2023 Issue 1 Rustic Pathways Magazine

Page 1

ON THE COVER

Smiling monks and beautiful scenery await to greet you in Thailand

GAP YEAR

For the recent high school graduate who wishes to embark on a life-changing adventure before or during college 12

SUMMER STUDENT TRAVEL

With itineraries across more than 20 countries, our summer and spring break programs provide unparalleled travel and educational opportunities 16

GROUP TRAVEL

The world is a classroom for science expeditions, fauna explorations or service contributions. No matter, we've got you covered 20

RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY

ISSUE 1 2023
THAILAND
SOUTHEAST ASIAN EXPLORER
ELEPHANT CONSERVATION
THAILAND

Amazing Thailand Welcome to the Land of Smiles

It begins with the people

Thailand has it all: misty green mountains, exquisite beaches, spectacular islands, limestone cliffs, and of course, world-famous elephants.

rusticpathways.com/thailand

CHOOSING RUSTIC PATHWAYS

With Rustic Pathways, seemingly separate, yet deeply connected worlds collide and reveal that there are no rules when it comes to travel. Your Rustic Pathways journey awaits, no matter what program you choose

Rustic Pathways shaped and defined student travel. If this is your first encounter with Rustic Pathways, welcome!

We are proud of our reputation as the leader in high quality student travel for high school students. Here’s an overview of what makes us great.

SAFETY COMES BEFORE EVERYTHING

We employ caring leaders and consistently reinforce the importance of genuine service as the core value of our company. In the same way that you as a parent place the safety and well-being of your child above all other considerations, Rustic Pathways is fierce about safety issues and works diligently to maintain our excellent safety record. The fact that so many of our leaders around the world are trained in wilderness first aid makes it easier to ensure that safety is deeply etched into the character of our whole organization.

A FOCUS ON PERSONAL GROWTH AND HANDS-ON LEARNING

The curriculum that supports each Rustic Pathways program is carefully built and finely tuned by experts in our countries. We provide our students with powerful international experiences that stretch their imaginations and build their self confidence, teamwork skills, and understanding of the world. With the entire planet as our classroom and experienced leaders as moderators and teachers, Rustic Pathways focuses on experiential learning

in its purest form. Our programs encourage our students to broaden their world view, deepen their compassion for others, and expand their own personal visions and dreams. The results are life-changing.

SMALL GROUPS + RICH CURRICULUMS + INSPIRING LEADERS = LIFECHANGING EXPERIENCES

Rustic Pathways is renowned for its life-changing student programs. Designing and operating empowering adventures that consistently leave a lasting, positive impact on our students requires careful planning at every level. We operate small groups (exact size varies according to the program) with a high staff-to-student ratio. Each trip is thoughtfully planned and run by a leadership team with the skills and experience required to make that trip great. Trips are constantly tested and refined, and because we are on the ground year-round, we continuously fine-tune our trips to ensure our students get the very best experience possible on their Rustic Pathways program.

HUNDREDS OF EXCEPTIONAL LEADERS

Our team’s skill sets are unparalleled in the student travel industry (dare we say in the multiverse?). We employ graduates of some of the world’s greatest schools and universities; we also employ wonderful people that hail from some of the most exotic and least visited corners of the world. Ivy League grads team up with former Burmese refugees, and staff members with advanced degrees proudly work alongside their peers from local communities. By pairing folks from local communities with folks from your child’s community, we create a powerful explosion of positive energy that changes students’ lives. Ask a past student about their experience with Rustic Pathways and they will almost certainly talk about their amazing leaders. We value kindness, a caring nature, respect, integrity, enthusiasm, and deep local knowledge as much as we cherish the values of formal education. The correct blending of the two is incredibly powerful.

WE OPERATE YEAR ROUND

Rustic Pathways invests millions of dollars each year in its global managers. Unique in our industry, our leadership teams are composed of both international staff (from countries like the U.S.A., Canada, the UK, and Australia) and local leaders who have grown up in the regions we visit. Our country directors live in their regions for most or all of the year, giving them a real-time connection to their country and allowing them to develop and maintain deep contacts with the network of local people that are essential to ensuring we run great trips for our students. Different from smaller organizations that go into their destinations only on a seasonal basis, we are operating year-round in the locations we serve around the world.

MULTIPLE DEPARTURE DATES DURING SUMMER

We get it. You’re busy. Your kid is busy. We’re all scheduled, stressed and busy. In today’s world, the summer calendar for high school students is filled to the brim.  We can help you out there. Rustic Pathways offers multiple, convenient, flexible departures dates on almost all of our programs, allowing students, siblings, parents and busy families ample room and flexibility to embark upon.

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6 “ “
I loved everything about my trip, especially the small group and fun leaders.

THE BROADEST RANGE OF QUALITY TRAVEL OPTIONS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

This summer Rustic Pathways students can choose from more than 80 empowering programs that span the globe. We offer the broadest range of programs in our industry, giving students a cornucopia of exciting options for their summer. Students can choose between community service programs, adventure travel programs, language programs, and life skills programs according to their interests and imagination. And because our programs connect together, students can build their perfect summer experience by combining the trips and experiences that interest them most.

STUDENTS CAN DESIGN THEIR OWN SUMMER

Every student has different interests and expectations for their summer. Who wants a cookie cutter experience? Absolutely nobody. You are an individual! Our trips are designed to connect, allowing students to custom-build their own perfect summer experience within any given region. These artisanal, curated, and hand-crafted programs are scheduled so that they follow one-another seamlessly. Today students can design their summer adventure, so it includes the elements and experiences that are most interesting to them. We don’t do pre-packaged catch-all paint by numbers travel.

THE WORLD LEADER IN HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Work with rescued elephants in the jungles of Thailand, live at a base and teach English to delighted kids, help design and build a wildlife reserve in the Australian Tropics, or share your life with a tribal group in a remote corner of Asia, The South Pacific, or Africa. With more than 70 powerful community service programs offered around the world, students have a plethora of options that allow them to learn about their planet and their place in it while engaging in community service. The range of programs available means that students can home in on a specific project that captures their imagination. Rustic Pathways also has community service bases that allow students to live in a purpose-built residential facility and join different service initiatives in the surrounding communities during their stay.

OUR STUDENTS EAGERLY RETURN YEAR AFTER YEAR

The satisfaction expressed by our students and their parents and the very high number of returning students we welcome back each year is the best gauge of our success. Students return each summer during their high school years, and often join us for a gap year program or a special college trip as they get older. Younger children follow older siblings into Rustic programs, and enthusiastic reports from past students are the most common way that new families learn about us. We are fiercely proud of our reputation and the kudos we receive from students and their parents. Our programs sell out each year because we focus on running fantastic, high-quality summer adventures for our students, and their life-changing experiences are enthusiastically conveyed to their families, their teachers, and their friends!

