2-weeks & under
Campus-Based
Climate & Sustainability
Eligible for rising 9th graders
Intensives & Workshops
New for 2025!
North America Based
Putney Classics
Science & Nature
Leadership
Travel programs with the Smithsonian Institution for grades 8–12
Challenge yourself academically at the world's most prestigious universities
Non-profit organization offering student travel scholarships
High school youth summit focused on public health, climate change, and equity
Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12
Over the years, Putney students have traveled to hundreds of destinations, immersed themselves in cultures and communities around the globe, and found their lives changed by these experiences. The resulting memories, photographs, and extraordinary pursuits are a testament to Putney’s seven decades of quality summer programs in the U.S. and abroad.
The first trip departs by steamship for Switzerland, Italy, France, and Holland, led by founders George and Kitty Shumlin. The ocean crossing takes ten days each way—three weeks of an eight-week program.
During the Cold War, Putney becomes the first organization to take high school students to the U.S.S.R., exploring Moscow and Leningrad and living with Russian students on the Black Sea.
Putney’s first program in Africa explores Tanzania and summits Mt. Kilimanjaro.
After 32 years, George and Kitty retire from Putney Student Travel, passing the reins to their sons, Pete and Jeff.
Chinese Revolutionary hero Bill Hinton opens doors for Putney in China. Students bicycle through coal-mine country in Shanxi Province and live with Chinese families in an agricultural commune still closed to westerners in Shandong Province.
Putney inaugurates its first program dedicated entirely to community service, in Montserrat in the Caribbean following a hurricane. The next year, we expand to Costa Rica and today our Service groups work in numerous nations around the world.
Excel at Williams and Amherst College, among the first campus-based Putney Pre-College programs, provides a model for new learning opportunities.
The second floor of the converted cow barn where Putney’s office had been for 40 years is emptied of hay, renovated, and converted to the current office: The Barn. Putney also pioneers a program in Havana, Cuba.
At Yale University, Putney introduces programs focused on global awareness, with students addressing issues of poverty, sustainability, development, health care, and much more.
National Geographic and Putney partner to create National Geographic Student Expeditions—dedicated to creating summer travel opportunities for the next generation of explorers, writers, scientists, filmmakers, and photographers.
The New York Times and Putney partner to create New York Times Student Journeys.
Putney invests in carbon offsets to cover carbon emissions on group flights and launches programs focused on careers to inspire future leaders.
Putney responds to the global health crisis by developing a Pre-College program in Vermont and launching Gap programs in carefully selected international locations.
Putney introduces programs focused on climate change and public health in partnership with Harvard Chan C-CHANGE, and Putney students return safely to international summer programs.
The Smithsonian Institution and Putney collaborate to offer Smithsonian Student Travel, programs drawing on the Smithsonian’s vast reach and resources around the world.
Putney Directors Pete and Jeff pass the reins, after 40 years, to Pete’s daughters, Olivia and Becca Shumlin.
Providing immersive summer travel programs for middle & high school students since 1951.
Putney has been the leader in student travel and educational summers for more than 70 years. As a family-run organization, our decades of experience, our dedication to quality programs, and the personal service you receive are unmatched.
We invite you to subscribe to hear about new programs and upcoming events, and start your path to the summer of a lifetime.
