WanderRock leads all-inclusive, international small group adventures for neuro-diverse young adults with High Functioning Autism, ADHD, Anxiety etc.
Our programs are built so that they induce growth and provide challenge... but aren't completely overwhelming or overstimulating.
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"The trip I took to Japan with WanderRock was one of the best experiences of my life, I was able to make so many new friends that have similar struggles to me which was so exciting. The guides were great enabling us to experience a new culture which might otherwise be overwhelming, and in a way that made us feel comfortable."
Our Core Beliefs
Get Them Out Into The World... By Getting Them Out Into The World
Stress + Rest = Growth
Contrast Breeds Wisdom & Maturity
Book Knowledge ≠ Experiential Knowledge
Environments Cause Tendencies
Co-Founder / Head of Trip Development
Danny Raede, diagnosed with Asperger's & ADHD at age 12, is the CEO of Asperger Experts, the world's largest training & coaching organization for families on the Autism Spectrum, and the Co-Founder of WanderRock.
Growing up in Santa Barbara, CA, he has always had a passion for exploring the world. He has been to 19 countries on 5 continents, and enjoys the challenge of finding good mexican food wherever he goes.
Co-Founder / Head of Curriculum Development & Admissions
Ted has been involved in designing and building programs for neuro-diverse teens and young adults since 2008. He has a Masters in Secondary & Post-Secondary Education and has spent time living in South America, traveling Europe and studying Polynesian Anthropology & Ethnobotany in the South Pacific.
In his free time he enjoys surfing, playing soccer and spending time with his family.
Lead WanderRock Guide
Eileen has extensive experience living in Japan and working as a tour guide. She speaks fluent Japanese and, in addition to Japan, has had the pleasure of traveling to other 10 countries including Taiwan, Italy, The Philippines and Mexico.
The thing she loves most about traveling is seeing a world different from where she came from and immersing herself into their culture.
Lead WanderRock Guide
Shane says "As a child, I was raised under the philosophy that the best way to learn about the world is to genuinely experience it for yourself. As such, I've had the fortune of being able to travel frequently and create those incredible defining moments in dozens of countries across four continents.
From racing down the Autobahn in Germany and swimming with sharks in Polynesia, to hiking with elephants in the jungles of Thailand and teaching ESL in Japan, I can't say I've seen it all, but I've certainly seen a lot. I also speak conversational Japanese and basic German, which has helped aid in both my travels and connections."
WanderRock Guide
Judah says, "I grew up moving a lot and I’ve been up and down the West Coast too many times to count. From southern Baja Mexico, to the islands in the strait of Juan de Fuca.
I love exploring new cultures and alternate ways of thinking, and am thrilled to be sharing my love of exploring the unknown with others."
The WanderRock Curriculum
Our curriculum is designed to follow our main ethos: Putting more life in our travelers lives. We believe that travel is one of the best ways to gain real world skills that will last a lifetime.
Those skills include...
Travelers will learn & gain confidence in the practical application of logistical skills that they can take into every day life. These skills aren't something that can be taught in a classroom or by reading, so we emphasize practical experience whenever possible.
For example, travelers might have to research dinner options, negotiate with peers, check to see if the restaurant fits within their budget for the week, and plan how to get there on public transportation.
Sequencing and Processing
Time & Money
Problem Solving
One of the great things about travel is that by experiencing different cultures, it gives our travelers a new sense of perspective & a greater wisdom as they go about their daily life. Our program uses deep cultural immersion & the physical environment to give our travelers a greater understanding of themselves, their worldview and the people around them.
Building Empathy & Creating Tolerance
Re-Aligning Personal Stories
Becoming More Flexible
Being out on the road teaches our travelers a lot about their basic needs, and our program highlights those needs and helps our travelers make good decisions about eating, relaxation, sleep, hydration & more, based on their own felt sense of checking in with themselves.
Emotional Capacity & Vagal Tone
Deep Relaxation
Bodily Needs
Our travelers will have many, many opportunities to connect with their peers and the people of the various communities we visit, which will allow them to practice social skills & community engagement in a safe, welcoming way.
Sharing & Advocating
Interpersonal Skills
Building Motivation
"This trip to Japan was a masterpiece of an itinerary which provided something that blew me away every single day. Thanks to all of you for caring about me as a person, putting your best foot forward to insure my happiness and giving me experiences unlike anything else that I had ever seen or done."
What's Included With My Program Fee?
Your program fee covers most of the expenses on the trip like flights, hotels, meals, activities and transit. The only extra cost you need to plan for is getting to and from our start point in the US, alcohol if you decide to partake and are of legal drinking age, and any souvenirs you wish to purchase.
Here's the details of everything that is included...
Your fee covers all travel activities during the itinerary. Unlike 99% of the group tour operators out there, we don't upsell you or try to sell extra experiences.
Nightly accommodations
All Planned Activities & Attraction Tickets
Food & Snacks
All Transportation (Including International Flights)
Our guides have a deep love for taking people on trips to new places. They're experienced travelers, speak multiple languages, have been trained in first-aid and CPR and understand the unique challenges that come with taking neuro-diverse individuals abroad.