GAP YEAR PROGRAMS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES

The percentage of American students who take a gap year before entering college is rising quickly. Many universities encourage students to take a gap year and allow them to defer their matriculation. We offer an amazing range of gap year programs for students who have completed high school. Please order our gap year catalog online or request a visit or chat on the phone with one of our gap year advisors to learn more about the hundreds of gap year options available. Students can enjoy a gap block for one or two months, a full semester, or the whole year, and Rustic Pathways gap year programs have multiple start dates throughout the calendar year. Psst – Email us at gap@rusticpathways.com to learn more.

CUSTOM GROUP TRAVEL FOR STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Since we began our operations 40 years ago, Rustic Pathways has run custom group programs for high school students. If you are a teacher, community service advisor, or school administrator and interested in designing an educational travel program for students at your school, we look forward to speaking with you. We operate groups throughout the year and have decades of experience designing custom programs for teachers who want to share the wonders of the world with their students.

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 7
7 “ “
I developed lifelong relationships with students and Rustic staff from across the globe.

ONWARD, BOLDLY

The world is open and the future is bright. I start every morning with a cup of coffee and a belly full of excitement. I love my job, working alongside some of the world’s most passionate leaders at Rustic Pathways. These last few years have proven again that travel is an essential part of education. Travel deepens our connections with others, grounds us in nature, enriches our well-being, and provides new perspectives on our world. We welcome newcomers and our returning champions alike to Rustic Pathways. Between our spring break, summer travel, teacher-led group travel and gap year programs, each year thousands of students, parents, teachers, and families trust Rustic Pathways to infuse their children with wonder and educate them on the world. We cherish that responsibility, and we work to earn that trust every day. No matter where you travel with Rustic Pathways, the health and safety of our students remains our top priority though our Cleaner, Safer, Healthier program. In the year ahead, we are launching many exciting new programs for you, with upcoming new programs in South Korea, Thailand, Costa Rica, Arizona, and Morocco joining our more than 80 other beloved programs around the globe. Come join us and travel onward, boldly.

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Our Team

visit amazing thailand

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THAILAND

Alumni Stories

With roots in Shanghai and a current home in Los Angeles, Alice Chen has covered a lot of ground with Rustic Pathways and beyond. After an initial trip to Thailand, she followed up with a service trip to Fiji. With a Bachelor’s degree from University of California, San Diego in 2020 and a 2021 Master’s degree from the University of Southern California’s Marshall Business School Alice is now leveraging her talents in the crypto blockchain space.

What was your Rustic experience?

I went on two programs with Rustic Pathways. The first was during my freshman year in high school. I loved it so much that I did another one during my junior year.

Why did you choose to travel with Rustic Pathways?

I’m from China and I was looking for a summer program that would help me broaden my horizons by traveling with American teenagers. I was a little bit nervous before the program since I was only 15 years old.

Oh, why were you nervous?

Well Western culture is so different than the Eastern culture

I was accustomed to. I wanted to travel with a group of Americans, but I wanted to go to a place that was more familiar to me and felt a bit closer to home for me. I was looking around and then I chose to travel to Thailand.

I got to see Thai culture, an Eastern culture, through the eyes of my amazing and mostly American peers. They were open minded and encouraging. And, through the experience, I learned to appreciate my own culture more.

What did you do on the program?

It’s such a privilege to travel. Both programs I did were amazing. On my first program, I tasted exotic cuisine and experienced the local culture. I remember the relaxing moments like watching the sunrise over a rural rice field. We hiked the mountains, danced with locals, and went skydiving. The service experience in Fiji my second time was even more meaningful. We helped locals build infrastructure, working alongside people in the village. Then we played soccer with local school kids.

What did you learn?

For me, the trip was all about learning to be more independent and open-minded. I met lots of people outside my usual friend circle. The experience taught me to be resilient and to be emotionally strong.

My Rustic experiences gave me courage to be brave about who I am.

What

parts

of the trip do you keep with you?

A good friend from the trip became my best friend. We still reminisce about our good times in Fiji. At UCSD, I joined a Phi Sigma Pi national honors fraternity where I kept doing service like the type that I did with Rustic Pathways. Later, I did a study abroad in Prague with UCSD. I built on the habit of keeping an open mind each time I go to different countries.

Alice Chen

Hometown Shanghai, China Education BS in Psychology, University of California, San Diego MS in Marketing Analytics, USC Marshall Business School

Rustic Pathways Experience Thailand | 2014 Fiji | 2015

Service Hours 40

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My Rustic experiences gave me courage to be brave about who I am.
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RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 11 FOOD SAFETY + ALLERGY PROTECTION ACCOMMODATIONS WORLD CLASS VETTING BUILT FOR EVERYTHING MEET RUSTIC PATHWAYS SAFETY

RUSTIC PATHWAYS GAP YEAR

A gap year is anything but a year off. Gap years are formative experiences that encourage personal growth.

“Gap Year” is one of the most misunderstood terms to gain prominence in recent years. Far from being an empty space, a gap year may well be the most fulfilling, exciting, and important year of your education. You can travel, work, and learn with an exceptional international team of people who are absolutely dedicated to making the world a better place — one student, one village, and one empowering experience at a time. Understanding what goes on beyond the borders of your home country and how that affects us all will change the way you think about nearly everything and enhance your understanding of how to approach any endeavor. When you return to the classroom, you’ll be ready to take hold of the amazing opportunities that you’ve been given and make the most of them.

WHY CONSIDER A GAP?

Gap years aren’t just for Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Malia Obama.

Not all is learned from a textbook or inside the lecture hall.

Interested in medicine? Explore developing countries and learn how and why preventable diseases still cause so much harm.

Considering a career in law? Compare and contrast the rights of citizens in various countries.

Passionate about conservation?

You’ll be a far more effective advocate for change if you’ve seen deforestation firsthand and can conceptualize solutions based on reality and not only your ideals.

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RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 13 FIND YOUR PASSION LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE TOP SCHOOLS SUPPORT IT STUDY ABROAD PREPARE FOR SUCCESS DEEPEN YOUR LEARNING 13

DEEP CONNECTIONS

LIFELONG FRIENDSHIPS

Rustic Pathways is powered by human interaction.

Our years of working in rural communities create deep ties to those communities. We’ve worked for over 40 years in parts of Asia. These long-standing, hand-in-the-dirt-together relationships ensure us access to places that are not open to most visitors. The bonds to community benefit our students and pave the way for a new generation of groundbreaking service initiatives in which our students work side by side with community members to lead change.

Next, through our skilled program leaders, we lead extended reflections to make meaning of the experience on a daily basis. In these sessions, our students can develop deep personal connections with their own learnings and broaden their personal takeaways. These sessions are thought-provoking discussions designed to challenge perceptions.

Finally, students often return from Rustic Pathways adventures with new friendships. We don’t promise a new college roommate or bestie, but we’ve certainly delivered more than our fair share of close personal connections.

