For seven decades, Putney has brought student travelers all over the world and returned them safely to their families. A commitment to safety is the bedrock of our program operations and has been the key to our success as international educators. The full-time Putney Team, led by Directors Olivia Shumlin and Becca Shumlin, is large enough to operate incredible programs all over the world, yet small enough to ensure every student and family receives an uparalleled level of support and responsiveness.
Key Safety Facts
• 75 years of safe program operation (since 1951)
• Full-time, U.S.-based team designing and overseeing all programs
• Leaders certified in CPR and First Aid
• 24/7 direct emergency support from Putney headquarters
• Professional medical and security evacuation coverage
• Carefully vetted program locations and partners
• Small group sizes and experienced trip leaders
Program Setup & Safety
We offer programs only in locations found to be stable and suitable, with infrastructure and services in place to handle urgent situations that might realistically arise. Our extensive program safety vetting process includes site visits, reviewing safety records, communication with our local contacts and partners, continuous location monitoring, and much more.
An Inclusive Environment
Our programs are based on principles of inclusivity and respect. We do not tolerate bullying and will act quickly and decisively to safeguard both the physical and emotional safety of our students. We celebrate diversity on our programs and expect the same of our students. Students agree to and sign a set of Program Standards ahead of their program.
Teaching Safety to Our Students
Learning to be a good traveler means being mindful of conditions in unfamiliar surroundings and taking appropriate precautions, an approach we teach to our students. In addition, students on our programs agree to follow our rules and high expectations of behavior.
24/7 Communication
We maintain open lines of communication with parents, students, and leaders in the field. While programs are underway in the summer, parents, students, and leaders can reach our team at Putney headquarters by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for the duration of the program. This is not a call center or answering service—the full-time Putney team in Vermont is available 24/7 via a dedicated summer line.
Program Leaders
We hire and train only the best international educators to lead our students. Putney has a selective hiring process, interviewing and vetting leaders over a 5-month period. The average age of our leaders is 32. All of our leaders are subject to background checks and 100% are certified in CPR and First Aid, with backgrounds that include significant experience working with young people and demonstrate high levels of maturity, judgment, and expertise.
Emergency Support
Students on our programs are covered for emergencies by one of the world’s leading evacuation plans. In the unlikely event that a student needs to be evacuated for medical or safety reasons, they will be supported by our professional travel medical and security service.