Not Your Cookie-Cutter Vacation
Immersive Experience
Dive deep into the places you go. Share meals with locals, practice a new language, and leave with street smarts forged by your adventures.
Ethical Volunteering
Avoid the pitfalls of feel-good projects that don’t make a real impact. Work with our allies and partners under their leadership and on their priorities.
New Discoveries Every Day
Trek to epic heights, meet with change makers, and find home with a local family. Uncover the secrets of your destination with two program leaders at your side.
Learn from Experience
Listen to the stories of the people you meet. Create change with local nonprofits. Then challenge your preconceptions in workshops about what it means to make a difference.
Where do you want to go?
Each of our programs has its own theme, charm and mojo.
All are packed full of adventure, learning service, and education.
HUMILITY |
“Expect a life-changing, intense, cultural experience that will challenge you physically and mentally, and leave you with a wider mind and heart.” -Jonathan, India 2018 |
RESPECT |
“Never would I have thought I would have learned so much about Canada while being on a trip to Peru! The kindness that all the people we have worked with showed, allowed for our entire group to become closer as a family.” -Ida, Peru 2020 |
LEADERSHIP |
“Peru was the perfect place to explore and reflect. Through volunteering, exploring, and making connections I have found a new meaning to ‘leading with kindness’.” -Britney, Peru 2020 |
GROUP FOCUSED |
“The perspective gained on this journey blew my already high expectations out of the water. Lifelong connections and friendships gained on this trip will be forever cherished.” -Spencer, Guatemala 2018 |
PREPARED TO CHANGE |
“These programs can change not only your outlook on serious world issues, but they make you take a good long hard look at yourself. You may never be the same again.” -Natasha, India 2013 |
CONSCIENTIOUS |
“This experience not only provided me the perspective I wanted but an understanding of how other cultures are.” -Craig, Guatemala 2020 |
FULL LIFE LIVIN' |
“If you want to learn and experience LIFE, join the OG train!” -Cassandra, Guatemala 2020 |
SOLIDARITY |
“Travelling with OG allowed me the unique opportunity to truly connect with and experience local culture. I have a renewed thirst for knowledge and understanding of the world. I am so grateful I decided to go on this adventure!” -Abbie, Southeast Asia 2018 |
THIRST FOR LEARNING |
“Travelling and exploring Guatemala for a week with OG was an outstanding experience. The amount of personal growth and learning I experiences in such a short period was totally unexpected, but absolutely amazing.” -Isaac, Guatemala 2020 |
Here’s how we did in 2019-20
We are committed to learning and evolving as things change, and our participants’ feedback is part of how we grow.
According to our participants, here’s how satisfied OG participants were on a scale of 1-100 for a few key measures.
93/100
Cost vs. Value
We’re committed to people before profits.
Learn more about our Financial Support options.
97/100
Overall Experience
What does Backpacking With a Purpose really mean? Here’s what to expect on at OG program.
96/100
Local Immersion
Get ready to be warmly welcomed into the lives of our local partners. Check out where we go.