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I was impressed with our group leaders' ability to inspire us and create a very intimate connection with us in such a short period. 14
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STUDENT TRAVEL

Why settle for an ordinary summer when you could experience the extraordinary? Hike through the foothills of a Korean rainforest, cook with a Thai hill tribe and much more!

Rustic Pathways is the leader in providing world class international community service, education, and adventure programs for students worldwide. We offer one, two, and three-week spring break and summer experiences, gap year programs, and custom group trips in 20 different countries. Each program is carefully designed to help students make meaning of their travel experiences, identify interests and passions, gain confidence, and grow as individuals. Across the globe, we employ local staff members and foster lasting relationships with the communities in which we work, enabling our students to have immersive and authentic travel and service experiences.

International Management

Most of our team is based outside the United States. While the cultural traditions and accents of our staff vary from country to country, the shared values that define Rustic Pathways and make us exceptional extend across all borders. We build leadership teams that pair international staff members with local employees, resulting in diverse teams that blend an understanding of our students and their needs with deep local knowledge.

Multiple Options

We know your summer calendars are filled to the brim with various obligations and activities. We offer multiple departures on almost all our programs, allowing students to join us at any time from early June to mid-

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August. Students have over 80 empowering programs to choose from, which can be connected to one another to create the perfect summer. Our offerings include community service, adventure travel, language immersion, and life skills programs.

Exceptional Program Leaders

Our program leaders come with backgrounds in teaching, experiential education, psychology, wilderness training, river rafting, international development, and other outdoor and educational fields. Each year, we hold in-country training sessions for both new and returning staff to uphold our standards in safety, student learning, community service, and the overall student experience.

Year-Round Operations

Most of our team lives in their regions for most of the year, giving them both an unparalleled knowledge of their countries and vital connections to the local people. This contrasts with an industry practice of bringing students to distant lands with imported leaders. We live where we travel, and we travel where we live, making us experts in our field.

Commitment to Student Learning

Believing that what you experience while traveling will profoundly shape who you are and how you view the world, we intentionally design programs to promote student growth. Our service initiatives are designed to utilize students’ skill sets and facilitate interaction with locals, allowing them to learn while contributing to a purposeful project. Our leaders are trained to guide discussions that allow students to process and learn from their experiences.

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Costa

Rustic Pathways

Elsa Roh | Traveler + Pilates Instructor + Designer | RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM
®
NEW YORK  MILAN  SEOUL  TOKYO  SAN
 PARIS
FRANCISCO

Rustic helped our students step outside of their comfort zone and take a humble approach to service and culture.

DREAMING OF GROUP TRAVEL

For educators and adventurers who approach learning as a muscle to build rather than a mountain to summit

We’re more than a travel company. We’re also educators who understand the value of providing a learning experience outside the classroom. Because every school and every class is different, we customize our Group Travel programs for educators and their students. To keep it easy for busy educators, Rustic Pathways handles all the work.

We craft our programs to align with the mission and values of your school, your vision and purpose for traveling with students. We fit seamlessly into your school’s curriculum, including International Baccalaureate Middle Years and Diploma programs incorporating meaningful and impactful CAS experiences.

Want a week without walls? We got you. Whether you are planning to lead a spring break service trip, a January-term adventure, an international service project, or a summer academic program, Rustic Pathways is able to accommodate all budgets to make your educational travel dream a reality. We have schoolteachers within our family, and we know how to create itineraries that cater to specific academic fields.

Our showcase of programs is a testament to the teamwork and partnership of our team on the ground, listening to schools and discovering new ways to collaborate across cultures and resources.

FOR THE LANGUAGE TEACHER

There is no better way to teach a language than to immerse your students in a country and culture, surrounding them with native speakers who encourage daily practice. Live with local families and study with instructors trained to teach new learners. Build a program to suit your budget.

FOR THE HISTORY TEACHER

Unique opportunities to study history and culture abound. Experience history firsthand. These programs make history come alive.

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FOR THE SCIENCE TEACHER

Want to make science even more exciting?

Study marine biology while exploring Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the underwater world of Southern Thailand, or the Fiji Islands. Study flora and fauna with bilingual professors and rangers in Caño Negro, Arenal, or Corcovado National Parks in Costa Rica.

FOR THE OUTDOOR EDUCATION TEACHER

Challenge a group of students like they have never been challenged before by taking them to the summit of the highest peak in Africa or teaching students alpine climbing and wilderness skills. Try developing new teambuilding strategies and showing them Asia from a whole new vantage point on an unforgettable journey.

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a new way

After staying put for the last couple of years, it’s time to explore. But remember, travel can do more for others and for yourself.

23

Real Impact

Reimagining service as “with,” not “for”

We take a comprehensive approach to community service, working with partners from the design process through monitoring and evaluation. Projects are designed to achieve community impact and student learning.

Identify and Design Projects with Local Partners

We spend time with our local partners and community members on the ground to understand their needs and priorities. In collaboration with partner communities, we design projects that both address needs and build on community strengths.

Provide Students Opportunities to Engage

We collaborate with our partners to create well-defined roles for our students that harness their skills and ensure they make a meaningful contribution. Students can select programs based on their personal interests and skill sets, maximizing both their experience and the success of our service initiatives. In addition to participating in direct service projects, students also learn from their work and better understand their role in the global community.

Work Together to Achieve Goals

Our students join the efforts of our local partners during their programs and work collaboratively to achieve project goals. Both students and communities utilize the unique skills they bring and learn from and about each other. Throughout the year, our staff and local partners continue to push projects forward and monitor and evaluate their effectiveness.

Monitoring and Evaluation

We constantly work to learn from our experiences and strengthen the impact we have. We conduct regular formal and informal evaluations with project partners and beneficiaries, evaluate both the process and impact of our ongoing initiatives, and consistently use feedback to improve project design and implementation.

Long-Term Partnerships and Sustainability

We design projects that incorporate plans for how the results will be maintained and sustained in the future. We develop long-term partnerships, link our work with ongoing local initiatives, and support community development

Contributing to Something Larger than Yourself

We recognize that individualized learning experiences predominate our educational journey. We therefore lead students to focus on their contributions as part of a larger whole, and do so in a tangible, tactile way.

Connecting with New Friends

In our increasingly high velocity world, the odds of running into strangers increases infinitely. And yet we do not often know how to meet and converse with “them.” We take every opportunity to demonstrate with our students the art of cautiously yet confidently engaging with new people. And most important: learning and engaging with their narratives.

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Rustic Pathways Foundation

Your efforts and your impact amplified

During the pandemic, many local communities faced an unexpected challenge. Proceeds from student-related travel ground to a halt. This became an existential problem in villages where there are often no backup plans. For the Rustic Pathways Foundation, the development aid projects never stopped.

The buoys guide fishermen away from reefs so they are not damaged. In turn, those reefs are important for the local ecosystem that the fishermen depend on.

Sugar cane farming is a large industry in the Dominican Republic. During the Life in the Bateyes program, students learn to plant and harvest cane. Jessica Sheehan joined that program and said the experience was eye-opening.

