Even though summer trips don’t depart for another 200 days or so, it isn’t too early to get excited and start collecting the things you’ll need for your program, especially with the holidays around the corner. Travelers, show this list to relatives and friends who are looking for birthday or holiday gift ideas. This is…
As a former Rustic Pathways student, I'm excited to share our newest video with you — and not just because I’m in it! Over the years Rustic Pathways has helped me, and many others, form our life trajectories. Our latest video showcases just some of the ways a Rustic Pathways experience can impact students. There are so many…
Have you ever seen a bear dance? Outside of The Jungle Book, sloth bears aren't meant to be dancing. That's why Rustic Pathways and Wildlife SOS initiated a partnership designed to work with the rescued sloth bear population in Agra, India. Wildlife SOS is one of the premier wildlife conservation organizations in India. They work all across the country implementing wildlife and environmental…
This summer, inspired by photographer Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York, we began to collect photographs and stories of our students, staff, and community partners. The project facilitated interaction and dialogue between students, local staff, and local communities, and has enabled us to share what Rustic Pathways is all about — the people. When our students…
Rustic Alum Dany G. traveled from her hometown of Monterrey, Mexico to join our Rebuilding New Orleans program. She did not know anyone enrolled in the program, and was nervous about being so far out of her comfort zone. Below is her account of what happened next. "Before I had my first trip with Rustic Pathways, I…
Travel changes everything. It changes you. The things you see, the stories you hear, and the moments you experience, they change something deep inside of you. You can’t quite pinpoint what it is, but you know it’s there, because after you return home you see, feel, and think about things differently. There’s something beautiful, magical…
"Expect your heart to get a little bit broken, in fact shattered and scattered...but there's something beautiful about how we'll be changed by one another" - Jordan Edelheit Jordan joined our internship program this past summer as our Communications Coordinator in Southeast Asia. As someone who has always jumped at the opportunity to explore and…
This time of year, letters from students and parents fill our inboxes with tales of extraordinary experiences and positive impact.
As part of our summer internship program, seasoned Rustic alum Elizabeth Ronzio joined the team as our Fiji Communications Coordinator! Here’s what she has to say about her summer living and working at our Eco-Lodge. “Just over three months ago I was at a point in my career where I wasn't learning enough, there was…
We’re offering new destinations in 2015. Think you can guess where? The big reveal drops August 15th and as an alum you get first dibs. This year we’re offering programs for alumni only, which means you and your friends can travel on an exclusive Rustic experience with other students who are just as passionate about…
It isn’t surprising that Rustic Pathways staff love to travel. It’s why we do what we do. Outside of leading trips and planning community service projects, we also love to get out there and have adventures of our own. This winter, staff members Katey Finnegan and Miranda Hitchcock took an epic adventure to Patagonia. Read…
My whole life, I have had a passion for bringing people together on adventures. Outdoor adventures melded me into the person I am today, and I wholeheartedly believe Rustic Pathways programs can positively influence our students, our staff, and our communities around the world. As a university undergrad at Harvard, I spent far more time…
As director of community service for Rustic Pathways, I am passionate about working with our local partners to develop sustainable initiatives that have a positive impact for both the community and our students. I am proud to have the opportunity to provide inspiring experiences for our students, to challenge their perception of the world, to…
When I wake up each morning, I’m consumed by a seemingly simple question, how can I best prepare our generation of students to address the emerging global issues that will define the next half-century? The problem is, as I reflect on this, I come upon an even more vexing question, is the current education system we have…