How to Choose the Right Summer Program for High School & Middle School Students

For more than 75 years, we’ve worked with parents and families to help find the best summer program for their individual student. We’ve designed this guide, based on our experience and those thousands of conversations, to help you evaluate summer program options and find the best fit for your student: one that is safe, meaningful, and truly transformative.

What Is the Best Summer Program for Students?

First, the short answer: There’s no such thing as a “best” summer program for all students, no one-size-fits-all. Every student is unique and your goal is to find the program that best matches your student’s interests, needs, and goals.

The Reason for This Guide

In the last several decades, the number of teen travel and summer study programs has grown rapidly, making this decision even more complicated for parents. Options now range from large, multi-destination tour-style experiences to small-group educational travel, service learning, language immersions, and career intensives.

With so many choices, and messaging that admittedly often sounds similar, it can be difficult to know what really differentiates one organization or summer opportunity from another.

The purpose of this guide is to help families evaluate high school and middle school summer travel programs. We structured it to outline the many different types of summer opportunities, the factors that we think matter most, questions you can ask organizations as you’re researching, and how to find the right fit for your student.

Understanding Today’s Teen Travel Landscape

Putney is one of the oldest and longest-running student travel organizations (founded in 1951). In the decades since, we’ve witnessed tremendous growth, and also consolidation, of organizations in our “industry.” What began decades ago as small, educator-led programs, and university-sponsored study abroad programs, has expanded into a global category that now includes:

• Academic pre-college study programs
• Cultural immersion experiences
• Language learning intensives
• Service-learning programs
• Adventure travel
• Career-focused experiential programs
• Large-scale tour-style trips
• Boutique, small-group experiences

Given all the different types of opportunities and the many options within each category, families are more discerning than ever. From our perspective, this is a very good thing! Parents ask us thoughtful questions about:

• Safety systems and emergency protocols
• Group sizes and group dynamics
• Program leader qualifications
• Student-to-leader ratios
• Educational components and goals
• Program outcomes
• Structured time vs. downtime
• Ethical service models
• Academic rigor
• Organizational stability
• Ownership structure

We know programs can look similar on the surface (similar destinations, similar age ranges, similar tuition and costs), but the organizational mission, philosophy, values, and program models behind them often differ substantially.

The rest of this guide is designed to help you research options for your student and identify those important differences.

So, What Should Parents Look for in a Summer Program?

The best summer programs, and the organizations we most respect in our field, share a few core qualities: mission-driven, strong and experienced leadership, small group sizes, thoughtful and intentional program design, and a clear focus on student growth and program outcomes.

When evaluating options, focus on:

• Organizational mission: Is the organization mission-driven and what are its values
• Program goals: What are the stated goals and outcomes of the specific program
• Group size: Smaller groups allow for more meaningful engagement
• Leadership quality: Experienced educators and mentors make a major difference
• Program structure: A balance of structure and independence
• Safety systems: Proven protocols, support systems, & organizational experience
• Student experience: Opportunities for active engagement, not passive tourism

For answers to our most common parent questions, visit our FAQ page.
To learn how longer summer travel programs foster more meaningful outcomes, see our guide on program length.

Types of Summer Programs & Opportunities for High School Students

Understanding the different categories can help narrow your search based on what you’re looking for.

1. Educational & Experiential Student Travel Programs

Students explore new places in small groups with trip leaders, while engaging in hands-on learning, cultural exchange, language immersion, or project-based work. The most reputable student travel organizations place an emphasis on genuine experience and immersion, getting off the beaten path. Some programs are organized around a particular theme or feature some career path exploration (think food and culture in Italy, business in Barcelona, conservation in Costa Rica). You can explore Putney’s Career exploration and travel programs here.

2. Academic & Pre-College Programs

These are typically hosted on college campuses or through partnerships with academic institutions, though some summer programs offer place-based academic enrichment, often using an urban center or cultural hub as the classroom. These programs enable students to choose an academic focus like STEM, writing, medicine, or business.

3. Traditional Summer Camps

These are your classic camp-style environments focused on recreation and community. They are typically less academically focused, have strong social environments, and lots of sports, arts, and outdoor activities.

4. Service & Volunteer Programs

Programs that combine travel with community service or impact work. Projects range from building projects to education to environmental and conservation work. Service learning programs can be meaningful when designed with care, but the quality varies widely between organizations. It’s important to evaluate ethics, structure, and program design. (You can read Putney’s approach to ethical service programs here.)

5. Teen Tours

These are more recreational, essentially guided group trips for teens. Compared to student travel programs and educational programs, they are more “structured tourism” than deep immersion (think sightseeing, buses, and motor coaches).

