Katie Connell, a student at Morristown-Beard School, enjoys participating in community programs through Rustic Pathways, a travel company founded by students that offers group trips combining travel and community service in over 20 countries. Rustic Pathways programs include volunteering at eco-lodges in the South Pacific, rice field service in Asia, giant panda conservation in China, and their "From the Ground Up" program in Cambodia where travelers spend 10 days performing 30 hours of community service through activities like tree planting, renewable energy installation, and clean water system building, while also having opportunities for leisure activities.

2.  A student at the Morristown-Beard School, Katherine
“Katie” Connell enjoys working with programs that
help underserved people. Katie Connell’s many
community activities include traveling to foreign as a
participant in one of the programs offered through
Rustic Pathways.
With a division catering solely to group voyages,
Rustic Pathways provides opportunities for travelers to
immerse themselves into foreign cultures. The
company was originally founded by 10 students who
took a road trip across Australia. Today, Rustic
Pathways flourishes as a popular travel company
offering travel and service programs in more than 20
countries.

3.  Among the group programs available are
South Pacific Eco-Lodge Service Base,
Ricefields Service Base, Giant Panda
Conservation Project, and From the Ground
Up. The latter program takes travelers to
Cambodia for 10 days of community
service. Totaling 30 service hours by the end
of the stay, From the Ground Up
coordinates activities related to tree
planting, renewable energy, and clean
water system installation. The trip also
includes leisure activities such as massages
and visits to ancient temples and museums.