Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Iceland
Exploration in the Land of the Midnight Sun
Travel abroad this summer on an adventurous middle school program to Iceland, where tectonic plates burst from the earth and glaciers, waterfalls, and volcanoes abound. Experience the green energy infrastructure and climate leadership of Reykjavík, trek across magnificent glaciers, spot whales off the northern coast, and learn about the effects of climate change on Iceland’s landscapes as you road trip around the country’s Ring Road.
- Highlights
• Get up close with Iceland’s glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes
• Don crampons and ice picks to traverse a glacier with guides
• Visit a geothermal power station and head into the field with naturalists
• Go rock climbing, ride horseback, whale watch, and swim in hot springs
• Don crampons and ice picks to traverse a glacier with guides
• Visit a geothermal power station and head into the field with naturalists
• Go rock climbing, ride horseback, whale watch, and swim in hot springs
“Every day was packed full of exciting new experiences, and she came home with wonderful stories, a group of fantastic new friends and all the confidence and feelings of accomplishment a parent could hope for!”
—Randall & Peter D., Brooklyn, NY
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 middle school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavík, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Reykjavík — 2 days
Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland’s bustling capital, for your introduction to island life. Get to know your peers and program leaders during an in-depth group orientation. Soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, explore the ruins of a Viking household excavated beneath the city streets at the Settlement Museum, or stop in at the modern cathedral of Hallgrimskirkja, whose unique architecture was inspired by the natural basalt columns found throughout the country.
The Golden Circle — 1 day
Set out on the famous Golden Circle and experience some of the country’s most iconic geysers and waterfalls up close. Get a behind-the-scenes perspective of a modern geothermal power station, which generates enormous amounts of clean energy for Reykjavík, then enjoy a traditional Icelandic dinner at a local farmhouse.
The Southern Coast — 1 day
Travel along Iceland’s southern coast, and experience the stunning waterfall-studded landscape. Stop for a picnic lunch at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, go for a barefoot stroll on a black-sand beach, and take in the towering basalt columns.
Skaftafell & Höfn — 3 days
Continue east along the idyllic southern coast and spend your days in the field with expert mountain instructors. Hike in Skaftafell National Park, go trekking on Falljökull glacier, and try your hand at rock climbing at Hnappavellir, one of Iceland’s most famous climbing areas. Take in impressive views of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and watch glittering ice formations flow through this lunar landscape outside of Höfn. Explore Höfn itself, a historic fishing village perched on a peninsula surveying the outflow of five glaciers, including Vatnajökull glacier, the world’s largest ice cap outside the Arctic and Antarctica. Take a dip in the town’s thermal pool or play a pick-up game of soccer or basketball with local youth at the community center.
Mývatn — 2 days
Head deep into the volcanic northern landscape to Lake Mývatn and hike on congealed lava flows from a series of massive eruptions that occurred in the late 1970s. Explore the trails along the canyon at Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, then cap the day with a relaxing soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, known for their blue mineral water and black-sand floors.
Dalvík & the Far North — 2 days
Arrive in Dalvík, a charming fishing village nestled on the edge of the Troll Peninsula, bordered by majestic mountains where locals ski in the winter, and lying near to the Arctic Circle. Explore the village on foot, horseback ride on a visit to a family farm in the hills overlooking the sea, and go whale watching in Eyjafjörður. Share your independent project with your group on your final night in Dalvík.
Reykjavík — 1 day
Return to Reykjavík for your final day in Iceland, further explore the capital’s picturesque harborside neighborhoods, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your group.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Reykjavík, Iceland, to New York 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 middle school student travelers and one or more of your leaders in New York, and fly together to Reykjavík, Iceland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Reykjavík — 2 days
Arrive in Reykjavík, Iceland’s bustling capital, for your introduction to island life. Get to know your peers and program leaders during an in-depth group orientation. Soak in the famous Blue Lagoon, explore the ruins of a Viking household excavated beneath the city streets at the Settlement Museum, or stop in at the modern cathedral of Hallgrimskirkja, whose unique architecture was inspired by the natural basalt columns found throughout the country.
The Golden Circle — 1 day
Set out on the famous Golden Circle and experience some of the country’s most iconic geysers and waterfalls up close. Get a behind-the-scenes perspective of a modern geothermal power station, which generates enormous amounts of clean energy for Reykjavík, then enjoy a traditional Icelandic dinner at a local farmhouse.
