Life-Changing Travel. Accessible to All.
We live in a world of constant noise. Endless scrolling. More followers than friendships. Pressure to perform. Compass is a space apart.
ESTABLISHED IN 2020Every year, we welcome hundreds of seekers, of all faiths and ages, to join us on our uniquely affordable service-learning programs to Iceland and the Azores.
Each trip is a sacred experience. By bringing together travelers of different backgrounds and perspectives, we empower them to cultivate deeper purpose and understanding, to become global citizens, ready to live their purpose and serve with joy.
WHAT MAKES
COMPASS
DIFFERENT?
We don’t just send people abroad.
We design journeys that cultivate purpose.
Service and Partnership
We work alongside long-term local partners rather than creating short-term projects.
Reflection isn't optional.
Transformation happens when experience meets intentional reflection.
Everyone belongs.
From high school students to retirees, Compass welcomes learners at every stage of life.
Our Values
Character
We help seekers develop a powerful compass for navigating uncertainty and connecting with their values and purpose.
Inclusivity
All are welcome at our table. We embrace unity, not uniformity, and celebrate the innate worthiness of all life.
Service
We find our place in the world by showing up and caring for ourselves, each other, and creation.
Courage
The Compass experience offers a radical departure from everyday noise toward shared wonder and courageous reflection.
Sample Schedule
Note
Every Compass trip is different! The schedule below is just an example—each experience varies depending on your group, location, and the needs of our partners in Iceland. The daily rhythm often shifts based on weather, service projects, and cultural opportunities.
You'll receive more specific trip details during your interview and in pre-trip meetings with your group.
Schedule
Day 1 Arrive in country, meet your group, get settled, and kick things off with orientation and a shared welcome dinner.
Day 2 Explore, meet local partners, and start diving into culture and context.
Day 3 Start your service work—hands-on projects and cultural learning experiences in collaboration with local organizations.
Day 4 Continue service and group reflection. Deepen your understanding of the area’s environmental and social priorities.
Day 5 Excursion day! Explore natural wonders with your group—mountains, waterfalls, coastlines, and more. Excursion days vary based on location.
Day 6 Wrap up service projects and celebrate your group’s collective impact. This is a time for final reflection, closing celebration, and time to take it all in.
Day 7 Depart for home—changed, challenged, and connected.
Daily routine
Breakfast
Start your day with your group.
Compass Time
An hour for grounding, journaling, or group connection to set the tone.
Service & Learning
Hands-on volunteering and cultural exchange with local partners.
Afternoon Break
Time to rest, explore, or recharge.
Group Dinner
Shared meals, sometimes cooked together, sometimes eaten out locally.
Table Talk
Guided conversations about purpose, justice, and your experiences.
Evening Activities & Free Time
Games, creative expression, quiet reflection, or group outings.
BY THE NUMBERS
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176
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14-82
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14
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$65,000+
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9.4/10
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Report increased purpose, hope, confidence, or faith engagement
Live for a purpose greater than yourself, and the world becomes a grand adventure.
Compass Partners
Our network of donors, foundations, and institutional partners share our passion for purpose and radical affordability. Their support makes our mission possible.
Compass is a 501c3 nonprofit organization. All donations are tax-deductible. Become a supporter today!
Compass is a beneficiary of a generous 3-year grant from Cummings Foundation. The annual Cummings $30 Million Grant Program supports non-profits situated in select regions of eastern Massachusetts. With a commitment to community welfare, the program allocates 150 grants each year to a wide array of deserving organizations.