What happens if my child gets sick or hurt?

Program Leaders respond first, the country team arranges local medical care, and parents are notified in under 27 minutes on average.

Can my child join without a friend?

Yes. Most students join without a friend.

How often will I hear from my child?

Each program publishes its communication schedule. An emergency line is always available.

What if my child is homesick or struggling?

Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight, and the Global Operations Center manages parent communication.

How do refunds work if our plans change?

Cancel within 24 hours of enrolling for a full refund. After that, refund amounts depend on when you cancel. See the full schedule and enrollment terms.

4.9 stars from 1,310 reviews 155,829 alumni since 1983

Teen travel programs
for ages 14 to 18

See programs and prices

Full refund within 24 hours 24/7 emergency number

Students feeding an elephant at a sanctuary in Thailand

2027 Teen Travel Programs

Dominican Republic Beachside Service $1,995Airfare separate Service8 days 2027 departuresJun 22 · Jul 20 See dates and prices →
South Korea K-Everything $1,999Airfare separate Culture6 daysSpring break 2027 departureApr 4–9 See dates and prices →
Costa Rica Pura Vida Service $2,495Airfare separate Service8 days 2027 departuresJun 15 · Jul 6 · Jul 13 · Jul 27 · Aug 3 See dates and prices →
Belize Caribbean Reefs & Mayan Culture $2,795Airfare separate Adventure8 days 2027 departuresJun 29 · Jul 6 · Jul 27 See dates and prices →
Costa Rica Turtle Conservation Project $2,895Airfare separate Service8 days 2027 departuresJun 8 · Jun 22 · Jun 29 · Jul 13 · Jul 20 · Aug 3 See dates and prices →
Morocco Souks & High Atlas Service $3,395Airfare separate Service9 days 2027 departuresJun 23 · Jul 7 See dates and prices →
United States Hawaii: Surf, Snorkel, and Service $3,395Airfare separate Adventure8 days 2027 departuresJul 6 · Jul 13 See dates and prices →
Greece Island Turtle Conservation $3,495Airfare separate Service9 days 2027 departuresJun 16 · Jun 23 · Jul 7 · Jul 21 · Jul 28 See dates and prices →
Japan Tokyo Fusion (Middle School) $3,495Airfare separate Culture8 daysAges 12–14 2027 departuresJun 9 · Jul 26 See dates and prices →
Costa Rica Surf and Service $3,495Airfare separate Service8 days 2027 departuresJun 8 · Jun 15 · Jun 29 · Jul 6 · Jul 20 · Jul 27 See dates and prices →
Thailand Thai Elephant Conservation Project $3,995Airfare separate Service12 days 2027 departuresJun 23 · Jul 14 · Jul 28 See dates and prices →
Fiji Sun, Sand, and Island Service $3,995Airfare separate Adventure16 days 2027 departuresJun 16 · Jul 7 See dates and prices →
Peru Sacred Valley Service $4,195Airfare separate Culture12 days 2027 departureJul 6–17 See dates and prices →
Germany & Austria Alpine Adventure $4,450Airfare separate Adventure10 days 2027 departuresJun 23 · Jul 15 · Jul 27 See dates and prices →
Costa Rica Spanish Language Immersion $4,495Airfare separate Language15 days 2027 departureJul 6–20 See dates and prices →
China Great Wall to Li River $5,180Airfare separate Service14 days 2027 departureJun 14–27 See dates and prices →
Italy & Greece Culture, Food & Exploration $5,395Airfare separate Adventure12 days 2027 departuresJun 17 · Jun 24 · Jul 1 · Jul 8 · Jul 15 · Jul 22 See dates and prices →
Portugal & Spain Surf, Culture & Culinary Traditions $5,395Airfare separate Culture12 days 2027 departuresJun 24 · Jul 1 · Jul 8 · Jul 15 · Jul 22 · Jul 29 See dates and prices →
Thailand Adventurer $5,495Airfare separate Culture16 days 2027 departuresJun 16 · Jun 30 See dates and prices →
Costa Rica Summer Camp Leadership $5,745Airfare separate Leadership15 days 2027 departuresJun 22 · Jul 13 See dates and prices →
South Korea Korean Language Immersion $5,995Airfare separate Language14 days 2027 departureJun 30–Jul 13 See dates and prices →
Spain Spanish Language Immersion $5,995Airfare separate Language15 days 2027 departuresJun 16 · Jul 22 See dates and prices →
Japan & South Korea Tokyo to Seoul $6,490Airfare separate Culture14 days 2027 departuresJun 17 · Jun 24 · Jul 8 See dates and prices →
Thailand Come With Nothing $6,995Airfare separate Service23 days 2027 departureJun 23–Jul 15 See dates and prices →
Thailand The Land of Smiles $13,000Airfare separate Gap year40 daysAges 17–22 2027 departureMar 29–May 7 See dates and prices →
China & Singapore Two Models of Innovation $13,680Airfare separate Culture13 days 2027 departureJun 27–Jul 9 See dates and prices →
School Groups A Trip Built With Your School Per groupQuoted, not listed 38 countriesCustom itinerary TimingYour school calendar Plan a school trip →