“It wasn’t until we stepped off the open-air bus in Jarabacoa, or saw the never-ending fields of sugar cane in the Bateyes that I began to understand what a small fraction of the world I had actually come to know,” Sheehan said.

Making A Financial Impact

The Rustic Pathways Foundation partners with donors to fund ongoing projects around the world. These projects help lay the foundation for future economic stability in these communities.

To amplify impact, some alumni have become ambassadors raising money for these projects. This includes Charlotte Maracina who launched her Girl Scout Gold Award project after traveling to Fiji with Rustic Pathways. She designed and funded a café at the Eco-Lodge base house in Fiji. She even returned to Fiji with her family to aid in the construction.

“My short two weeks in Fiji resulted in a domino effect like no other,” Maracina said.

Building Alternative Sources of Income

Rustic Pathways students partnered with community members to build small chicken coops to provide alternate revenue sources. Other students helped artisans make women’s purses to sell at market. Then alongside community members, students headed to the market to hawk their wares.

In Costa Rica, students worked with community members to build a tilapia farm. During the process, students learned about local food production.

Clara Matlack, who traveled with Rustic Pathways to Peru, said these projects helped her appreciate responsible economic practice.

“One of the biggest things I’m going to take away from this trip and carry with me for the rest of my life is the importance of fair trade and responsible tourism,” Matlack said.

Supporting Local Service Initiatives

Many of the Rustic service projects aim to make improvements that help local businesses thrive. Students on the Marine Life and Coastal Restoration program in the Dominican Republic build buoys to protect coral reefs.

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| OFF THE MAP: ALASKA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

Challenge yourself in the rugged lands of the 49th state of the union.

Kayak on a glacial lake, whitewater raft in glacier-fed rivers, and ice climb in beautiful Wrangell-St. Elias National Park.

Watch for whales as you cruise by boat past breathtaking fjords and astounding glaciers.

Venture through untouched lands, conquer tough hikes, and take in the beauty surrounding you.

Set out for an adventure of a lifetime. Alaska comes from the Aleut word alyeska, meaning “great land,” and this journey will show you how the state earned its name.

Home to 17 of the 20 highest peaks in the United States, 3,000 rivers, and more than three million lakes, Alaska is a land full of awe-inspiring places to explore. Trek through Denali National Park, home to North America’s highest peak, and spot diverse wildlife such as black bears, mountain goats, and caribou.

Learn how to ice climb, hike the Root Glacier trail in Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, and whitewater raft down the Matanuska River. Even the most active wilderness lovers and adventurers will be struck by the wild beauty of Alaska.

Program Type

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 21 – Jul 3 | Jul 5 – Jul 17

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Call or visit our website for full itineraries, packing lists, details, and more.

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Hours
Adventure Culture Environment Service
Service

| HAWAII SERVICE

Rustic Pathways Highlights

Relax on Hawaii’s famous white sand beaches and take a dip in the Pacific.

Learn to surf on the world-renowned Kona coast from expert coaches.

Explore volcanoes, tropical forests, and teeming reefs on this ecologically-diverse island.

Volunteer alongside local organizations working to safeguard Hawaii’s biodiversity and provide access to education for all Hawaiians.

BEST

Work alongside local organizations in their mission to safeguard Hawaii’s biodiversity and provide access to rich education for local students. After completing service, get a taste of what makes Hawaii an island paradise. Relax on the white sand beaches, learn to surf, hike through lush forests, and take in millions of stars atop Mauna Kea.

Learn about the unique and rich history of Kanaka Maoli, Hawaii’s native people. Before heading home, glimpse the powerful forces that created this island in Volcanoes National Park.

Information

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Call or visit our website for full itineraries, packing lists, details, and more.

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Culture Environment Service 30 Service Hours
Adventure
Program Type
25 –
31 | Apr
7 Jun 13 –
28 | Jun 20 – Jul 5 | Jun 27 –
12
2023 Dates: Mar
Mar
1
Apr
Jun
Jul
Jul 4 – Jul 19 | Jul 11 – Jul 26

| REBUILDING: THE NEW ORLEANS

|

DREAM

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Repair homes damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Harvey.

• Experience the unique local cultures of New Orleans.

MEDITERRANEAN PARADISE:

CROATIA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Hike the gorgeous Plitvice Lakes National Park. • Sip coffee in the setting made famous by Game of Thrones before dining on the freshest seafood around.

Explore New Orleans’ African, colonial, and Native American roots through culture, identity, and community. Understand how the rebuilding conversation is changing from focusing on the postHurricane Katrina development to other natural disasters, climate change, and new challenges facing the city.

Learn about the region’s history, ecosystems, and stories during service and interaction with local community members. Hear traditional and modern music, try local dishes and delicacies, and understand what makes this city unique.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun13 - Jun 20

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Engage with the history and modern complexities of this crossroads of cultures. Croatia has been a desired strategic location for all major powers through European history.

Visit national parks, medieval towns, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Encounter local traditions and sample cuisine from the capital city, Zagreb, and down the Dalmatian Coast. Discover why the Adriatic is a hidden gem of European travel.

Information

2023 Dates: Dates available online

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

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|
|
Adventure Culture Environment Service 12 Service Hours
Culture
Service
Service Hours
Program Type Adventure
Environment
0
Program Type

| HEART OF THE JUNGLE:

COSTA RICA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Kayak across the Golfo Dulce and hike through the jungle and discover wildlife in the Osa Peninsula, one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions.

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Live surrounded by rainforest in our comfortable base house beneath Arenal Volcano and participate in a wide variety of service activities before savoring tropical fruits and sipping smoothies during your downtime.

Start your journey by heading south to surf the hidden breaks and enjoy the secluded beaches of Dominical. Hike along beautiful trails and canyons to a series of impressive waterfalls where expert guides will teach you how to rappel. Set off on a three-day sea kayaking expedition through the Golfo Dulce in the Osa Peninsula. At night, camp on the beach and enjoy dinner next to a bonfire as you exchange stories about the day’s adventures. Venture into Corcovado National Park, keeping an eye out for monkeys, sloths, and scarlet macaws.

When not exploring the jungle, participate in a variety of infrastructure service projects to support the communities you visit. You might work on housing projects for low-income families or support other local small-scale construction projects. Conclude your adventure by rafting the white waters of the Savegre River.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 13 – Jun 28 | Jun 20 – Jul 5 | Jun 27 – Jul 12 | Jul 4 – Jul 19 Jul 11 – Jul 26 | Jul 18 – Aug 2

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Spend a week at Rustic’s Volcano and Rainforest Service Base working on a combination of service projects and enjoying Costa Rican adventure. Whether helping out with service initiatives or participating in cross-cultural experiences, you’ll contribute to the community, practice your Spanish, and make new Tico friends.

