2024 MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAMS
LEARN MORE & FIND THE PROGRAM FOR YOU AT NATGEOSTUDENTTRAVEL.ORG
LEARN MORE & FIND THE PROGRAM FOR YOU AT NATGEOSTUDENTTRAVEL.ORG
Experience what it’s like to be On Assignment with National Geographic. Our summer programs for high school and middle school students immerse you in destinations around the globe, engaging with the world as a thoughtful explorer. No matter which trip you choose, you’ll travel with a purpose.
Interactive projects—such as learning about cutting-edge technology being used to combat climate change, researching threats to wildlife with scientists, or crafting a photography portfolio as you learn how to take images that tell a story—will deepen your understanding of the communities and landscapes you visit, and give you a finished project to share with your family and community back home. You will leave informed and inspired to be a changemaker in your community.
When you travel with us, you support the National Geographic Society’s Explorers who use science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world. Every year, the Society awards hundreds of grants to scientists, educators, innovators, and storytellers who change how we understand our planet—and help to protect it for future generations.
A certain spirit motivates National Geographic Explorers around the world—and you feel it when you travel with us. You’ll be out in the field with our Explorers, who are fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a desire to understand our planet and its people, and who are committed to making the world a better place.
Delve deeper into your surroundings through the lens of one or more topics— photography, wildlife conservation, marine biology, and more. As you explore, you’ll create a tangible project that you can take back home to your community, such as a photography portfolio or a study on local wildlife.
We are committed to sustaining the natural integrity and cultural heritage of each place we visit. We support local economies in our choice of accommodations and services, increase students’ appreciation for local communities through meaningful exchange, and invest in offset projects for the carbon emissions associated with travel to our destinations.
One of the highlights of your trip is sure to be your traveling companions—students from around the globe who are also enthusiastic about exploring. And you’ll find role models in your National Geographic Explorers and trip leaders, who are photographers, writers, scientists, and educators pursuing careers that help to make the world a better place.
Whichever On Assignment theme you choose, you will join a growing community of individuals who are curious about the world around them and committed to preserving it. You will leave your program with a roadmap, ready to pursue bold ideas, engage others, and inspire action.
Get out into the field and on expedition around the globe, all through the lens of an On Assignment project. Each high school trip offers a choice of two areas of focus, such as photography, climate and geology, or wildlife conservation. Pursue your project with guidance from your trip leaders and a National Geographic Explorer, then share what you’ve created with the group and your community back home.
From your base at MIT, delve into issues impacting the future of our world, and examine solutions offered by engineering, technology, AI, and robotics. Participate in stimulating seminars and interactive workshops, and meet National Geographic Explorers to hear about their innovative work in our areas of focus. Develop a project to address an issue you’ve encountered, and pitch your idea to your group and leaders.
“Ashley appreciated the opportunity to be an independent traveler, not a tourist. This was real inspiration for what she wants life and learning to look like in 10–20 years.”
Our photo workshop in iconic Yellowstone is an opportunity for students to become better photographers, filmmakers, editors, and storytellers. A National Geographic Explorer or photographer joins the group for the entire workshop, providing lessons, guidance, and feedback both in the classroom and in the park. The program culminates in a pop-up gallery show of students’ original work.
Our highly structured middle school programs allow students to discover exciting destinations in a fun, engaging, and safe environment. With guidance from trip leaders and a National Geographic Explorer, students explore multiple themes that enhance their experience and encourage them to deepen the interests they already have, while discovering new ones along their journey.
—KELLY & JONATHAN O., NEW MILFORD, CT
Understand the links between the ancient and present worlds, communities, and traditions, encountering traces of past civilizations and experiencing vibrant traditions that exist today.
Examine Earth processes, witness dramatic geological forces at work, and discuss the science of global climate change with local researchers.
Get a firsthand look at new technologies that are being created to address challenges facing the world today.
Delve into underwater ecosystems and better understand how the health of our oceans, seas, and shorelines impacts all life on Earth.
Set out on shoots to improve your photography or film skills, leveraging storytelling to illuminate the places you encounter.
Discover local wildlife and their habitats, and learn about biologists’ innovative efforts to protect and better understand them.
