Frequently Asked Questions

Rustic Pathways is right for you if you:

• Want to make new friends,

• Want to go somewhere with existing friends,

• Like having fun,

• Are interested in experiential learning,

• Like animals,

• Want to give back to the world,

• Want to see the world,

• Have a desire to connect with others,

• Want to write about something novel on your college essays,

• Want to build community with other students from around the world,

• Are looking for unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences,

• Are an awesome human.

Rustic Pathways is NOT right for you if you:

• Have conduct disorders or chemical dependencies,

• Have an inability to work in team environments or follow instructions,

• Have an unwillingness to behave in a culturally sensitive manner,

• Do not like having fun.

Students stay in safe, comfortable accommodations we call base houses. Depending on the destination, a base house may be a hotel, guesthouse, lodge, or villa. Each location meets Rustic Pathways standards for safety, cleanliness, and student comfort, while also supporting cultural immersion and group bonding.

View Rustic Pathways Accommodations

With so many choices, it can be overwhelming to choose. Take our program finder quiz or explore all available programs. Give us a call and we can help! Our Admissions Team would love to hear what you are looking for and assist you in finding the best fit. Call us at 440.975.9691.

Most programs have 10-20 students.

Rustic Pathways students come from all over the world. About 80% of our students are from the US. Last summer, we had students from 32 countries!

Our programs are for ages 12-22; the exact blend of age and gender on each program varies. For our larger programs, we often subgroup by grade level.

Nope. Most Rustic Pathways students do not know anyone before they arrive. Some students do choose to travel with a friend, but either way, our Program Leaders help each group become a tight knit community during their program.

That’s usually no problem! Final rooming assignments are decided upon arrival so please have your child and their friend ask the program leaders. We can also put a note in your child’s record right now.

Absolutely! Many international students join us each year. Please contact us to discuss costs and logistics.

Ask our past students! Many programs have a full-time cook. Lots of programs are hitting up local restaurants. We hope your kids enjoy the fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and fish available on all our programs. For more information, take a look at the food photos on our website for each particular program.

Yes. We can accommodate food allergies or special requirements if we know in advance.

Very. Because of their popularity, we recommend students apply as early as possible.

Yes! Many students choose to stack programs into one journey. While many of our programs connect, others take a bit of coordination. If it’s possible, we’ll make it happen! Contact us to get started.

Contact us if you have any specific connectivity questions about our programs.

No special skills needed to join. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, skills and experiences. Our programs cater to first timers as well as experts in individual fields. We ask only that you bring with you a cheerful disposition and a willingness to try new things. In the unlikely event there is something that you do not want to do (or cannot do), our team will try to find an alternate activity for you.

Not if you don’t want to. Rustic Pathways programs are comprehensive. That said, students like to flex their independence by buying stuff they don’t really need. We recommend $150 per week to cover souvenirs.

Programs include all admission fees, all accommodations, all meals, all transportation during the program, and all adventure activities.

Souvenirs, keepsakes, bonus food and flights to/from the program.

• First Choice:We recommend you get the local currency your child will need from your bank.
  • They will likely offer you the most competitive exchange rates.
  • Many banks allow you to request this online and will actually mail it to you within 2-3 days.
• Second Choice: You could send your child with an ATM card and they withdraw cash from an ATM once they arrive.
  • Exchange rates are usually ok, fees may be associated.
  • Occasionally, depending on your bank there may be complications.
• Last Ditch: If you send your child with US Dollars, we will try to make an opportunity for them to exchange it at a currency exchange location in the airport before initial departure. We recommend this as a last resort.
  • Exchange rates here may not be optimal
  • This is usually the highest fee as well.

Yes. About 20% of our students, families and groups customize in some manner. We don’t see limits. We can mix, match, combine or customize almost any set of experiences for you in our corner of the world. Our programs link together in a way that allows very easy movement from one program to another.

