SUMMER TRAVEL EXPERIENCES: REFLECTING BACK

At The Road Less Traveled, we believe that reflection is not just about thinking back on an experience, but about digging deeper and making meaning from it. Long after our travelers return home, we want them to keep digging and applying what they've learned to their everyday lives.

Traveling with the Road Less Traveled can be an incredibly transformative experience, as teens are able to explore new places, meet new people, and engage in meaningful service work. However, the real growth and learning often happens during the processing and reflection activities that are built into the program.

One of the key benefits of these activities is that they provide teens with the opportunity to process challenging experiences, whether it be a difficult hike, traveling away from home or a service project that didn't go as planned. By reflecting on what went well and what could have been improved, teens are able to learn from their mistakes and develop resilience and problem-solving skills.

Our groups also reflect on positive experiences and how they can be applied in the future. A successful service project can be a source of inspiration and motivation for future service work, while a hike can provide a sense of accomplishment and a willingness to take on new challenges

We believe that everyone learns from experience, and that learning is more impactful when paired with intentional reflection. Our programs create space for our travelers to reflect on their experiences throughout their journey, whether it's through journaling, small group discussions, or other activities. This reflection can help travelers identify their strengths and areas for growth, and can provide a framework for continued learning and personal development.

Reflection is a critical component of any educational experience, and especially important on a teen travel and service program. By creating intentional space for reflection and application, we aim to inspire our travelers to continue learning and growing long after their program has ended. It is our hope that a traveler’s experience on an RLT trip ignites an interest in something they enjoy and are passionate about, and that they continue to pursue that passion long after their trip has ended.