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1/13/20 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our son has taken 2 trips with RLT; ‘Pacific Sun’ in Northern California, prior to 8th grade and ‘Conservation is Key’ in the Florida Keys, this past summer, prior to his freshman year. Both trips exceeded his and our expectations. He was challenged physically and mentally. He was pushed out of his comfort zone and rose to meet those challenges, thanks to the support of the amazing trip leaders. These trips have given him the opportunity to step out of his typical routine of school and competitive sports and be exposed to additional experiences and more of the world. Not knowing anyone going on either trip has been one the things he has liked most. The opportunity to get to know new people and share amazing experiences with them was special for him . He has come back from each trip a bit more mature and a bit more independent. We are all excited for his trip to Iceland this summer as well as our daughter’s first trip with RLT, ‘Sea to Sky’ in British Columbia, Canada.
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12/11/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
RLT has been every bit the incredible experience we wanted for our daughter. The crisp beautiful photos of the brochure drew us in from day one. These trips exposed our daughter to new cultures and different ways of thinking. She was able to get outside of her comfort zone and build upon her own abilities in new and exciting places. We highly recommend RLT!
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9/3/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
With each summer RLT trip, my son seems to return exponentially more confident, future-thinking, and sensitive. A citizen of the world. He did both domestic and international service trips, and in both the balance of culture, community to service hours made it fun and fulfilling. He made deep connections with his peers, as well as with the leaders—whose feedback about how they saw our son's participation was like having a new pair of eyes. They saw him fully, and we're so grateful to them for their nurturing leadership — in fun and sometimes challenge. (A bike accident turned into a learning experience of emergency care, communication, and staying calm in order to help.) Administratively, everything at RLT is handled professionally, politely, promptly.
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7/21/19 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
A terrible experience led us to contact the owner who justified the negligent actions taken by the camp. To make things worse, he had attitude.
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1/30/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I cannot say enough great things about RLT! I went on their Costa Rica: El Sendero program and it was life changing. From the culture to the people I met to the adventure I had. It was life changing and RLT is to thank for that. I would go on all of their trips if I could! RLT is family run and they will treat you like family too.
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10/3/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Words cannot express the full extent of the positive impact The Road Less Traveled (RLT) had on my daughter. She went to California this summer. The 14-year-old girl I put on the plane was not the same young woman that got off the plane when the trip was over. I could literally see the difference in her face. She looked like a person who was confident in herself, liked herself and was ready to engage with all the exciting things her future has in store. She LOVED it. But what exactly did she like best?? She couldn't identify just one or two. She loved every moment. I know, sounds impossible right? But it's true. But her fondest memories always go back to the people - the fellow students she bonded so closely with and the group leaders. She has made friends for life. I am only just starting to see the many ways RLT has and will change her life. At all times, before, during and after the trip, I felt the RLT staff always sought to do the very best for her. Thank you RLT.
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8/29/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My daughter had a wonderful trip to Norway. The trip leaders were fantastic, the care was excellent, and the communication from the leaders (via website updates and photos) were helpful. The program is very well run and the leaders were highly qualified. Our daughter's group had 10 campers and 3 leaders. The equipment was top notch. The kayaking portion was especially rewarding. I would highly recommend this program.
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7/21/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our son just returned from Ecuador a couple days ago. We cannot say enough good things about this program. He had an amazing time and as parents we couldn't ask for anything more. The group leader was highly knowledgeable and fabulous. The local community service part was meaningful. our son was able to hike they the Amazon and visited Galapagos all while making new forever friends. A great experience all around. :)
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7/14/17 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
We are so fortunate to have been introduced to RLT several years ago. Our daughters have each enjoyed tremendous experiences around the globe and have done several trips -- from Florida and Colorado to Spain and Latin America. The trips are educational and fun. And we have 100% confidence in RLT and the safety of our children -- which is super important. The group also regularly posts pictures and stories and keeps us informed. When we picked up our daughter from her recent trip, she literally talked non-stop for hours about what she learned on the animal preserve and about the friends she made on the trip. RLT is well-priced (we've compared) but I'll also say that the experience is priceless.
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7/11/17 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Really terrible. My child was kicked off a program for "being negative". We/ my child have still not been told exactly what happened and my child was never taken aside to have a discussion about any of this.The very first we heard any news from the program was "your child needs to be gone from the remote location we are in and on a plane in less than 8 hours". No indication/ contact regarding my child's supposed bad attitude before eviction. Could have been handled much, much better. Plus 2/3rds of the trip have already passed: I am sure something could have been worked out to keep my child on the program for the remaining week. Moreover, my child told me that everything on the trip was very disorganized and that local guides were crying for the way they were treated by the company. Yikes.
