For students currently in grades 9–12
Pre-College
Barcelona
Tokyo
Tuscany
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Barcelona
Yellowstone
French
France
Mandarin
China
Spanish
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Spain
Climate & Conservation

Baja & the Coast of California

Belize

Canadian Arctic

Chile

Iceland

Namibia

You may also like
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
Australia & Fiji
Australia, New Zealand, & Fiji
Croatia & Slovenia
Cuba
Faroe Islands & Iceland
Iceland
Italy & Greece
Japan
Kilimanjaro
Norway
Panama & Colombia
Patagonia: Skiing
Spain, France, & Portugal
Switzerland, France, & Holland
Switzerland, Italy, France, & Holland
Argentina
Costa Rica
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Fiji
Hawai'i
Morocco
Nepal
Peru
Puerto Rico
Tanzania
Thailand
Vietnam

2-weeks & under

Campus-Based

Climate & Sustainability

Eligible for rising 9th graders

Intensives & Workshops

New for 2025!

North America Based

Putney Classics

Science & Nature

Intensives
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
MIT
Culture & Art

Canadian Arctic:
Photography

Ireland: Writing

Italy: Farm to Table

Namibia: Photography

Yellowstone: Photography

You may also like
Oxford Academia
Science & Business

Barcelona: Sports

Germany: Cars

On the MIT Campus:
Engineering & Robotics

Switzerland: CERN & Science

You may also like
For students currently in grades 6–8
Eligible for 8th grade*
Columbia Climate School Collaboration
Harvard Chan C-CHANGE Youth Summit
*These programs are typically for students in grades 9–12, however motivated rising 9th graders will be considered
Grades 7&8
France & Holland
Iceland
Ireland
Italy & Greece
Grades 7&8
France
Spain
Grades 6–8
Costa Rica
Grades 7&8
Dominican Republic
Ecuador & the Galápagos
Hawai'i
Special programs & collaborations
Custom Programs

Looking to create a custom program or collaboration?

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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

columbia-climate-school-icon

Campus-based climate change program for grades 9–12

Our Collaboration with

the Smithsonian Institution

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Putney and the Smithsonian Institution have partnered to create Smithsonian Student Travel, offering adventurous and educational summer trips for high school students. Smithsonian Student Travel programs combine the reach and resources of the Smithsonian with the experience and expertise Putney has grown over seven decades.

Each Smithsonian Student Travel program focuses on a unique and relevant topic related to the mission of the Smithsonian, ranging from art and culture to technology, conservation, and science. Each takes advantage of the Smithsonian’s resources, from the exhibits and artifacts of its museums to local experts and researchers at cultural and research institutions around the world.

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Student Journeys

Student Journeys are themed travel programs in the U.S. and around the world designed for students in 8th through 12th grade. Students engage with their program theme while gaining a deeper understanding of the history, culture, cuisine, language, and environment of their destination.

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Engaging Experts

Students benefit from the insights and knowledge of Smithsonian Student Travel Experts, who join every group at various points throughout their program. Experts bring unique expertise, perspective, and contagious enthusiasm about the trip’s theme, and lead the group in engaging discussions and immersive activities.

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The Learning Lab

Every Smithsonian Student Travel program draws on the Smithsonian Learning Lab, the Institution’s award-winning educational resource. Containing millions of digital images, recordings, texts, and videos from the archives, the Learning Lab helps students uncover the unexpected connections that lie within program themes and destinations.

Smithsonian Student Travel is a collaboration with Putney Student Travel. Putney Student Travel operates student programs under license from the Smithsonian Institution. The name of the Smithsonian and the sunburst logo are registered trademarks of the Smithsonian Institution, and Putney Student Travel is an authorized user.

Visit smithsonianstudenttravel.org or call 866.870.2350

To Learn More & Apply

Why Choose Putney?

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.