After service, experience some of Costa Rica’s best adventure activities like zip lining and whitewater rafting. Visit hot springs and a traditional Costa Rican farm to learn about the local culture. After action-packed days, take a dip in the freshwater pool or relax at the base house. This program is great for first-time travelers and students interested in making new friends from across the globe.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 6 – Jun 14 | Jun 13 – Jun 21 | Jun 20 – Jun 28 | Jun 27 – Jul 5 Jul 4 – Jul 12 | Jul 11 – Jul 19 | Jul 18 – Jul 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 9 Aug 8 – Aug 16

Ages: 12-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 29
|
| | PURA
|
VIDA SERVICE:
COSTA RICA
|
Adventure Culture Environment Service 25 Service Hours
Adventure Culture Environment Service 22 Service Hours
Program Type
Program Type

| SURF AND SERVICE IN COSTA | RICA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Ride the waves of Playa Grande on the best beach breaks.

• Work on a variety of service projects that help the local community by improving their living conditions and recreational spaces.

Program Type

Experience breathtaking sunsets and blue waters during this week of surf, service, and adventure in Costa Rica. Settle in at the Playa Grande Surf and Service Basecamp and take in the beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean below.

Participate in service designed to support the local community and improve its quality of life. Grab your surfboard and head to the beach for surf lessons from expert instructors. Relax at the basecamp or play soccer or volleyball on the beach after service. No previous experience is necessary and experienced surfers will not be disappointed.

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Monitor the beach at night to collect newly laid turtle eggs, take them back to the safety of a hatchery, and ensure they hatch into healthy baby turtles.

Information

2023

Jul

Aug 8 – Aug 16

Ages: 14-19, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Journey to a secluded beach on the Pacific coast to help protect sea turtles. These creatures face threats to their nesting grounds from hunting, pollution, and development. In the mornings, join beach cleanup projects and help construct a hatchery. At night, monitor the beach for turtle nests, record the number of eggs you collect, and carefully transport them to the hatchery or a safer place along the beach.

With help provided by expert volunteers, many of these eggs will hatch into healthy baby turtles and contribute in the preservation of sea turtles. In your free time, learn traditional art techniques and take trips to the beach town of Samara to learn how to surf the incredible waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 6 – Jun 14 | Jun 13 – Jun 21 | Jun 20 – Jun 28 | Jun 27 – Jul 5 Jul 4 – Jul 12 | Jul 11 – Jul 19 | Jul 18 – Jul 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 9 Aug 8 – Aug 16

Ages: 14-17, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Adventure Culture Environment Service 35 Service Hours Program Type 30 RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY | ISSUE 1 2023
| | TURTLE CONSERVATION PROJECT: | COSTA
RICA
|
Dates: Mar 11 – Mar 17 | Mar 18 – Mar 24 | Mar 25 – Mar 31 | Apr 8 – Apr 14
Apr 15 – Apr 21 | Jun 6 – Jun 14 | Jun 13 – Jun 21 | Jun 20 – Jun 28 | Jun 27 – Jul 5
4 – Jul 12 | Jul 11 – Jul 19 | Jul 18 – Jul 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 2 | Aug 1 – Aug 9
Service
Adventure Culture Environment Service 12
Hours

MARINE LIFE AND COASTAL

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Snorkel to a coral restoration site and explore the ecosystems of the warm Caribbean waters.

• Enjoy the country’s famed white sand beaches and turquoise waters in Bayahibe on the island’s beautiful southern coast.

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Hike to the region’s picturesque waterfalls. Swim in warm, turquoise waters and relax on white sand beaches.

• Work with our partner communities on infrastructure projects, building aqueducts to bring running water to their villages.

Program Type

Grab your snorkel gear and dive into a marine adventure to protect the coastlines of the Dominican Republic. Stay in stunning Bayahibe and work with a leading nongovernmental organization dedicated to the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Learn about threats to local marine and terrestrial life as you gain hands-on experience in scientific conservation methods, including the construction of coral restoration structures and the rehabilitation of mangroves. On remote Saona Island, spend a night helping to protect sea turtles during an introduction to this unique species.

Share what you’ve learned about marine conservation with local youth during a fun day camp. In your downtime, swim in freshwater caverns, search for sea stars in natural pools, and fall in love with island life.

Information

2023 Dates:Jun 13 – Jun 28 | Jun 20 – Jul 5 | Jun 27 – Jul 12 | Jul 4 – Jul 19 Jul 11 – Jul 26

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Experience daily life in the heart of the Cordillera Central mountain range, also known as the Dominican Alps for its cool weather, scenic vistas, and high altitude. Many small villages here lack basic necessities and infrastructure such as running water and electricity.

Contribute to Rustic Pathways’s ongoing efforts to bring water to these communities by helping with the construction of an aqueduct to serve local homes and farms. After service, enjoy a weekend of sun, relaxing on one of the Dominican Republic’s incredible beaches. Take part in activities like hiking the Baiguate Waterfall or visiting the town of Jarabacoa.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 20 – Jun 28 | Jun 27 – Jul 5 | Jul 11 – Jul 19 | Jul 18 – Jul 26

Ages: 12-17, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 31
|
| RESTORATION: DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
| | MOUNTAIN
| SERVICE: DOMINICAN
AIR AND ISLAND
REPUBLIC
|
Culture Environment Service
Service Hours
Service
Service Hours
Adventure
32
Program Type Adventure Culture Environment
20

| ANDES TO AMAZON: PERU

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Discover a region of Peru rarely visited by tourists and enjoy adventure activities like whitewater rafting and zip lining.

• Journey into the heart of the Amazon rainforest, an extraordinary ecosystem teeming with exotic plants and rare animals.

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Immerse in colorful communities near Ollantaytambo and get to know the people during service work and homestays. • Paddleboard your way through the Sacred Valley and test your limits on a high adventure climb and zip line course—if you dare!

Traverse southern Peru from the high Andes mountains to the depths of the Amazon rainforest on this extraordinary service adventure. Get to know your group through community service, mountain treks, and an unforgettable visit to Machu Picchu.

Say goodbye to the mountains as you travel deep into the Amazon rainforest and truly experience nature. See wildlife up close and journey to an ecolodge and work alongside the jungle community on conservation projects to help protect this treasure. The perfect trip for adventurers looking to experience parts of Peru on—and off—the map.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Jun 27 – Jul 11 | Jul 4 – Jul 19

Jul 11 – Jul 25

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Discover hidden valleys, stunning scenery, and rural villages on our most popular program in Peru. Rooted in service, this program pairs students with local communities on sustainable projects designed to address economic development, public health, and educational needs.

Alongside the physical service work, play fútbol with new friends and practice Spanish with locals. Experience adventure while whitewater rafting and biking through the valley. Hike to the ruins of Machu Picchu for an awe-inspiring end to your incredible journey.