Key Factors That Actually Matter

Of course, not all programs are created equal. Based on our 75 years of experience, these are the factors that most strongly impact a student’s experience and program outcomes.

1. Group Size & Group Dynamics

We always say that a good program begins and ends with good group dynamics. This is why we keep groups small and have an admissions process to curate groups. Smaller groups (typically 10–20 students) create:

• Stronger relationships with peers and leaders
• More individualized attention and mentorship
• Better group cohesion
• More opportunity to go off the beaten path

Large programs often feel more like tours than genuine experiences.

2. Leadership & Supervision

The quality of program leaders is one of the most important factors. Beyond surface-level student-leader ratios, program leader quality is one of the main ways organizations set themselves apart. The quality of program leaders directly impacts overall program quality by improving group dynamics, program safety, and the depth of the program content.

Look for programs where leaders are:

• Experienced working with students
• Experienced in the program destinations and/or program content
• Educators or professionals in their field
• Trained in group leadership and safety
• Actively involved in daily activities

Learn more about Putney’s program leaders here.

3. Program Design, Not Just Destination

A great summer program is defined by what students do, not just where they go. The best ways to experience a place, to have meaningful cultural exchange, to gain confidence, independence, and perspective are typically a bit off the beaten path, and nudge students out of their comfort zones.

Strong programs include:

• Hands-on learning
• Structured daily schedules
• Opportunities for reflection and discussion
• Active participation
• Genuine experiences beyond the “tourist track”

4. Safety & Support Systems

Safety should be built into the program design.

Look for organizations that have:

• 24/7 support systems
• Clear and proven emergency protocols
• Established organizational experience
• Transparent communication with families

Learn more about Putney’s approach to safety & risk management here.

5. Student Fit

As we said above, the “best” program is the one that fits your particular student’s needs, goals, and interests.

Consider your student’s:

• Independence level
• Academic interests & goals
• Personal passions
• Social comfort
• Interests and goals
• Willingness to try new things

Some students thrive in highly structured environments, while others do better with more independence and flexibility.

6. Applications & Enrollment Process

The enrollment process (how students join programs) can reveal a lot about how programs are designed and run. You’re not simply “booking a trip” or “making a purchase.” You’re enrolling in a summer experience that will hopefully have a lasting impact on your student.

An application process indicates:

• Group dynamics and program quality are the priorities
• The organization is intentional about the types of students who join programs

7. Structured vs. Unstructured Time

Structure is important, but the word can hint at program design and program quality. Overly structured descriptions sometimes signal a tour-like or sightseeing experience, moving from place to place, getting on and off the bus.

Balancing structure with intentionally unstructured time allows for:

• Personal reflection and group reflection on experiences
• Taking advantage of unique, spontaneous opportunities as they arise
• Personal discovery
• Building independence

Things to Watch Out For

Unfortunately, not all programs deliver what they promise. Be cautious of:

• Large group sizes with limited or inexperienced supervision
• Overly vague descriptions of daily activities
• Heavy emphasis on “destinations” and “sights” over genuine experiences
• Lack of transparency around safety protocols
• Minimal information about program leaders
• Enrollment processes that are “one-click purchases,” not curated or selective

Information should be readily available. Explore an organization’s website and FAQs. Read reviews on reputable sites like GoAbroad and GoOverseas. Find conversations on Reddit or review sites like Yelp. Call the organization and ask if you can speak with an alumni family.

Questions to Ask Any Summer Program

On that note, here are questions we recommend asking organizations before making your decision:

• What is the typical group size?
• Who are the program leaders, and what is their experience?
• What does a typical day look like?
• How much time is structured versus unstructured?
• What safety systems are in place?
• How does the program handle emergencies?
• How do students stay in touch with home?

Many of these are answered in our FAQ here.

How to Choose the Right Fit for Your Child

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a few guiding principles can help:

• Choose experience over prestige
• Prioritize personal student fit over hype
• Look for engagement, not passive participation
• Trust programs with proven experience and thoughtful design

The goal isn’t just to fill a summer. It’s to find an experience that helps your student grow in meaningful and lasting ways.

The best summer programs are the ones students remember long after they return home, because they challenged them, connected them with others, and helped them see the world differently.

If you’re evaluating options, take the time to look beyond marketing language and focus on what actually shapes a meaningful experience.

A transformative, life-changing summer is rarely about the number of countries visited or the destination itself. What students remember most, and what our alumni say are the most impactful aspects of their experiences, are:

• The conversations students have
• The challenges they navigate
• The leaders and mentors who guide them
• The community they build
• The perspective they gain

The right program will stretch your child beyond their comfort zone thoughtfully, safely, and meaningfully.