Evidence of Purpose, Connection, and Growth in Rustic Pathways Youth Programs
In 2023, researchers from the Boston College Purpose Lab presented findings from a mixed-methods study exploring how Rustic Pathways programs support positive youth development. Drawing on data from 216 participants, the research highlights how experiential learning, meaningful relationships, and transformative experiences contribute to a stronger sense of purpose and personal growth. The results offer early evidence that travel-based service learning can be a powerful catalyst for lasting developmental benefits in adolescence.
Key Findings
Participants in Rustic Pathways reported the following as a result of their participation:
● Increases in purpose in life
● Increases in engagement in purposeful activities
● Increases in prosocial aspirations
● Increases in personal meaning
Click the embedded link below to view the full report: