Travel with RLT allows us to contribute to and be a part of a larger group. As we travel, we find and develop community bonds with each other and, more broadly, with the people and cultures with whom we interact. These communities help us define ourselves and the things we value. On our programs, we help our travelers build the skills necessary to grow into positive, contributing members of their home communities.
The RLT experience is a collective experience. We plan, cook, and eat meals together; we work together on service projects; we support each other through challenging adventure activities and reflect on the lessons that our shared experiences have to teach.
RLT trips are "unplugged" experiences. Being tech-free empowers our travelers to focus on face-to-face connections and gives them opportunities to engage in activities that foster friendship, support, group goal setting, laughter, and teamwork.
We believe the most powerful personal growth occurs as we approach and exceed the boundaries of our comfort zones. Our programs intentionally provide opportunities for those who travel with us to face challenges in a supportive and positive environment so that they can gain more self-confidence, become resilient to adversity, and learn how to navigate difficulties they may face in the future.
Challenges come in many forms. What challenges one person may come easily to another. For many, leaving their home community for the first time and traveling alone may be a challenge in itself; some may be challenged by confronting a fear of heights, water, or animals; others may have their world views challenged by traveling and living with communities whose lived experience is far different from their own.
Our travelers are the next generation of world leaders. It is our hope that our travelers will go on to lead and inspire others to make the world a better place. We aim to empower youth to become leaders within their communities and support efforts through service, social justice, and stewardship.
We believe that anyone can be a leader in their own way. A leader isn't always the loudest or the strongest in the group, but they do the right thing when no one is looking. A good leader understands their own strengths and weaknesses and recognizes when it is best to lead and when it is best to follow to accomplish the goal at hand.
We believe, first and foremost, that service is worth doing because it is the right thing to do. We engage in service work that is community-driven. Our projects are defined and directed by the communities that we directly serve. We are committed to preserving the environment, the character of the lands, and the cultures we visit. We only go where help is wanted and where both people and place can benefit from our presence. With thought and conscience, we educate about stewardship of the planet.
For over 35 years, The Road Less Traveled has included service as a part of our programming because we believe that participation in intentional, meaningful service is a powerful experience that helps foster positive youth development. Meaningful service provides an opportunity to acquire new skills, build relationships with others, learn selflessness, and develop an awareness of the world beyond ourselves. By facilitating meaningful service opportunities on our programs, we hope that those who travel with us will develop a passion for service that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
As an organization, we walk beside communities all across the world and engage in meaningful, life-changing experiences. We believe it is important for people to be exposed to various types of groups, perspectives, and experiences that are different from their own. We welcome travelers from all backgrounds and work to create a community where they are celebrated for who they are.
Creating an equitable world free of barriers rooted in race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or class has been a value of The Road Less Traveled since the beginning. Community service and adventure are used as vectors to provide our younger generations the opportunity to develop into young leaders, to challenge their world views, and to be a part of the larger conversations on social justice and societal change.
We strive for all RLT travelers to be active participants in their learning and growth. Reflection, application, and transference of skills on an RLT trip allow travelers to step back, develop critical thinking skills, and improve future experiences. It is our hope that a traveler's experience on an RLT trip ignites an interest in something they enjoy and are passionate about whether it be service, adventure, or travel.
We believe that we learn from experience and that learning is more impactful when paired with intentional reflection. Our programs create space for our travelers to reflect on their experiences throughout their journey. We encourage our travelers to continue learning and apply the lessons they learned when they return home.