Greece & Italy Middle School: History, Islands & Culture

As parents of a kid who has always loved camp, we thought we knew what a great summer experience looked like. Then our son went on Putney Student Travel’s Italy & Greece middle school program, and it changed our perspective entirely. He came home a different kid: more confident, independent, mature and excited about the world. He didn’t want it to end, and months later he’s still talking about the people he met. What makes Putney extraordinary is the people. The leaders were exceptional, and our son still keeps in close touch with them, along with the friends he made on the trip. I wouldn’t be surprised if they organize their own reunion over spring break! From the leaders to the directors, everyone at Putney makes you feel your child is genuinely known and cared for, as if he were one of their own. As parents, there is no greater reassurance. Putney gave our son far more than a trip. It gave him room to grow, lasting friendships, a new sense of independence and courage, and a real drive to learn about the world. We’ve even noticed a difference in his engagement at school this semester. We sent him hoping for a wonderful adventure; he came back with something far more meaningful. We can’t imagine sending our children anywhere else. Our son is already planning to return for the next four years, and we can’t wait for our daughter to experience Putney when she reaches middle school. Putney has earned our trust in a way very few organizations ever could, and we wholeheartedly recommend them to any family.

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As parents of a kid who has always loved camp, we thought we knew what a great summer experience looked like. Then our son went on Putney Student Travel’s Italy & Greece middle school program this summer, and it changed our perspective entirely. He came home a different kid — more confident, independent, mature, and excited about the world around him. He loved the experience so much that he didn't want it to end, and to this day, he is still talking about the people he met and the connections he made. What makes Putney truly extraordinary is the people. The leaders were exceptional, and our son still keeps in close touch with them. He also stays connected with the friends he made on the trip, and I wouldn't be surprised if they organize their own reunion over spring break! The relationships that have continued long after the program ended speak volumes about the experience Putney creates. Every person at Putney, from the leaders to the directors, makes you feel that your child is genuinely known, cared for, and treated as if they were their own. As parents, there is no greater reassurance. Putney gave our son so much more than a life-changing trip to Italy and Greece. It gave him room to grow, lasting friendships, a newfound sense of independence and courage, a genuine drive to learn more about the world, and memories and connections that will stay with him for years to come. We have even noticed a difference in his excitement and engagement with learning at school this semester. We sent him hoping he would have a wonderful adventure; we watched him return with something far more meaningful. We honestly cannot imagine sending our children anywhere else. Our son is already planning to return for the next four years, and we cannot wait for our daughter to experience Putney when she reaches middle school age. The fact that we are already planning years ahead speaks for itself. Putney has earned our trust in a way very few organizations ever could, and we wholeheartedly recommend them to any family fortunate enough to experience the magic they create through their programs.

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I had so much fun at Putney on my Greece and Italy trip. My leaders were well-educated and made the experience so much fun. The students that were with me were kind and inclusive and I came home with so many new friends. Overall, I loved my experience with Putney and am planning to come back next year.