Building Friendships and Social Skills Through Travel: The Road Less Traveled Experience

Traveling as a teenager is a transformative experience, especially when it’s with a small group of new friends. At The Road Less Traveled, we believe in the power of adventure and service travel to create lasting friendships and develop essential teen social skills. Our unique trips offer teens an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, meet new people, and build relationships that extend beyond their home and school community. Here’s why our summer programs are not just fun trips but opportunities to build lifelong friendships.

Making New Friends on The Road Less Traveled

Traveling with The Road Less Traveled is a unique opportunity for teens to meet peers from all of the country. Away from the familiar cliques and routines of school life, our participants bond over shared experiences and adventures. Whether it’s conquering a challenging hike, working together on a community service project, or simply enjoying a campfire under the stars, these moments foster deep connections.

Our trips are designed to encourage teamwork and collaboration. Teens work together to solve problems, support each other through challenges, and celebrate their successes. These shared experiences lay the foundation for strong, lasting friendships that often extend beyond the trip itself. Many of our participants stay in touch long after they’ve returned home, maintaining the bonds they’ve formed through their travels.

Our trips are small and intimate in size. Often with 3 leaders and 10 - 14 kids, it allows students to really get to know the other members of the group on a deeper level. Spending 2 or 3 weeks in this small group setting, forms a cohesive group and allows new friendships to blossom.

Most of our participants travel solo, joining our groups not knowing anyone else. While this can be a daunting thought for many teens, taking the leap and joining a trip with all new people makes all the difference. This plays a huge role in developing new friendships and allowing students to be their authentic selves.

The Importance of Friendships Outside of School

Building friendships outside of students school community is crucial for personal growth and development. School environments can sometimes be limiting, with social dynamics that don’t always allow for genuine connection. At The Road Less Traveled, teens have the chance to meet like-minded individuals who share their interests and passions. These new friendships can provide fresh perspectives and broaden their horizons.

Meeting new people from different backgrounds also enhances empathy and cultural understanding. Our participants learn to appreciate diversity and become more open-minded, which is an essential skill in today’s world. Friendships formed on RLT trips are often more resilient and enriching, providing a network of support that spans different communities and perspectives.

Developing Social Skills Through Adventure and Service

The Road Less Traveled trips are more than just about seeing new places; they’re about personal development. Our carefully crafted itineraries are designed to help teens develop critical social skills. From effective communication to leadership and teamwork, our participants learn to navigate social interactions in varied settings.

Communication: When living in a small community while on a trip, communication is key. Teens will have to use and develop clear and respectful communication skills, whether they’re discussing itineraries with their group, working on a service project, or just eating, living, and sleeping in a share space. It can sometimes be an adjustment from home life, but it’s a great way to develop effective communication skills.

Leadership: Our programs encourage participants to take on leadership roles, fostering confidence and the ability to inspire and guide others. Some of this happens organically, while other defined leadership roles in our programming allow students to step up and practice their leadership skills in a structure environment.

Teamwork: Collaboration and flexibility is key on our trips. Teens learn to work effectively as part of a team, understanding the importance of each member’s contribution. We discuss a “me” vs “we” mentality and get kids to work together towards a common goal.

Problem-solving: Real-world challenges require creative solutions. Our participants learn to think critically and work together to overcome obstacles. This could be getting lost on a hike, navigating language barriers, or just managing being away from home.

All of these skills are not only valuable during the trip but are also transferable to everyday life, helping teens become more confident and capable individuals.

How can I learn more?

At The Road Less Traveled, we’re dedicated to providing teens with experiences that go beyond the ordinary. Our trips offer the perfect blend of adventure, service, and personal growth, helping participants make new friends, build social skills, and gain a broader perspective on the world. By stepping outside their home community, often their comfort zones, and embracing the experience, teens discover their potential and forge friendships that last a lifetime.

To learn more about how we facilitate social skills, and new friendships, schedule a call with a director for a chat!