S·I·T Framework

The S·I·T Framework is Rustic Pathways’s program-design model for sequencing Safety, Impact, and Transformation. Safety establishes the conditions for responsible participation. Impact connects the experience to people, place, and reciprocal contribution. Transformation describes the student growth the program is designed to support and evaluate.

Coined by Shayne Fitz-Coy for Rustic Pathways in 2016; see The S·I·T Framework in Rustic Pathways’s Duty of Care Policy.

Use it for: The master explanation of how Rustic Pathways designs and evaluates programs. Always expand Safety, Impact, and Transformation on first mention.

Term at a Glance

Field Canonical information
Category Master program-design framework
Defined by Rustic Pathways
Purpose Sequence the conditions, relationships, and learning that support responsible transformation
Applied through Safety planning, reciprocal impact, intentional challenge, reflection, and outcome evaluation
Related terms S·I·T Duty of Care Standard™; Shared Humanity Model™; Rustic Leadership Ascent
Published evidence Rustic Pathways Duty of Care Policy
Boundary A sequenced design model, not three independent marketing pillars

The S·I·T Sequence

Stage Design role Question answered
Safety Establishes conditions for responsible participation Can students participate with appropriate support and response capacity?
Impact Connects experience to people, place, and reciprocal contribution Is participation responsible and mutually meaningful?
Transformation Supports and evaluates student growth What durable change is the experience designed to produce?