We are finding that the school work we are doing is altering the way our children learn. They are genuinely interested in what is happening around them on many levels, so the ‘want-to-know’ factor is prevalent. The result is that they are engaged in their own learning and are seeing the immediate value of their knowledge. They are keen to learn and are therefore taking ownership in their education.
(from “School, Fish and Racing Sailboats” blog post January 2016)
We are passionate about travel and sharing creative learning adventures with our kids. About seven years ago we were inspired to try something different. We did a heap of research, packed our bags with books and hope and have not looked back. Loving what we do, and living a creative life are qualities which resonate with us. We are teaching on the go and yet learning as a team, and as a family. Annually, we spend roughly six-months on land and six-months at sea.
We realize there are many types of home-schooling families. Though we don’t seem to fit into most categories we have found. We are homeschooling, but mostly not at home. We are not running from a failed system; we are not overtly religious. We just want to travel, learn more about the world and educate our own curious children along the way. We call our program “Adventure School” or “Travel School.”
We originally chose the Calvert Homeschool model as a base, which worked very well for us in the beginning. However, we didn’t follow it to a “T” as we found a lot of the topics of learning were not congruent with the places we were traveling… for instance, why study US history in Europe? So we modify the kids’ curriculums annually to fit our travels. We cover all the required subjects, but we study European history in Europe, read Cervantes in Spain, and Melville in the Bahamas, for example.
Over time, we have developed a more eclectic approach to our curriculum. We no longer use the Calvert School materials. This year we will explore Mr D Math (Geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II) as our core math curriculum for grades 8 and 10. Other courses for 2019-2020 will include:
Rhode Island State History
Environmental Science and Alternative Energies + Woods Hole Oceanographic study
Latin and Spanish II
Essay Writing, Typing, Coding, English Literature
ASL (American Sign Language)
American Art/Fine Arts Study
Drivers Ed (Sophia only, gah!)
College Readiness and Study Skills
Music (Piano)
PE: Sailing, Volleyball, Martial Arts, Meditation, Baseball
Often while traveling, we do not have access to high speed (or any speed at all) internet, so we are careful not to base our school time completely reliant on computer connections. Our “Adventure School” is a bit “old school”. We read a LOT of books, though we do use some online programs including Mr D Math, Study.com, Compass Classroom and IXL.com.
We have discovered an unusual model for educating our children, which has blossomed above and beyond anything we could have expected. This plan of ours is hard work – but it also works very well for us all. We love what we are doing and our children are thriving!
In this digital format Tony and I chronicle our family adventures – exploring and learning as we go. Please subscribe to receive updates on our journey, and send us notes – we love feedback and questions are welcome!
Thank you for reading – xx Lynne Rey
(edited Sept 2019)
Originally published July 2, 2015
“Leave the Dock and Good Things Happen.” Tony often says this – which applies to boats on every level – but also to life in general. Sometimes you just have to let loose the docklines and… go.
We love traveling and to share a life of experiential learning with our children has been more than fulfilling for the entire family. And so we have decided to continue this path for now… because we love it.
(Counting mountains in the Dolomites. Lake Garda, Italy. September 2014)
Locations of Study 2019-2020
Newport, Rhode Island
Fort Adams State Park/National Historic Landmark, Newport RI
The Moving Wall: Vietnam Veterans Memorial (replica)
Doris Duke House & Museum, Newport, RI
Whaling Museum, New Bedford, MA
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, MA
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, MA
One Rabbit Farm, Jacksonville, FL
New Smyrna | Melbourne | Palm Beach | Ft. Lauderdale
Miami: Key Biscayne | Coconut Grove
Art Basel, Miami, FL
Art Miami, Miami, FL
*Our travel lists detail the physical locations of foreign language, history, art, geography and sports experiences which were a large part of our kids’ education within each school year.