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"The Summer Camp Smorgasbord" - http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-summe... |
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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7/22/16 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Simply put, RLT is a ripoff, especially during the first session my child attended in Hawaii 2016 for volunteering. The "80" hours one was supposedly done was more like 30 hours. Their was at a most of 3 hours of community service done each day, where many days there was none. Most of the students had to sleep 3 to a small tent! The food was very bland, where lunch was often the exact same sandwiches, making one question where the 5000 dollars was going? Simply put, into the directors pockets. Furthermore, at this specific camp, there was a viral infection going around. Instead of separating and sending the camper to the hospital soon to get better, he was kept at camp, to sleep in a tent with to healthy campers, causing both to get sick. This malpractice disgusts me. However, most of the counselors were kind, the kids were friendly, and the experience was... interesting. Overall, I'm glad my child participated in this camp, but I would recommend others to choose other volunteer camps.
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7/20/16 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
My 16 yr old went to Africa with RLT. The itinerary was well thought out, but the community service part was minimal. There was a lot of down time at the site where the student were supposed to be "working". To live in an orphanage was an amazing experience and seeing African wildlife, visiting tribes and learning about life in Africa was very beneficial. The leadership on the trip and the home office staffing, I believe fell short of what could have been an even better experience. In a group activity of sharing "pillars of strength", one of the leaders shared with the group that she tried to commit suicide three times. The other leader shared with the group that he had been to seven colleges and wasn't quite sure about what he wanted to do with his life. The airline lost my child's luggage for 4 days! The RLT office told us not to worry. One of the leaders would take him shopping to buy toiletries, some clothing etc. this never happened. My son was only given mouthwash, that's it!
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9/7/15 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
My daughter attended the "conservation is Key" program this summer in the FL Keys. The kids were put in a three bedroom rental house. The girls slept eight to a room and there was one king bed shoved in the corner, so six of them slept on the floor. The boys and counselers had the other two rooms. There was not a working shower in the girls bathroom. At the end of 3 weeks, the kids had to clean the entire house while the counselers watched. I'm not sure what my $5000 went towards.
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10/23/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
RLT is amazing. The staff is highly professional, the trips are incredibly well run and my overall experience on two RLT trips were incredible. I was able to go to unique places such as a wolf reserve in colorado and to a coffee plantation near Arusha, Tanzania with some amazing people. The logistics were always taken care of, and RLT made sure to provide us with great local connections as well as fostering a positive and immersive environment. We did so many interesting things and got to experience local markets as well as do some valuable service work. I love RLT and would recommend it for any teen looking to become more independent and see more of the world.
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10/16/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My son went on the Call of the Wild trip during the summer of 2014 and had the most wonderful time! When he came home, he was bursting with stories to tell: loved spending time at Mission:Wolf, worked hard but learned a lot, thought the team leaders were fantastic — both fun and good at managing the group of kids. It was a summer he'll never forget.
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9/11/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
my daughter loved this experience! She came back more confident and independent which was a plus!Highly recommend RLT
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10/6/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went on a RLT trip in the summer of 2013. It was truly an amazing experience! The trip I went on was Call of the Wild and through the trip I met many wonderful people and learned fascinating new things! Learning from people who worked with the wolves firsthand was something that I will never forget. Everyone at RLT (from leaders to participant to the people who work in the office) were always kind, lovely, and informative. If a participant was not used to something or didn't understand something the leaders were always supportive and explained whatever questions we had. The experience is one that I will not forget! Thank you RLT for an experience that made this the best summer ever and for allowing me to discover what service means to me. I would highly recommend RLT!
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7/26/13 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My middle-school-aged son just returned from an incredible experience with RLT in Colorado. He loved everything about it - great staff, fun and exciting activities, friendships with other campers, and service work that had a lasting impact. He can't wait to do it again.
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7/9/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 13 y/o daughter thoroughly enjoyed her RLT trip to Colorado. She came back healthy, dirty, more mature and ready for another adventure next summer!
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9/6/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
The staff is phenomenal, extremely well trained, attentive, maintains a high standard for participant behavior and makes sure that group cohesion is developed and maintained. Participants grow through active problem solving, leadership is encouraged and leaders are well-trained in fostering teen experiences and growth. The office staff is exceptionally attentive and answers any question or concern, no matter how small, is care and attention to detail. You will not be disappointed if you take any of their trips.