See all 29 programs

Rustic Pathways students with local partners in Costa Rica — Rustic Pathways students on program in Costa Rica

Rustic Pathways students on program in Costa Rica

Teen travel tuition from $1,995

Plus a $100 enrollment fee. International airfare extra.

$1,995–$13,680: 2027 tuition range
12 of 29 programs: Tuition under $4,000
$3.6 million: Need-based scholarships and aid through 2025

Included:: Lodging, meals, in-country transport, activities, and Program Leaders housed on site and available overnight.
Not included:: International airfare, insurance, passport and visa fees, or immunizations.

Choose a session on the program page to enroll. Tuition and the enrollment fee are due at checkout.

See all 29 program prices · Financial aid and scholarships

Who looks after students, and how

Supervision, including overnight

Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.

The median student-to-staff ratio was 4.37:1 across all 2025 and 2026 programs, with a maximum of 7:1. How the ratio is measured →

Risk-management training

Rustic Pathways staff members completed Viristar’s month-long Risk Management for Outdoor Programs certification course.

Read Viristar’s account of the training →

A safety record you can review

Our published incident data covers 13 years, with annual figures, incident classifications, and methodology.

Review our safety record →

What is a teen travel program like?

Small groups, shared experiences

Students explore new places, share meals, and meet local people through hands-on experiences. Groups average 15 students, and most programs cap at 20. Downtime is built into the itinerary.

Independence, with support

Program Leaders manage safety, supervision, and logistics while students take on new experiences and responsibilities. That is structured independence.

No need to bring a friend

Most students join without a friend. First-time travelers can choose programs designed for a first independent trip abroad.

Rustic Pathways students running a camp activity with local children in Costa Rica — On Costa Rica: Summer Camp Leadership, students plan the camp schedule and run six days of activities for local children.

Rustic Pathways service programs are shaped by local communities

Local communities decide what matters. On service programs, partners determine what gets built, planted, taught, or repaired.

No orphanage tourism. No poverty tourism. No résumé-first voluntourism.

Read our service approach →

1.3M+ service hours: Completed by students since 2013.
$93 million spent in-country: With local organizations across 38 countries.
3-year minimum: Length of every community partnership.

What families say about Rustic Pathways

Two children. Ten Rustic Pathways programs.

“Our kids are now world travelers.”

Laura’s two children have completed 10 Rustic Pathways programs between them.

Laura · Parent · Boulder, Colorado

Read Rustic Pathways reviews →

GoAbroad Innovation Awards, 2026 · Skift IDEA Award, 2024 · Awards, memberships, and credentials →

Questions before booking student travel programs

Who supervises my child overnight?Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight.
What happens if my child gets sick or hurt?Program Leaders respond first, the country team arranges local medical care, and parents are notified in under 27 minutes on average.
Can my child join without a friend?Yes. Most students join without a friend.
How often will I hear from my child?Each program publishes its communication schedule. An emergency line is always available.
What if my child is homesick or struggling?Program Leaders are housed on site and available overnight, and the Global Operations Center manages parent communication.
How do refunds work if our plans change?Cancel within 24 hours of enrolling for a full refund. After that, refund amounts depend on when you cancel. See the full schedule and enrollment terms.

Browse all frequently asked questions →

Who can parents contact at Rustic Pathways, and who is responsible for students on its programs?

Patrick Ziemnik Leader of Global Operations Patrick Ziemnik has been with Rustic Pathways since 2012. He previously served as Country Director in Costa Rica, Mongolia and Tanzania and now helps schools choose programs he knows from firsthand operating experience. Patrick is a graduate of Harvard College.
Scott Ingram Director of Admissions Scott Ingram is Director of Admissions at Rustic Pathways. He answers parent questions directly, helps families understand their options, and can provide firsthand guidance on programs in Japan.
Emily Green Admissions Counselor Emily Green has been with Rustic Pathways since 2022. A former Program Leader, she now guides families through enrollment for teen travel and gap year programs.
Dr. William R. Smith Medical Director Dr. William R. Smith is a board-certified emergency physician, U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.), and Rustic Pathways Medical Director since 2015.