National Geographic Explorers have been inspiring people for more than 135 years. They’ve pursued their dreams, become leaders in their fields, collaborated with local communities, and are excited to share their stories and knowledge with the next generation of Explorers through our student travel programs. As you explore together, they’ll share their insights and experiences, and inspire you with their passion for the work they do and the places you’ll travel. A National Geographic Explorer joins each of our programs.
“Ingi was wonderful. She was knowledgeable and caring, and helped Annika grow in both knowledge base about culture, and also personally about how to set growth goals. She was fun, engaging, inclusive, and kind.”
—GIALISA & BERNARD G., CORONA DEL MAR, CA
“Everyone was very inclusive, kind, thoughtful, and created a very loving and affirming space.”
WILLIAM LIU
A photographer and videographer with a master’s in digital media, William has lived and traveled throughout Greater China, Southeast Asia, and Scandinavia and has led student programs since 2012.
Heading up each program is a team of talented, dynamic trip leaders with extensive experience in the field—and who love working with students. With no more than nine students to every leader, groups have the ability to break into smaller teams to explore students’ interests. Our leaders have considerable professional experience related to the program theme, language proficiency, and time spent in the program destination.
Alex is a science educator with master’s degrees in ecology and science education, with research focusing on pollinators in urban areas. She has led student programs since 2011.
Leonardo has taught multimedia and photojournalism at the university level for 13+ years, and has published work in numerous national and international publications.
Mariela’s Ph.D. research focused on neglected tropical diseases, ecology, and marine biology. She has explored 30+ countries and recently has been a dive instructor and leadership course facilitator.
MARINE SCIENCE & CONSERVATION ON THE MEXICAN COAST
Often called “the aquarium of the world,” the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, teems with marine life, from acrobatic dolphins and sea lions to massive manta rays and whale sharks. Travel to Baja, Mexico, this summer and dive into this incredible underwater ecosystem.
Choose your On Assignment theme, learn about marine conservation and terrestrial photography from professionals, and embrace adventure as you snorkel, kayak, and paddleboard. Alongside marine biologists and conservationists, see groundbreaking conservation initiatives in action and lend a hand in research projects and the preservation of at-risk habitats.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Get up close with sea lions, dolphins, and tropical fish while snorkeling
• Spend two nights on the Pacific Coast and learn to surf on its pristine waves
• Help identify and examine species with marine biologists and researchers
• Photograph the clear night sky during a camping trip to the remote desert
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: July 12–23, July 25–Aug. 5
Duration: 12 days
Tuition: $7,890
| ON ASSIGNMENT THEMES
Marine & Tropical Biology
Photography
The Arctic tundra is one of our planet’s most stunning wildlife habitats: an endless snowscape in the winter that bursts with life when summer arrives, drawing migrating species such as caribou, beluga whales, and—most famously—polar bears. Travel to the Canadian Arctic this summer to experience this habitat and wildlife up close, using an Arctic research facility in Churchill, Manitoba, as your base.
Choose either the Photography or Wildlife Conservation On Assignment, and delve into your focus area as you set out with a National Geographic Explorer to learn more about the unique adaptations that allow species to survive the extreme Arctic conditions, and how they and the communities that live there are coping with a changing climate.
• Head out in all-terrain tundra vehicles to track and photograph polar bears
• Take a dogsled lesson and learn about the importance of this mode of transport
• Kayak with migratory beluga whales and learn about their “singing”
• Use your camera to capture shooting stars and, if lucky, the Northern Lights
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: July 30–Aug. 9, Aug. 6–16
Duration: 11 days
Tuition: $7,990
| ON ASSIGNMENT THEMES
Wildlife Conservation Photography
Journey to Costa Rica and explore some of the country’s highest peaks, densest forests, and most remote natural reserves while immersing yourself in the region’s rich cultural landscapes. Choose your On Assignment theme—Photography or Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition—and delve into your focus area. Photograph sweeping vistas, lush landscapes, and endemic wildlife as you travel from cloud forest to Pacific coast.
Along the way, meet with artisans and communities to hear their perspectives on Costa Rica as a conservation leader and explore the significance of traditions in modern life—from makers of folk masks and oxcart painters to the communities that live among the stone spheres left by Mesoamerican populations in the Diquís Delta.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore the Osa Peninsula, one of Costa Rica’s most biodiverse regions
• Meet with artisans of traditional masks and painted oxcart wheels
• Learn about the modern Costa Rican approach to environmental sustainability
• Investigate Mesoamerican sites to a chorus of howler monkey calls
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 22–July 7, June 27–July 12
Duration: 16 days
Tuition: $7,990
| ON ASSIGNMENT THEMES
Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition
Photography
EXPLORATION
Travel to Ecuador, one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, to learn about wildlife conservation or photography. Begin in the lush chocó cloud forest before ascending to the Andean páramo, a highland ecosystem considered to be one of the fastest evolving regions on Earth. Then, explore the geologically unique landscapes and extraordinary wildlife of the Galápagos Islands, home to giant tortoises, lava tunnels, equatorial penguins, marine iguanas, and blue-footed boobies.
During the program, choose either the Photography or Wildlife Conservation On Assignment theme, and delve into learning under the guidance and expertise of marine biologists, naturalists, photographers, and community conservationists.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Meet with conservationists working to protect endangered Galápagos species
• Ride horseback and photograph the sweeping Andean páramo landscape
• Hike up to a glacier on the still-smoldering Cotopaxi volcano
• Observe sea turtles and Galápagos penguins in their natural habitat
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 26–July 13
Duration: 18 days
Tuition: $8,690
| ON ASSIGNMENT THEMES
Wildlife Conservation Photography
Iceland is a country of extremes, where geysers and lava flows coexist with powerful waterfalls and calving glaciers. Located at the edge of the Arctic Circle, much of the island remains under ice, yet it is also one of the planet’s most volcanically active countries. Travel to the Land of Fire and Ice and take advantage of long days and bright nights to explore the country’s impressive landscapes.
Choose either the Photography or Climate & Geology On Assignment and delve into your focus area as you experience the wonders of Iceland up close, from glaciers to black sand beaches. Witness the outsized impacts of climate change on this island nation, see how the country harnesses geothermal energy, and meet with glaciologists and climate scientists to get a better understanding of Iceland’s place as a leader in sustainable energy.
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 24–July 7, June 28–July 11
Duration: 14 days
Tuition: $9,190
Climate & Geology
Photography
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Strap on crampons and trek atop a glacier with a professional guide
• Hike across black-sand beaches and ride Icelandic horses along a fjord
• Photograph towering waterfalls, spouting geysers, and bubbling mud pots
• Discuss geology and the effects of climate change with Icelandic scientists
Japan is a complex fabric woven of past and present, innovation and tradition. Explore the intersections of ancient cultural practice and modern life in the bustling hub of Tokyo, the capital city of Kyoto, the culinary epicenter of Osaka, and off the beaten path in the Japanese countryside.
Choose either the Photography or Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition On Assignment theme and delve into your area of focus. Photograph avant-garde architecture and ancient temples, meet with Buddhist monks and learn meditation techniques, and witness sites significant to the country’s shogunate and feudal history, exploring how cultural practices inform the daily lives of the Japanese people today.
• Photograph iconic sites such as Himeji Castle and Kyomizudera
• Take part in chado, the traditional Japanese tea ceremony
• Watch and join in handmade traditions from ceramics to soba
• Explore art and surroundings that inspire modern Japanese media
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 23–July 12, June 30–July 19
Duration: 20 days
Tuition: $9,690
| ON ASSIGNMENT THEMES
Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition
Photography
The landscapes of Namibia are home to a wealth of desertadapted wildlife that conservationists are working hard to protect. Go into the field and experience conservation in action in Namibia with National Geographic-supported researchers, leading desert ecologists, conservationists, and scientists.
Choose either the Photography or Wildlife Conservation On Assignment theme, and delve into your focus area at research centers, national parks, and a stunning array of ecosystems. Along your journey, photograph iconic African wildlife like elephants, hyenas, giraffes, and oryx on safari; go sea kayaking in Walvis Bay; and climb the dunes of the Namib Desert.
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 22–July 13
Duration: 22 days
Tuition: $9,590
| ON ASSIGNMENT THEMES
Wildlife Conservation Photography
• Photograph Sossusvlei’s unique red sand landscapes
• Learn from experts how technology is used to monitor wildlife
• Surf towering desert dunes on a sandboarding excursion
• Go on safari in world-renowned Etosha National Park
EXPLORATION
Norway is a country of stunning fjords and soaring peaks whose residents have a storied history of connecting with their natural world. Immerse yourself in this landscape and culture and explore how Norwegians’ kinship with the Earth is infused into many aspects of daily life.