The Southern Coast — 1 day
Travel along Iceland’s southern coast, and experience the stunning waterfall-studded landscape. Stop for a picnic lunch at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, go for a barefoot stroll on a black-sand beach, and take in the towering basalt columns.
Skaftafell & Höfn — 3 days
Continue east along the idyllic southern coast and spend your days in the field with expert mountain instructors. Hike in Skaftafell National Park, go trekking on Falljökull glacier, and try your hand at rock climbing at Hnappavellir, one of Iceland’s most famous climbing areas. Take in impressive views of Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and watch glittering ice formations flow through this lunar landscape outside of Höfn. Explore Höfn itself, a historic fishing village perched on a peninsula surveying the outflow of five glaciers, including Vatnajökull glacier, the world’s largest ice cap outside the Arctic and Antarctica. Take a dip in the town’s thermal pool or play a pick-up game of soccer or basketball with local youth at the community center.
Mývatn — 2 days
Head deep into the volcanic northern landscape to Lake Mývatn and hike on congealed lava flows from a series of massive eruptions that occurred in the late 1970s. Explore the trails along the canyon at Dettifoss, one of Europe’s most powerful waterfalls, then cap the day with a relaxing soak in the Mývatn Nature Baths, known for their blue mineral water and black-sand floors.
Dalvík & the Far North — 2 days
Arrive in Dalvík, a charming fishing village nestled on the edge of the Troll Peninsula, bordered by majestic mountains where locals ski in the winter, and lying near to the Arctic Circle. Explore the village on foot, horseback ride on a visit to a family farm in the hills overlooking the sea, and go whale watching in Eyjafjörður. Share your independent project with your group on your final night in Dalvík.
Reykjavík — 1 day
Return to Reykjavík for your final day in Iceland, further explore the capital’s picturesque harborside neighborhoods, and enjoy a celebratory dinner with your group.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Reykjavík, Iceland, to New York 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 Iceland’s approach to green energy (over 85% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources), become an expert on Viking folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, or interview a fisherman on the ways their livelihood is evolving with the warming waters and changing climates.
Technology
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During in-country 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 and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland 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 family-run guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Iceland. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic restaurants, along with traditional family-style dinners taken at our accommodations.
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 Iceland’s approach to green energy (over 85% of the country’s energy comes from renewable sources), become an expert on Viking folklore, create a recipe book filled with local dishes, document the training it takes to become a glacier guide, or interview a fisherman on the ways their livelihood is evolving with the warming waters and changing climates.
Technology
To help students fully engage and immerse themselves in the Putney travel experience, we do not allow cell phones, tablets, or laptops on our Middle School programs. Students may have their cell phones during travel to and from the program. During in-country 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 and glacier trekking. Life in Iceland 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 family-run guesthouses, hostels, and small hotels throughout our time in Iceland. Leaders reside together with the students throughout the program.
Meals
The group mixes picnics with dining out in Icelandic restaurants, along with traditional family-style dinners taken at our accommodations.
A Day in the Life: Höfn
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Höfn.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a traditional Icelandic breakfast at your guesthouse
9:00am
Join expert guides for glacier walking in Vatnajökull National Park
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Picnic lunch in the field with your group
1:00pm
Participate in an introductory rock climbing workshop with professional instructors
4:00pm
Relax with a late afternoon soak in a natural thermal pool
5:00pm
Journal, work on independent projects, or play a pick-up game of frisbee
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at a local restaurant
8:00pm
Group activity and meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
A Day in the Life:
Höfn
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Höfn.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy a traditional Icelandic breakfast at your guesthouse
9:00am
Join expert guides for glacier walking in Vatnajökull National Park
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Picnic lunch in the field with your group
1:00pm
Participate in an introductory rock climbing workshop with professional instructors
4:00pm
Relax with a late afternoon soak in a natural thermal pool
5:00pm
Journal, work on independent projects, or play a pick-up game of frisbee
- Evening
6:00pm
Have dinner with your group at a local restaurant
8:00pm
Group activity and meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“I could not have asked for a better experience and will always remember it and the people I met.”
—Jack G., Riverdale Country School, Bronx, NY
Program Directed by
Devon Swinburne
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
