Dear Team,
Smaller Earth began with a simple idea in 1999. After returning home from a life-changing summer at camp, Chris Arnold, with the help of his friend and swimming coach Dave Robinson, set out to create a company that would make it easier for young people to experience a summer in America. What started in a small bedroom in Liverpool has since grown to 17 countries and over 100,000 life-changing experiences.
At our core, our purpose is to inspire people to go further: across borders, into new cultures, and toward new perspectives. We believe cultural exchange builds understanding between people, and makes the world feel a little more connected.
For over two decades, this belief has driven us to create life-changing experiences through brands like Camp Leaders, Resort Leaders, and Camp Canada. These programs bring people together across cultures, and the connections they build last long after the adventure ends.
At every step of that journey, we've kept people at the heart of what we do. Whether it's our dedicated team, our participants, or our partners, staying true to our values and our people is what has made us successful.
A new chapter for Smaller Earth.
After 25 years in the business, Chris and Dave felt it was the natural time to think about the next chapter for Smaller Earth. Together with the leadership team, they began to explore options for the company's future. We considered several paths, from selling to an external buyer to merging with another company or seeking investment. However, as we evaluated each option, it became clear that none quite matched what we wanted for Smaller Earth's future.
Ultimately, entrusting the company to the people who live and breathe it every day was the only option: the people who helped make Smaller Earth what it is today.
With this vision in mind and the full support of the shareholders, we're pleased to announce that Smaller Earth will become an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). This means that our company will be held in trust for everyone who works here. Each of us can now call ourselves owners.
Over the coming months, we will form a new board of trustees who will work closely with the leadership team and with a responsibility to represent and protect the interests of Smaller Earth and its people.
While the majority of Smaller Earth will stay as we know it, there is one significant change we're pleased to share. Cleversteam will be stepping out on its own. For the past decade, Cleversteam has been a key part of the group, helping drive innovation and growth. Now, with new ownership and investment, they're set to focus fully on expanding the Hanover product to its full potential.
Our work continues, with a renewed commitment to bringing more life-changing experiences to new destinations worldwide. Further, we want to increase our efforts on diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability and accessibility, so our programs reach people from all backgrounds.
As we step into the next generation of Smaller Earth, we're excited for the road ahead. Thank you for being part of this with us. Together, we're going further than ever before.
