Travel for All: Sponsor a Student

We are committed to expanding financial accessibility and inclusion on Rustic Pathways programs.

The research is clear: travel provides students with hands-on learning experiences which lead to personal growth, an increase in life skills and an expanded worldview. 

Independent travel allows youth to learn in different ways that the traditional classroom cannot offer, fundamentally changing the way they learn and think about the world. And we want to make these growth opportunities available to all students, regardless of ability to pay.

Your donations will directly support our Scholarship Fund which awards students financial aid and scholarships to travel on Rustic Pathways service programs. The scholarship awards are based on financial need and merit, and awarded annually for summer travel. Donations to Rustic Pathways Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are 100% tax deductible.

Empowering the Next Generation of Changemakers

“Your belief in my potential and willingness to invest in my dreams through this scholarship touched me deeply. It was not merely a financial contribution but a profound act of kindness and trust that empowered me to embark on this life-changing adventure.” 

- Anghelina, 2023 Scholarship Recipient, Seoul Searching program n South Korea

Read Anghelina's Thank You Letter to Donors

“Receiving this scholarship has been a life-changing experience for me. Your investment in my education and personal growth has empowered me to become an advocate for wildlife conservation, armed with a newfound sense of purpose and determination.” 

- Apurva, 2023 Scholarship Recipient, Elephant Conservation in Thailand

Read Apurva's Thank You Letter to Donors

“I was a recipient of a scholarship only made possible by you all. With your contribution, I was given an opportunity of a lifetime, to travel across the globe to work on elephant conservation in Thailand. Not only did I make memories that’ll last a lifetime, my love for animals only continued to grow, and it’s what I plan to pursue in college after I graduate this year!” 

- Adia, 2023 Scholarship Recipient, Elephant Conservation in Thailand

Read Adia's Thank You Letter to Donors

“This trip meant so much to me in the way that I felt like I was really able to breathe. I finally caught my breath…because of you! I am eternally grateful for the opportunity you have provided for me to experience something I never have before. A completely different country full of lessons that I never truly grasped until now.” 

- Janae, 2022 Scholarship Recipient, Surf and Service in Costa Rica 

Read Janae's Thank You Letter to Donors

“I feel like in a different country, I can reinvent myself into who I want to be outside of my parents’ expectations, U.S. expectations on kids, U.S. expectations on immigrants, or my community’s expectations of me. I can just be me.” 

- Esther, 2022 Scholarship Recipient, Surf and Service in Costa Rica 

Read Esther's Thank You Letter to Donors

“We were getting to see how other people live and how things are different from our life in the United States or literally anywhere in the world. It's not only beneficial to get to see what's out there, but it's also kind of like a refresh for my mind - a self-awakening.” 

-Candace, 2022 Scholarship Recipient, Turtle Conservation Project  in Costa Rica 

“It really encouraged me to slow down and reconnect with myself personally. I had been detached from life prior to the trip. I had to re-meet myself. I went into the next school year with a better outlook, and it helped with healing long term.” 

-Domenica, 2016 Scholarship Recipient, Summer Camp Leadership in Costa Rica

Read more about past travel scholarship recipients:

What Happened After These Students Received Travel Scholarships