Information

2023 Dates: May 23 – Jun 6 | Jun 6 – Jun 20 | Jun 20 – Jul 4 | Jun 27 – Jul 11 Jul 4 – Jul 18 | Jul 11 – Jul 25

Ages: 14-21, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

32 RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY | ISSUE 1 2023
|
| | SACRED
|
VALLEY SERVICE: PERU
|
Adventure Culture Environment Service 20 Service Hours
Adventure Culture Environment Service 40 Service Hours
Program Type
Program Type

| ANIMAL

CONSERVATION

IN | AUSTRALIA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Channel your passion for wildlife, ecology and veterinary science.

• Meet the majestic creatures that call Australia home.

SEVEN WONDERS OF AUSTRALIA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Snorkel or scuba dive on the Great Barrier Reef.

• Immerse in the beauty of the Daintree Rainforest, the oldest rainforest on Earth, and help preserve its tropical environment.

Program Type

Are you interested in zoology, ecology, conservation, or veterinary science? This program is for the animal lover inside of you. After orientation, help prepare food and enrichment for amazing wildlife, watch keepers present guest talks, and assist with interactive animal enclosures.

Volunteer alongside keepers to perform a variety of tasks like gardening, mulching, pond scrubbing, raking, and poop scooping— it’s all part of the experience! Meet some of the majestic creatures that call Australia home and return home knowing what it’s really like to care for wildlife at a zoo.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 13 – Jun 28 | Jul 11 – Jul 26 | Jul 18 – Aug 2

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Travel from urban cities to the Outback and see more of Australia in two weeks than many do in a lifetime. After a stop in Brisbane, fly to Cairns—the adventure capital of Australia and the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef—where you can snorkel or scuba dive in a revered aquatic landscape.

Then visit the Daintree, where the rainforest meets the reef. In the Outback, hike through canyons, swim in natural springs, explore Kata Tjuta, see iconic Uluru, and learn about Aboriginal culture. Bid Australia farewell among the landmarks of Sydney, including the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 13 – Jun 28 | Jun 20 – Jul 5 | Jun 27 – Jul 12 | Jul 4 – Jul 19 Jul 18 – Aug. 2

Ages: 13-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 33
| |
|
|
Adventure Culture Environment Service 30 Service Hours
Culture Environment Service 15 Service Hours
Program Type Adventure

| INTRO TO COMMUNITY SERVICE IN

| FIJI

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Thrive at our Eco-Lodge base in the hills of beautiful Momi Bay—take a swim, play billiards, join a soccer match, or simply unwind with a good book.

BIG FIJI EXPLORER

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Cruise through impeccable waters around the magical Mamanuca Islands.

• Hike along coastal trails and across the golden sands of Fiji’s beaches before going for a dip in refreshing crystal blue waters.

Contribute to one or more of the diverse service initiatives designed in partnership with our long-term community partners. Explore historical sites, coastal dunes, secluded hot springs, and pure white sand beaches—or discover natural underwater beauty with add-on scuba diving. Participate in a variety of service projects and learn about different ways to support the local community while enjoying the relaxed and easy-going South Pacific lifestyle.

Fijians have long believed that strangers should be welcomed as longlost friends and given the highest degree of consideration and hospitality. Experience the inviting culture of Fiji while giving back to our host communities through a combination of service initiatives at the Eco-Lodge. Each group’s projects will be different, as we work with different schools, villages, and communities.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 20 - Jun 28 | Jun 27 - Jul 5 | Jul 4 - Jul 12 | Jul 11 - Jul 19

Ages: 12-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Adventure through Fiji during this action-packed program that will keep seasoned explorers’ adrenaline pumping and provide a great introduction for students traveling abroad for the first time. Swim beneath waterfalls hidden deep in the interior of Viti Levu, visit the Yasawa Islands to snorkel with manta rays, and kayak in Fiji’s coastal wilderness.

Stay at a variety of locations and live like a local. Hanging out around a beach bonfire, you’ll soon realize the Fijian people have found their way into your heart with their welcoming and carefree nature. Snorkel over brilliant rainbow-colored coral reefs teeming with tropical fish and exotic marine creatures as you explore these underwater ecosystems.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 6 – Jun 21 | Jun 20 – Jul 5 | Jul 11 – Jul 26 | Jul 25 – Aug 9

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

34 RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY | ISSUE 1 2023
| |
|
|
Culture Environment Service 30 Service Hours
Culture Environment Service 6 Service Hours
Adventure
Program Type Adventure
Program Type

| INTO THE HEART: JOURNEY TO JAPAN

Rustic Pathways Highlights

Immerse in the quirks, kitsch and cache of modern Japanese life in Toyko.

Turn back the clock and experience traditional Japanese teahouse culture before riding a bullet train at breakneck speed.

Wander the twists and turns of an iconic fish market, then learn to hand craft dishes in your private sushi-making class.

Spend a night practicing your meditation with a community of Buddhist monks in Kyoto.

Dive deep into Japan where past, present, and future are juxtaposed and still thrive. From Tokyo to the countryside, Japan is one of the world’s most populous, interesting and innovative countries. From geishas to waterfalls to samurai swords, the country and its people are a delight.

We’ll start in Tokyo and hop, skip and jump to Kyoto, Hiroshima and Kanazawa. We’ll explore mountains, coasts and cliffs of the beautiful countryside as well as dizzying high rises and crammed city streets of the urban landscape.

Program Type

Information

2023 Dates: Dates available online Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Call or visit our website for full itineraries, packing lists, details, and more.

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 35
10 Service Hours
Adventure Culture Environment Service

| SEOUL SEARCHING: MODERN KOREA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

Browse eclectic markets, where older generations pass down traditional culinary techniques.

Dance like BTS in a K-Pop training factory on the edge of a giant urban forest.

Enjoy a tranquil mental cleanse in a mountain top Buddhist retreat.

This journey packs a lifetime of Korean living into just over a week. We launch the adventure in bustling Seoul where you’ll explore historic districts, visit the most extensive palace, and mix modern living with traditional Korean culture. We’ll hike the peaks that nestle the capital city before celebrating with tea before the world’s oldest Confucian shrine. We’ll learn to cook traditional cuisine, and enjoy a bicycling adventure before cooling off at a next generation water park. Then, we’ll catch the quick train ride to the coast for a couple of days at one of Korea’s most famous beach destinations. We’ll explore the sandy beaches and cliffs that comprise this iconic coastline. You’ll snorkel, surf, rock-climb, and beach hop to close out this amazing experience in Korea!

Program Type

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 20 – Jun 28 | Jun 27 – Jul 5 | Jul 4 – Jul 12

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Call or visit our website for full itineraries, packing lists, details, and more.

36 RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY | ISSUE 1 2023
10 Service Hours
Adventure Culture Environment Service

| OFF THE MAP: MONGOLIA

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Hike into one of Mongolia’s few remaining Tsaatan reindeer camps in the rugged Sayan Mountains to learn about the lifestyle of the traditional Mongolian herder.

|

HIMALAYAN TREKKING AND

TEMPLES: NEPAL

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Explore “Monkey Temple” where living goddesses occasionally bestow blessings.

• Hike remote villages, rhododendron forests and river gorges as you summit beautiful vistas.

