Homeschool Travel Opportunities
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When we first started homeschooling, I’m not going to lie…the thought of all the homeschool travel opportunities out there pretty much sealed the deal for me.
This article is part of my Homeschool Travel Tips Series and part of the multi-blogger Tips for Homeschool Moms series. Whether you’re reading this during the series or after…welcome! My name is Elizabeth and I’m a homeschool mom to two boys in New Jersey. I fully believe that learning should be meaningful, memorable, and FUN…and full of travel!
When I think back to my childhood years spent going to public school, I’ll always tell you that I don’t really remember the worksheets, educational videos, and specials classes. I do remember my 5th grade classroom Spelling Bee, but that’s another story for another day.
Anyways, I don’t really remember the day-to-day activities of public school and I’m sure I’m not alone in that. There wasn’t anything meaningful, memorable, or fun about “competing” with my classmates in timed multiplication drills. Ugh.
What do I remember? The field trips. The experiences.
I vividly remember the 4th grade bus ride we took around town while learning about notable people and places of New Jersey.
I remember going to a Philadelphia Phillies baseball game for a 3rd grade field trip.
I remember camping in a cabin, in the middle of the pine barrens, in 6th grade. For some reason, we never did find the Jersey Devil in those woods.
I remember “skipping” school for a week to go do Walt Disney World. EPCOT has always been my favorite park!
The experiences stuck with me and I’m willing to bet that, if you went to school outside of the home, you’re the same way.
This is why, when we decided we were going to homeschool, I was so so excited about the possibilities of homeschool travel.
Travel Near & Far
Before we get too far into the series, I need to explain my views on defining “travel.” While I’d love to hop on a plane every week and travel to a new and exotic place, that just isn’t feasible. It get to be both expensive and exhausting!
If you ask me, “travel” means being anywhere BUT at home.
Story time at the library down the street? Travel.
Driving an hour to go to the beach? Travel.
Driving a few hours away to visit out-of-state family? Travel.
Spending a week at the most magical place on earth (please tell me you know where I’m talking about!)? Travel!
All travel can be a memorable learning experience! And, if you want some tips on finding local community events and local opportunities for homeschool travel, you’ll definitely want to check out my Learning Through Local Events article!
For now, though? Let’s move onto some of the more “far” travel options, shall we?
Why Travel While Homeschooling?
If I haven’t convinced you yet that homeschool travel is a magical experience, let me ask you this: do you prefer traveling when crowds are at a minimum or a maximum?
See what I mean?
As homeschoolers, we have the amazing ability to make executive decisions in how we spend our days. Homeschooling requirements do vary by state, but, for the most part, we get a say in how (and where!) our kids learn.
In addition to being able to travel during the “off” season, we also have the opportunity to take advantage of some travel savings because travel often costs less during the not-as-popular times.
We might as well take advantage of that freedom and seize the moments that are available to us!
Homeschool Travel Organizations
Did you know that there are businesses and groups that focus solely on organizing homeschool travel events?
Right?! Mind blown! I had no idea about these businesses until recently, so it’s only right that I share this info with you guys!
Now, while I haven’t yet used many of these organizations, I do feel that they’re definitely worth taking a look into.
Traveling Homeschoolers
Traveling Homeschoolers is the organization I hear about most. They coordinate homeschool travel to multiple locations and, get this…they even organize group trips to Walt Disney World!
EA Tours
EA Tours will design trips for your homeschool group and, unlike some other organizations, your group is YOUR group. In case you’re hesitant about peopling with those you don’t already know, this could be a great option for you!
EDU Trips
EDU Trips can create a custom educational itinerary for your next homeschool excursion.
Your Local Travel Agent
Want to take control of your homeschool travel? Ask your local travel agent to plan something awesome for you! You might even have a travel agent in your own homeschool community.
Discount Sites
Discount sites like Groupon often have travel packages that could easily be turned into an educational visit! If you have a membership to a wholesale store (Costco is like my second home), they may offer travel packages as well.
Do you know of any other businesses that should be added to this section? Please leave a comment below and I’d be happy to add them!
While travel-specific businesses can be plenty beneficial for planning your next homeschool travel opportunities, it’s also worth mentioning that you should/could do some Facebook searches for “homeschool travel.” Search for “travel” in your homeschool groups and see what pops up, too!
There are quite a few Facebook groups that organize homeschool trips to popular hotel/waterpark destinations and even theme parks, but they all seem to be the “you need to know a current member” kind of group to gain membership.
It can’t hurt to ask around, you know?
For even more tips on homeschool travel, be sure to check out all the articles in our Homeschool Travel Tips series!
Until next time, stay safe and enjoy quality time with your family,
Elizabeth Dukart is a proud born and raised Jersey Girl, wife, and mom of 2 human boys & 1 canine boy.
Created in 2021, Elizabeth owns and publishes That Homeschool Family: a free resource for homeschooling parents and beyond! A seasoned blogger, Elizabeth previously published a popular location-specific family resource blog, but decided to “Pivot!” her blogging focus after she started homeschooling her two boys in 2020. In addition to this blog, you can follow Elizabeth’s homeschooling and family adventures on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest.
When she’s not busy taking over the world or homeschooling, Elizabeth can be found listening to music (especially The Beatles & Harry Styles!), being silly with her boys, watching movies with family, shopping, or traveling!
Have a question or want to work with Elizabeth? Send her an email!
