In 2016 I was traveling with a group of Bold Earth students in Fiji. We had just had our nightly meeting around a campfire, and were walking back to our homestay families, when we noticed that the stars were so bright that we didn't need our headlamps.
We all laid down on the sand and looked up at the greatest light show of all time. Unforgettable.
Over my years of working at Bold Earth I have learned to appreciate the fact that details matter. It is important to understand the greater picture, but paying close attention to the nitty gritty of travel experiences is something that I pride myself in.
A couple of years ago I got a call from a former Bold Earth participant. It turns out that she and another camper on her trip got into the same college. They became college roommates and spent one summer traveling around Europe together.
Bringing people together is what Bold Earth is all about.
I am crazy about so many of our trips, and there are too many to choose from. But, if I had to pick one, it would be our Peru Machu Picchu trip. Peru has such a rich history and beautiful culture, and the Peruvians that I have met have been so warm and welcoming.
Also, on Peru Machu Picchu, Bold Earth hikes the Inca trail. This is for sure a bucket list item, and I am not sure how much longer there will be such free access to the ancient site of Machu Picchu.
Bold Earth is unique in the way that we get to know each and every one of our families, and how we build the best groups in the business because of our relationships with families.
We take the time to interview every participant that joins Bold Earth and at least one of their parents through an interview over the phone. The Bold Earth team really knows how to connect with teenagers and listen.
I think that caring and listening to our participants and their families is the most important thing that a travel company can do.