Sorry, they cannot. Our student programs are for students only. Our Family Programs and Group Programs allow parents and children to travel together. For example, last summer several parents sent their children to our Hawaii programs. They enjoyed an “Adults Week” in Napa. Another group of families sent their children to our France or Italy programs. Meanwhile, they enjoyed themselves elsewhere on the continent.

After your child arrives at their destination, you will receive an email from us. After this email, expect updates with photos daily or as frequently as possible. Some locations are remote and the cellular network needed to send high-quality images isn’t always accessible in real time.

Generally, while we urge all to unplug from technology, we are realistic that technology is a part of life. Programs vary in remoteness, but most provide the opportunity for your child to call, email or text.

Students may bring a cell phone with them on their program.  We encourage students to disconnect in order to fully immerse themselves in the experience and get the most out of their program. We also understand that connection to loved ones at home is important. We ask students to refrain from using their phone (except as a camera) during scheduled activities. We find this helps students live in the present and build new friendships.

Wifi availability and cell phone service can vary a lot depending on each program. For programs in more urban settings you can anticipate that students will have daily access to wifi and near constant cell service. For programs in more rural settings wifi may only be accessible every few days and cell service for international plans may be very spotty.

Yes. You can view the packing list for your program online and in your MyRustic portal.

Learn more by calling 440.975.9691 Monday through Friday (9am – 7 pm ET) and Saturday and Sunday (10am – 2 pm ET). Or contact us by email at rustic@rusticpathways.com.

Rustic Pathways offers chaperoned international flights from gateway airports within the United States. Depending on the destination, our gateway airports are typically New York, Los Angeles, and/or Miami. For example, our flights to Europe typically depart from New York and our flights to Asia typically depart from Los Angeles.  We ask students to arrive at the gateway airport four hours before the international flight. As the program date approaches, we send detailed information to parents.

Visit the Travel Information page for the country you are interested in for more information on how our flights work.

Yes, Rustic Pathways offers chaperoned flights. On these flights, we have members of our team escort students from the gateway airport to the arrival city. Our flight chaperones assist the group through customs/immigration. Then, we connect them with Rustic Pathways staff in the destination country waiting at the airport. We have Rustic Pathways staff at each gateway airport to help with check-in and connections.

When you enroll in a Rustic Pathways Student Travel program, you can select a chaperoned group flight. This flight is arranged by Rustic Pathways (from the United States to an international destination). In addition, we offer a flight management service where we will book and manage your flights, even in the case that you are not on a group chaperoned flight.

Alternatively, you can book your own airfare.

Students will need to be able to carry their own luggage through the airport and to their different accommodations. We’ve found that a 40 – 50 liter duffel bag works best. Duffel bags with small wheels may work fine. However, rolling suitcases can often be difficult to carry over uneven terrain. The most important thing is that student can carry the bag if need be. If you are enrolled in our group chaperoned flight, one checked bag and one personal item is included in your airfare

An international flight from the United States or your originating country to your travel destination is extra. In-country flights during programs are included in the program cost.

Some of our airlines allow students to earn miles. If you would like to earn miles, please present your frequent flier information to airline staff at the time of check-in for your chaperoned group flight. We are not able to add frequent flier or TSA information to your ticket in advance.

Once the group arrives, you will receive an arrival email from Rustic Pathways.

After leading trips for over 40 years, we have found this is the safest and most convenient way for our travelers. We can support with ticketing, routing changes, and have a chaperone on board. There have been times in the past when parents ticketed their children to San Jose, California instead of San José, Costa Rica by mistake, and our group tickets minimize some of these wrinkles.

Depending on where you’re going and your nationality, you may or may not need a visa.

Whether or not you will need a visa to travel with Rustic Pathways depends on both your nationality and the particular country you will be visiting. We primarily use Sherpa to determine specific visa requirements and supplement that with the embassy or consulate of the destination country, located in the traveler’s departure country.

It is ultimately your responsibility to make sure you meet the entry and exit requirements for each country. To make this process easier for you, however, Rustic Pathways partners with G3 Visas (for U.S. passport holders) and CIBT Visas (for international passport holders).

