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Five Lessons that Instill the Love of Innovation in Teens

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Encourage children to TRAVEL. But why?  Simply, it is the best way to learn these five useful life lessons:

As we all know, when we get older life seems to just sort of… fly by. Even for many young people, life is happening all too soon. Yet these are the times when teens learn the most and the fastest. These are the years when the future inventor is exploring new ideas, these are the years where curiosity abounds. If we properly nourish, it we can empower them to be brave and challenge status quo.

Youth is a time to explore, a time to do what you want before expectations change and new responsibilities emerge. Give your teen an opportunity to grow, to learn, to adventure out into the world and see all that it has to offer.  We promise you will not regret it.
There are five lessons every teen needs to learn.  And travel, particularly service trips, teach all five:

1. Perspective –The change in expectations for young people over the years is frightening, and it is bordering on the ridiculous. ACT scores, college resumes, athletics, internships, job markets, just to name a few. While you may or may not agree, children in 2013 need the rare opportunity to stop, breathe, slow down, step off the wheel and recognize what is important and explore what really matters.

2. Education – Travel allows teens to learn more about the people, religions, regions, cultures and places in our world (in addition to language, geography, politics, sociology and economics). Seeing the world is an education that is impossible to get in a classroom. Travel around the globe will event teach your child the fundamental world of geography.

3. Courage – Travel provides a healthy way to get your child to move out of their comfort zone and to have courage to innovate. The easiest way for them to prove they have courage is to dream big and reach for new challenges. There’s something awesome about going somewhere or doing something for the first time – facing fear and coming out on the other side. This will give them the courage and confidence for the next challenge life throws their way.

4. Empowerment – In the few precious years during early adulthood, worldviews are still being formed. Seeing the world for themselves brings new perspective and encourages each of them to decide what they feel, believe and think for themselves. At the same time, it gives them a healthy dose of firsthand reality. It’s important for a young person to feel what it’s like to Carpe diem.

5. Compassion – We know the experiences a child encounters as a young person helps define the choices made now and for the rest of life (check out our Ambassadors of Hope to see for yourself). Traveling will change your child’s life like nothing else can. It will put he or she in places that force one to care about big issues. Your child will understand why the world is both a very big and a very small place. And he or she will see it with a newfound respect and feel more connected to the world and to others in a deep and lasting way. Your child will care, be inspired to innovate and most of all want to make a difference.

Photography provided by The Road Less Traveled 
Take the teen innovation challenge. Set aside the distractions of video games and gossip websites and encourage your teens to explore. 

Remind them of Denis Waitley’s words:

“You have all the reason in the world to achieve your grandest dreams. Imagination plus innovation equals realization.”

 Donna Stein

Over two decades ago when Donna and Jim Stein started The Road Less Traveled they were new parents and pioneers of an adventure travel program. They wanted to create a one-of-a-kind life changing experience for youth that would transform people ‘s lives around the world. Donna’s love of the outdoors began while growing up in Detroit, Michigan. At an early age, during the turbulent ‘60’s, Donna escaped the hot summers of the city and found respite in the north woods of Michigan, where she discovered independence and solace in the outdoors. Donna gained extensive business experience in corporations and non-profit organizations. She manages all development, operations, marketing, and upholds the rigorous standards that support the mission, training, and policies of RLT. You can find The Road Less Traveled on Facebook and Google+.

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