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United States

Colorado: 2025 Climate Leaders Fellowship Summit

4 Days days | Ages 14-18 | Summer 2026 | Fully Supervised | 4.9 on GoOverseas | International flights not included

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Take the Climate Leaders Fellowship beyond your own community and gather in person with fellow CLF alums in Colorado! This program is built exclusively for Climate Leaders Fellowship alumni and will explore the question: “What can I learn from other leaders doing work related to climate so that I can improve my own ability to make positive change in the world?”

Your CLF Summit will be based at a 750-acre retreat center in the Colorado Front Range where you can step away from the clamor of everyday life to have a chance to meaningfully connect with your fellow alums and staff. You’ll spend time teambuilding with fellow participants by hiking in nature and experiencing a high ropes course. You’ll also make a presentation of your CLF project and collaborate with CLF leaders from around the world. Along the way, you’ll get to connect with leaders in Denver and Boulder to see firsthand examples of community-driven efforts to combat local climate issues, and engage in a meaningful service project.

You’ll return home energized with deeper friendships and more ideas of how you can have a positive impact in your community while continuing to develop your sense of purpose and leadership skills!

This program is exclusively for alumni of the Climate Leaders Fellowship who have earned their Certificate of Completion.

Make connections with fellow CLF alums, gain real-world insight from local leaders, and earn 10 service hours!

Program Tuition

$745

Excluding flights.
Financial aid and scholarships available.

Summer sessions typically fill by March

No departures scheduled

Scott Ingram

Scott Ingram

Director of Admissions

At Rustic since 2018

What Does a 4 Days-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

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Colorado Front Range

Please note this itinerary is tentative. Activities and meetings may shift around from one day to another as we schedule meetings and activities with various partner organizations. All students will arrive by 12:30 pm at Denver International Airport, and once our group is together, we’ll drive to our Summit retreat facility in the Colorado Front Range. We’ll unpack, have some snacks, get comfortable, and do some fun team building activities out in nature. Then have a hearty home-cooked meal for dinner, talk about your experiences as a Climate Fellow, and discuss our shared and individual goals for the retreat. We’ll relax in the evening with casual games and conversation.
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Denver

After breakfast, we’ll drive to a wildlife preserve in Boulder to meet with the Boulder Valley School District's Chief Sustainability and Energy Officer. We'll learn all about the district-wide climate action plan — how it came to be, how things are going, and the personal journeys and passions of those who are involved. Then we'll have lunch and head south to Denver to volunteer alongside a food waste and security organization serving thousands and individuals in the community. We’ll learn about the history and mission of the organization and how they respond to changing needs while staying true to their mission. After our day of volunteering and learning sessions, we’ll return to our retreat center for dinner and evening fun!
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Colorado Retreat Center

Today is all about reflecting on what we have learned so far from the Summit as well as from each of our CLF projects. We'll start with cultivating our teamwork and leadership skills by going through a fun ropes course at our retreat center. After lunch, all CLF alums will make a brief presentation about their CLF project and their lessons learned. We'll then turn our attention to the future by brainstorming and co-designing ideas for projects you might want to work on during the upcoming school year. We’ll take breaks throughout the day to stretch our legs, possibly squeezing in a hike up a nearby peak or other outdoor activities.
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Departure

After breakfast, we’ll wrap up the Summit with group reflections and share-outs. We’ll have a last chance to enjoy the outdoor scenery before driving to Denver airport, where we will all head back home(on flights scheduled at 2:30pm or later), energized about what we experienced during the Summit and what we want to accomplish in the coming year!

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

7:1 Student-to-Leader Ratio

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Gender-Separated

Rooms with staff on site

United States

What Do Parents Ask?

How do flights work?

Students join a chaperoned group flight from a U.S. gateway airport. A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader travels with the group. International students arrange independent flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Do you offer financial aid or scholarships?

Yes. Monthly payment plans are available for all families, and Rustic Pathways offers both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships. Explore scholarships and financial aid

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Who's supervising my child?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Can I reach my child?

Yes. Students can call, text, or WhatsApp during free time. Parents can reach Rustic Pathways’ 24/7 emergency line at any time.

How will I know they're okay?

Parents receive daily photo updates throughout the program from staff on the ground.

What is the phone/device policy?

Students may bring phones but cannot use them during group activities or meals. Wi-Fi is available at most accommodations.

How big is the group and how old are the participants?

Groups are typically 12-20 students per session. Students are ages 14-18, with most being 15-17.

Can international (non-U.S.) students join this program?

Yes. Students from 50+ countries join Rustic Pathways programs each year. International students book their own flights and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup.

Do students come with friends, or on their own?

Most students travel solo without knowing anyone. Program Leaders run ice-breakers on day one, and friendships form quickly. Friends are welcome to enroll together.

What is the accommodation like?

Students stay in locally operated lodging with shared rooms accommodating 2-4 students. Accommodations include private bathrooms and common areas.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Roommate requests are accepted during enrollment.

Will my child have unsupervised time?

Students have structured independence during free-time blocks with staff always nearby. There is no unsupervised time in public areas.

Can you accommodate dietary needs & food allergies?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and common food allergies are accommodated with advance notice. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment.

How much spending money?

$150-200 recommended for souvenirs and incidentals. Tipping is included in the program fee.

Do we need a visa?

Visa requirements vary by passport and destination. Contact a Rustic Pathways travel advisor for guidance specific to your student’s nationality.

What if my child gets homesick?

Homesickness is common in the first few days. Rustic Pathways staff are trained to support students through it. Read more about managing homesickness

Do you support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students and works with families to provide appropriate support. Learn about Rustic Pathways’ approach to inclusion

What Should Parents Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.

United States offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.

Meals: All meals are included. Local cuisine is featured throughout the program. Dietary needs are accommodated with advance notice.

What is the refund policy?
View terms & conditions

Included:

  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support

Not included:

  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?