The Road Less Traveled is a Chicago-based teen travel operator running 1–3 week residential summer trips that combine outdoor adventure, community service and cultural immersion. Trips serve ages 11–18 (grades 6–12) and are curated by age, with destinations including Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, California and Puerto Rico domestically and Costa Rica, Peru, Greece, Japan, Norway, Italy and Thailand abroad. Program themes include wilderness adventure, Spanish and cultural immersion, animal service, community service and scuba. Running since 1991, it is ACA-accredited, uses Wilderness First Responder-certified leaders and keeps groups intentionally small for high leader-to-teen ratios.
The practical details
We list only what the camp itself publishes, and programs change — dates, prices, ages and availability can all move after we check. Confirm the details on the camp’s own website and contact The Road Less Traveled directly before you register or pay. Last checked August 2026.
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Accreditations & licensing
As stated by the camp or listed in the accrediting organization's directory — confirm current status with the accreditor.
Google Reviews
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★★★★★Erica DesaiRLT is a well run organization that offered my middle schooler a memorable 2 weeks in Puerto Rico. He came back with story after story. He gained more than just memories. RLT gave him an opportunity to be independent, active, and helpful. He made new friends and is excited to go back next summer to Iceland. The organization as a whole is very good in communicating from the administrative office to the actual travel leaders. I am so happy to have stumbled upon this organization and highly recommend to other parents looking to give their child a memorable experience.
★★★★★Nicole Britvan CefaliOut son traveled with RLT two years ago to Costa Rica (as a rising 8th grader) and went without knowing anyone. He had a wonderful time. He loved everything about his experience and talks about wanting to return to Costa Rica again. I appreciated how well run the trip was, and loved the community service aspect as well. We have signed him up for his second trip this summer. I am excited for him!
★★★★★Helene SkantzikasMy son (14) had an amazing experience with RLT last summer in Morocco. The trip was very well designed and organized, the volunteering was awesome (and his favorite part of the trip), the counselors were well trained and having local guides was great too. The no screen policy is my favorite as a parent, as the kids in the group were really able to connect. My son was the youngest of the group, and he made great friendships. I would definitely recommend RLT.
★★★★★Jeannette SRLT is a great way for kids to disconnect TO CONNECT with real people and real communities! Our child's trip to Puerto Rico was enriching and fun. The RLT guides are incredibly responsible, supportive, and capable. The entire program is a wonderful mix of great summer fun with community- and culturally-based activities to build thought-provoking experiences. Our child remains in touch with his fellow travelers AND they worked to pick another trip for the following summer to be together again. Thank you, RLT!
★★★★★Meg Ounsworth SteereOur daughter absolutely loved her time exploring CO and WY with RLT. She made lifelong friends, loved her trip leaders, challenged herself to try new things (including new foods!), and really felt fulfilled by the service part of the program. She remains connected with the rescue farm and wants to do more of this type of work at home. She will be returning this summer to try a new program with RLT!