Choose either the Photography or Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition On Assignment theme and delve into your focus area. Forge your own relationship with the region as you hike, kayak, and adventure through spectacular landscapes and experience age-old traditions that live on today. From fishing hamlets to bustling old-world cities, discover how the people of Norway, including the Indigenous Sámi people, are preserving their rich cultural legacy for future generations.
• Embrace friluftsliv, or “open-air life,” while hiking in Jotunheimen National Park
• Photograph Norway’s world-famous fjords while kayaking beneath towering cliffs
• Venture above the Arctic Circle to the tiny fishing hamlets of the Lofoten islands
• Step aboard restored Viking longships and listen to centuries-old Viking lore
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 26–July 12, July 12–28
Duration: 17 days
Tuition: $8,890
| ON ASSIGNMENT THEMES
Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition
Photography
With its vibrant traditions, world-renowned cuisine, and spectacular landscapes dotted with glistening temples, it’s easy to see why Thailand is one of the most-visited places on the planet. This summer, choose either the Photography or Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition On Assignment theme, and discover what makes Thailand unique and culturally diverse.
Photograph iconic wildlife, visit vibrant community markets, and immerse yourself in history and culture as you travel from Ayutthaya, old Siam’s capital, to the lush hills of Chiang Rai Province in the north. Cap off the trip with a homestay in a Karen community, where you will learn more about the relationship between the Karen tribe and elephants.
• Photograph the architecture of Ayutthaya’s Old City, a World Heritage site
• Learn more about Theravada Buddhism and meditation from practicing monks
• Photograph the diverse flora and fauna of Khao Yai, Thailand’s first national park
• Trek to find elephants in the mountains with your homestay hosts
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 24–July 14, July 15–Aug. 4
Duration: 21 days
Tuition: $8,390
Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition
Photography
LANDSCAPES & WILDLIFE IN AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL PARK
With erupting geysers, endless grasslands teeming with wildlife, and gem-colored geothermal pools, Yellowstone National Park is the perfect place to explore the field of photography. Venture into this geological wonderland with a team of talented photography instructors and your National Geographic Explorer to document bears and bison, pronghorns, wolves, elk, bald eagles, and more.
Explore different photography techniques and styles through daily lessons, take compelling landscape photos that capture the magic of this national park, and document its unique geologic phenomena through your camera’s lens.
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: June 30–July 8
Duration: 9 days
Tuition: $6,990
• Practice landscape photography in the United States’ first national park
• Explore Yellowstone’s Geyser Basin and photograph Old Faithful
• Head out on a sunset shoot to document bison and elk at dusk
• Whitewater raft down the Yellowstone River with experienced guides
For National Geographic Explorers, technology and exploration go hand in hand: cutting-edge science and high-tech tools are invaluable to their expeditions. Join National Geographic Explorers on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) campus to examine the many intersections of technology and exploration, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics.
Attend seminars on a range of topics—from remote exploration of space and sea to engineering microscopic robots—and participate in related experiments. Stateof-the-art research labs and applied technology centers in the local area serve as your classrooms as you explore scientific solutions to some of the most critical and compelling issues facing the modern world.
Engage in a friendly multi-day hack-a-thon competition directed by your Explorer. Weave your workshop experiences together by creating a capstone project proposal that uses cutting-edge science to help address an important issue in your own community.
Cameron Kruse, Technologist
Cameron is a Creative Technologist with Earth Genome and Bridges to Prosperity. With Earth Genome, Cameron leads the Plotline, an initiative exploring the intersection of food systems and climate change. With Bridges to Prosperity, Cameron leads the technical development and implementation of Fika Map, a tool designed to better predict where trail bridges are needed to reduce rural poverty. Cameron’s background is in machine learning and map-based storytelling. He is an Explorer with National Geographic and has led several expeditions where he has produced films, photo essays, and interactive map-based stories focused on rural communities and climate change.
Engineering the Future: Get a firsthand look at technologies being used to address pressing challenges facing our world. Experiment in robotics and engineering, and understand the future applications of emerging innovations. Then develop a project proposal you could implement in your home community, and pitch your idea to the group.
