The end of summer does not have to mean the end of vacations for homeschoolers. One of the benefits of homeschooling is that “home” can be anywhere for a time. Whether lengthy road trips or day trips to historic sites and natural features in your area, travel and field trips can be a great way to enhance learning throughout the year.

Especially with the rise of remote work in different industries, parents are able to facilitate learning on the road. Some homeschool families opt for a year-round school, so they can take time off during the school year. The sites that are packed during summer may have more openings in September. There is no reason you cannot spend July getting ahead in a chosen math curriculum and hitting the road when most students are headed into the regular school year.

There are many ways to make day trips and extended travel educational. Here are a few ideas:

Getting Out in Nature

Science lessons can be more memorable when they are hands-on. Hikes give budding naturalists a chance to observe plants and animals up close. Visits to local bodies of water can offer up-close study of birds, insects, and land formations. Even a park in your own neighborhood can provide a place to get to know local birds and observe scientific principles.

For homeschoolers in the Houston area, there are many Texas State Parks within easy driving distance. Camping can offer many other ways to observe and learn in nature. Houstonians also have access to private nature sanctuaries, a world-class arboretum, and an observatory. Whatever nature study is part of your homeschool year, finding a place to observe in-person can make for a great way to bring the lessons alive.

Finding Local Historic Sites

In addition to science, many local history topics can be enhanced with visits to local landmarks and museums. Learning about the people who settled your area can offer lessons in good citizenship (a requirement for homeschooling in Texas) and appreciation for the people who came before us.

For families along the Gulf Coast and in Central Texas, many historic sites related to the founding of Texas are within range for a day trip. Places like Washington-on-the-Brazos and San Felipe de Austin offer artifacts from Texas history and living history with historical reenactors.  If you have an aspiring historian, he or she will learn a lot from talking to the docents and actors at these sites. Traveling to other areas of the country or our nation’s capital can offer similar educational opportunities.

Public school students in Texas are required to study state history several times throughout grade school. Homeschoolers should also have a good grasp of their state history, and incorporating visits to historic sites can make it all the more formative. If you are part of a co-op, coordinating with other families and purchasing group entry sometimes can offer a discount ticket price or reserved guide for your visit. It is worth asking before making plans.

Cultivating Faith with Catholic Landmarks

As we mentioned in a previous article, some historic landmarks are Catholic. Finding and visiting the oldest church in your town or city, the nearest cathedral, other historic churches, and sites of religious communities is a powerful way to bring the faith alive. Staying in touch with Catholic churches throughout your region can alert you to different speakers and events, including visiting relics.

By visiting historic sites and other churches, homeschoolers also have the opportunity to meet other Catholics, an experience that can enrich their faith life.

Bring Learning Materials with You

What can make travel an effective part of homeschooling is that lessons do not have to stop. Besides educational stops, you might consider audiobooks for the road. If there are history books about the place you are going, you can all learn more on the way. If there are classics you have not read yet, the whole family can enjoy in the car. With a little preparation, you can ensure that learning does not stop.

As summer comes to a close, you might be considering travel for next year. Or you might be considering how to take some travel time during the school year.

Vacations and day trips, in addition to being relaxing ways to foster family bonding, can be educational. Getting out in nature can offer unforgettable science lessons and inspire a lifelong love of learning. Keeping an eye out for historic landmarks in your local area or on the way to visit family in other states is an exciting way to keep learning on the road. Finally, in the pursuit of an authentically Catholic homeschool, religious sites and events can offer our children greater connection to the faith.

Whatever you goal in learning, pack up the math flashcards and hit the road!