One-Week vs. Two-Week+ Summer Programs: What’s Best for Your Teen?

Teens stand together in front of a glacier during a summer travel program, surrounded by rugged volcanic terrain.

When you're looking at summer programs, one of the first decisions you'll face is: how long should my teen be away?

Some programs run for a week. Others stretch to two or three. The “right” length depends on your teen’s age, experience, and what you hope they’ll get out of it.

Here’s how to think it through.

One-Week Programs: A Great Intro for Younger or First-Time Travelers

One-week trips are a great starting point—especially for middle schoolers or first-time participants. They offer structure, support, and a taste of independence without feeling overwhelming. Teens get the experience of being away from home, working as a team, and trying something new—all in a compact timeline.

At RLT, our Pathway to the Pines program in Maine is designed with that in mind. It’s just seven days, but it includes real service projects, hiking, kayaking, and camping—all with close mentorship and reflection built in.

Best for:

  1. Middle schoolers or younger teens

  2. First-time travelers

  3. Families who want to test the waters

Two-Week+ Programs: Deeper Growth, Stronger Bonds, Bigger Impact

Longer programs give teens more time to settle in, build real friendships, and take on meaningful challenges. They’re able to dive deeper into service, reflection, and leadership—and that’s where the transformation happens.

Programs like Italy: Dive the Med and Norway: Peaks and Valleys are designed around this idea. With 14 to 21 days of immersive travel, students get to disconnect from distractions, engage with big ideas, and experience true personal growth.

Best for:

  1. High schoolers or returning RLT participants

  2. Teens looking for a challenge or leadership experience

  3. Families ready for a full immersion

What Length Is Right for Your Teen?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But here’s what we often see:

  1. Shorter trips are great for confidence-building and easing into independence.

  2. Longer trips tend to have more lasting impact—teens come home with a deeper sense of purpose, perspective, and self-trust.

Either way, the key is choosing a program that’s intentional about growth, connection, and support. That’s the heart of what we do at RLT.

Teen in scuba gear climbs back onto a boat after a dive in crystal-clear blue water during an RLT marine conservation trip.

Explore All Our Trips

Every RLT trip—whether one week or three—is designed to help teens step up, show up, and grow into themselves. You can browse all of our summer programs here, or set up a call with our team to talk through what might be the best fit for your teen.

Laura Dunmire