Technology for Remote Exploration: Investigate how advances in technology are enabling scientists to probe areas previously considered “too remote” to access.
Innovations in Robotics & Artificial Intelligence: Hear how engineers are developing a new class of robots and discuss the ethical questions surrounding the future of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Meet with researchers at MIT who are using technology to rebuild coastlines
• Harness 3D printers to reimagine the future of technology and print your design
• Learn about innovative work being done by National Geographic Explorers
• Collect and analyze big data to assess and problem solve a real-world issue
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 9–12
Dates: July 5–14, July 19–28
Duration: 10 days
Tuition: $6,790
| FOCUS
Innovation, Technology, & Robotics
Travel to Iceland this summer and witness the extreme powers of the Earth, adventuring and learning about geological wonders from massive glaciers to bubbling geysers. Explore the capital city of Reykjavík, then head out to explore the rugged and beautiful interior highlands and coast.
With experienced trip leaders and a National Geographic Explorer, dive into issues of climate and geology and develop skills in photography. Photograph rushing waterfalls and craggy lava fields, witness volcanism in action, learn how Iceland is responding to the effects of climate change, and delve into Icelandic folklore and the island’s rich mythological history.
• Photograph Icelandic horses and puffins on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
• Walk between two tectonic plates at Thingvellir National Park
• Trek across a glacier with expert guides to learn about climate science
• Hear riveting sagas of Icelandic folklore, and see the icy lair of a legendary giant
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 7–8
Dates: June 29–July 10, July 14–25
Duration: 12 days
Tuition: $8,290
| PROGRAM THEMES
Climate & Geology
Photography
TRADITIONS & CULTURES OF THE MEDITERRANEAN
Embark on an unforgettable Mediterranean journey through Italy and Greece, immersing yourself in photography, culture and cuisine, and outdoor adventures. Experience the essence of the Italian Renaissance in Florence and the coastal allure of the ancient capital of Náfplio in Greece.
Develop your photographic eye as you capture the medieval city of Lucca and take in the seaside beauty of Cinque
Terre with a National Geographic Explorer. Explore the intersection of cuisine and culture in two of the world’s most famous culinary regions. From clifftop castles to rolling hills of olive trees and sunflowers, immerse yourself in the Mediterranean’s vibrant history and culinary delights.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Practice photography and capture Florence’s Renaissance-era streetscapes
• Take in breathtaking views as you hike between hillside villages in Cinque Terre
• Take cooking classes to learn how to prepare delicious Greek and Italian dishes
• See the production of olive oil and cheeses in the Italian and Greek countryside
| DETAILS
Eligibility: Grades 7–8
Dates: June 29–July 15, July 6–22
Duration: 17 days
Tuition: $8,290
| PROGRAM THEMES
Anthropology, Culture, & Tradition
Photography
Visit natgeostudenttravel.org to start your online application. Our stepby-step application process will guide you through submission of the required application materials, including a short Applicant Statement and references from teachers.
Students completing 9th through 12th grades are eligible for our high school programs. Students completing 7th and 8th grades are eligible for our middle school programs.
The National Geographic Society is committed to ensuring its student travel programs are accessible, regardless of access to financial resources. As part of its commitment, the Society makes available a limited number of financial scholarships for students whose participation in a National Geographic Student Travel program is only possible through outside support. To learn more, visit natgeostudenttravel.org/scholarships
Tuition does not include airfare. Program dates, tuitions, and details are subject to change. Putney Student Travel operates student programs under license from the National Geographic Society. The name of “National Geographic” and the Yellow Border are trademarks of the National Geographic Society and Putney Student Travel is an authorized user.
| PHOTO CREDITS Thank you to the following student and leader photographers whose work is featured in this catalog: Britt Basel, Alexander Basham, Lane Cannon, Erin Davis, Juan Diego Reyes, Matthew Fisher, Erica Frisk, Lauren Fritz, Mack Goldring, Lily Gutman, Emily Hattenbach, Caleb King, Bridget Lanigan, Caroline Lauriat, William Liu, Max Miao, Christian Murillo, Federico Pardo, Lizzie Rosenberger, Brianna Rowe, Casey Schmidt, Merrill Stabler, Nex Thompson, Alex Milan Tracy, and Camille Vynerib