What Is Responsible Traveller Training and Why It Matters Before a School Expedition

Before students head off on their overseas expedition, preparation is about much more than packing a bag and catching a flight.

At Camps International, we believe it is just as important to prepare students for the impact their travel will have on the people and places they visit, and on the planet as a whole.

That is why every student is encouraged to complete our Responsible Traveller Training Programme before they travel. This two-part webinar series is designed to help students feel prepared, excited, and ready to travel with purpose.

It helps students understand the ripple effect of their travel choices, how to explore the world sustainably, and how to leave every place better than they found it.

We are also open about the fact that overseas travel creates carbon emissions. Rather than avoiding that reality, we invite students to share in the responsibility of understanding and reducing their impact. By recognising the footprint of travel and having these open and honest conversations, Responsible Traveller Training encourages awareness, accountability, and positive action from the very start.

What Is Responsible Traveller Training?

Our Responsible Traveller Training Programme is a set of two online webinars that students complete before their expedition. It forms part of our wider Real World Studies programme and supports students in becoming thoughtful, informed and respectful travellers.

The sessions focus on two key areas:

• Understanding environmental impact and carbon awareness
• Learning about the country they are travelling to and the community projects they will support

Together, they help students build confidence, awareness and responsibility before they even arrive in their destination. Not only do they learn more about sustainable travel, but they also get an insight into the projects and conservation work they’ll be engaging in on their expedition.

Webinar One: Understanding Impact and Carbon Footprint

The first session introduces students to the idea that every journey has an impact and that small choices can make a big difference.

Students learn:

• What a carbon footprint is and why it matters
• How everyday actions affect the environment
• Simple ways to reduce their emissions before, during and after travel

Rather than overwhelming students, the training focuses on practical steps they can take. It empowers them to make positive choices and develop habits that last long after their expedition ends.

Students come away with practical tips for shrinking their emissions footprint, smart ways to travel responsibly, and an extra boost of confidence as they prepare for their adventure.

Webinar Two: Understanding the Destination and Its Communities

The second session is country specific and helps students understand where they are going and why their project work matters.

In this webinar, students learn about:

• The culture and traditions of their destination
• The challenges faced by local communities
• The sustainable projects they will support

For example, students will learn about global sustainable development and the meaningful project work that lies at the core of their expedition. They also get a sense of what camp life is like and how understanding the purpose behind their journey can inspire and strengthen their fundraising efforts.

This session ensures students arrive informed, respectful and ready to contribute positively to the communities welcoming them.

Why Responsible Traveller Training Matters for Parents

For parents, Responsible Traveller Training offers reassurance that students are being prepared thoughtfully and responsibly. Responsible travel also goes hand in hand with strong safety standards, supported by Camps’ comprehensive policies and guidelines.

It shows that our expeditions are not just about travel and adventure, but also about education, ethics and care for the environment and local communities.

Students gain:

• A better understanding of global issues
• Awareness of cultural differences
• A stronger sense of independence and purpose

Knowing that students have completed this training helps parents feel confident that their child is travelling with respect and intention.

Why It Matters for Students

For students, Responsible Traveller Training is the first step in their expedition journey.

It helps them:

• Feel prepared for what lies ahead
• Understand why their project work matters
• Learn how to travel sustainably
• Build confidence before they depart
• See their expedition as more than just a trip

Students begin their journey with curiosity, respect and motivation, rather than uncertainty. It also gives students an opportunity to ask a member of our Travel Support team any questions they may have before they embark on their expedition. With every webinar ending in a Q&A session, it gives students the chance to easy any anxieties by talking directly to our Camps team.

Building Global Citizens Through Travel

Responsible Traveller Training supports our wider mission of helping young people become responsible global citizens.

It links directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and teaches students about:

• Environmental responsibility
• Cultural understanding
• Ethical travel
• Community led development
• Long term impact

By learning before they go, students are better equipped to engage meaningfully with the people and places they visit.

Part of a Bigger Preparation Journey

Responsible Traveller Training sits alongside other preparation steps such as fundraising, packing, fitness preparation and team building.

Together, these elements help students feel confident, capable and ready to take on the challenges of expedition life. An expedition is a big step for a lot of students, some of whom may never have been away from home for an extended period. We always aim to make sure that students feel confident, well prepared and excited about the experience ahead of them.

This preparation ensures that when students arrive at camp, they are not just visitors. They are participants in something purposeful and lasting.

Impactful Travel

Responsible Traveller Training ensures that every expedition begins with understanding, respect and responsibility. It helps students recognise the ripple effect of their travel choices and encourages them to leave a positive legacy wherever they go. It aims to teach students to support ethical choices when it comes to travelling overseas, and sets them up for success into the future.

By learning how to travel sustainably and engage thoughtfully with local communities, students are not only preparing for an expedition, they are preparing for a lifetime of responsible global citizenship.

However, responsible travel is not only about what students learn before departure, but also about how our expeditions are designed. Over time, itineraries have been carefully adapted to reduce carbon emissions wherever possible, from the way camps operate to how project work is delivered in country. In many cases, students actually live more sustainably on expedition than they do at home, using less energy, consuming fewer resources and embracing simpler, community-based living. By working alongside students in this way, we are continually striving to improve our own environmental response and ensure that together, we leave a lighter footprint on the planet.

Learn more about preparing for your expedition here.