Program Directed by
Avery Stern
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Discover the best of France and Holland on this engaging summer adventure for middle school students. Hike in the sky-scraping French Alps, savor crêpes after exploring the streets of Paris, and bike through the colorful Dutch countryside. Cruise the canals of Amsterdam and experience daily life in Europe’s most dynamic cities and villages, blending active exploration with cultural immersion in two incredible countries. Return home with greater confidence as a young traveler, a deeper understanding of European history, art, and the outdoors, and a more thoughtful global perspective from comparing two neighboring European cultures.
- Highlights
• Ride a téléphérique high above Alpine peaks and glaciers
• Bike through Holland’s picturesque countryside
• Dance to live jazz on the Île Saint-Louis in Paris
• Discover van Gogh’s favorite haunts in Amsterdam
• Bike through Holland’s picturesque countryside
• Dance to live jazz on the Île Saint-Louis in Paris
• Discover van Gogh’s favorite haunts in Amsterdam
“I conquered many fears, and that gave me the highest sense of accomplishment. I believe that I came out of the program a more well-rounded person.”
—Oliver B., Grace Church School, New York, 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 of your leaders in Newark, and fly together to Geneva, Switzerland. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
The French Alps — 4 days
Journey to St Gervais Les Bains, a small town near Chamonix, surrounded by endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Hike through wildflower fields with panoramic views of snowcapped peaks, try canyoning through glacial streams with professional guides, or climb a woodland ropes course with the spectacular backdrop of the Alps.
Paris — 4 days
Travel by train to Paris and soak up Parisian life, from its music and cafés to museums and monuments. Learn about the unique characteristics of neighborhoods on the Left Bank, Île de la Cité, and Montmartre, and visit renowned sites such as the now restored Notre Dame Cathedral and the Louvre. Taste escargots at grand Art Deco brasseries once frequented by Picasso and Sartre, and cruise down the Seine River to see the city illuminated at night.
Biking in Holland — 4 days
Head out on a four-day bicycle trip along picturesque bike paths, through sand dunes, and past windmills and Dutch farms. Along the way, stop to swim in the North Sea, play frisbee along the dunes, and visit the towns of Noordwijk, Haarlem, Egmond, and Heemskerk.
Amsterdam — 3 days
After your bike trip, explore Amsterdam’s bustling canals and cobblestone streets on foot. Visit Anne Frank’s house, admire paintings by Rembrandt and van Gogh, discuss the impact of modern art at the MOCO, and learn to make your own stroopwafel in the De Pijp neighborhood.
Return — Travel Day
Fly with your group and a leader from Amsterdam to Newark, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review specific program questions here. For more general information, visit our full FAQ:
What are the main focuses of this program?
Our Middle School France & Holland program adapts the original Putney European experience for younger ages (grades 7–8). The focus of this adventure and cultural exploration program is to immerse students into the diversity of European lifestyles and cultures, spanning both small towns and major metropolitan cities. This program emphasizes both the adventurous and artistic opportunities that Western Europe has to offer, immersing students in two distinct cultures and fostering a broadened global perspective.
Will students have the opportunity to practice the local language?
Proficiency in French or Dutch is not required on this program. However, students who speak French or Dutch have ample opportunities to practice while communicating with locals, though many people we meet will also speak English. Students who do not speak the local language will equally enjoy their experience and learn some basic language skills.
What is an Independent Project?
All students on Putney programs pursue an independent project as a way to more deeply engage with aspects of local culture that are of particular interest to them—in France & Holland, you might document the flowers of the Alps, write restaurant reviews for local crepe and fondue spots, or create a travel guide for bicyclists throughout Holland.
What is the technology and cell phone policy?
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 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.
How physically active is this program?
Putney’s Middle School France & Holland program is a highly active summer travel program that includes canyoning, hiking, and biking. 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 trying all activities. One highlight of the program is a four-day bicycle trip through Holland, so students must be comfortable riding a bike on a flat and paved path.
Does this program visit high altitudes?
Yes, this program visits one high-altitude destination. On hikes in Chamonix, we occasionally climb up above 9,000 feet/2,743 meters.
What are the accommodations for this program?
The group’s accommodations in France and Holland are varied, ranging from comfortable, Old-World-style hotels to simple, dormitory-style student hostels. Residences are run by wonderful families and individuals who help set the tone for our experience and introduce us to local people. Rooms are a mix of doubles, triples, and quads with ensuite bathrooms. Leaders reside in the same accommodations as students throughout the program.
What are meals like in France and Holland?
In France, we start our days with a traditional breakfast at our accommodation, then enjoy both lunch and dinner out. In Holland, we take breakfast and dinner at our residence and eat lunch out. Meals out are enjoyed either at small restaurants or by picking up fresh local delicacies for a relaxed picnic.
What type of student is most successful on this program?
Putney’s Middle School France & Holland program is ideal for middle school students (grades 7–8) who enjoy staying active and want a mix of outdoor adventure and cultural exploration. Students will hike and bike through smaller towns and mountain areas, then experience city life in places like Paris and Amsterdam, visiting museums, local markets, and historic neighborhoods. The program combines physical activities with hands-on cultural experiences like cooking classes and museums, so it’s best suited for students who are flexible, enjoy being on the move, and are excited to try new things in different environments.
What makes France & Holland a good location for a Putney Student Travel program?
What makes Putney’s middle school program in France & Holland especially unique is the contrast it offers: students experience both the countryside and major cities like Paris and Amsterdam, gaining a broader view of European life. Traveling by train between destinations and spending time in two nearby yet distinctly different countries gives students a more authentic sense of how people live, move, and play across Europe. France and Holland have been part of our programs since our very first program in 1951, and they continue to stand out for their rich history, art, outdoor opportunities, and exceptional food—all within environments that are welcoming and safe for students.
How does the France & Holland program compare to Putney’s other middle school programs?
The France & Holland program is our most active middle school Exploration program, with a variety of outdoor activities and city exploration. The program also stands apart for its four-day bicycle trip in Holland, an experience that is unmistakable Putney. For the duration of this bicycle trip, the group splits into two teams, meaning there is an opportunity to build on new friendships and explore Holland as a smaller cohort.
Do students need prior experience or specific skills to join this program?
Several days of this program include cycling through the countryside and into downtown Amsterdam, so comfort on a bicycle is necessary, though the riding is flat, safe, and moderate.
What outcomes, skills, or growth can students expect to gain from this experience?
On Putney’s Middle School France & Holland program, students build confidence in leadership by taking turns navigating hikes, bike rides, and walks through towns and cities. They also gain new perspectives on how lifestyle, food, art, and culture vary between urban and more rural areas. In addition, students develop an appreciation for efficient train travel and thoughtful urban design across a range of European communities and gain independence as they explore in small groups while making lifelong connections with new friends.
A Day in the Life: Chamonix
Due to the traveling nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Chamonix.
- Morning
8:00am
Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations
9:00am
Ride one of the longest cable-car ascents in the world to the Aiguille du Midi
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Enjoy a picnic lunch surrounded by panoramic views of alpine peaks and glaciers
1:00pm
Explore the surrounding hiking trails before taking the cable car back to Chamonix
4:00pm
Stop at a local café to rest and enjoy some ice cream, then ride the Alpine luge
- Evening
7:00pm
Enjoy dinner at an authentic creperie in town
8:00pm
Group meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
“I personally gained the biggest sense of accomplishment from the biking trip. I really felt like it was challenging not only physically but even more so mentally. I gained independence and confidence in ways that will help me with future challenges.”
—Byars L., St. Stephen’s Episcopal School, Austin, TX