No One Gets Lost
Empathetic & Caring
Neuro-Diverse Themselves
Our curriculum involves much more than just travel. With group discussions to process the day and ice-breaking events to help everyone get to know each other, our program is designed to be impactful, empowering and one of the best experiences you'll have in a very long time.
New Skills & Practical Applications
New Friends
Pre Trip Orientation & Chat
Advice, Wisdom & Coaching
Is A WanderRock Trip Right For Me?
If you've always dreamed of seeing the world, but never had the opportunity until now, you've come to the right place! WanderRock is designed to get you out of your room and into the big, wide world.
On a WanderRock trip, you'll do things you never thought you could, make deep, lasting relationships and experience the cultural wealth of the world in a deeply immersive way that will put a lot more life in your life.
So if you are the type of person who wants to see new sights, visit new places, try new things and experience new cultures but might need a bit of help & support along the way, then you are a perfect fit for a WanderRock trip.
Our trips aren't designed to put you in luxury hotels and have you gaze upon large buildings and monuments from an air conditioned bus. Whenever possible, we experience the local culture as the locals do.
With a deep focus on new experiences, and an equally deep focus on deep restorative self care, you'll not only have the opportunity to do things you never thought you'd have the chance to do, but you'll gain the skills to not be overwhelmed while doing it.
To join us on a WanderRock trip you must be:
For as long as humans have been alive, travel has been a way to clear your head, reset your thoughts and shift into a new version of who you are. There's a different way of seeing the world that only develops through... well, seeing the world.
Once you've had to deal with living & sleeping in a foreign place for multiple weeks, it makes it a lot easier to deal with daily life back home.
Danny Raede Co-Founder & Head of Trip Development
What Can I Expect On A WanderRock Trip?
On a WanderRock trip, you'll experience deep & lasting friendships, try new foods, experience new cultures and make lasting lifelong memories that will enable you to gain a greater perspective of yourself & the world around you.
Here's what awaits you when you embark on your WanderRock trip...
A Built In Social Group
Increased Confidence
New Independence Skills
Time To Deeply Relax
Sightseeing & More
Memorable Experiences
Adventures Galore
What Are Some Things To Keep In Mind On Your Trips?
Our trips are intentionally different than most other travel adventures out there.
At the end of the day, it's important to recognize that travel comes with some inherent unknowns & uncomfortable moments, so we want to make sure you'll not only have a great time on our trips, but that you'll be able to eat the food thats offered, participate in the activities that the group does, and overall have a positive experience.
Here's what that entails...
Our trips can involve lengthy travel. That means that you might experience a 7+ hour plane journey, or an all day train or bus ride. In other words, you'll need to be ok with long journeys. But don't worry! There will be plenty to do on board, and you'll be well taken care of. Our expert guides will make sure you are well equipped to handle the rigors of long journeys.
On our trips you will most likely be sharing a room with someone else. In some of our accommodations, there are shared bathrooms and most of these bathrooms have individual shower stalls for your privacy. However, we stay in local accommodations whenever possible, and depending on the country and its customs, their bathing practices and facilities may differ substantially from what you are used to. See your trip itinerary for details.
When traveling you can't always eat exactly what you'd like to. Sure in any modern big city (Munich, Tokyo, etc) you can basically find any type of food you'd like, but in some of the smaller cities that we may be staying in there may not be the exact type of food you'd like to eat, and you may need to try something new.
We'll do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences you have, but can't guarantee anything. That being said, we've found some delicious tacos in weird places like Fes, Morocco, so you'd be surprised what you can find when you are really hungry for it!
Your trip itinerary can provide more details.
Our trips involve lots of walking. There are days where we will be walking 5, sometimes 10 miles throughout the day. You should be in good enough health to handle waking consistently for 40 minutes without stopping or sitting down. Note that occasionally you may be carrying your backpack (weighing up to 20 pounds) while walking. Depending on the itinerary, we'll also have some optional experiences that allow you to exercise in a more rigorous fashion (such as rock climbing or hiking).
If you aren't an active person already that's ok! All you need is a willingness to try and a recognition that the more you participate, the easier it is. That being said, people who are extremely out of shape or overweight may have a harder time on our trips.
Depending on our itinerary and the local customs of the area, the mattresses you sleep on may be very hard or very soft, so you should be free from major back problems that may be aggravated by different mattress firmnesses. It's also important to note that you may be in bunk beds, so you should be able to climb up and down ladders easily.
We don't allow checked bags on our trips, so you'll need to pack light and for carry-on only. That means a backpack! We'll provide full guidance and advice on how to do this properly, but if you are someone who needs to bring a lot with them on a trip, this may not be the trip for you. You'll be surprised how much you can do without!
"Unbelievable. I use that word a lot because that describes most of the trip to Europe. It was just unbelievable.
My family goes on vacation about once or twice a year, and I've been suggesting Europe up for as long as I can remember, and we've never gone. I never really was confident that I'd be Self-sufficient enough to make it over on my own. And now having gone, it's it was just as amazing as I'd always imagined."
We're happy to chat and answer any questions you have about our program.
Call, text, email, fill out our contact form, or use the live chat in the bottom right to get in touch.
2443 Fillmore St. #380-2362
San Francisco, CA 94115
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