JUNE 15 – JUNE 28, 2025 (WAITLISTED)
JULY 2 – JULY 15, 2025 (LIMITED SPACE)
JULY 19 – AUGUST 1, 2025 (LIMITED SPACE)
JUNE 15 – JUNE 28, 2025 (WAITLISTED) JULY 2 – JULY 15, 2025 (LIMITED SPACE) JULY 19 – AUGUST 1, 2025 (LIMITED SPACE)
Photos and stories that capture what makes this trip so special.
Rafting white water rapids on the Cache la Poudre River.
Hiking to alpine lakes in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Lunch by the lake in Fort Collins.
Camping under the stars in the Colorado backcountry.
Stand-up paddleboarding at Horsetooth Reservoir.
Climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Taking a swim break during our rafting day on the Cache la Poudre River.
Want to hear what this trip is really like? One of our OG trip leaders—who’s led RLT trips for the past three summers—walks you through the journey from start to finish and shares what it’s like to be out there.
An at-a-glance look at the trip
Want the full breakdown? You’ll find it at the bottom of the page.
Our daughter had the best summer of her life—she’s already signed up for two more. She came back more confident, more connected, and more excited than ever to keep exploring the world.
Our sons came back with a new sense of self—more independent, more open, and deeply proud of what they’d done. They had fun, made friends, and grew in all the right ways.
We were blown away by how much he grew—he came back more mature, proud of what he accomplished, and full of stories about the friends he made and the challenges he tackled.
Hands-on work that supports animal sanctuaries and the landscapes we explore.
Feeding and walking llamas while learning about ethical animal care.
Splitting and stacking firewood to help the sanctuary prepare for winter.
Getting to know one of the rescued cows.
Walking out to meet the animals at the ranch.
From lodging to logistics — here’s everything you’ll want to know before heading to Colorado.
Trip Name
Colorado: Tails of Kindness
Who It’s For
Middle school students completing grades 6–8
2026 Sessions
Session 1: June 15 – June 28, 2026 (Waitlisted)
Session 2: July 2 – July 15, 2026 (Limited Space)
Session 3: July 19 – August 1, 2026 (Limited Space)
Note: These dates reflect your teen’s departure and return.
Exact flight times and meeting details will be shared after enrollment.
Location
Colorado & Wyoming
Trip Length
14 Days
Service Hours
15–20
Tuition
$5,195
This is the plan, but plans can shift. Weather, group energy, and new opportunities sometimes lead us to make changes. No two trips are exactly the same, and that’s part of what makes the experience so memorable.
Day 1: Arrival & Settle In at Kindness Ranch
Arrive in Denver and travel to Wyoming to meet the Kindness Ranch staff and tour the sanctuary. Set up camp, get oriented, and start to get to know the group.
Days 2–5: Animal Care & Ranch Projects
Support daily care for rescued cats, pigs, horses, goats, llamas, chickens, ducks, dogs and other animals. Help with cleaning, walking, and socializing the animals. Other hands-on projects may include planting trees, painting, mowing, fencing, and small-scale construction, whatever the sanctuary needs most during our visit.
Days 6–9: Rocky Mountain National Park Adventures
Head into Rocky Mountain National Park to hike, swim, and camp beneath the stars. We'll explore Pawnee Grasslands and Arthur’s Rock Trail, take in views of the Continental Divide, and spend evenings cooking over camp stoves, making s’mores, and reflecting around the fire.
Day 10: Paddleboarding & Swimming
Spend the day at Horsetooth Reservoir near Fort Collins. Enjoy swimming, relaxing, and learning to paddleboard in a calm, scenic setting.
Days 11–12: Farm Days & Sustainability Learning
Support a local farm with seasonal tasks while learning about sustainable farming and food systems. Help with planting, harvesting, day-to-day chores and enjoy time with farm animals and local staff.
Day 13: Rafting the Cache la Poudre River
Wrap up the trip with a whitewater rafting adventure on Colorado’s only designated Wild and Scenic River. Guided by professional outfitters, we’ll navigate exciting rapids and celebrate the journey.
Day 14: Travel Day
Say our goodbyes and travel home from Denver (DEN).
We stay in a mix of campgrounds and group housing across Colorado and Wyoming.
Camping + Housing
We start the trip with 9 nights of tent camping at Kindness Ranch and in Rocky Mountain National Park. At the end of the trip, we spend 4 nights in Airbnb-style group housing near Fort Collins.
Sleeping and Bathroom Setup
Shared tents and rooms divided by gender; rustic bathrooms with showers every 2-3 days.
Camp Life
The group works together to cook, clean, and keep things running—simple but meaningful daily rhythms
Meals are planned and prepared as a group throughout the trip.
How It Works
Participants rotate cooking duties, with staff support for each meal
Menu Style
Nutritious, kid-approved meals made in kitchens or on camp stoves. Think tacos, pancakes, pasta, burrito bowls, burgers, and fresh veggies.
Dietary Needs
We accommodate allergies, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other needs with care
Snacks
Lots of snacks, water breaks, and refuel time during outdoor activities
Flights
Families book flights to/from Denver, Colorado (DEN). Do not book until you receive flight windows.
Unaccompanied Minors
We’ll walk you through the process if your teen is flying as an airline-designated Unaccompanied Minor (for major airlines this is often kids who are 14 years old or younger, and are flying without a parent.) Every airline has different policies so it is important to coordinate with RLT and look into each airline’s specific policies. Generally speaking, we will have an RLT leader available to meet Unaccompanied Minors at the arrival airport for each trip.
Packing
Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal clothing, toiletries, and individual camping gear such as a sleeping bag and sleeping pad. The Road Less Traveled provides all group gear, including tents, cooking equipment, and any specialized activity equipment needed for the trip. A detailed packing list will be sent to families well in advance (and is available upon request at any time) to ensure your child is prepared. We encourage packing clothing that’s comfortable, durable, and made for adventure. Our list will also provide guidance based on weather, location, and planned activities to help participants bring the right items for a safe and enjoyable experience.
Luggage
We recommend one checked soft duffel bag (NOT a rolling suitcase) and a small carry-on backpack.
Forms
Once enrolled, you’ll complete:
Health forms
Waivers
Emergency contacts
Medications
All meds must be listed on your form. Leaders manage and administer as needed.
Behavior Expectations
We’ll send a Code of Conduct. The goal is simple: everyone feels safe, included, and respected.
Insurance + Vaccines
Trip insurance isn’t required for domestic trips, but it is recommended.
We follow CDC guidelines for travel, and always recommend that families check in with their pediatrician prior to traveling. Based on current CDC guidelines, no specific shots are required beyond routine immunizations. Please check that your teen is up to date on routine vaccinations, including a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) within the past 10 years.
Device-Free from Day One
Phones and internet-connected devices are collected on Day 1 and returned at the end.
Why We Do It
Being unplugged lets teens:
Focus on relationships
Stay present
Build confidence without screens
Cameras Welcome
Digital cameras and GoPros are fine, just no smartphones or tablets
Family Communication
We share updates during the trip and are always reachable via our on-call team for emergencies
Spots will go fast. Reserve yours now and get ready to dive in.