summer camps for high school students and choose a session by date. Registration status and pricing update in real time.
Baking and Pastry Basics
Master new baking techniques and discover a passion for crafting delicious baked goods from scratch.
Baking Finishing Touches
Discover the art of finishing touches! Creatively design professional desserts with frosting, chocolate, sugar work and more.
AutoCAD
Explore computer-aided design tools and discover how to draft, model and visualize real-world engineering or architecture projects.
Chef's Master Class
Embark on a culinary adventure by discovering global cuisines while learning the basics of kitchen and food safety alongside a professional chef.
Baking and Pastry Basics
Master new baking techniques and discover a passion for crafting delicious baked goods from scratch.
Medical Skills
Practice hands-on healthcare basics like vital signs, first aid and patient care simulations while discovering career options with our nurse instructor.
Chef's Master Class
Embark on a culinary adventure by discovering global cuisines while learning the basics of kitchen and food safety alongside a professional chef.
Adulting 101
Learn skills that will help you discover what's next after high school by putting you on the road to adulthood.
Medical Skills
Practice hands-on healthcare basics like vital signs, first aid and patient care simulations while discovering career options with our nurse instructor.
Baking and Pastry Basics — June 1–5
×This week-long immersive experience is perfect for aspiring bakers and pastry enthusiasts! You will explore the fundamentals of baking, from mastering essential techniques to creating delicious treats. Each day will feature hands-on experience with different baking methods and ingredients. From breads and pastries to cakes and confections, participants will refine their skills while indulging in the art of baking. This experience can be standalone but also compliments and expands on our DiscoverU Baking and Pastry Finishing Touches course, and also provides a great introduction to the Baking and Pastry Certificate program which will be offered soon at Kennesaw State University's Community and Professional Education.
Baking Finishing Touches — June 8–12
×This week-long immersive experience is perfect for aspiring bakers and pastry enthusiasts! Each day will feature hands-on experience with different baking and pastry finishing skills. Learn techniques in artistically designing and decorating cakes, pastries, cookies and more. Work with icings, frostings, fondant, chocolate and sugars to garnish and embellish pastries, all while building new skills and fine-tuning decorating finesse. This experience can be standalone but also compliments and expands on our DiscoverU Baking and Pastry program, and also provides a great introduction to the Baking & Pastry Certificate program which will be offered soon at Kennesaw State University's Community and Professional Education.
AutoCAD — June 22–26
×Discover the power of AutoCAD in this dynamic one-week program designed for high school students interested in architecture, engineering, or design! This hands-on program introduces the fundamentals of computer-aided design (CAD), equipping students with essential skills in 2D drafting, precision drawing and basic 3D modeling. Through engaging projects and expert instruction, students will learn to navigate AutoCAD’s interface, create technical drawings and apply core design principles. By the end of the week, students will complete a portfolio-ready project while gaining insight into potential careers in engineering, architecture and product design. No prior experience is needed—just creativity and a passion for problem-solving! Join us for a fast-paced and exciting introduction to the world of digital design.
Chef's Master Class — June 22–26
×This week-long intensive at DiscoverU is designed to introduce many of the basic cooking methods while taking your palate on a food adventure experiencing taste and culture from the four corners of the planet. Each day we will make a complete meal from a different food tradition. Knife skills, cooking methods, ingredient identification, and food safety are incorporated into this course, which provides a good introduction to the Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate offered at Kennesaw State University's, Community and Professional Education.
Baking and Pastry Basics — July 6–10
×This week-long immersive experience is perfect for aspiring bakers and pastry enthusiasts! You will explore the fundamentals of baking, from mastering essential techniques to creating delicious treats. Each day will feature hands-on experience with different baking methods and ingredients. From breads and pastries to cakes and confections, participants will refine their skills while indulging in the art of baking. This experience can be standalone but also compliments and expands on our DiscoverU Baking and Pastry Finishing Touches course, and also provides a great introduction to the Baking & Pastry Certificate program which will be offered soon at Kennesaw State University's Community and Professional Education.
Medical Skills — July 6–10
×Explore the exciting world of healthcare in this immersive one-week summer program designed for high school students interested in medicine. Through hands-on activities, interactive lessons and real-world simulations, students will learn essential medical skills, including patient assessments, vital sign monitoring, basic mock suturing and emergency response. Guided by experienced instructors, participants will gain foundational knowledge in anatomy, medical terminology, and laboratory techniques. Whether considering a future in healthcare or simply curious about the field, this camp offers a dynamic introduction to the skills and knowledge used by medical professionals.
Chef's Master Class — July 13–17
×This week-long intensive at DiscoverU is designed to introduce many of the basic cooking methods while taking your palate on a food adventure experiencing taste and culture from the four corners of the planet. Each day we will make a complete meal from a different food tradition. Knife skills, cooking methods, ingredient identification and food safety are incorporated into this course, which provides a good introduction to the Culinary Apprenticeship Certificate offered at Kennesaw State University's Community and Professional Education.
Adulting 101 — July 13–17
×Spend a week learning skills that will help prepare you for what's next in your life as a young adult. This camp combines practical skills - how to apply to college and succeed once you get there, prepare for a job interview and explore different career paths, meal plan, plant a garden, develop a budget, learn basic first aid skills, community-building skills and so much more - with strategies to help smooth the transition to what comes after high school. This interactive camp will put you on the road to adulthood.
Medical Skills — July 20–24
×Explore the exciting world of healthcare in this immersive one-week summer program designed for high school students interested in medicine. Through hands-on activities, interactive lessons and real-world simulations, students will learn essential medical skills, including patient assessments, vital sign monitoring, basic mock suturing and emergency response. Guided by experienced instructors, participants will gain foundational knowledge in anatomy, medical terminology and laboratory techniques. Whether considering a future in healthcare or simply curious about the field, this camp offers a dynamic introduction to the skills and knowledge used by medical professionals.
Why Choose DiscoverU?
Students do more than just learn at DiscoverU. They experience a taste of college life, think creatively, learn alongside their peers and build real-world skills in a supportive, fun environment. Our instructors offer DiscoverU students personalized instruction, career insights and dynamic learning opportunities.
Learn from industry pros and caring educators
DiscoverU students work with instructors who bring real-world experience, a passion for teaching and a supportive environment where kids can explore new skills and build confidence.
Rich Matthews
Chef’s Master Class
After working in public administration for 10 years, Chef Rich Matthews enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. He gained extensive industry experience in large hotels in the Hudson Valley and Fort Lauderdale, primarily in catering and banquets before moving into leadership roles.
He has cooked for thousands at events such as the Kentucky Derby, the Ryder Cup Golf Tournament and the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and he won a gold medal at the Société Culinaire Philanthropique in New York City in 2004.
Maureen Penniman
Baking and Pastry Basics; Baking Finishing Touches
Maureen Penniman is a graduate of Louisiana State University and Chattahoochee Technical College, where she earned her degree in Culinary Arts. A long-term resident of Cobb and Cherokee Counties, she owned and operated successful catering and culinary entrepreneurial kitchens for 25 years.
Maureen has taught culinary classes on and off-site to a wide variety of audiences. She also specializes in adaptive cooking and life skills training and is expanding her expertise to include sewing and quilting classes.
Erick Hohler
AutoCAD
Erick Hohler is an AutoCAD instructor with a degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Kennesaw State University. He teaches AutoCAD through KSU’s Community and Professional Education program while working as an engineer, bringing industry knowledge and years of hands-on teaching and tutoring experience.
With a clear and practical teaching style, he simplifies complex concepts and emphasizes efficient, real-world solutions. He helps students develop core engineering and design skills through real-world principles and hands-on projects, building a strong foundation for college and future careers.
Fikera Gerald
Medical Skills
Fikera Gerald graduated from Marion County Practical Nursing Program and has worked in various areas of nursing for 30 years, specializing in pediatric and adolescent medicine. She has been a high school nurse for the last 15 years and is a CPR/First Aid/AED/Stop the Bleed instructor, as well as hearing and vision trained and IV therapy and phlebotomy trained.
Working in a high school allows her to educate students on caring for their health, from diabetes management and seizure-trigger awareness to everyday wound care. Her approach centers on empathy, education and empowerment so students and families feel supported and informed. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with her fur baby, Cream.
Past Experiences
Get a feel for the projects, people, and energy from previous summers. Real students. Real work. Real fun.
Contact the DiscoverU Team
Reach Us
Email: discoveru@kennesaw.edu
Phone: 470-578-6765
Address: KSU Center, 3333 Busbee Dr NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these summer camps for high school students?
Yes. DiscoverU is designed for rising 9–12th grade students and offers hands-on summer camp experiences in culinary, architecture and design, and medical skills.
Location
DiscoverU camps will be held in the KSU Center at 3333 Busbee Drive NW, Kennesaw, Georgia 30144. Location information can be found when you click the “Enroll” button on our website. Specific classroom location details and check-in instructions will be emailed directly to parents/guardians before the camp begins.
