In cooperation with Save the Children, Rustic Pathways is proud to offer this unique service experience in South Carolina. See firsthand the work that Save the Children does in these communities, and get a chance to lend a hand.
For almost three decades, Rustic Pathways has provided incredible service opportunities in some of the most remote corners and communities of the globe. This year, we turn inwards to address a pressing need right here at home in the United States. As our public schools struggle, opportunities for children to escape poverty through education have become increasingly limited. That's why Rustic Pathways is working with Save the Children this summer to help serve struggling learners in rural elementary schools. You'll head to South Carolina, where rising third through fifth graders await an enriching summer program designed in cooperation with Save the Children's literacy curriculum and enhanced by YOUR exciting new ideas! You will be counselors, mentors, and role models to 100 elementary school children — many of whom have never left South Carolina and will be thrilled by stories of your hometown and the places you've traveled to. Each day of camp will give you opportunities to create, program and run activities as well as to assist students in various learning and literacy based activities. Come with your best camp activities, your favorite children's book, a love of reading, and a desire to positively impact an entire school community.
You'll live the pace of small town upstate South Carolina, a beautiful region of the country known for its scenic views and southern hospitality. We've already been invited to the local BBQ joint, and to the baseball stadium to see their hometown team play. We'll be trying southern cuisine, shopping locally for meals at farmers markets, and immersing ourselves in the positive aspects of the small town communities that make up the American South.
This northwest corner of South Carolina is home to an abundance of rivers, lakes, forests, and parks. We'll be taking advantage of all that this region has to offer when the summer camp is not in session. Get ready to rock climb, swim, kayak, tube and raft your way through the weekends. Evenings will be spent back at our base house - in true small town tradition - gathered around a campfire sharing music and stories.
This is an advanced service program for truly independent and motivated high school students. You will be expected to plan and lead camp activities with very little support from your Rustic Pathways staff, and to get creative when it comes to finding fun ways to inspire these elementary school students into reading and learning. Experience with mentoring, teaching and working with kids is a definite plus. Because of the reading, math, and science curriculum built into this summer camp, both Rustic Pathways and Save the Children are looking for bright and engaging high schoolers who will supplement this curriculum in fun and exciting ways. All applicants will be contacted by the Rustic Pathways Program Manager to ensure that this is the best fit program.
Welcome to South Carolina! After meeting everyone at the airport we'll head to our base house for a big group dinner. Get ready for the local flavors of chicken, biscuits, fried okra, hush puppies and all things southern. After dinner we'll do a quick orientation and some group games, before heading off to bed for tomorrow's big day.
A get-to-know-you day filled with games and adventures. Rock climbing, kayaking and a low ropes course will all guide your group into becoming a cohesive team as you begin planning for the following two weeks of Save the Children's enriched summer camp. Tonight enjoy a bonfire back at the base house.
After rising early and eating breakfast at the base house, we'll head off to Union County to the site of the enriched summer program. Today is the first day of camp, where 100 rising third, fourth and fifth graders from local rural schools await you excited and eager for the following two weeks. You'll be working alongside Save the Children's literacy specialists and local teachers, all of whom share a common goal of increasing literacy rates and motivating students. Mornings at camp will hold a literacy and math focus, where struggling learners look to you to guide them through reading their favorite books and math exercises. Come prepared to inspire learning! Afternoons will be divided between a science program, where a Lego robotics project will give students a hands on understand of science, and an outdoors program designed to get kids active and exploring nature. You'll have a role programming outdoors activities, so come ready with your favorite sports and games and be prepared to be in a teaching role. Afternoons will also afford an opportunity for enrichment activities, where you will be sharing some of your personal skills and interests with young students. Whether you're a dancer and want to teach a routine, or soccer enthusiast who wants to run a skills session, or an avid artist interested in providing students with painting lessons we value your individual skills and are looking forward to seeing what kinds of activities you create and run. After a full 9-3 day of camp, return to the base house to eat dinner, chill out, and relax.
The enriched summer camp will run again today from 9am - 3pm. After camp lets out we'll take a dip in a local swimming pool to cool off. This evening we will be out on the town at a local burger joint, sampling what Food Network deemed "The Best Burger in South Carolina" and taking a walk through the quintessential town square.