Program Type

Experience Mongolia’s two incredible extremes, the snowy north and desert south. Pack your winter clothing for an exciting journey north to a remote reindeer community near the border with Russia. Living deep in some of the few forests in Mongolia, the Tsaatan people struggle to maintain their lifestyle in a rapidly developing world.

Shed your coat and head south to the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert where you’ll ride a camel to experience this vast landscape. Explore the history of this region that dates to the Mongol empire. The journey will take you to opposite ends of this fascinating country and you’ll find that it’s been more than worth the effort.

Information

2023 Dates: Jul 11 - Aug 1

Ages: 15-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

From the colors and magic of Kathmandu’s markets to the serenity of Himalayan trails, this adventure offers a blend of well-paced excursions through ecosystems and cultures.

Raft and trek in the rugged foothills of the Annapurna Range which will reward those willing to break a sweat with stunning views of mountain vistas, you’ll come away with a full and real appreciation of this land and its people.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 27 – Jul 12 | Jul 11 – Jul 26

Ages: 15-19, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 37
|
|
|
|
Adventure Culture Environment Service 21 Service Hours
Service 0 Service Hours
Program Type Adventure Culture Environment

| THAI ELEPHANT CONSERVATION | PROJECT

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Learn how to feed, bathe, and care for elephants while working with professional handlers.

• Walk deep into the jungle and spend a night camping in the wilderness and laughing around a bonfire with your group.

COME WITH NOTHING: THE RUSTIC

EXPEDITION THAILAND

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Travel with only what fits in one carry-on bag and get whatever else you need in local markets along the way—or live without!

• Experience life as a highland villager and pour your energy into grassroots service projects.

How does it feel to walk with giants, the earth trembling under foot? A grassy, musky smell fills your nose and mouth. And a pair of deep, grey, knowing eyes pierce your heart.

You are a mahout — an elephant trainer. Actually, a junior mahout. It takes a lifetime to become a real mahout. This proud tradition is passed down, generation to generation in Thailand and for a short nine days you will take part in the rich history, traditions, and customs of this world.

By day, you’ll don the signature “mahout suit,” learning to feed, wash, and preserve earth’s largest land animal. At night, by the glow of campfire, you’ll play games, reflect and bask in the glory of nature.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 6 – Jun 14 | Jun 20 – Jun 28 | Jul 4 – Jul 12 | Jul 11 – Jul 19 Jul 18 – Jul 26 | Aug 1 – Aug 9

Ages: 13-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Join a service expedition through remote Thailand to disconnect. You’ll have one carry-on-sized bag with a change of clothes, toiletries, medicine, and no more than five personal items (we’ll also give you $50 to buy the rest of what you’ll need during your program). Start in Chiang Mai before continuing into the mountains and jungles of Northern Thailand.

Visit three villages for 4 days each and expect beautifully simple living conditions. Meet with NGOs and local leaders to learn about the needs of the area while engaging in service projects. You’ll get hands-on experience with building projects and animal and forest conservation work. This demanding program creates lasting memories and gives you different perspectives about the world.

Information

2023 Dates: Dates available online Ages: 15-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

38 RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY | ISSUE 1 2023
| |
|
|
Adventure Culture Environment Service 20 Service Hours Program Type Adventure Culture Environment Service 60 Service Hours
Type BEST
Program

| MARINE AND RAINFOREST

CONSERVATION IN THAILAND

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Discover Southern Thailand’s unseen treasures.

• Spot elusive endangered species—including dugongs and Irrawaddy dolphins—as you learn about the fragile marine and mangrove habitats.

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Venture to remarkable natural landscapes in the remote Bolaven Plateau and Thailand’s southern islands.

• Feel the rush as you zip line across ancient rainforests, hike through lush countrysides, and kayak down the Mekong River.

Adventure

Explore challenges facing southern Thailand’s unique ecosystems on this dynamic voyage through a picturesque landscape. Immerse yourself at a homestay experience set in a unique seaside subculture of Thailand, learning about their dependence on the natural resources that surround them and their efforts to conserve the marine life that supports their livelihood.

Next, discover one of the world’s oldest rainforests and gain insight into the rich biodiversity from experienced conservationists working to preserve and restore the region’s forests. Snorkel at some of Thailand’s best-preserved reefs as you gain valuable perspective about vulnerable underwater ecosystems.

Return home with a greater understanding of the complex issues facing the region and with an appreciation for the majestic landscapes of southern Thailand.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 13 – Jun 28 | Jun 27 – Jul 12

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Adventure through the misty green mountains of northern Thailand and the beaches of southern Thailand. Swim in waterfalls, raft down rivers, and play with elephants.

Make your way to the spectacular islands and limestone cliffs of southern Thailand and conclude your expedition with rock climbing, snorkeling, and relaxing on some of the world’s most exquisite beaches.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 20 – Jul 5 | Jul 4 – Jul 19

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 39
|
| |
|
SOUTHEAST ASIAN ADVENTURER:
THAILAND
|
Culture Environment Service 26 Service Hours Program Type
Adventure Culture Environment Service 8 Service Hours Program Type BEST

| GREAT GHANA ADVENTURE

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Stroll in the natural habitat of Ghana’s glorious ecosystems.

• Immerse yourself into an Ashanti village.

Hit the road and see all the highlights of Ghana in this two-week cross-country adventure. You’ll be introduced to Ghana’s stunning nature, arts, and culture, as well the history of the transatlantic slave trade.

Explore Accra, the bustling capital of Ghana. Then, search for elephants, baboons, warthogs, and more at Mole National Park. Improve a local school for the deaf and blind before you keep the beat and learn Ghanaian drumming rhythms.

MOROCCAN WANDERER

Rustic Pathways Highlights

• Ride a camel over the shimmering sands of the Sahara desert and explore the dunes under a blanket of stars.

• Zip line over the majestic landscapes of the grand Atlas Mountains and play in the waves along Morocco’s famed coastlines.

Information

2023 Dates: Dates available online

Ages: 14-18, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

Two weeks that will change your life as you traverse this unique and incredible country. In a village in the high Atlas Mountains you’ll volunteer in local schools and get to immerse yourself in a small community. Then, we head to the Sahara Desert, where you’ll ride a camel and take in the beauty of the sand dunes. Visit the largest mosque in Africa in Casablanca, surf or relax on the beach in the coastal town of Essaouira, and admire the colorful goods and exotic spices in the souqs of Marrakesh.

Marvel at the imposing mud brick ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for its appearance in films such as “Gladiator.” Through all these experiences and more, Morocco will offer you a journey you will never forget.