Attire
Participants should dress for comfort and safety. Please wear athletic shoes (no open-toed shoes or flip-flops are allowed). Participants are discouraged from wearing jewelry or bringing items of value. Classrooms can be cool, so bringing a light layer is encouraged.
Lunch and Snacks
Participants are required to bring lunch, beverages, and snacks each day. Refillable water bottles are encouraged. Refrigerators and microwaves are not available for participants to use.
Behavior Management
Because we want DiscoverU camps to have a safe and fun environment for learning, we ask participants to be attentive to instructors and staff, engage in activities, and respect others’ privacy and safety. Inappropriate behavior by a participant will be redirected toward proper behavior by the instructor. If inappropriate behavior persists, a parent or guardian will be notified, and the participant may be asked to leave the program.
Please refer to the Behavior Management Guidelines.
Are there any discounts available for DiscoverU?
Yes! We are excited to offer an Early Bird discount for DiscoverU. The Early Bird discount for 2026 camps will run January 20th, 2026 through April 3rd, 2026. Please complete registration and select the Early Bird discount to receive $10 off camp registration.
Are there any scholarships or financial aid available for DiscoverU?
There are no scholarships or financial aid available at this time.
In-Person Registration
In-person registrations are welcomed Monday–Friday from 9:00 AM–2:00 PM at our registration window, located inside of KSU’s Center for Professional Education Building at 3333 Busbee DR NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144.
Phone Registration
To register by phone, call 470-578-6765. Registration hours are Monday–Thursday, 9:00 AM–4:00 PM and Friday, 9:00 AM–3:00 PM.
Drop-Off and Pick-Up Times
Camp hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Drop off should be no earlier than 8:45 a.m., and all participants must be picked up between 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. If a participant is picked up after 3:15 p.m., we reserve the right to charge a late pick-up fee of $60 per participant.
Before or After Care
There will be no before or after care offered at this time.
Sign-In/Sign-Out Procedures
For safety, all participants must be signed in and signed out each day. Parents or guardians are required to take the participant to and from the drop off/pick up location daily. Please be prepared to show photo identification to a staff member.
Authorized Dismissal (for participants 16 years or older): If your participant is at least 16 years of age and will be responsible for their own transportation to and from DiscoverU, they may sign themselves in and out of the program only if prior permission was granted on the DiscoverU Authorization and Waiver (see instructions in “Updating the Waiver”).
Updating the Waiver
You can edit your participant’s waiver by logging into the website at cpe.kennesaw.edu and following the steps below. Name(s), including any parents or guardians authorized for drop off and pick up, must be entered in the pickup authorization section of the waiver. If a participant is enrolled in multiple camps, each camp’s waiver will need to be individually updated.
- Click “Login to Register.”
- Log in to the student’s profile.
- Click on “Current Registration.”
- Under each camp, click “View DiscoverU Waiver.”
- Click “Edit” and enter or update any information.
- Click “Save.”
KSU Employees and Staff: Do not use Staff SSO to sign in. Select “Student” and sign in with the registered username and password.
Lost and Found
Lost and found items will be located at camp check in/check out. Please label all personal belongings. Lost and found items not claimed one month after DiscoverU ends will be donated to charity. Kennesaw State University Community and Professional Education is not responsible for participants’ possessions that are damaged, lost, or stolen.
Illness and Injury
If a participant becomes ill or injured at DiscoverU, our staff will contact a parent or guardian to pick them up. For the protection of all participants and staff, any DiscoverU attendee believed to have an infectious illness should not attend. If your participant is injured at DiscoverU, our staff will take necessary measures to administer first aid or obtain medical care. DiscoverU staff is CPR/basic first aid trained.
Medication
We do not store or administer medication to participants. However, participants may bring their medications with them. Please notify a DiscoverU staff member that your participant has medication.
Refunds
- 100% refund for cancellations made 30 days or more before the program start date.
- 50% refund for cancellations made 29–11 days before the program start date.
- 0% refund for cancellations made within 10 days of the program start date or anytime following.
Refund processing: If you paid by cash or check, refunds are processed in approximately 2–4 weeks. If you paid by credit card, your account will be credited in 3–5 days.
Cancellations due to medical or emergency circumstances: Refunds will be granted for medical or injury circumstances with a doctor’s note excusing the participant from DiscoverU.
Waitlist
If a DiscoverU camp is full, a waitlist will be generated. To be added to a waitlist, select “Add to waitlist” through the registration portal. If an opening becomes available, registrants will be contacted on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants added to a waitlist are not guaranteed enrollment.
Join our ambitious students discovering their future this summer.
Seats fill fast—secure your spot today.