Hop Skip Jump was founded by Joseph & Mason, two backpackers-turned-volunteers-turned-philanthropic tour leaders. It was born out of the ashes of a small non-profit that encouraged travelers to give back to local communities while exploring the world. After moving on from the non-profit sector, we created Hop Skip Jump to bring backpacker and volunteer-experience elements to the often sterile, well-worn travel industry and find ways to get more people to take the plunge and see this beautiful planet of ours.
Our motto, “The world is smaller than you think,” is meant to convey the idea that adventurous travel doesn’t have to be a far-off daydream. Far too many people put off travel under the false preconceptions that it’s too dangerous, too expensive, too difficult to plan, and so on. Others manage to get out there but think their only option is to stay on the paths most followed. We want to help you see the world and, more importantly, see it on your own terms. We want to show you how. We want to show you… The world is smaller than you think!
I came to travel from an entirely different angle from Joseph & actually owe most of my travel exposure to his influence. After spending my entire 20s and a good portion of my 30s making regrettable personal choices, I knew it was time for a change. Around the same time, Joseph had c0-founded a non-profit & was planning a volunteer trip to Thailand. Eager for new experiences & heeding Joseph’s advice to “just buy the ticket and let the rest fall into place,” I bought my ticket to go along for the ride. Fast forward 13 years, and I’ve become an avid traveler, exploring the world near & far. I attribute much of the happiness I’ve found in this second phase of my life to the transformative power of travel. Along this incredible journey, I crossed paths with my beautiful wife, Amanda, who has joined me in some of my most memorable travel adventures. We have recently welcomed two new additions to our family – a son named Miles and a daughter named Matilda. Today, we can hardly wait to share with our children the joys and lessons that travel has bestowed upon us, instilling a sense of wanderlust and curiosity in their young hearts.
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