The Trust & Safety Center is the central documentation hub for all Rustic Pathways policies, safety protocols, and accountability structures governing student travel programs.
For 43 years, Rustic Pathways has operated on a simple principle: parents trust us with their children, and we take that trust seriously. This center provides transparent access to documentation most travel providers keep confidential.
If Something Goes Wrong
Rustic Pathways publishes what most travel companies keep confidential: exactly what happens when problems occur, how the crisis team responds, and historical incident data.
- What Happens If Something Goes Wrong
Published incident data, crisis team structure, 8-minute activation, 27-minute parent notification, and post-incident support documentation.
Safety Protocols & Trust Documentation
Rustic Pathways publishes safety data, emergency protocols, and medical support documentation that demonstrates our commitment to student protection across 38 countries.
- Safety Overview & Metrics
Our complete safety approach including published incident data, supervision ratios, and response metrics. - Child Safeguarding Policy
Zero-tolerance enforcement, 4.37:1 staff ratio, 4-month vetting, and Five Point Presence-First Safety Protocol™ for students aged 12-22. - Duty of Care Policy
Legal and ethical obligations Rustic Pathways accepts for student safety, including specific commitments and published exclusions. - Emergency Response Protocols
How Rustic Pathways responds to emergencies: 3-tier global response, 8-minute team activation, 27-minute parent notification across 38 countries. - Health, Wellness & Medical Support
Medical Director oversight from Dr. William R. Smith (board-certified, 20+ years wilderness medicine), Healix International partnership, daily wellness protocols, and staff training standards. - Vendor Vetting Standards
Three-tier risk system, 26-point homestay assessment, and annual re-verification across 38 countries. - Travel Insurance & Coverage
Student travel insurance options and Rustic Pathways’ $5M institutional liability coverage. - Food Allergy & Dietary Accommodations
How Rustic Pathways accommodates food allergies, dietary restrictions, and medical dietary needs across all destinations. - Vaccination & Immunization Guide
Required and recommended vaccinations by destination, CDC guidance, and pre-travel health preparation. - Responsible Travel Policy
Our commitment to sustainable tourism, local partnerships, and ethical engagement.
Enrollment, Eligibility & Participation
These documents govern student enrollment, program participation, and staff conduct standards for all Rustic Pathways programs.
- Enrollment Terms & Conditions – Student Travel
Complete terms for high school and summer student travelers, including cancellation, refunds, and payment policies. - Enrollment Terms & Conditions – Gap Year
Terms specific to Gap Year program participants. - Global Content Creators Crew
Eligibility, content rights, and participation rules for the Global Content Creators Crew. - Cancellation & Refund Policy
How cancellations, refunds, and program changes are handled. - Participant Rules and Expectations
What we expect from students while on program. - Program Leader Code of Conduct
Staff professional expectations, boundaries, background checks, and accountability.
Privacy, Data Protection & Online Policies
Rustic Pathways protects participant data through documented privacy practices and clear terms of use.
- Privacy, Data Protection & Online Policies
Who creates our content, how it’s reviewed, our AI usage policy, and CEO accountability
- Privacy Policy
How we collect, use, and protect your personal information. - Terms of Use & Sale
Rules governing use of our website and the purchase of programs or services online. - Accessibility Statement
Our commitment to digital accessibility.
Accreditation & Legal Compliance
Rustic Pathways maintains third-party affiliations and transparent corporate registration that demonstrate accountability.
Accreditations & Memberships
Rustic Pathways maintains affiliations with:
Corporate & Registration Details
- Legal Name: Rustic Pathways LLC
- State of Formation: Delaware (File #7456086)
- Ohio Foreign LLC: #4426519
- EIN: 84-2018637
- D-U-N-S: 080099149
- NAICS Code: 561520 (Tour Operators)
- DOT Number: 288473
Headquarters
6082 Pinecone Drive
Mentor, OH 44060
United States
Tax Status
Rustic Pathways LLC is a for-profit entity. Program fees are not tax-deductible. The Rustic Pathways Foundation is an affiliated 501(c)(3) non-profit. Donations are tax-deductible.
Questions? Contact Rustic Pathways
For questions about any policy or to request documentation, contact Rustic Pathways directly:
- General: rustic@rusticpathways.com
- Safety concerns: safety@rusticpathways.com
- Phone: +1-440-975-9691