There are certainly things you really don’t want to do in your life. Figuring out what those things are can help you when making travel plans.

In the last five years, Rustic Pathways has given out $750,000 in scholarships and financial aid to students. For the award-winning students, that opportunity to travel changed everything.

High school students in California and Ohio are positively impacting the lives of others. We recognize young changemakers in Rustic Spirit Spotlights!

Our scholarship winners each had small moments in their lives that inspired something bigger. Here are their stories.

We received hundreds of entries for our #soRustic photo competition. Here are the winners, along with a behind-the-scenes look at what was happening when the photos were taken.

More popular summer programs are back, and a Spring Break addition!

Details you should consider include the type of program, the amount of on-program travel, and what activities you're hoping to try.

See our weekly program additions and updates!

See the best photos from five different programs in Costa Rica and enjoy the smiles!

It was a busy summer in Costa Rica for Rustic Pathways students! Here's a look at just some of the photo highlights from the Pura Vida Service program and the Turtle Conservation Project.

In the summer of 2022, high school and college students traveled across Morocco, engulfing themselves in the culture and scenery. Here are some photo highlights.

Neha Sarwal traded ideas with teens from around the world, as they worked to tackle local waste management problems. Her project was one of several successful initiatives during the Climate Leaders Fellowship program.

Take a look at just some of the people who have changed the world of travel through their expeditions, including a few travelers who overcame major barriers on their road to exploration.

This summer students explored a region that once was the center of the Incan Empire. Along the way, they learned about local village life in Peru while also giving back.

Changemakers in Bangkok, Thailand are leading young and making a positive impact.

Students provided hundreds of hours of service in Fiji during the summer of 2022, making a big impact in the local community.

Students participating in the Climate Leaders Fellowship program in the Spring of 2022 designed a plethora of projects to tackle waste management issues.

The science is clear - service is rewarding both for the people doing the service and for the communities benefiting from it. But how do teens learn to love community service?

At sea and on the land, students in Thailand are having a blast and making a difference.

Making a few small changes can allow you to enjoy both the mountain tops while hiking and the crystal clear waters while boating.