Episode 53: Road Trip - Creating the Plan
Road trips are a big enriching way to educate your child. It's immersive learning at its best! Planning your road trip plays a huge role in creating the educational experience you want - so we dive into the logistics that you may want to consider in your initial planning stages. We also discuss a California unit study and various ways to practice multiplication in addition to your curriculum. (Check out our helpful 10 tips for road trips blog post!)
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Show Notes
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An epic homeschooling road trip takes time and lots of planning. Creating the plan with weather, destinations, and the interests of your young travelers in mind can be a daunting task. Consider our checklist of seven steps below when planning your trip. We dive into each of these steps with our best tips!
Step 1: Choosing a Destination(s)
Time of Year - weather, road conditions, and crowds all affect your young travelers’ happiness
Length - the needs of your travelers sometimes means longer or shorter stays at various destinations
Step 2: Build an Itinerary
Ask friends/internet - there are hidden gems, advice for families,
Research the route
Plan for pull-outs, cool sites & sights - giant dinosaurs, mega milkshakes, and beautiful lookout points
Research gas stations and pit stops - they are not always operational and some places are more fun
Consider apps/websites for tracking the trip: google maps, mapquest, roadtrippers
Resources
Fodor’s/Lonely Planet Guides
Blogs
Websites: Campendium, Drivin & Vibin or location specific
YouTube
Step 3: Reserve Accommodations
Camping - inexpensive and fully immersive
Glamping or Unique Stays (tree houses, boats, wagons, etc)
Hotels, AirBnB - some even have laundry facilities!
Friends/Family - always bring a hostess gift and thank you card to set the right tone
Step 4: Plan Recreation
Tickets - many places sell-out or have limited capacity, so get your tickets before planning your stop
Reservations - some national parks and special spots require reservations
Step 5: Prepare for Travel
Car Maintenance - let your mechanic know about your road trip to ensure your car is in tip top shape
Comforts & Tools - you can soup up your car with extra head rests, seat organizers, and more
Foods & Snacks - a small cooler will keep fresh food at your fingertips
Step 6: Confirm Confirmations
Confirm all reservations, including calling hotels and confirming addresses
Print tickets and receipts with confirmation numbers
Step 7: Check-In with Travel Partners
Get their buy in - It’s important that your travelers are excited about the sites
Plan together - others have great ideas too
Provide Itinerary and Route - kick off the trip with a photo montage tour of all your stops!
Check out Episode 56: Road Trips - Part 2 for the educational planning component!
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