SUMMER PROGRAMS & FEATURED COLLABORATIONS:
The Summer Students Deserve
For 75 years, Putney has been the leader in educational summer programs. Families return to us year after year because they see the difference—students return home more confident, curious, and inspired. By guiding students out of their comfort zones and teaching them to embrace the new and unfamiliar, our programs develop thoughtful and well-rounded leaders within a safe and supportive community.
Now in our third generation of family leadership, we remain dedicated to our founding mission of creating innovative, hands-on programs that foster real growth through experiential, intellectual, emotional, and cultural engagement. We invite you to join us this summer!
Olivia & Becca Shumlin Co-Directors
“My greatest sense of accomplishment came from stepping out of my comfort zone. I realized that I am capable of so much more than I thought.”
— Koudiegui S., New York, NY
The Putney Difference
75 Years of Experience
For 75 summers our students have benefited from intentionally designed, deeply impactful programs and from a global network of friends, communities, and partner organizations cultivated over generations.
Family Leadership
We‘re proud to be a third-generation, female-led family organization. Guided by the same values of curiosity, empathy, and self-discovery that inspired our founders, we continue to craft programs with integrity and heart.
Outstanding Leaders & Experts
Our highly qualified leaders bring a deep knowledge of the destinations in which they lead, as well as the unique ability to inspire and support students. Many have advanced degrees and take time away from distinguished careers to lead because they believe in our mission of hands-on, transformative learning.
Lasting Benefits
For generations, our programs have instilled confidence, maturity, and a passion for cultures and ideas that are new to students—benefits that extend far beyond summer and shape lives for years to come.
Exceptional Safety
Our unparalleled safety record gives families comfort and reflects seven decades of deep institutional knowledge and expertise in risk management and student safety.
Immersive Fun!
While our programs pursue ambitious educational goals, our founders—Olivia and Becca’s grandparents— believed that you learn best when you’re having fun. Seventy-five years later, that spirit remains central to everything we do: learning through laughter, selfdiscovery, and shared journeys.
Meet our leaders, hear from alumni students, & learn about our programs at goputney.com
Career
Hands-On Experiences to Inspire Your Future
Pursue your passion as you work alongside professionals in foundational and pioneering fields. Get hands-on experience and gain insight into possible career paths and opportunities while discovering what truly excites you.
With the added insights of a program Expert, explore the arts, photography, the business of sports, science, or conservation. Follow novel ideas, gain new perspectives, and return home ready to blaze your own path.
Learn more about Career programs at goputney.com/career
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Climate & Conservation
Baja & the Gulf of California: Marine Science
Belize: Conservation
Canadian Arctic: Conservation
Costa Rica: Marine Conservation
Iceland: Climate Science
Culture & Art
Canadian Arctic: Photography
Ireland & Scotland: Creative Writing
Italy: Farm to Table
Yellowstone: Photography
Science & Business
Barcelona: Business of Sports
Germany & Sweden: Cars
MIT Campus: Engineering & Robotics
Switzerland: CERN & Science
Washington, D.C. & Houston: Aerospace
Language
Active Immersion in Language & Culture
Accelerate your language learning through immersive experiences abroad. Challenge yourself outside of the classroom with active lessons, cultural immersion, and everyday opportunities to use your skills in an authentic setting.
Sign a pledge to speak only in your target language throughout the program. This commitment, combined with an adventurous spirit, is the principal tool for making progress, improving fluency, and building confidence in communication.
Learn more about Language programs at goputney.com/language
HIGH
SCHOOL PROGRAMS
French
France
Mandarin
China
Spanish
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Spain
Valencia & the Pyrenees
Exploration
Adventure Travel & Cultural Immersion
Venture off the beaten path and experience the world as a traveler, not a tourist. Immerse yourself in the landscapes and cultures of a new place, adventuring alongside friends and building genuine connections along the way.
Take your curiosity further through student-driven independent projects. Build on your interests, engage meaningfully with local communities, and return home with a deeper understanding of yourself and our diverse planet.
Learn more about Exploration programs at goputney.com/exploration
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Australia & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Norway
Patagonia: Skiing
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
Service
Community Engagement & Global Awareness
Collaborate with community members on meaningful projects that foster cross-cultural connection and understanding. Deepen your understanding and awareness of local and global issues affecting communities around the world.
Immerse yourself in your host community as you contribute to important initiatives, from reforestation to irrigation systems to construction projects. Return home with a broadened perspective and a certificate recognizing your completed service hours.
Learn more about Service programs at goputney.com/service
HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai’i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam
Middle School
Foundations for Growth & Global Perspective
Middle school is the perfect time to begin exploring the world. Our programs for students in grades six, seven, and eight balance support and structure with opportunities for independence, helping young travelers begin to develop an interest in cultural fluency and global stewardship. These first travels without parents spark curiosity and build confidence through meaningful service, language immersion, and hands-on cultural exploration.
Learn more about Middle School programs at goputney.com/middleschool
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Grades 6–8
Alaska: Exploration
Costa Rica: Service
Japan: Exploration
Grades 7&8
France: Language
France & Holland: Exploration
Iceland: Exploration
Italy & Greece: Exploration
Spain: Language
CHALLENGE YOURSELF AT THE WORLD’S MOST PRESTIGIOUS UNIVERSITIES
Oxford | Paris | Yale
Study at some of the world’s most esteemed institutions: Oxford, The American University of Paris, Yale, University of Siena, Temple University Japan, and ESADE Barcelona. Intellectually driven middle and high school students choose seminars and pursue subjects in the company of motivated peers, engaging with course material under the guidance of distinguished academics.
Featured Seminars: Business, Creative Writing, Engineering, History, International Relations, Law & Society, Medicine, & many more! oxfordacademia.com
CHANNELING CLIMATE ACTION INTO CLIMATE SOLUTIONS SHAPE SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE
Youth Summit Columbia Climate School
on Climate, Equity, & Health in the Green Mountains
Dive into issues of climate change, equity, and public health alongside peers, educators, and leading professionals from the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Harvard Chan C-CHANGE). Create a Community Action Plan and return home ready to address these issues in your own community.
Program Location: Boston, Massachusetts goputney.com/youthsummit
Engage with experts from the Columbia Climate School over two weeks and learn about cuttingedge innovations in climate science and solutions. Students meet, collaborate, and build partnerships with like-minded learners and tap into collective strengths for action. Students walk away ready to drive and sustain meaningful change.
Program Location: Castleton, Vermont goputney.com/columbia
Start your application at goputney.com.
Our step-by-step application process will guide you through submitting all required application materials, including your short Applicant Statement and teacher references.
Multiple Program Discount
Extend your experience! Students who attend two programs save $1,000 ($800 tuition reduction + no second application fee).
Scholarship Opportunities
The Putney Open Door Fund, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to expanding access to educational summer experiences, offers need-based scholarships to students applying for Putney Student Travel programs. Learn more and apply at goputney.com/podf
goputney.com | 802.387.5000
“When our son came back, he knew he could accomplish anything. With a supportive team behind him, he became brave enough to face unfamiliar situations. He felt like a hero in his own story.”
— Xiaoming C., Portland, ME
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS
Erica Frisk (Front Cover), Bridget Lanigan, Jana Ašenbrennerová, Anna Marandi, Michael Orta, Brady Clarke, William Liu, Andrea Sarcos, Mackenzie Grapes, Heather Weas, Lauren Kennedy