Information

2023 Dates: Jun 13 – Jun 28 | Jul 11 – Jul 26

Ages: 14-22, grouped by age where appropriate Airfare not included. Program available to educator-led groups. Contact us to learn more

|
|
| |
|
40 RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY | ISSUE 1 2023 Adventure Culture Environment Service 15 Service Hours Program Type Adventure Culture Environment Service 10 Service Hours
Type
Program

RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY

EDITORIAL

Managing Director | Shayne Fitz-Coy

GENERAL INQUIRIES, FEEDBACK, COMPLIMENTS AND COMPLAINTS

Jason Jenkins | jason@rusticpathways.com

STUDENT TRAVEL Emily Green | rustic@rusticpathways.com

GAP YEAR Wyatt Strombom | gap@rusticpathways.com rusticpathways.com/gap-year/programs

GROUP TRAVEL

Anna Beckerman | groups@rusticpathways.com rusticpathways.com/educators

CLIMATE LEADERS FELLOWSHIP John Hsu | john@rusticpathways.com rusticpathways.com/young-climate-leaders-fellowship/

CONTRIBUTORS

Kayla Anzalone Janette Daneshmand Mona Roh Mary Rogelstad Sunny Yoo

SUBSCRIPTIONS

With an annual subscription (four issues per year) Rustic Pathways can be mailed directly to you: Price USD 50 in the US, USD 65 in Canada, USD 100 in all other destinations. To subscribe, please contact rustic@rusticpathways.com

6082 Pinecone Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 USA

US: 800/321-4353 INTL: 440/975-9691

Website | rusticpathways.com Email | rustic@rusticpathways.com Instagram | rusticpathways LinkedIn | rustic-pathways Facebook | RusticPathways TikTok | rusticpathways YouTube | RusticPathways

©2022 Rustic Pathways LLC

Rustic Pathways Quarterly is published every few months. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in any part of any material in this magazine is expressly prohibited.

RUSTIC PATHWAYS LLC ®

For private Group Travel, visit our website or call us at 1-440-975-9691 to request your preferred travel dates

Find more information online at RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 41 41

1 RUSTIC PATHWAYS CALENDAR A,E S BEST

NORTH AMERICA

Off the Map: Alaska 26 A B 10 13

Hawaii Service 27 S 30 14

Grand Canyon Service * A,S S 20 9

Rebuilding New Orleans 28 S S 12 8

Puerto Rico Paradise * A,S S 10 8

EUROPE

Mediterranean Paradise: Croatia 28 A S 0 9

LATIN AMERICA

Heart of the Jungle: Costa Rica 29 A,S S 25 16

Pura Vida Service: Costa Rica 29 S S 22 9

Soccer and Service in Costa Rica * C,S S 25 16

Summer Camp Leadership in Costa Rica * S S 60 16

Surf and Service in Costa Rica 30 A,S S 12 9

Turtle Conservation Project: Costa Rica 30 E,S B 35 9

Marine Life and Coastal Restoration: Dominican Republic 31 E,S L 32 16

Mountain Air and Island Service: Dominican Republic 31 A,S S 20 9

Public Health in the Caribbean: Dominican Republic * S S 30 16

Wild Galápagos: Eco-Service in Ecuador * E,S B 20 15

Andes to Amazon: Peru 32 A,S S 20 15

Find

13, 20, 27 4, 11, 18 4, 11, 18, 25

6, 13, 20, 27 6, 13, 20, 27 13, 20, 27 6, 20, 27 6, 20, 27 PROGRAM TYPE A = Adventure | C = Culture | E = Environment | S = Service ACCOMMODATIONS B = Basic | S = Standard | L = Luxe *Details available online For private Group Travel, visit our website or call

1-440-975-9691

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM

13, 20, 27 6, 13, 20, 27 11, 18 25 Accommodations Service Hours Program Type Page # of Days 42 RUSTIC PATHWAYS QUARTERLY | ISSUE 1 2023

5 21 25 13 13 more information online at

8, 15

1, 8 1, 8 4, 11

4, 18 4, 11 4, 11

4, 11, 18, 25 4, 11, 18, 25 to request your group’s preferred travel dates

2023 Departure Dates JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
Sacred Valley Service: Peru 32 C,S B 40 15
4, 11 4, 11 20 1, 8 13, 27 13, 27 20, 27 20, 27
20 23
11, 18 4

ASIA & THE SOUTH PACIFIC

Animal Conservation in Australia

RUSTIC PATHWAYS CALENDAR

Floating Village Service Expedition: Cambodia

Panda Conservation and Wild China

#

Seven Wonders of Australia 33 A,S S 15 16

Service in the Clouds: India

33 E,S S 30 16

* C,S B 30 15

Intro to Community Service in Fiji 34 A,S S 30 9

Big Fiji Explorer 34 A S 6 16

Into the Heart: Journey to Japan 35 A,C S 10 9

Seoul Searching: Modern Korea 36 A,C S 10 9

Mekong Base: Service, Culture, and Adventure: Laos * S B 12 7

* E,S B 20 7

* C,S B 33 14

Off the Map: Mongolia 37 B 21 22

Heart of Myanmar: Service on the Irrawady * S B 15 7

Himalayan Trekking and Temples: Nepal 37 A B 0 16

Thai Elephant Conservation Project 38 S 20 9

13, 20, 27 A,C E,S

Come With Nothing: The Rustic Expedition Thailand 38 C,S B 60 23

Marine and Rainforest Conservation in Thailand 39 A,S S 26 16

Service in the Stars: Thailand

Vietnam: Hanoi to Ha Long

AFRICA

Great Ghana Adventure

Tanzania: Culture and the Crater

Southeast Asian Adventurer Thailand 39 A S 8 16

African Environmental Conservation: Tanzania

4 4 Accommodations Service Hours Program Type Page

11, 18

* S S 12 9

* A,S S 24 16

40 S 15 16

Moroccan Wanderer 40 A S 10 16

20, 27 13, 27 of Days BEST BEST

* C,S B 50 16

* B 25 16

A,C S A,C S A,E S

4, 18 11, 25

No dates available in 2023

No dates available in 2023

11

6, 20 4, 11, 8

13 27 4, 11 20, 27 6, 20 20, 27 4 11 27 13 5

No dates available in 2023

RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM | 1-440-975-9691 43
TYPE
2023
MAR APR MAY
JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
PROGRAM
A = Adventure | C = Culture | E = Environment | S = Service ACCOMMODATIONS B = Basic | S = Standard | L = Luxe *Details available online
Departure Dates JAN FEB
JUN
No dates available in 2023
No dates available in 2023 1 13, 27 20 11

Rustic Pathways

EUROPE

Croatia Italy France

LATIN AMERICA

Costa Rica Cuba Dominican Republic Ecuador & Galapagos Guatemala Peru

NORTH AMERICA

Jamaica USA: Alaska USA: Hawaii USA: California USA: New Orleans USA: Puerto Rico

AFRICA

Ghana Morocco Tanzania & Zanzibar

ASIA & THE SOUTH PACIFIC Australia Cambodia China Fiji India Japan Korea Laos Mongolia Myanmar Nepal New Zealand Thailand Vietnam

Contact our team by calling 1-440-975-9691. To make a reservation or learn more visit RUSTICPATHWAYS.COM
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