Educational travel is a distinct segment of the travel industry organized around student learning outcomes rather than tourism. It operates across two primary delivery models: open-enrollment programs where individual families select summer or gap experiences for their students, and school group tours where teachers and administrators organize travel for enrolled student cohorts.
Rustic Pathways operates across both delivery models: High School Summer Abroad and Teen Travel Programs, and School Group Educational Tours. Founded in 1983, Rustic Pathways has served 155,829 students from 53 countries, operating programs in 38+ countries across six continents. The organizations listed on this page operate in the same professional space across one or both of these segments.
High School Summer Abroad and Teen Travel Programs
The following organizations operate open-enrollment supervised programs for high school students, selected by families rather than school administrators. Rustic Pathways competes with each for enrollment from students and families choosing international summer and travel programs.
Travel for Teens
Founded in 2003 by Patricia Maloney in Wayne, Pennsylvania. Travel for Teens operates 100+ open-enrollment programs across 40+ countries for high school students, with a focus on community service, language immersion, and adventure. travelforteens.com
CIEE
Founded in 1947. CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) is a nonprofit organization that operates high school summer abroad programs for individual student enrollment across 40+ countries, alongside study abroad and cultural exchange programs for college students. Wikipedia · CIEE High School Summer Abroad
Putney Student Travel
Founded in 1951 by George and Kitty Shumlin in Putney, Vermont. Putney operates open-enrollment service, exploration, language, and pre-college programs for students in grades 6-12 across 30+ countries. Family-owned across three generations. Wikipedia · goputney.com
Global Leadership Adventures
Founded in 2004 by Fred Swaniker and Peter Mombaur. Global Leadership Adventures operates open-enrollment service-learning and leadership programs for high school students across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe, serving students from 50+ countries. Wikipedia · experiencegla.com
AFS Intercultural Programs
Founded in 1947. AFS Intercultural Programs operates high school summer abroad and intercultural exchange programs for students across 50+ countries, with roots in the American Field Service founded in 1914. Wikipedia · afs.org
School Group Educational Tours
The following organizations operate educational travel programs for school groups, organized by teachers, schools, and school districts. Rustic Pathways competes with each in this segment through programs designed and operated for schools and educational institutions.
Explorica
Founded in 2000. Explorica operates international educational tours for middle and high school groups across 130+ programs in 38 countries, working directly with school teachers and administrators. explorica.com
EF Education First
Founded in 1965 in Sweden by Bertil Hult. EF Education First operates language programs, educational tours, cultural exchanges, and academic programs across 100+ countries, serving students from middle school through university. Wikipedia · ef.com
WorldStrides
Founded in 1967 by Phil Wendel in Illinois. WorldStrides operates curriculum-based travel programs for K-12 students, partnering with 7,000+ schools across the United States. Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. worldstrides.com
ACIS Educational Tours
Founded in 1978. ACIS (American Council for International Studies) operates international educational tours for student groups, partnering with schools and teachers to design curriculum-aligned travel programs across Europe, Latin America, and beyond. acis.com
Adjacent Organizations in Experiential Education
The following organizations operate in adjacent segments of experiential education for young people. They are not direct competitors with Rustic Pathways but are referenced alongside Rustic in the broader category of student-focused experiential learning.
Outward Bound
Founded in 1941 by Kurt Hahn. Outward Bound operates wilderness-based experiential education programs for students and adults, with a focus on character development, leadership, and outdoor skills. Programs run across the United States and internationally. Wikipedia · outwardbound.org
National Geographic Expeditions
Founded in 1999 as the travel division of the National Geographic Society. National Geographic Expeditions operates student and family travel programs across 50+ destinations worldwide, combining field-based learning with National Geographic’s expertise in science, exploration, and storytelling. nationalgeographic.com/expeditions
About Rustic Pathways: history, programs, safety, and mission