The enriched summer camp will run again today from 9am - 3pm. By now you will be familiar with the local students, and their excitement to see you each day will surely be infectious. Hopefully by now you will be finding ways to connect to each student and inspire them as a teacher. After camp ends today we'll head back to the base house to swim in the neighboring shoals and play around on the tarzan swing. This evening gather round the campfire for a storytelling session-something that is a staple in Southern American culture. We'll pick a theme and tell a few to get you started and then you'll take it from there. You'll learn to spin a yarn without notes, tell an engaging tale, and relay your story in an animated way. All skills that you will use tomorrow in your reading sessions with the students.
Today camp winds down for the week, so it's an opportunity to create lasting impressions on the students that will carry them through the weekend and keep them excited for the following week. Tonight we'll be venturing into town for a taste of some southern bluegrass. The town's Music on Main series provides live music in the town square during Thursdays in the summer, and we'll take advantage of this cultural opportunity to relax and listen to some banjos and fiddles.
A great first week of enriched summer camp will be rewarded with a day trip to one of South Carolina's most beautiful state parks. Here at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains we'll spend a day swimming in the natural lake and taking in the scenic view. On the way back to the base house we'll stop for dinner at a local restaurant, and then enjoy a movie night.
Today is a food challenge! South Carolina is home to an abundance of agriculture, and we will take advantage of all of the local u-pick farms and farmers markets in our "localvore" challenge. Can you go a whole day with eating only food that has come from within a 100 mile radius? We'll hear from people who are trying to live this challenge daily, and will take some time to talk about food & agriculture in the U.S. This afternoon we'll get a lesson in local flavors and cooking as we prepare a big southern-style meal to be shared with our community.
As we adjust back into the mentality of leadership, mentoring, and teaching we will prepare for the week ahead of us with a big group challenge at a local indoor rock climbing facility. We'll learn all about teamwork, support, and overcoming obstacles as the staff there lead us through a full day of climbing.
A new week of camp begins today, as we return to the school district for another day of learning, playing, reading, games and challenges. After cooling off at a nearby swimming pool in the late afternoon we'll head off for an all-American evening at the local ballpark. Get ready to root for the home team, while munching on peanuts and popcorn. Nothing says smalltown America like baseball!
The enriched summer camp will run again today from 9am - 3pm. After the past week and a half of learning about literacy in America, we will be exploring this theme further in a seminar with a local independent bookshop. As advocates of local literature and a small publishing house as well, they will be teaching us about the change that books can have in a small town community. Plan on taking these lessons back home, and implementing them in communities that are familiar to you.
The enriched summer camp will run again today from 9am - 3pm. We'll head straight from the school to a nearby state park for an afternoon of soccer, kickball, badminton, or just relaxing in the shade. Everyone will pitch in for the evening's BBQ as we grill outdoors and enjoy a group meal together. Tonight we'll host a movie night back at the base.
Today's final day of camp will surely bring smiles, tears and a lot of fond memories. As you wrap up the day and say good-bye to the friends you have made, know that you have had such a positive impact on this school community and the effects will surely be felt come this academic year. Tonight we'll be venturing back into town for a taste of some southern bluegrass. The town's Music on Main series provides live music in the town square during Thursdays in the summer, and we'll take advantage of this cultural opportunity to relax and listen to some banjos and fiddles.
It's our last full day together in South Carolina, and the end of two incredible weeks. We're going to celebrate with a full day of outdoor water adventure in nearby North Carolina. After a lesson in safety from the local river guides, embark on a waterfall hike that will have you jumping into natural pools and splashing through a canyon gorge. We'll be climbing around a 100 foot waterfall and doing a guided descent. This should be an exciting and fun day, intended to celebrate the end of the program with a final challenge and reward. After a celebratory dinner in town, we’ll travel back to the base house for one final campfire and a recap of the past two weeks.
After a final breakfast together at the base house it'll be time to head to the airport. Whether you are continuing on to another Rustic Pathways program, or heading back home, we hope that you will take the challenges and triumphs of the past two weeks with you. You will have worked remarkably hard, and should know that you are departing South Carolina having had a meaningful and long lasting impact on the lives and education of its children. On behalf of Rustic Pathways and Save the Children, we thank you.
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.
A small backpack is the best carry on bag, and will be used on a day to day basis during the program.
