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Life happens. We understand that plans can change, which is why we’ve created transparent Rustic Pathways cancellation terms that protect both your investment and your teen’s opportunity to travel. This refund policy for teen travel programs ensures clarity and fairness for all families.
At-a-Glance Cancellation Deadlines
| Season | Full Refund* | Partial Refund** | No Refund |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Before March 31 | April 1-30 | After May 1 |
| Spring Break | Before November 30 | December 1-31 | After January 1 |
| Winter | Before September 30 | October 1-31 | After November 1 |
Summer
Full Refund: Before March 31
Partial Refund: April 1-30
No Refund: After May 1
Spring Break
Full Refund: Before November 30
Partial Refund: December 1-31
No Refund: After January 1
Winter
Full Refund: Before September 30
Partial Refund: October 1-31
No Refund: After November 1
*Minus enrollment fee and airfare, except for cancellations within 24 hours of enrollment, which receive a full refund of all amounts paid, including the enrollment fee
**Minus enrollment fee, any airfare costs (if selected) and 50% of the combined Program Tuition, any Flight Support Fee and other third-party fees
Questions about your specific situation? Contact our team to discuss options before canceling.
How to Cancel Your Enrollment
- Email: Send written cancellation to cancel@rusticpathways.com
- Include: Student name, program name, and reason (optional)
- Confirmation: We promptly acknowledge receipt of your written cancellation, confirm your Cancellation Date and itemize any refund due
- Refund Timeline: We issue refunds (if any) to your original form of payment. If that form of payment is no longer valid, we send a check within 4–6 weeks after the Cancellation Date
Note: We cannot accept cancellations by phone. Written documentation protects both parties.
Cancellation Deadlines by Season
Summer Programs
- Before March 31: Full refund (minus enrollment fee & airfare)
- April 1-30: Full refund of all amounts paid less the enrollment fee, any airfare costs (if selected) and 50% of the combined Program Tuition, any Flight Support Fee and other third-party fees
- After May 1: No refunds available
Spring Break Programs
- Before November 30: Full refund (minus enrollment fee & airfare)
- December 1-31: Full refund of amounts paid less the enrollment fee, any airfare costs (if selected) and 50% of the combined Program Tuition, any Flight Support Fee and other third-party fees
- After January 1: No refunds available
Winter Programs
- Before September 30: Full refund (minus enrollment fee & airfare)
- October 1-31: Full refund of all amounts paid less the enrollment fee, any airfare costs (if selected) and 50% of the combined Program Tuition, any Flight Support Fee and other third-party fees
- After November 1: No refunds available
Related: View Program Costs By Country
Group Travel Refund Tiers
- 70+ days before departure: Full refund minus deposit and airfare
- 41–70 days before: Full refund of all amounts paid less 50% of per-traveler cost for each enrolled traveler and 100% of cost of ticketed airfare
- 40 days or less: No refunds available
What’s Non-Refundable After 24 Hours
- Enrollment fee (administrative costs)
- Paid airfare costs
- Paid visa fees
- Third-party permits or licenses purchased
Rebooking Options
Program Changes Without Penalty
Make changes before the cancellation deadline at no extra cost. Switch destinations, dates, or program types freely.
After Deadline Changes
- $750 change surcharge applies
- Full payment transfers as credit
- Valid for a current-year or next-year program
Is Airfare Refundable If I Cancel My Teen’s Trip?
Self-Managed Airfare
If you booked flights directly with an airline, their cancellation terms apply—not ours. Most airlines offer various fare classes with different refund policies. We recommend booking refundable tickets or adding travel insurance to protect your airfare investment.
Chaperoned Group Flights
For flights booked through Rustic Pathways, refunds depend on the airline’s policies. Once tickets are issued (typically 30–45 days before departure), most group fares become non-refundable. Any airline credits issued remain in the student’s name for future use.
What Happens If Rustic Cancels the Program?
If we cancel your program before departure, you have two options:
- Full refund of all payments made (minus the enrollment fee)
- Full credit toward any other Rustic Pathways program
If we cancel after the program starts, we provide a pro-rated refund or credit based on the unused portion. You incur no penalties for our cancellations—we take full responsibility for changes on our end.
Can I Get a Refund If I Cancel After the Deadline?
After the final cancellation deadline for your season, no refund of any amounts paid is available. Our enrollment terms make no exceptions to the standard Cancellation Policy, so we strongly recommend travel insurance that includes coverage for cancellation.
Compare programs by start date and region → to avoid high-risk cancellation windows.
Special Circumstances
Within 24 Hours of Enrollment
Full refund of all amounts paid to Rustic Pathways, including the enrollment fee.
Program Cancellation by Rustic Pathways
If we cancel your program:
- Option 1: Full credit toward any other program
- Option 2: Full refund minus enrollment fee
- No penalty to you for our cancellation
Force Majeure Events
For circumstances beyond our control (natural disasters, pandemics, government restrictions):
- Full credit for future travel
- Partial credits for interrupted programs
Flight Refund Policy
Chaperoned Group Flights
Flights booked by Rustic Pathways follow airline cancellation policies. Most are non-refundable once ticketed.
Self-Managed Airfare
You’re responsible for cancellation with your airline. We recommend booking refundable tickets or purchasing travel insurance.
Flight Credits
If airlines issue credits instead of refunds, these remain in the student’s name for future use per airline policy.
What Happens If My Teen Gets Sick During the Program?
If your teen becomes ill during the program and cannot continue, our medical team will coordinate care and, if necessary, arrange for early return home. While program tuition is non-refundable for medical departures, comprehensive travel insurance typically covers these situations. Parents are responsible for any additional return flight costs not covered by travel insurance. Our 24/7 support team assists with all logistics during medical emergencies.
How to Cancel Your Enrollment
- Email: Send written cancellation to cancel@rusticpathways.com
- Include: Student name, program name, and reason (optional)
- Confirmation: Receive prompt acknowledgment of your written cancellation, your Cancellation Date and an itemized refund amount, if applicable
- Refund Timeline: Refunds (if any) go to your original form of payment, or by check within 4–6 weeks after the Cancellation Date if that form of payment is no longer valid
Note: We cannot accept cancellations by phone. Written documentation protects both parties.
Protecting Your Investment
📌 Highly Recommended: Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend travel insurance with trip cancellation cover to protect against:
- Medical emergencies
- Family emergencies
- Unexpected events
- “Cancel for any reason” coverage
Remember: Early enrollment incentives (up to $200 off) are forfeited with cancellation. Protect your savings with insurance.
Early Departure Policy
No refunds for students who:
- Leave programs early voluntarily
- Are dismissed for rule violations
- Cannot complete the program due to illness/injury
Parents are responsible for return flight costs in these situations.