Introducing the Hero Travel Fund

Introducing

The Hero Travel Fund

October 1, 2024 | By Michael Bennett, Ed.D., and Mikayla Templeton

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Travel hasn’t just been a part of my story — it’s been the heartbeat of my life, pulsing through every experience and decision I’ve made. When I was young, I wasn’t surrounded by passports and plane tickets. I grew up in a family that didn’t travel much, but I always felt an insatiable curiosity to see what lay beyond my small world. While my friends were glued to their Ataris and Nintendos — we were, after all, children of the 80s — lost in the latest pixelated adventures, I was chasing Carmen Sandiego through virtual landscapes, dreaming of the day I could set foot in the real ones. I wasn’t born into a family that traveled, but that only fueled my desire to see, feel, and experience everything I could. I was obsessed with the idea that somewhere out there, life was happening in ways I couldn’t yet imagine.

That obsession found its first spark in Costa Rica. My undergrad study abroad experience was supposed to be just another box checked off in my academic journey, but it became something much more profound. I found myself in a world so rich with life, culture, and connection that it altered my entire perspective. Each conversation, each meal shared with a local family, each breathtaking view of the rainforest wasn’t just an experience — it was a mirror, reflecting back pieces of myself I hadn’t even known were missing. And then, amidst the beauty, life threw me a curveball — a collision that left me with a broken finger, a concussion, a busted shoulder, and a fierce determination to live with purpose. As I lay recovering, I made a vow: I wouldn’t take a single moment of this wild, unpredictable ride for granted.

That moment of clarity led me down a path of discovery that spanned continents, cultures, and years of self-reflection. My passion turned into purpose, leading me to earn a doctorate in experiential learning. But it wasn’t enough to just study the world; I wanted to feel it, understand it, and, most importantly, share it. The world had shaped me, and I knew it could shape others, too. That’s why I co-founded Explorer X in 2017 — not just to send people on trips, but to offer them journeys that open their minds and hearts to new possibilities. The Hero Travel Fund is an extension of that vision — a way to give someone the chance to break free from the everyday and experience the world in a way that stays with them forever. Because once you’ve tasted the magic of travel, you’re never the same. It doesn’t just change where you are, it changes who you are.

The world has a way of calling to us, doesn’t it? A quiet, insistent pull that whispers, There’s more. More to see, more to learn, more to feel. And when we answer that call, something extraordinary happens. We don’t just step into a new place — we step into new versions of ourselves. That’s what travel is really about. It’s not just about the destination; it’s about the way the world changes you and how you reconnect with the things and people that truly matter.

For us, that’s the why. Travel gives us the space to reconnect with ourselves, with our loved ones, and with the vast diversity of people, cultures, and perspectives this world has to offer. It's about slowing down, seeing with fresh eyes, and embracing the unknown. We believe that slow, mindful travel sparks insights that stay with you long after you’ve returned home — insights that turn into actions, new behaviors, and lasting change.

This deeper understanding isn’t just personal. It ripples outward, influencing the way we work, live, and impact the world around us. It’s where passion meets purpose, where meaning intersects with the practicalities of life. We’re proud of the journeys we’ve created and the lives we’ve touched so far, but we know there’s always more. More to explore, more stories to share, more lives to inspire. Because in the end, travel isn’t just about where you go — it’s about how it changes you and how you carry that change forward into the world.

Many people who dedicate their lives to making the world a better place rarely get the chance to step away and experience the kind of travel that opens their hearts to new perspectives. These are the individuals doing incredible work — teachers, social workers, nonprofit leaders — whose impact is felt deeply in their communities. We believe that heroes aren't defined by capes or superpowers — they are the everyday individuals who show up with strength, compassion, and resilience for their communities. As the ancient Greeks believed, a hero is someone who has the strength of two — not just for themselves, but for the people they uplift. Through the Hero Fund, we aim to honor these protectors by offering them a journey that reflects the magnitude of the work they do every day. But their efforts often go unrecognized, and they don’t always get the opportunity to recharge and immerse themselves in the wider world they help shape.

That’s where the Hero Travel Fund (HTF) comes in. We created this fund to offer those who are passionate about making a positive impact in their community and in the world the opportunity to experience a journey that reflects the magnitude of the work they do every day. It’s for the ones who have poured so much into others and now have a chance to reconnect with themselves and the world in a meaningful way. The HTF is an invitation for these changemakers to immerse themselves in new cultures, ideas, and places — an experience that opens their minds and hearts, sparking new ideas and energy for their work back home.

This isn’t just about taking a break. Through the HTF, we’re offering a fully supported journey — one that emphasizes slow, intentional travel. It’s about deep connections, human-to-human interactions, and the kind of experiences that stay with you long after the trip is over. We believe in creating space for real learning, real reflection, and real change, because when you open yourself to the world, you find new ways to make an impact back home. As we say, your journey will always, always extend outward to impact others. We need more heroes willing to take that step and return with the power to create ripples of change in their communities and beyond.

If you — or someone you know — are driven by a passion to uplift your community, inspire change, and make a lasting impact on the world, this is your moment. If you’ve been dreaming of an extraordinary journey, one that takes you beyond the ordinary and into the heart of new cultures and perspectives, but the financial barriers have been holding you back, then the HTF is for you. This is your opportunity to step into a world of exploration, connection, and growth. We're here to help bring those travel dreams to life, to support you as you embark on a journey that will not only transform you but ripple out into the lives of those you touch.

Request an application below, and a member of our team will personally guide you through the process. Together, we’ll help you craft a journey that aligns with your vision, your purpose, and your passion. This is more than just travel — it’s your chance to connect, discover, and make a lasting impact.