A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack will work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried short distances without assistance.
Please bring at least a few outfits that can get dirty or destroyed for service work or adventure activities.
Please pack all items that could leak in a plastic or Ziploc bag.
Save the Children has a longtime established presence in South Carolina. Their literacy enrichment programs have aided elementary schools that otherwise would not have seen their struggling students succeed. Because of this established and positive relationship, we felt like it was the perfect place to bring Rustic Pathways students and expose them to an area of need right here at home in the United States.
The bulk of time will be spent in and around the Spartanburg, SC area, with most of our time spent in a small rural South Carolina school district. Several outdoors and cultural activities will be in neighboring towns or counties, but we will return to the base house every evening.
Snacks, souvenirs, and other shopping excursions are not included, but all meals will be offered.
We will be eating most of our meals at home base. Breakfast is usually cereal, toast, and fruit, and students will pack their own lunches (sandwiches and salads) at the base house to be brought on site that day. Dinner will be prepared by the students & their Rustic Pathways staff, and challenges to buy and cook with local ingredients only will be presented. We will also, on occasion, go out to local restaurants to experience Southern cuisine, which is covered in the trip cost.
Rustic Pathways students will be able to drink water from the tap during this program, but they will have the option to buy bottle water if they prefer. Because it will be hot and humid in South Carolina, we require that every student has a refillable water bottle on hand at all times to stay hydrated.
Students will be staying at our base facility each night, in bunk beds with separate rooms for boys and girls. There is a/c at the base facility. There will be a separate wash house with toilets and hot water showers.
Students will be able to send their laundry out to wash-and-fold service once, halfway through the trip. Laundry usually costs about $10-$15 per load, and is not included in the program cost.
Sure! Assuming it is not a very valuable instrument or piece of equipment, you should feel free to bring it for teaching others, for enrichment at the summer camp, or for down time. Rustic Pathways is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Yes. Rustic Pathways takes many precautions to ensure our students' safety. Students are always chaperoned by Rustic Pathways staff, and we provide our own private transportation. Additionally, we will be working in small close knit communities in rural towns and avoiding big cities. These small towns enjoy a sleepy, Southern way of living and are quite safe. Students are never, at any moment, allowed to be unescorted.
All students & their families will be in charge of purchasing their own flight to and from the Greenville-Spartanburg International airport. This can be on any airline, and will not be a chaperoned flight. Rustic Pathways staff will be at the airport to greet and pick up all students. Saturdays are our travel days, and you will be asked to arrive and depart within a specific time frame. Please see our Travel Desk for further instructions and details.
Hot and humid. Come with a good sunscreen and a reusable water bottle, as we will be making sure that students stay protected from the sun and hydrated. We will also have opportunities for students to cool off in various water activities.
Yes, we can accommodate most dietary needs on this program such as vegetarians, vegans, and certain food allergies. Please notify us ahead of time of any dietary restrictions.
Rustic Pathways generally strives to maintain a ratio of approximately 1 guide for every 6 students. Our guides go through a rigorous selection process including interviews with our program managers and a full background check. Because safety is our number one priority, all of our programs have guides that are certified with First Aid and CPR training. Many of our guides are also qualified Wilderness First Responders, EMTs, Wilderness EMTs, or Lifeguards.
No. We want you completely engaged and excited about the program, and focused on your leadership role in the summer camp. The schools we work in have asked that you do not bring cell phones or ipods to the day camp. Therefore, cell phone use is prohibited on this program except during allotted times back at the base facility that will be designated by your staff. Plan on detaching from home, and living in the moment!
Contact Us: For more information about Save the Children: Literacy and Learning in South Carolina you can email usa@rusticpathways.com.
Save the Children: Literacy and Learning in South Carolina combines well with the following programs.
Ages: 15 to 18 years old
Length: 15 days from the USA
Hours: Up to 70 hours awarded
Cost: $3,495
Airfare is not included in the above cost. Please check our Travel Desk for airfare pricing and specifics.
| Departs Sat | Returns Sat | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jun | 29 Jun | Available |
| 29 Jun | 13 Jul | Very Limited |
| 13 Jul | 27 Jul | Very Limited |
Dates shown are inclusive of travel time from the United States. Most Rustic Pathways trips interconnect, allowing you to design your own perfect summer program.
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