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Real Stories,
Real Adventures

Discover what travelers and press are saying about our life-changing journeys. From personal transformations to unforgettable experiences.

350+
Travelers
25%
Return Within 3 Years
11+
Countries
Michael Forbes

Michael Forbes

Japan 2022 • DuPont, WA

"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."

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In The Press

What others are saying about WanderRock trips

Traditional Japanese Dinner

For neurodiverse young adults, traveling with peers can mean the world

"Guides are skilled in leading tours and promoting self-confidence while traveling. Kempf explains that these are groups "comprised of young adults that recognize and accept each other as true peers." He adds that "WanderRock creates unique spaces and life-enriching experiences for those that want to safely step into the unknown."'
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Samurai Training

This Pioneering Tour Company Designs Trips for Neurodiverse Young Adults

"Kempf and Raede, along with their team of trusted tour guides, have put careful thought into every aspect of each trip. Choosing simple and predictable accommodations means travelers have a safe place to recharge, for example. "The support is the curation," says Kempf."
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Meet The Team

Our experienced team brings together decades of expertise in travel, education, and supporting neuro-diverse young adults. With backgrounds in special education, international tour guiding, and personal experience navigating the world as neuro-diverse individuals, we're uniquely qualified to create transformative travel experiences.

Danny Raede

Danny Raede

Co-Founder / Head of Trip Development

Danny, diagnosed with Asperger's (now called High-Functioning Autism) & ADHD at age 12, is the CEO of Autism Experts and Co-Founder of WanderRock. He has visited 19 countries across 5 continents, bringing his passion for exploration to every trip.

Ted Kempf

Ted Kempf, MA T

Co-Founder / Head of Curriculum Development

Ted has been designing programs for neuro-diverse young adults since 2008. With a Masters in Education and extensive travel experience, he brings both academic and practical expertise to our programs.

Eileen Orquiza

Eileen Orquiza

Lead WanderRock Guide

Eileen brings extensive experience living in Japan and working as a tour guide. Fluent in Japanese, she has traveled to 10+ countries and specializes in cultural immersion experiences.

Shane Guerin

Shane Guerin

Lead WanderRock Guide

As a neurodiverse individual himself, Shane brings a wealth of international experience, having traveled to dozens of countries across four continents. Speaking conversational Japanese and basic German, he specializes in creating authentic cultural experiences and meaningful connections.

Learn More About WanderRock

Watch our 1-minute program overview to understand what to expect on a WanderRock trip. You'll see our unique approach to travel, our experienced guides, and how we create safe, supportive environments for neuro-diverse young adults to explore the world.

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Join 350+ travelers who've explored with us

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What Our Travelers Say

Real experiences from recent adventures

"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."

Will
Will Slocum
Pasadena, California

"All the guides were super helpful and friendly and always willing to answer any questions we had on the trip. It was my first time traveling abroad without my parents. My favorite part was Kinosaki I loved the onsens and it was so relaxing and therapeutic.

I also loved all the different foods, I got to try and experience for the first time. It definitely brought out my confidence in myself I know I can do anything I set my mind to. My biggest lesson I learned is that I need to listen to my body whether it be mentally or physically. I also learned that I can travel on my own. I just need to trust myself."

Nora
Nora Lewis
Concord, California

"With my trip with WanderRock to Japan I experienced a sense of inner peace and silence even with autism that I had never had before in my life. I learned to see what's in front of me rather than trying to prepare for the next cataclysmic event that was going to be stressful to me. In my opinion, I was given the right amount of freedom to make my own decisions and the right amount of rules and control to not feel overwhelmed.

Help or support was never far away from me on any of the other individuals traveling with me. I'm the kind of person that struggles making any plans without planning it to death. This was the freedom and safety I needed to truly experience and jump right in. The connections and opportunities I was able to be apart of on my trip in Japan was nothing less then stunning."

Remington
Remington Shindel
Monument, Colorado

"I've always had low self-confidence, and never really held any belief in my capabilities. All of that changed after this trip. This trip gave me a peace of mind about myself I'd never known. I learned what I was capable of when put in an environment that fosters growth and learning, and found a place I felt like I belonged.

I found a new sense of confidence in myself that I don't know if I would've found without going on a trip with WanderRock. If you're on the fence about taking this trip, I highly recommend going out of your comfort zone for it. This trip changed my life for the better, and I'm sure it can change yours too if you let it."

Len
Len Lawler
Millersville, Maryland

"Going to Japan with Wanderrock was perhaps the best decision I ever made. I have saved lives, human and animal. I have inspired and uplifted dozens of children through my work in childcare over the last few summers. I've loved, and laughed, and lived through experiences that many would wish for, and that has been fortunate for me. And of everything I've done, going to Japan with WanderRock is still perhaps the best decision I've ever made.

I got to climb a mountain and feed monkeys, I played at shooting galleries and arcades, put coins in a frankly inadvisable amount of gachapon machines, and ate the most delightful food. Kinosaki is a slower leg, but exploring all the shops in a smaller, more rural town, wearing a rental yukata in the streets, and coming back to enjoy a bath in a private natural hot spring was a level of peace I haven't felt in my entire life, until that trip or since I came home.

While there were plenty of opportunities to engage in modern nerdy culture, and I did partake in my share of that, I much preferred the traditional culture. In Tokyo alone I purchased authentic wood block prints, second hand kimono, and explored quite a few shrines and temples. I keep a good luck charm on me at all times now, at least when I'm out of the house. If you're on the fence about going on this trip, do it. Without hesitation I can vouch that you will love it more than you can possibly imagine. My life is drastically better from having gone on this trip, and I'm sure yours will be too."

Katrina
Katrina Cutrara
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Trip Photos

Get a glimpse of the experiences that await you on a WanderRock trip

Posing by a vending machine
Shinkansen
Nara Gate
A big cotton candy
Wearing yukata
Beer in Germany
Colliseum
Super Nintendo World
Izakaya
The Vatican
Practicing samurai techniques
Dinner at Kinosaki

Our Core Beliefs

The foundational principles that guide our approach to travel and personal growth

Stress + Rest = Growth

The combination of good stress (from visiting new places, trying new things and the physical act of travel) plus deep restorative rest (from things like meditation, nature, hot tubs, and hanging out with friends) equals growth.

Contrast Breeds Wisdom & Maturity

Those who have had more experiences in their life have more contrast, and thus are able to have more perspective about the decisions they make in the world. It's a lot easier to navigate home life once you've had to navigate the challenges of life on the road.

Book Knowledge ≠ Experiential Knowledge

There's only so much that can be done through reading and learning. To get the real knowledge, you need to get out there into the experience of it, experiencing the world with all 5 senses, exploring a foreign town, or meeting new people. There is no replacement for direct, lived experience.

Environments Cause Tendencies

The environments we spend the most time in tend to cause us to act in certain ways. A nice, quiet bedroom with a computer on a desk will promote time spent on that computer. A giant cliff with a waterfall and hiking trails will cause tendencies of hiking.

Your Adventure Starts Here

Join our community of travelers and discover a world of growth, friendship, and unforgettable experiences.

Expert-Led Adventures

Professional guides with specialized training in supporting neuro-diverse travelers

Small Groups

6-24 travelers per trip ensures personalized attention and authentic connections

Comprehensive Support

Full support throughout your journey with expert guides and carefully planned itineraries