The Road Less Traveled is a life-changing teen travel and service program for 6th - 12th grade students. Our 1 - 3 week summer programs combine exciting outdoor adventure activities, impactful community service work, authentic cultural immersion, and meaningful travel experiences. Our mission is to provide impactful and transformative experiences for teens that foster personal growth in those who travel with us.
Our Values:
Community & Connection: Travel with RLT allows us to contribute to and be a part of a larger group. As we travel, we find and develop community bonds with each other and, more broadly, with the people and cultures with whom we interact. We plan, cook, and eat meals together; we work together on service projects; we support each other through challenging adventure activities and reflect on the lessons that our shared experiences have to teach. RLT trips are “unplugged” experiences. Being tech-free empowers our travelers to focus on face-to-face connections and gives them opportunities to engage in activities that foster friendship, support, group goal setting, laughter, and teamwork.
Safety: Safety is paramount to what we do, and we set the standard in the industry. We are an accredited program through the American Camp Association, following rigorous operating and safety protocols and procedures.
Meaningful Service: We believe, first and foremost, that service is worth doing because it is the right thing to do. We engage in service work that is community-driven. Our projects are defined and directed by the communities that we directly serve. We only go where help is wanted and where both people and places can benefit from our presence. We are committed to preserving the environment, the character of the lands, and the cultures we visit. With thought and conscience, we educate about stewardship of the planet.
Resilience & Self-Confidence: We believe the most powerful personal growth occurs as we approach and exceed the boundaries of our comfort zones. Our programs intentionally provide opportunities for those who travel with us to face challenges in a supportive and positive environment so that they can gain more self-confidence, become resilient to adversity, and learn how to navigate difficulties they may face in the future.
Leadership: Our travelers are the next generation of world leaders. It is our hope that our travelers will go on to lead and inspire others to make the world a better place. We aim to empower youth to become leaders within their communities and support efforts through service, social justice, and stewardship.
Diversity & Inclusion: As an organization, we walk beside communities all across the world and engage in meaningful, life-changing experiences. We believe it is important for people to be exposed to various types of groups, perspectives, and experiences that are different from their own. We welcome travelers from all backgrounds and work to create a community where they are celebrated for who they are.
Sustainability & Stewardship: We travel to some of the world’s most beautiful and remote places and recognize that our reliance on and use of these places has an impact. Because of this, we have a responsibility to minimize our impact and help preserve these places for future generations. Learning how to reduce their impact on the environment is an important part of the personal growth of our travelers. We instill in our travelers deep respect for the world around them and teach them how to care for and nurture the environment, both on the road and at home.
Reflection & Application: We strive for all RLT travelers to be active participants in their learning and growth. Our programs create space for our travelers to reflect on their experiences throughout their journey. This reflection, application, and transference of skills on RLT trips allow travelers to step back, develop critical thinking skills, and improve future experiences. It is our hope that a traveler’s experience on an RLT trip ignites an interest in something they enjoy and are passionate about whether it be service, adventure, or travel.
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