Press Release

Rustic Pathways Named on OUTSIDE’s Best Places to Work List in 2017

WILLOUGHBY HILLS, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rustic Pathways, the leading provider of authentic student travel, service learning, and adventure programs, was named one of OUTSIDE’s Top 100 Best Places to Work in the US in 2017. This is the tenth year that OUTSIDE, America’s preeminent active and adventure lifestyle brand, has published its Best Place to Work list. Not only are winning companies great workplaces for employees, but they respect the environment and encourage a balance between work and enjoying life in the great outdoors.

“We work hard to maintain our mission of creating a world where all people are connected through a shared humanity, which applies not only on our student travel experiences, but also within our team,” said Rustic Pathways CEO Chris Stakich. “We love encouraging our employees to grow, positively impact communities in the US and abroad, and help them better understand the world and each other.” Employees embody the philanthropic nature of Rustic Pathways, from raising $35,000 to reconstruct Fiji following Cyclone Winston, to housing 70+ hurricane evacuees after Hurricane Irma in Houston.

More than 11,000 students traveled with Rustic Pathways to 21 countries around the world in 2017. Rustic Pathways’ culturally-immersive service and adventure programs are intentionally designed to foster key non-cognitive skill sets that help students succeed academically, professionally, and interpersonally. Last year Rustic Pathways students grew an average of 15% in Intercultural Competence after participating in a program.

“Companies from across the country entered a rigorous two-part survey process to make the winning list,” said Jonah Ogles, Articles Editor at OUTSIDE Magazine. “The Best Companies Group evaluates each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. There’s also an employee survey to measure personal experience.”

Rustic Pathways employees are encouraged to work remotely and internationally – currently ranging from California, Ohio, and the Dominican Republic, to Costa Rica, Thailand, and Tasmania. Rustic Pathways also employs staff year-round in all trip destination countries, who often participate in cross-border field opportunities collaborating with team members in other countries. Benefits include free international flights, pro deals for outdoor apparel, and a company-wide Professional Learning Committee, providing the team with the opportunity to continue their professional and personal growth.

About Rustic Pathways

Education. Travel. Philanthropy. Founded in 1983, Rustic Pathways believes in the transformative power of travel and offers students more than 100 travel experiences in 21 countries. More than 11,000 students traveled with Rustic Pathways in 2017 across summer, spring break, gap year, college, and Critical Issues programs. These opportunities enabled students to give back to local communities and explore new cultures. For more information, visit www.rusticpathways.com

About OUTSIDE:

OUTSIDE is America’s leading active lifestyle brand. Since 1977, OUTSIDE has covered travel, sports, adventure, health, and fitness, as well as the personalities, the environment, and the style and culture of the world Outside. The OUTSIDE family includes OUTSIDE magazine, the only magazine to win three consecutive National Magazine Awards for General Excellence, The Outside Buyer’s Guides, Outside Online, the Outside Podcast, Outside Television, Outside Events, Outside+ for the iPad, Outside tablet edition, Outside Books, and Outside GO, a revolutionary, 21st-century adventure-travel company. Connect with OUTSIDE online, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

ABOUT THE BEST COMPANIES GROUP:

Best Companies Group works with national and local partners around the country and internationally to establish and manage “Best Places to Work,” “Best Companies,” and “Best Employers” programs on a national, statewide, regional and industry basis. Through its thorough workplace assessment, utilizing employer questionnaires and employee-satisfaction surveys, BCG identifies and recognizes companies who have been successful in creating and maintaining workplace excellence.