Daily Schedule
A typical weekday at Putney

8:00 Breakfast
8:25 Sing
9:00 Morning Workshops begin 10:15 Milk Lunch
11:45 Morning Workshops end 12:00 Lunch
1:15 Afternoon Workshops begin
2:30 Juice break
4:00 Afternoon Workshops end
4:15 Afternoon Activities
5:30 Optional Puddle Swim
6:00 Dinner
7:15 Evening Activities
9:00 Social Hour
10:00 In dorms
11:00 Lights out

Typical Day

Workshops

From a rich selection in the Visual and Performing Arts, Creative Writing, and the Farm programs, students choose two workshops—one for the morning, one for the afternoon.

The exceptions are the Writing Intensive (creative writing) and the Program for International Education (English-language class), which are both full-day workshops. Your workshops are the focus of your creative work at Putney.

Afternoons

After a full day in your workshops, late afternoons are a time to stretch, move, and have fun. You'll choose from a variety of activities, such as soccer, kickball, yoga, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and farm chores. Several afternoons per session are dedicated to independent studio work, rehearsal, or writing.

Students participating in a workshop seminar.The Purney School Summer Programs enjoys a dance.

Evenings

When you arrive at registration, you will sign up for two arts-related evening activities. Each activity meets twice a week for the entire three-week session. While activities change each year, a sample of past offerings includes Theater Improv, Subconscious Drawing, Junk Art, Poetry, Folk Dance, and Art as Social Activism.

Sing

Weekdays after breakfast, everyone on campus gathers to sing. In unison, in rounds, in harmony, we sing a wide variety of music, including madrigals, Beatles songs, Appalachian music, African songs, and freedom songs from the 1960s. Some of the lyrics reflect faiths and traditions from across the globe.

Milk Lunch

A beloved Putney tradition, Milk Lunch is a mid-morning snack of muffins, scones or other delicious offerings, fresh-baked in our own kitchen.

Weekends and special events

Weekend time is scheduled but not hectic, giving you the opportunity to meet new people and participate in the arts, both on campus and in the area. Each session, events and field trips are planned to capitalize on our commitment to the arts, the Vermont landscape, and our dedication to creating a memorable experience. Students enjoy dorm activities, all-campus field trips, faculty presentations, day hikes, fiction and poetry readings, dances, a talent show, a flea market trip, and other local activities. As part of our commitment to community, we spend one morning each session in service to the campus and the Putney community.

Final performances, readings, and open studios

On the final Friday of each session, families and friends are invited to attend presentations, exhibits, and performances of student work.

Day Students

Day students enroll in morning and afternoon workshops and participate in Sing, afternoon activities, and selected community activities. An average day begins at 8:25am (Sing) and finishes at 5:30pm (Afternoon Activities). Day students may also participate in evening activities and field trips for additional fees.