Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Alaska
Adventure & Wildlife from the Kenai to Denali
Head north to Alaska this summer for an unforgettable middle school adventure through wild landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Explore the coastal waters of Kenai Fjords, the forested trails of the Chugach Mountains, and the vast tundra of Denali National Park. Along the way, learn about the diverse ecosystems and wildlife that call Alaska home—from puffins and otters to grizzlies and moose. Trek across glaciers, kayak along dramatic coastlines, and hear stories from Alaska Native communities. Witness firsthand how climate change is impacting this remote region, and return home with a deeper understanding of your connection to the natural world.
- Highlights
• Scout for moose, caribou, and grizzlies as you hike across Denali’s National Park
• Go sea kayaking in the pristine waters of Kenai Fjords National Park
• Hear Native stories at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
• Discuss the effects of climate change on Alaska’s glaciers with naturalist guides
• Go sea kayaking in the pristine waters of Kenai Fjords National Park
• Hear Native stories at the Alaska Native Heritage Center
• Discuss the effects of climate change on Alaska’s glaciers with naturalist guides
“Seeing the views from the mountains really put into perspective how far we were from home, and how far we had come.”
— Lexi H., Manchester Essex Regional High School, Manchester, MA
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow student travelers in Seattle and fly together to Anchorage, Alaska, to begin your program. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Anchorage — 2 days
Begin your adventure in the southcentral city of Anchorage, gateway to both Interior Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula. Get to know your group during a program orientation, and get an introduction to Alaska’s varied geography, ecology, and rich history and culture. Head out for a day hike as you explore the nearby Chugach Mountains, a local favorite, and learn to identify local flora and fauna. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center and get an introduction to Alaska Native games, dances, and storytelling rituals.
Seward — 3 days
Head south to the Kenai Peninsula for a few days in the small coastal town of Seward, situated on Resurrection Bay and bordered by dramatic mountains. Scout for sea lions, otters, puffins, and even orcas as you sea kayak in Kenai Fjords National Park. Go tidepooling along the rocky shoreline in search of starfish and sea anemones, then meet with researchers at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Then don crampons and trek across Exit Glacier with expert guides and learn how glacial morphology has shaped this spectacular landscape.
Denali National Park — 4 days
Travel north to the massive and wild Denali National Park and Preserve—at more than six million acres, roughly the size of the entire state of Vermont. Join naturalist guides from a local education center on hikes across the taiga, taking in the views and experience of this remote and unspoiled wilderness. Keep an eye out for a glimpse of the icy summit of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain at 20,308 feet, and scout for some of the park’s astounding range of wildlife, from caribou to grizzlies. Spend time at the National Park Service’s only active sled-dog kennel to meet the dogs that make life around Denali possible. Learn about their history in the park and how they assist in day-to-day operations, run supplies to research teams, and patrol winter trails.
Anchorage — 1 day
Head back to Anchorage for a final night with your group. Present your independent projects and enjoy a celebratory meal as you reflect on your experiences together.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seattle with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow student travelers in Seattle and fly together to Anchorage, Alaska, to begin your program. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Anchorage — 2 days
Begin your adventure in the southcentral city of Anchorage, gateway to both Interior Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula. Get to know your group during a program orientation, and get an introduction to Alaska’s varied geography, ecology, and rich history and culture. Head out for a day hike as you explore the nearby Chugach Mountains, a local favorite, and learn to identify local flora and fauna. Visit the Alaska Native Heritage Center and get an introduction to Alaska Native games, dances, and storytelling rituals.
Seward — 3 days
Head south to the Kenai Peninsula for a few days in the small coastal town of Seward, situated on Resurrection Bay and bordered by dramatic mountains. Scout for sea lions, otters, puffins, and even orcas as you sea kayak in Kenai Fjords National Park. Go tidepooling along the rocky shoreline in search of starfish and sea anemones, then meet with researchers at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Then don crampons and trek across Exit Glacier with expert guides and learn how glacial morphology has shaped this spectacular landscape.
