High School Specials age and eligibility criteria

Our dedicated travel projects for teenagers, known as High School Specials, are our most popular programmes, and we want to make them more accessible.

We’ve seen the passion and maturity of younger participants growing every year and have also witnessed the personal growth these projects offer. That’s why we want to make them available based on life stage, rather than age.

This page breaks down the reasoning behind our High School Special eligibility and every project you can do depending on your age and school year.

Why High School Specials are now available from age 14

“Age is just a number” - a cliche, but true. We want our participants to see the world and grow their skills because they are mature and ready to do so, not just because they are old enough.

That’s why we have aligned our eligibility with academic year rather than birth month wherever possible. This means you can travel with your peers even if you were born at the end of your academic year, which could otherwise mean you are “too young.”

Our philosophy is to provide educational trips that are tailored to your stage of life. This means picking up skills and having experiences that are relevant for higher education and university applications while you are still at school.

View all available High School Specials >

Projects available for anyone aged 14+

We have nine specially selected projects that are available for any participant aged 14 to 18. These have been selected because they have the most age-appropriate activities, a suitable structure, and access to Projects Abroad supervisors.

If you are aged 14 to 18, you can choose from:

Projects available for 14+ and in Year 10 or above

The majority of our High School Specials are available to students between the ages of 14 and 18 provided that they are in the equivalent of UK Year 10 or above at school. This way, a student born in August can still travel in July with people of the same age.

If you are aged 14 to 18 and in Year 10 or above, you can choose from anything already listed and:

Projects available for 15+ only

Some projects have strict age limitations due to the requirements of our partner organisations, legal complications, or accommodation restrictions in-destination.

If you are aged 15 to 18, you can choose from anything already listed and:

Projects available for 16+ only

Our Medical Internship in Peru is only available for students aged 16 to 18, due to local requirements.

Common questions from parents

Choosing an international project for a 14 year old is a big decision. Here is how we ensure a safe, inclusive, and age-appropriate experience:

How do you manage the age gap between participants?

We know that there can be a big social difference between a 14 year old and an 18 year old. That’s why we take extra steps to ensure all participants have the best experience possible.

Subdividing: we run entire projects separated by age (14 & 15; 16 to 18) when group sizes are big enough
Peer groups: whenever possible, we’ll keep 14 and 15 year olds together for social time and activities
Fully supervised: all of our High School Specials are fully supervised, which means your son or daughter is never alone, with help and support available 24/7

What are the rules for accommodation?

On all our projects, we have strict rules for accommodation. These are only further enforced on our High School Specials.

Vetted: safety and comfort are non-negotiable
Single sex: rooms are always separated by sex
Age-matched: we prioritise pairing 14 year olds with other 14 or 15 year olds
No "adult" roommates: a 14 year old will never be roomed alone or with an 18 year old volunteer under any circumstances

What if my child is the only participant aged 14?

Throughout the booking process, our Project Experts will be happy to discuss the age of other participants on the projects your child is interested in. This way, you can make an informed decision on which project might be best for them.

Here’s how we try to facilitate bookings for 14 year olds:

Clustering: we’ve selected nine specific projects that are available to all 14 year olds regardless of academic year, to help cluster younger volunteers together.
Flexibility: if you book a date and later find out another group has a better age mix, we can move your booking at no extra cost
Mentorship: if your child is the only participant aged 14, our staff can step in with extra support to ensure they feel 100% confident and part of the team

Is the project work suitable for a 14 year old?

The short answer is yes. If the work was unsafe or unsuitable for their age group or academic year, we would not offer it.

The eligibility of every project is chosen because the projects are designed with those specific participants in mind, and they are more than capable of handling the tasks.

However, our supervisors are trained to keep a closer eye on the basics, like hydration, energy levels, and homesickness, that younger teens might experience more intensely.

Can my children travel together?

Yes. If two or more of your children are aged between 14 and 18, they can join the same project. Ask your Project Expert about our sibling discount during the booking process!

Are there additional airline and immigration requirements for my 14 year old to travel?

Requirements for under 16 travellers vary widely depending on your child's nationality, their destination country, and the airline they are flying with - so there is no single set of rules that apply to every journey.

Common requirements to be aware of include consent letters, proof of guardianship, and the use of unaccompanied minor services (often for a fee).

We recommend that you check with your airline(s) before you book to ensure you understand what the requirements are.