The Road Less Traveled

The behind-the-scenes work before the summer begins.

36 summers of experience means we take preparation seriously and our 2026 leaders are almost ready for the field! 🌲

🎙️ “They returned home energized and showing so much more agency and responsibility — exactly what they needed for high school.”

Transitioning into freshman year is a big shift, and sometimes the best way to prep is to get away from a desk. This alum parent shared how their teen’s time on our Hawaii trip made that difference:

“The Road Less Traveled (RLT) experience in Hawaii, was wonderful for my rising freshman. They returned home energized and showing so much more agency and responsibility, exactly what they needed for High School. The RLT team was great from the start with good information for expectations and preparations, great communication during transit, and photos along the way. We highly recommend RLT if your teen is ready to experience something more and grow into their sense of self.”

We keep our groups small to make sure this kind of growth has space to happen. Hawaii is one of our most popular summer routes and we are down to the final spots for 2026.

🎙️ “I wholeheartedly recommend this program for anyone who is ready to get outside their comfort zone, make genuine friendships, and explore the world!”

We often talk about the grit and the work, but sometimes it is just about having the best two weeks of your life. This alum traveler recently shared her experience from Costa Rica:

“I went to Costa Rica this past summer with the Road Less Traveled, and it truly was an experience of a lifetime. Each day brought a new adventure. Everything about this program is amazing... It was certainly the best two weeks of my life!”

If this sounds like something your teen would love, our Costa Rica roster is almost full. We only have a handful of spots left for this summer. 🌿

Maui Cultural Lands was founded with a massive goal: restoring the Honokowai Valley. Their work is guided by the principle: He ali’i ka aina, he kaua ke kanaka (The land is chief, we are its servants).

On our Hawaii trip, our teens spend four days working alongside the MCL team. On any given day, our teens might be:
 
🌿 Reforesting the valley by planting native and endemic Hawaiian species.
 
🪓 Removing invasive plants that threaten to choke out the native ecosystem.
 
🧱 Stabilizing archaeological sites to help preserve the ruins and history of the Honokowai Valley.
 
💨 Restoring habitats near local wind turbines to balance modern energy needs with land preservation.

It is physically demanding work, but the team teaches our teens that this is about Kuleana, the responsibility to care for the land so it can sustain future generations.

Check out our Hawaii: Island Exploration trip today ✈️