Journeys International’s president Robin Weber Pollak (above left, sharing pastry with a Journeys traveler in Jordan) reflects on launching the new Summit Club, an alumni rewards program. As daughter of the company’s founders, she has been traveling with Journeys
since age 4.

We are so appreciative of the many world travelers who come back over and over again to take trips with Journeys International. I, personally, feel lucky to have the chance to serve such a generous, interesting, curious bunch of people. It has been a blessing to get to know you, to hear about your adventures, and even to share the trail with several dozen of you.

You, our Journeys travelers, have given me so much over the years, including:

  • An introduction to Indy car racing
  • A short-lived obsession with R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books in the early ’90s
  • Tips on the least painful foods to eat with braces
  • Connections to the (first?) Clinton administration
  • Some new dance moves
  • Lessons on how to pack chocolate so it doesn’t melt (and when not to even try)
  • A lime green hand-me-down t-shirt from The Gap that I wore until it shredded
  • A side-splitting concept for an episode of The Simpsons about climbing Mt. Everest
  • Advice on when to do laundry in the sink and when to pack enough for the whole trip
  • Understanding of the necessity – and value – of rolling with the inevitable changes in a day’s plans
  • Gallons of shared sunscreen and bug spray
  • Invitations to your homes
  • Role models of what engaged and responsible travelers look like
  • Companionship in learning
  • Stories of lives lived in other places, at other times, and from other perspectives
  • Borrowed eyes through which to see the world

…and a lot more, too. I know that each person who works here could make their own list like this one.

The point is, we’re really excited to launch the Summit Club rewards program to thank our travelers. We want to give you some extra benefits to say thank you for choosing to travel with Journeys – and to thank you for sharing your adventures and experiences with us.