United States Summer High School Programs with Rustic Pathways

The trip was beyond my expectation. The vistas were out of this world and the community service that we did, gave impact to thousands of people particularly in the area of Flagstaff. Our group leader knew what's best of Arizona thoroughly. Would definitely recommend Rustic Pathways to all students out there.

My son just came back from Rustic Rebuilding New Orleans.
He has been definitely greatly impacted and in his own words says "things seem very different now" and he is rethinking many things.

The experience as a whole has been great, with very good organization, rich experience and a lot of good friendship and fun.

He says he would like to go back again with another program.

The service we did in New Orleans was just so amazing. My group did flooring and another group did mudding. My group was able to floor 2 rooms, a hallway and a big living room which was just such an AMAZING feeling. I think my favorite part part of the program apart from the service would be the Jazz concert at Preservation hall and the Airboat ride where we got to see some live alligators. Never did I think that I would be able to hold a baby alligator. It was AWESOME....

I had a wonderful time in New Orleans during the summer of 2012. I met so many amazing people (some I still talk to) and made many great connections. The supervisiors were helpful and made the most of everyday that was spent in New Orleans. I earned 72 hours over the course of the two week program, and I would have loved to go back on another trip my schedule has not allowed me to do so. I did this program to jump start my volunteer hours mostly but then once I arrived in New Orleans, I forgot about my college applications and just enjoyed my time there. Though a costly program, it was affordable because it includes housing, food, gas money, etc. I would not trade this experience for anything; I urge everyone to go on a Rustic Pathways trip! At some points of the trip, we would go to a jazz festival or to the French Quarter to do some shopping, which was really nice because you were able to see what the city has to offer! Absolutely amazing, strongly suggest that everyone does a volunteer programs like this during his or her life.

I went to New Orleans with Rustic Pathways and had the best summer of my life. I met great people, explored the unique city, and helped out the community. The leaders were amazing. They changed my life because of the lessons they taught us. They were so welcoming and made everyone feel important. As we worked in the houses we also got to hear the inspiring stories of how the hurricane affected their lives before and after. Rustic Pathways is a great program and everyone should get the chance to get the life changing experience i got.

My name's Marco and I'm 16 years old. I come from Toscany, in Italy, but I actually live in Switzerland. I went in Arizona and in New Orleans. I'd recommend both of them to everyone. Helping others makes you feeling so good. The joy of seeing the smile of a man who just got a new house after Katrina in New Orleans or the one of a man that you just served in a soup kitchen in Flagstaff (AZ) is beyond words.
Thank you Rustic for the opportunity, see you next Summer in Thailand !

When i signed up for RP i expected lots of experiential learning and cool new friends. I enjoyed this program but definitely felt like all the kids were just going for college essays, which is really stupid!:/

This was an okay program, but I don't think that I would want to go again. It was extremely costly and I felt that a lot of the other people there just went because their parents could (easily) afford it and they needed something interesting to put on their college applications.