Ensuring the safety of your teen as they travel with Rustic Pathways is the most important thing we do. For 35 years, we’ve refined our safety and security protocols to become a leader among providers of teen travel programs.
We take students to remote destinations, expose them to unfamiliar surroundings, and encourage personal growth through exploration. When conducted responsibly, these experiences transform students in ways that are impossible to replicate inside the classroom, and for this reason, the health and safety measures we take are a fundamental part of our travel programs.
Rustic Pathways Health and Safety Measures
Food and Water
Rustic chefs and cooks prepare meals and can make necessary adjustments for specific dietary needs and allergies. Some meals will take place at trusted local restaurants. All water is bottled or purified.
Accommodation and Transportation
All participants stay at Rustic-owned base houses or carefully vetted hotels, guesthouses, camps, or with trusted homestay families. In-country vehicle transportation is provided by Rustic drivers or local vendors. Rustic performs annual safety checks on all company-owned vehicles and vendor transportation companies.
Vendors and Partners
Rustic reviews all external service providers, including transportation, accommodation, and activity vendors, annually. Vendor business infrastructure, hiring and training processes, and emergency management systems are assessed to make sure they are reputable and safe.
Preparing for Your Trip
- Complete Rustic’s Medical and Emergency form, which includes relevant medical histories, medications, food allergies, and dietary restrictions and our Participant Screening Team relays that information to Country Teams.
- Ask your Personal Travel Advisor any additional questions about your upcoming trip. They can also provide pre-trip support before you leave, including instructions for obtaining vaccinations and visas, and offering packing tips.
- Attend a pre-trip information session either in person or online to ask any last-minute questions about your trip.
During Your Trip
- Fly with your Rustic Pathways flight leader to your destination country.
- Meet your expert Program Leaders, who will be with you around the clock to deliver your program experience, answer any questions, or provide any medical assistance.
- Students and their parents have 24 / 7 emergency support and access to services from International SOS.
Additional Safety Information
Q: Who is responsible for health and safety at Rustic Pathways?
A: In addition to our experienced local Country Operations staffs, we employ a Health and Safety Team that includes a consulting physician and psychologist. Meet our team!
Q: Who leads Rustic Programs?
A: Many Program Leaders have backgrounds in teaching, experiential education, or international development. All full-time leaders are Wilderness First Responders and seasonal staff are First Aid and CPR certified—at a minimum. All Program Leaders receive additional specialized training annually in country before each summer travel season begins.
Q: How does Rustic monitor international safety and security?
A: Global security is monitored through government agencies in the United States, UK, and Australia, and the Overseas Security and Advisory Council. Health monitoring is conducted through the WHO and CDC.
Q: Does Rustic have an international medical and evacuation provider?
A: Yes! Rustic also monitors safety and security with the help of International SOS (link), a leader in international medical, security, and travel services. All Rustic Pathways travelers also have access to International SOS services.
Q: Does Rustic sell travel insurance?
A: All participants of Rustic Pathways programs are strongly recommended to consider buying their own comprehensive medical insurance coverage. For students departing from the United States, we’ve partnered with Trip Mate. For students departing from outside the United States, we’ve partnered with Trawick International. Each company offers a travel protection plan designed to protect our participants, their belongings, and their travel investment in those unforeseen circumstances that may arise during travel.
Contact the companies to purchase plans or for more information.
Q: How does Rustic respond to emergencies?
A: Country Operations teams and the Safety Director create risk management plans. They include critical incident protocols and natural disaster plans. However, most incidents Rustic responds to involve minor illnesses common during international travel. Program Leaders manage these situations with the support of Country Operations teams.
If an incident is more serious, Country Operations works with Rustic’s Crisis Response Team to coordinate the appropriate action, which could include engaging International SOS. Rustic’s Safety Director, Medical Director, and Mental Health Director remain available to ensure that students, families, and other essential stakeholders are informed and supported throughout incidents.