The Rustic Difference

The Rustic Difference

Education. Travel. Philanthropy.

At Rustic Pathways, we work at the intersection of education, travel, and philanthropy.  Our programs facilitate life-changing educational experiences for students and use travel and philanthropy to achieve sustainable development in the cities, towns, and villages where we work. Focusing on this goal allows us to provide transformative experiences for students while having a positive impact on local communities.

Mission

Rustic Pathways empowers students to positively impact lives and communities around the world.

Vision

Rustic Pathways is committed to creating a world where:

  • Travel is accepted as an essential part of every education.
  • Travel is a model of sustainable development.
  • All people are connected by a shared humanity and all decisions are made with a global perspective.

We Have Over 40 Years of Transformational Student Travel Experience

Since 1983, Rustic Pathways has set the standard for transformational student travel. For more than 40 years, we’ve empowered young people to explore new cultures, engage in hands-on service, and grow as global citizens. Today, we operate in over 20 countries, partnering with local leaders to create meaningful experiences that benefit both our students and the communities we serve.

We Prioritize Health and Safety

At Rustic Pathways, safety is our foundation. We set the standard for risk management and student care in educational travel. Our comprehensive approach includes:

  • 7:1 student-to-leader ratio for close supervision
  • 24/7 emergency response and real-time parent updates
  • Medical support via HX Global, local clinics, and telemedicine
  • Pre-screened accommodations and safe transportation
  • Thorough background checks and safety training for all staff
  • Vendor vetting for all partners, with regular safety reviews and transparent updates
  • Comprehensive dietary and medical support
  • Flight chaperones for select flights
  • Industry certifications: WYSE, SYTA, ACA, and BBB accreditation.

Our medical and safety team is led by Dr. Will Smith, Medical Director, and Nicholas Pompa, Director of Operations, who oversee all family communications and safety protocols. Learn more about our health and safety practices.

We Have Local Expertise

Every Rustic Pathways program is shaped by strong relationships with local partners, educators, and organizations. Our community partners and local staff will take you to their villages and hometowns, introduce you to their families and friends, and share with you what it’s like to live in their communities. They are experts who enable you to have a truly authentic experience.

We Hire Exceptional Leaders

We invest months each year in hiring the most qualified and passionate Program Leaders. Many have backgrounds in teaching, experiential education, international development, or youth mentoring. Program Leaders facilitate trips, mentor students, manage risk, and help translate cultures and languages. Every full-time Program Leader is trained as a Wilderness First Responder for remote programs, and all staff complete background checks and child protection training. Our seasonal staff are at least CPR-certified, and every team includes local leaders to ensure students have an authentic and safe experience.

We Build Long-term Partnerships

We’ve partnered with many of the communities where we operate programs for years, even decades. We collaborate with those partners to create sustainable projects that satisfy the community’s vision and have a lasting impact.

We Lead the Industry in Travel

Rustic Pathways is recognized globally for excellence in responsible tourism, innovation, and safety. Our commitment to immersive, sustainable travel has earned us top industry honors year after year.

2024 & 2025 Awards & Achievements

  • Top 100 Summer Programs 2025 — Teen Life Magazine
  • Skift IDEA Awards – Industry Innovators: Tour Operator
  • International Travel Awards – Best Tour Operator
  • Communitas Awards – Leadership in Community Service & CSR
  • Travel Weekly Magellan Awards – Health & Safety Innovations
  • GoAbroad – Top-Rated Adventure Travel Provider

Click below to learn how Rustic Pathways intentionally designs programs to foster student growth in learning outcomes most closely associated with future academic, professional, and interpersonal success.