Unlocking young people’s potential through Travel to Learn
YHA Australia’s foundation, YHA Travel to Learn, empowers disadvantaged young people to unlock their potential through travel experiences and employment opportunities.
By removing the financial, geographic or logistical barriers they face, we help young people explore the world and find their place within it.
As a provider of low-cost, quality accommodation to curious travellers for more than 80 years, YHA Australia has seen the transformative power of travel – and wants to share it with young people who otherwise would not be able to experience it.
Transforming young people through travel
Travel can transform lives, but it’s out of reach for many.
Research from The Smith Family shows 4 in 10 parents worry their children will miss out on educational activities outside of school, and 1 in 3 think they’ll miss school excursions for financial reasons.
By missing out, disadvantaged young people lose the opportunity to develop crucial life skills travel provides, like maturity, independence and resilience.
Whether it’s a young person who’s never left their hometown in regional Australia, a parent struggling to cover the costs of their child’s excursion or a school-leaver seeking their first role in hospitality, YHA Travel to Learn wants to help.
It’s a new and innovative approach to learning life skills and experiencing life-changing opportunities, and we have the ambitious goal of supporting 370 disadvantaged young people each year.
“When I worked for YHA we opened new and larger YHA properties which were suitable for groups especially during the quieter months in term time. We noticed that schools from more affluent areas were well represented whilst those from many other areas were missing. The reason being that some parents were not able to fund the school trip and the result was nobody from that class or school travelled. The opportunity for a school trip is an important milestone as is often the first time away from family for a young person as well as being educational and a whole lot of fun. The idea of YHA Travel to Learn as a separate charity was born and it is great to see it now coming to fruition.”
Testimonial from former YHA Australia CEO, Julian Ledger
Make a donation
Help a young person participate in a life-changing travel experience by helping us cover travel and meal expenses, accommodation, or the cost of education activities.
You’ll be expanding their horizons, contributing to their sense of identity and helping them find their place in the world.
All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible and you can make a one-off or ongoing donation.
Travel to Learn Champions
Join a special group of supporters who make a $500 or more annually to facilitate the work of the Foundation. Open doors for young people to embark on exciting, fulfilling experiences and career opportunities by assisting with transport and travel costs, accommodation, education fees, and other expenses.
Gift in will
Help the young travellers of today as well as the travellers of tomorrow.
A gift in your will is a meaningful way to pass on your own love of travel to the next generation and enrich the lives of young people through exploring new places, making connections and opening their minds.
Corporate partnership
We’re seeking like-minded corporate partners who can help us create purposeful change for young people across Australia, by supporting travel experiences and employment opportunities that they wouldn’t otherwise have.
By partnering with us, you’ll be working with a for-purpose, membership-based organisation that’s been supporting travellers for more than 80 years.
Need our help?
If you’re seeking funding for students on an upcoming excursion and align with the goals of the YHA Travel to Learn Foundation, we’d love to hear more and see how we can help.
YHA Australia is a proud member of Hostelling International – a network of more than 2,500 hostels across 58 countries that share the mission of making travel more sustainable & accessible.
YHA Travel to Learn Limited
ABN: 67 637 135 990
11-23 Rawson Place, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia
feedback@traveltolearn.com.au