Sharon Palmer, Managing Director at Camps International, shares why parents are embracing purposeful journeys to build resilience, empathy, and self-belief in their children.
In your experience, how are parents redefining the purpose of travel when it comes to their children’s development? Are you seeing a clear shift from relaxation-focused holidays to journeys with a deeper intention?
What I’ve seen change most significantly over the years is the intention behind travel. Parents are increasingly thinking about travel not simply as a break from routine, but as an opportunity for their child to grow.
Travel offers young people something difficult to replicate in familiar environments. When they step into a place where they are not automatically comfortable or certain, they begin to rely on their own instincts. They learn to observe, to adapt, and to engage with people and environments that are different from what they know. Parents recognise that these experiences shape confidence and self-understanding in a lasting way. It becomes less about where they go and more about how the experience allows their child to see themselves differently, as someone capable, adaptable, and able to navigate the world with greater independence.
Why do you think travel is becoming viewed as an important part of a child’s personal growth, rather than simply leisure time?
I think parents and educators are recognising that development doesn’t only happen through structured learning, but through experience. Young people learn a great deal when they are placed in environments that require them to think differently, interact with new people, and adapt to unfamiliar situations.
We’re also living in a time where young people are increasingly aware of the wider world, and parents want them to feel connected to it, rather than separate from it. Travel helps bridge that gap. It gives young people perspective and allows them to understand that there are many different ways of living, thinking, and being. Parents are beginning to see travel not just as something enjoyable, but as something formative, something that helps prepare their children emotionally and mentally for the future.
What emotional skills do children tend to develop through immersive, experience-led travel that they might not gain at home or in school?
One of the most important emotional skills young people develop through immersive travel is empathy. When they spend time in environments that are different from what they know, they begin to understand other perspectives in a much more meaningful way. They also develop emotional resilience. When things do not unfold exactly as expected, they learn to remain calm, to adjust, and to move forward. These experiences help them understand that uncertainty is manageable. They begin to trust themselves and their ability to navigate situations without relying entirely on familiarity.
Over time, young people develop a stronger sense of self. They recognise that they are capable of adapting, learning, and finding their place in new environments. This understanding strengthens their emotional confidence in a lasting way.
How does navigating unfamiliar situations – whether language barriers, outdoor adventures, or cultural differences – help build resilience and self-confidence in young travellers?
Resilience develops when young people realise that discomfort is not something that diminishes them, but something they can move through. When they encounter language barriers, unfamiliar routines, or environments that feel very different from home, they are forced to rely on their own ability to adapt.
Initially, there can be hesitation, but what happens over time is remarkable. They begin to recognise patterns, to problem-solve intuitively, and to engage with situations that once felt intimidating. They realise they do not need complete certainty in order to function confidently.
This creates a form of self-confidence that is deeply internal. It’s not based on achievement or external validation, but on the knowledge that they can navigate unfamiliar territory and remain grounded within themselves. That understanding influences how they approach future transitions, whether that’s entering university, starting a career, or making independent life decisions.
Do you believe there is value in children experiencing a level of discomfort or uncertainty while travelling? How can parents strike the right balance between challenge and security?
Discomfort, when experienced in the right environment, can be incredibly valuable. Growth rarely happens when everything feels easy and predictable. When young people are gently challenged, they begin to discover their own resilience and adaptability in ways that stay with them long after the experience ends.
The key is ensuring that young people feel supported while still being given the space to navigate new situations. In my experience leading expeditions with Camps International, this balance is incredibly important. Young people need to know that guidance is there if they need it, but they also need the opportunity to work things out for themselves. It is often in those moments, when they step slightly beyond what feels familiar, that they begin to realise their own capability. They begin to trust their own ability to navigate unfamiliar situations, and that trust becomes the foundation for future confidence.
From your observations, what long-term benefits do children carry into adulthood from immersive travel experiences? Are there patterns you’ve noticed in confidence, adaptability, or ambition?
The most lasting impact is often a shift in how young people relate to uncertainty. Those who have experienced immersive travel tend to approach change with greater openness rather than hesitation. They are more willing to step into unfamiliar environments, engage with people outside their usual circles, and adapt to situations that do not follow a predictable path.
Through my work with Camps International, I have seen how these experiences shape young people well beyond the duration of the journey itself. They return with a stronger sense of independence and a clearer understanding of their own capability. They are often more willing to take initiative, to explore opportunities that may previously have felt intimidating, and to trust their ability to navigate new experiences.
Over time, this translates into greater adaptability and emotional confidence. They understand that growth does not require certainty and that they are capable of finding their footing even in unfamiliar situations. This mindset becomes incredibly valuable as they move into adulthood, influencing how they approach education, career choices, and personal challenges.
Based on your own experience leading expeditions and working closely with young people over the years, is there a particular moment or transformation you’ve witnessed that truly captures the impact travel can have on a child’s confidence or outlook?
There have been many moments over the years, but what stands out most is witnessing the quiet transformation that happens when a young person begins to see themselves differently. At the start of an expedition, it is not uncommon for some young people to feel unsure of themselves. They may hesitate to speak, to participate fully, or to step forward in unfamiliar situations.
As the experience unfolds, something begins to shift. They start engaging more openly, forming connections, and taking small steps outside their comfort zone. You see them becoming more assured in their interactions and more comfortable in themselves. It is rarely a dramatic moment, but rather a gradual and deeply meaningful change.
I remember one student who had been identified at school as someone likely to struggle. There were concerns about how he would cope with the demands of a month in Kenya, living in simple conditions and working alongside local communities. Yet during the expedition, he gradually became one of the most committed members of the group. He took responsibility for his role and earned the respect of those around him. When he returned home, his mother later shared that he spoke with a new sense of clarity about his future. For the first time, he believed in his own direction.
Moments like this capture the true impact of immersive travel. It is not about changing who a young person is but about helping them recognise their own capability and carry that belief forward.
