Summary
Homeschooling’s flexibility lends itself famously to a range of places, even in the wild, to “do school.” Our experts share a few favorites.When I was Your Age…
Sometimes you really cannot take a break from academic work, but everyone needs a change of scenery. Enter homeschooling out in the wild. Pre-COVID, we would go to Chick-fil-A once a month. Kids would split ten or twenty chicken minis, I would get a coffee, and we would work.
Then the littles would play at the play place. A wonderful time was had by all, especially in the winter months. And we made friends with an elderly server there who really enjoyed seeing us all come in.
We also brought books along while camping, visiting grandma and grandpa, and even to the playground for a picnic. Depending on the age, grade level, and length of the trip, my kids either bring “bare bones” religion, English, and math, or they bring their whole curriculum.
We have had success with both. We have also homeschooled at the library. This works very well in the older grades when there are research papers to write. (I am old-fashioned; I teach my kids how to go to the library, use the card catalog, and find a certain book all on their own.)
Then I lecture them on how, when I was their age, we used actual cards in the card catalog. A bonus to all this is the curious stares from other patrons upon seeing five school-age kids out and about in the middle of a Tuesday afternoon.
Kristen Brown, Virginia
Our Wild Environments…
One of the many advantages of homeschooling is the flexibility it affords families. Whether it’s time, focus, or location, homeschooling allows families to set the pace, purpose, and place for learning.
So, homeschooling in the wild is a natural extension. In fact, I’d argue, teaching children to break free from the idea that learning requires a desk and a classroom is, in itself, a valuable life lesson. So, we did “school” in the van, at the library, in a museum, and in other wild locations.
Toting books, pencils, and paper or a laptop (since this is 2026) was simple enough. With just a little forethought, I was able to both ensure we could stick to our math lesson schedule (or any other subject) and enjoy those rare opportunities like a beautiful day at the park, a museum program, or a trip to visit family.
Occasionally, the wild was a doctor’s waiting room. In our case, homeschooling in the wild usually means taking along some but not all of our subjects. Although you could cover a full day’s worth of subject matter in the wild. However, we were typically homeschooling in the wild because we wanted to take advantage of a novel opportunity while staying on schedule.
I’ve known military families who benefited from homeschooling wherever life took them, and at least one family who took life and education on a years-long RV-living adventure across the country. Our wild environments weren’t quite as exciting or exotic, but the benefits were comparable. Homeschooling means raising lifelong learners who flourish in any setting.
Tara Brelinsky, North Carolina
Two Pieces of Advice…
When I first started homeschooling, I felt guilty about missing school when we had to go out on a school day. Now that I have been at it for over 17 years, I embrace the opportunity!
My husband was homeschooled over 40 years ago on a ranch, and he learned that school is about way more than just cracking open the textbooks! Although I admittedly get overwhelmed when I take my kids out, I have learned to cherish the precious moments we spend learning, no matter where we are.
Whether we are on a trip, on an errand, or at an appointment, I make the experience as educational and inspiring as possible. I have had nine babies, and we have been very blessed to have doctors who encouraged us to view routine ultrasounds together as a family.
This has been a profound experience for my children, teaching them about ultrasound technology, prenatal health, and the value of life in the womb. I also love taking our children on nature walks through the North Dakota prairie. During this time, I ask them about their favorite school subjects. I even practice multiplication with my math-loving son as we stroll along (the neighbors can’t “accuse” us of not doing school during school time!). Furthermore, we raise Texas Longhorns and chickens, which gives us amazing opportunities to educate our children.
Recently, we built our own electric fence, which provided ample lessons in electrical engineering. My children also helped their dad build an intricate Communion rail for our parish, which instilled in them a genuine sense of reverence for Our Lord.
When we visit my mom in Michigan, we stop at the beautiful museums in her town and at my home parish, savoring the rich Catholic heritage of the Hispanics who keep it alive. Every family has plenty of wonderful ways to homeschool in the wild and on the go!
Amanda Evinger, North Dakota