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8/18/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our 14 year old son's trip to Costa Rica was a life changing experience. In his words, "I had the time of my life". He loved all aspects of the trip from the hard work rehabbing a school, living in a tent, learning to surf, seeing the smiles on the children's faces when they saw their school upgraded school, and of course the famous oatmeal mixed with peanut butter for breakfast. He gained a more worldly perspective and a broader appreciation of his own life. The trip exceeded his expectations and ours. RLT is an awesome organization and team that is truly making a difference.
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8/17/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Our daughter’s trip to Costa Rica with RLT exceeded her (and our) already high expectations. The experience began well before the actual trip and extended beyond, with thoughtful, meaningful outreach before and after the trip. The trip itself was a purposeful, service and education oriented experience geared towards personal growth…with plenty of fun along the way. The skilled instructors did a terrific job at bringing the group together, leading and encouraging thoughtful discussion, and generally enhancing the experience. RLT it seemed clear to us is a highly experienced organization with high standards marked by a carefully considered ethos and a well-executed program.
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8/3/12 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
my daughter just returned from her RLT adventures. She had incredible experiences hiking, climbing and rafting. the safety was top notch. the kids on the group were great and the leaders worked hard to make sure the team gelled. also appreciated that the trip was rugged--clean living. unplugged. simple.we will definitely do another trip.
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3/5/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Road Less Traveled is a special place to work and reflects the values of a small and family-run company committed to creating exceptional outdoor and service-oriented experiences for participants. As an employee this means that you have regular and direct interactions with Donna and Jim as Directors, know everyone who works in the office and have a personal support network available throughout your trip. Donna and Jim have been two of the best bosses I have had in my career. As managers, they demand excellence and create an environment where trip leaders can explore their own leadership skills, hone their technical skills, and go go into the field to create a powerful learning experience for participants. Having the opportunity to be a trip leader has been the best job I have ever had. In my five summers of working with Donna and Jim, I have been blown away by their commitment to employees and it has been a pleasure to work with them.
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1/23/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I went on an RLT Trip, Water and Rocks, when I was a teenager and ended up working in the office for over two years. I saw first-hand the time and energy that Donna and Jim spend in making all of their programs meaningful, exciting, safe and fun. One of their greatest strengths is that they are outstanding people leaders. They have the ability to connect with their employees and help them to be and do their best which contributes to making RLT programs so fun and satisfying. The Steins have their finger on the pulse of today's youth and instinctively know what makes a successful program for young adults.
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12/31/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Best summer of my life. Sure you get angry with living outside or not having perfect housing, but when you get home you feel empty without your RLT family. Everyone should do it.
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12/11/11 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
RLT is a spectacular organization from top to bottom. Every year that I feel more and more like I have been able to work with the company and the owners and not simply for them. Regardless of where I have traveled with RLT, the students and the people that I have worked with have always been fantastic! All of the planning and work that goes into every RLT trip really shines through while out in the field and I have never ceased to be impressed by the contact and help that I have received as a leader in the field when getting in touch with the home office. While no trip is ever perfect, I can't think of anyone who comes closer to providing a perfect, safe, and memorable trip for staff and students alike!
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11/30/11 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
Donna and the Stein family have been close friends of mine since my first season working for The Road Less Traveled 5 years ago. The Road Less Traveled is truly a family owned and operated organization in every sense of the phrase. Jim and Donna treat every client, instructor, and support staff member as if they were a member of their own family, sharing wisdom, providing direction, and fostering a wonderful environment to learn and grow.
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10/11/07 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
i went on the gulf coast trip i found it fun but the leader was a little too much concern and asks far too personal questions, also some of the other kids were really mean like talked behide my back or they all had an inside joke that was about ME. (and they interview us to make sure we didnt bully)..so building was fun but having people that i thought was my friends and turn out wasnt, wasnt fun AT ALL
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8/11/06 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
This is a great wilderness adventure/community service company. There are quite a few trips to choose from, including international trips. Participants sleep in 4 person tents, with usually 2-4 people in each tent. Campsites are mostly pre-choosen, which usually adds to the comfort, if there is any. The staff is great, and the staff to participant ratio is low. These trips are NOT for kids who do not like "roughing it". Also, the participants cook and plan their own meals. Most activities are challenging, so be sure to be in good to great physical shape. One thing that this company adds attention to, which most other companies don't, is the psycological aspect to the trips. About twice to three times during the trip the staff (usually 2 or 3, maybe 4?) will ask the participants to reflect on goals for the trip, and this for me made it a more enjoyable experience. I learned a lot of new skills, and I highly recommend it, but not to kids who dont want to "Rough It".
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