For students currently in grades 9–12
Special programs & collaborations
Custom Programs

Looking to create a custom program or collaboration?

Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12

Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities

Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships

High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity

columbia-climate-school-icon

Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

Telemetry Tracking & Safari: Notes from Namibia

Based for several days at N/a’an ku sé Wildlife Sanctuary, students on our Career Namibia program headed out onto the savannah to learn to use telemetry tracking equipment for cheetah research, then went on a safari drive around the reserve. Here is their blog, written by students, about the experience!

This morning we woke up to the chilly morning air of the African savannah. After a 6:30am wake up song from Simone and Chris, we all met up at the activity center to have a healthy breakfast. After breakfast the group split up into two smaller groups and went to activities. The first group went into the bush, learning how to use a telemetry tracker to find a tracking collar that Group Two had hidden the day before.

While Group One was doing this, Group Two visited the cheetahs in their enclosure, which Group One had done yesterday. After about an hour, Group One managed to find the collar in the bush using telemetry. Then they met up with Group Two back at the activity center and we ate lunch. We also had a really delicious Namibian/South African traditional dessert.

After lunch we went as a whole group on a safari drive around the reserve. We saw eland, elephants, giraffes, guinea fowl, and some really cool birds. We were there for about two hours, and it was super beautiful and sunny the whole time. After the safari, we had a quick break and then had a really interesting conversation with our conservation expert Flo about conservation technology. After dinner we had a conversation with some Namibian locals about Namibian culture. It was super interesting and taught us a lot about Namibia and its cultural diversity. After that, we had a group reflection and then walked outside to our tents.

— Emerson & Ellen

Recent Posts

Putney Meets Pele: Notes from Hawai'i
Experience an explosive, one-of-a-kind experience through the eyes of Middle School Service Hawai’i student...
Read More
Day Stays in Osimo: Notes from Italy
Exploration Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland student Jules reflects on the deep connections...
Read More
A Letter from Dublin: Notes from Ireland
Journey alongside two students on our Career Ireland program as they discover Dublin’s wealth of inspiration...
Read More
Prowess in Potes: Notes from Spain
Middle School Language Spain leaders unpack an adventure-filled few days full of exciting new challenges...
Read More

College Essays

View alumni college essays about their transformative summers with Putney.

Stay up to date on the latest happenings!

Eligible for 8th grade*
*These programs are typically for students in grades 9–12, however motivated rising 9th graders will be considered

Start Your Journey

Join to hear about new programs and upcoming events, and start your path to the summer of a lifetime.