Denali National Park — 4 days
Travel north to the massive and wild Denali National Park and Preserve—at more than six million acres, roughly the size of the entire state of Vermont. Join naturalist guides from a local education center on hikes across the taiga, taking in the views and experience of this remote and unspoiled wilderness. Keep an eye out for a glimpse of the icy summit of Denali, North America’s tallest mountain at 20,308 feet, and scout for some of the park’s astounding range of wildlife, from caribou to grizzlies. Spend time at the National Park Service’s only active sled-dog kennel to meet the dogs that make life around Denali possible. Learn about their history in the park and how they assist in day-to-day operations, run supplies to research teams, and patrol winter trails.
Anchorage — 1 day
Head back to Anchorage for a final night with your group. Present your independent projects and enjoy a celebratory meal as you reflect on your experiences together.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seattle with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—explore Alaska’s approach to dealing with climate change, become an expert on Alaska’s great mountain Denali, interview a local guide to learn about the famous glaciers, create a recipe book with Alaska Native cuisine, or put together a slideshow with your nature and landscape photography.
Technology
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow use of cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During program orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking, kayaking and glacier trekking. Life in Alaska is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about being outside and trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in comfortable guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Alaska. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
The group mixes cooking and making breakfast at our accommodations with most dinners out at local restaurants. For lunches we head to the market to buy supplies for a picnic lunch or get take-away meals.
Altitude
Most of the program is near sea level in Anchorage and Seward, but while in Denali, we may hike at altitudes up to 5,000 feet above sea level.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Independent Project
Pursue an independent project and explore a local topic of particular interest to you—explore Alaska’s approach to dealing with climate change, become an expert on Alaska’s great mountain Denali, interview a local guide to learn about the famous glaciers, create a recipe book with Alaska Native cuisine, or put together a slideshow with your nature and landscape photography.
Technology
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow use of cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During program orientation, leaders facilitate a call home, then collect and securely store all phones until departure day. Throughout the program, students have the opportunity for a weekly call home according to a pre-arranged schedule. For more details, please see our FAQ.
Physical Activity
This is a physically active summer travel program that includes hiking, kayaking and glacier trekking. Life in Alaska is best experienced outdoors, and you will be moving about often throughout the program—there’s so much to see! You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about being outside and trying all activities.
Accommodations
We stay in comfortable guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Alaska. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
The group mixes cooking and making breakfast at our accommodations with most dinners out at local restaurants. For lunches we head to the market to buy supplies for a picnic lunch or get take-away meals.
Altitude
Most of the program is near sea level in Anchorage and Seward, but while in Denali, we may hike at altitudes up to 5,000 feet above sea level.
A Day in the Life: Seward, Alaska
Due to the dynamic nature of this summer program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day during our time in Seward.
- Morning
8:00am
Meet your group for a hearty breakfast at your accommodation
9:00am
Spend the morning sea kayaking in Kenai Fjords National Park
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Eat a picnic lunch near the beautiful rocky shoreline
1:00pm
Spend time observing and exploring the tidepools
3:00pm
Visit the the Alaska SeaLife Center to learn more about this ecosystem
- Evening
6:00pm
Make a group dinner to enjoy together
8:00pm
Have your nightly meeting to discuss the day and tomorrow’s activities
9:00pm
Relax with your group around a campfire before heading to bed
A Day in the Life:
Seward, Alaska
Due to the dynamic nature of this summer program, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day during our time in Seward.
- Morning
8:00am
Meet your group for a hearty breakfast at your accommodation
9:00am
Spend the morning sea kayaking in Kenai Fjords National Park
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Eat a picnic lunch near the beautiful rocky shoreline
1:00pm
Spend time observing and exploring the tidepools
3:00pm
Visit the the Alaska SeaLife Center to learn more about this ecosystem
- Evening
6:00pm
Make a group dinner to enjoy together
8:00pm
Have your nightly meeting to discuss the day and tomorrow’s activities
9:00pm
Relax with your group around a campfire before heading to bed
“Eloise gained so much—deep friendships, memories, and amazing experiences.”
—Patricia & Dan Kipnis, Cherry Hill, NJ
Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
