For students currently in grades 9–12
Alaska
Baja & the Gulf of California
Barcelona
Belize
Chile & Peru
Germany & Sweden
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Montana
Peru
Switzerland
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Cuba
Faroe Islands & Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Panama & Colombia
Patagonia: Skiing
Spain, France, & Portugal
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
Ecuador & the Galápagos
France
Spain
Barcelona
Tokyo
Tuscany
Argentina
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Fiji
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Puerto Rico
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam
France & Holland
Iceland
Italy & Greece
France
Spain
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Need help choosing the program right for you? Call us! 802.387.5000

Hands-On Experiences to Inspire Your Future

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Adventure Travel & Cultural Immersion

Community Engagement & Global Awareness

Active Immersion in Language & Culture

Our Programs

putney-student-travel-logo
Over seven decades of history

Going Beyond Since 1951

Over the years, Putney students have traveled to hundreds of destinations, immersed themselves in cultures and communities around the globe, and found their lives changed by these experiences. The resulting memories, photographs, and extraordinary pursuits are a testament to Putney’s seven decades of quality summer programs in the U.S. and abroad.

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1951

The first trip departs by steamship for Switzerland, Italy, France, and Holland, led by founders George and Kitty Shumlin. The ocean crossing takes ten days each way—three weeks of an eight-week program.

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1957

During the Cold War, Putney becomes the first organization to take high school students to the U.S.S.R., exploring Moscow and Leningrad and living with Russian students on the Black Sea.

1968-tanzania-lions
1968

Putney’s first program in Africa explores Tanzania and summits Mt. Kilimanjaro.

1983-george-and-kitty-retire
1983

After 32 years, George and Kitty retire from Putney Student Travel, passing the reins to their sons, Pete and Jeff.

1986-china
1986

Chinese Revolutionary hero Bill Hinton opens doors for Putney in China. Students bicycle through coal-mine country in Shanxi Province and live with Chinese families in an agricultural commune still closed to westerners in Shandong Province.

1990-service-caribbean
1990

Putney inaugurates its first program dedicated entirely to community service, in Montserrat in the Caribbean following a hurricane. The next year, we expand to Costa Rica and today our Service groups work in numerous nations around the world.

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1992

Excel at Williams and Amherst College, among the first campus-based Putney Pre-College programs, provides a model for new learning opportunities.

putney-barn
1999

The second floor of the converted cow barn where Putney’s office had been for 40 years is emptied of hay, renovated, and converted to the current office: The Barn. Putney also pioneers a program in Havana, Cuba.

yale-gates
2005

At Yale University, Putney introduces programs focused on global awareness, with students addressing issues of poverty, sustainability, development, health care, and much more.

2007-natgeo
2007

National Geographic and Putney partner to create National Geographic Student Expeditions—dedicated to creating summer travel opportunities for the next generation of explorers, writers, scientists, filmmakers, and photographers.

2017-nyt
2017

The New York Times and Putney partner to create New York Times Student Journeys.

2019-carbon-offset
2019

Putney invests in carbon offsets to cover carbon emissions on group flights and launches programs focused on careers to inspire future leaders.

students-sitting-circle-iceland
2020

Putney responds to the global health crisis by developing a Pre-College program in Vermont and launching Gap programs in carefully selected international locations.

harvard-youth-summit
2021

Putney introduces programs focused on climate change and public health in partnership with Harvard Chan C-CHANGE, and Putney students return safely to international summer programs.

students-smithsonian-student-travel
2022

The Smithsonian Institution and Putney collaborate to offer Smithsonian Student Travel, programs drawing on the Smithsonian’s vast reach and resources around the world.

becca-and-olivia-shumlin
2023

Putney Directors Pete and Jeff pass the reins, after 40 years, to Pete’s daughters, Olivia and Becca Shumlin.

Alaska
Baja & the Gulf of California
Barcelona
Belize
Chile & Peru
Germany & Sweden
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Montana
Peru
Switzerland
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Cuba
Faroe Islands & Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Panama & Colombia
Patagonia: Skiing
Spain, France, & Portugal
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
Spain
France
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Tuscany
Barcelona
Tokyo
Argentina
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Fiji
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Puerto Rico
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam
Iceland
France & Holland
Italy & Greece
Spain
France
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i

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