We partner with a third-party provider that can arrange things for you. Please give us a call to learn more.

Students traveling abroad from the United States will need a passport. Also, please be aware that many countries ask that your passport remain valid for at least six months from your return date. Renewing or obtaining a new passport might take up to 11 weeks, but can be expedited, if necessary. Call us for more!

You can pay via credit card, an ACH bank transfer, or check. Pay as a lump sum or in installments.

Yes, we can split your payment into four installments.

You can view your invoice and payments online in your MyRustic portal, under the Invoice tab. Once you enroll, you will receive login information in an email titled “Your Rustic Pathways Roadmap”.

If you would like to change to a different program after you have signed up, simply email us at rustic@rusticpathways.com. We are happy to help families change to a different program or different session dates.

For details on changes, revisions, and cancellations, please visit our Enrollment Terms & Conditions page.

Call or email us and we can help you – rustic@rusticpathways.com or +1 440-975-9691.

There are two required forms and one recommended form:

Required

• Online medical form – This ensures we can safely accommodate your child on their program.
• Onboarding Packet – At least one parent/guardian must complete this document. This is our Participant Enrollment Agreement on the rules of conduct during the program.

Recommended

• Parental Consent/Permission Letter – This optional letter demonstrates that children who travel without their parents have parental permission to travel abroad. While not required, immigration authorities or airline agents might request a consent letter.

For full details on cancellations, withdrawals, and refunds, please visit our Enrollment Terms & Conditions page.

You can enroll online or by phone. We will collect your student’s information and an enrollment fee. You will have the option to pay in full or in four equal installments. After enrollment, additional forms to complete will be available online  in your MyRustic Portal.

Enrollments are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a non-refundable application processing fee for each participant. Please apply for your Rustic Pathways program as early as possible. Our most popular summer departure dates start filling up by late January. Please phone us to check the availability for your favorite program!

You can find your Rustic Pathways portal link here.

The portal link can also be found:

• In your “Your Rustic Pathways Roadmap” email
• On rusticpathways.com you can click “menu” and select “Sign into my Rustic Travel Portal.”

Rustic Pathways Personal Travel Advisors are always available to work with you to meet your needs. Whether you have special dietary needs, hope to combine programs, or just want more details about a program, we are here to talk. Call us at 440.975.9691 or email us at rustic@rusticpathways.com.

Safety is job #1. We have comprehensive risk management systems in place. Further, we go to great lengths to educate and train our leaders in First Aid. We wouldn’t be around for 40 years without making sure we keep your kids safe! Call us to learn more.

Visit our Health & Safety page for more details on our safety policies, real examples of incidents and more.

All our field staff members will have a certification in First Aid and CPR. Depending on program specifics, we will include staff members with higher certifications (e.g. Wilderness First Responder, EMT, Surf Lifeguard, etc.).

We ask about medical information to ensure we can accommodate students. We can accommodate a variety of circumstances on many programs. Call us to learn more.

We are here to help but cannot provide direct medical advice on inoculations. Visit our Travel Vaccinations page for up-to-date information. Also, you can consult with your doctor or local travel clinic to discuss your travel plans. Some immunizations involve a series of inoculations or medications. Please do not put this off for the last minute.

Rustic Pathways requires that students have international medical insurance coverage. In the event of injury or illness, we will always take care of your student’s well-being. But, families are responsible for medical expenses incurred. Students should carry their insurance information while traveling on Rustic Pathways programs. We partner with a third-party to offer an optional travel protection plan with primary medical coverage. Call us to learn more.

We strongly recommend some form of travel insurance to help provide peace of mind. We recommend including both the program and airfare costs when purchasing your plan. Remember that students should carry their insurance information while traveling on Rustic Pathways programs!

We partner with Roam Right to offer our families an optional Travel Protection Plan which combines the required medical insurance and recommended travel insurance. Visit the travel insurance page to learn more about the plan and get your free quote.