Locations of Study 2018-2019
Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain
Museu Fundación Juan March (Museum of Modern Art) Palma, Mallorca
Soller/Porto de Soller
Valdemossa/Porto de Valdemossa
Es Baluard: Museum of Contemporary Art, Palma, Mallorca
Cala Falcó Cliff Climbing (by boat), Mallorca
Porto Portals and Porta Cala
Valencia, Spain
Cathedral (Catedral de Santa María de) Valencia
El Miguelette (Tower of Migulette)
The Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM)
International House of Valencia: espanolé (Language School 1)
Hispania-Valencia (Language School 2)
Mercado Colon and Mercado Central
Serrano Towers
el Carmen Art District
Museu de Belles Arts de Valencia
Universitat Politècnica de Valencia
Ciutat de les Arts i de les Ciències
Oceanográfico Valencia (private marine biology tour)
Newport, Rhode Island
Herreshoff Museum, Bristol, RI
Cape Cod, MA
Florida: Jacksonville, St. Augustine, Vero Beach, Jupiter, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami
Busey Farm, Jacksonville, Fl
(Crossed Gulf Stream 2x)
Abacos, Bahamas
Elbow Cay, Grand Bahama
Little Harbor | Man-o-War Cay | Scotland Cay
Hope Town | Green Turtle Island | Marsh Harbor
Guana Cay | Great Sale
Treasure Cay | White Sands Cay | Allen’s Pensacola
Locations of Study 2017-2018
University of Rhode Island, 2017 fall Honors Colloquium: Jane Goodall, speaker
Black Heritage Trail, Boston, MA
Boston Common & Public Gardens, Boston, MA
Museum of African American History, Boston, MA
INTREPID: Sea, Air and Space Museum, New York City
2017 Food Film Festival, NY, NY
New York Public Library and Bryant Park
Times Square, New York City
“About Jane”, Documentary (w/ newfound video footage of Jane Goodall), Newport RI
Adams Crypt, United First Parish Church, Quincy, MA
Adams National Historic Park, Quincy, MA
Cummer Museum of Art, Jacksonville, FL
Vero Beach | Melbourne | Jupiter | St. Augustine | Jacksonville | Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Wynwood Walls – Urban Graffiti Art Exhbition, Miami
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Coconut Grove, Miami, FL
Frost Museum of Science, Miami, FL
Barnes Sound | Lignum Vitae State Park
Key West History Tour
Hemingway House and Museum
Florida Keys | Cape Sable, Gulf of Mexico | Naples, FL
Cayo Costa State Park, North Captiva
Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Ft. Meyers
Lake Okeechobee Locks
Playhouse Theatre, Coral Gables, FL
Marlins Park Tour (Miami Marlins Arena)
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, University of Miami
University of Miami: Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science
Miami International Boat Show, Key Biscayne FL
Key Biscayne | Jupiter Island | Melbourne | St. Augustine
Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral (NASA)
Cubicle SpeedCube Competition, Daytona, FL
Busey Farm, Jacksonville, FL
Museum of Science and History, Jacksonville
Pruitt Softball Complex, Jacksonville University
Lifespan CPR and First Aid Certification Course, Newport Hospital, Newport, RI
Trinity Church (c 1698) tour, Newport, RI
Volvo Ocean Race Village/Team Vestas boat tour, Newport, RI
Fenway Park, Boston Massachusetts
Sail Newport Keelboat camp, Newport Harbor, Newport, RI
Locations of Study 2016-2017
San Francisco Maritime Museum and National Historical Park
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA
Angel Island State Park and Immigration Center, San Francisco
Cable Car Museum, San Francisco, CA
DeYoung Fine Art Museum, San Francisco, CA
SF MOMA (San Francisco Modern art Museum)
San Francisco ZOO, California
Alamo Square Park and Lombard Street + Gardens, San Francisco, CA
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (Presidio, Chrissy Field)
The Walt Disney Family Museum, San Francisco
AT&T Park (LA Dodgers vs SF Giants) South Beach, San Francisco, California
Golden Gate Bridge (walked across), San Francisco
Exploratorium: The Museum of Science, Art and Human Perception, San Francisco, CA
Sierra Nevada Mountains, California/Nevada
Truckee, CA – Lake Tahoe, NV – Reno, NV – Fernley, NV
Tahoe Science Center, UC Davis/Environmental Research Center, NV
North Sails SuperYacht Finishing Facility & Sail Loft, Minden, NV
Yosemite National Park
Food Film Festival, New York City, NY
High Line (walked the length of) New York City, NY
Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY
Ft. Lauderdale | Stuart | West Palm Beach Florida
NASA Launch viewing and Museum Tour: Kennedy Space Center-Cape Canaveral, Fl
Vero Beach | Melbourne | Daytona | St. Augustine | Jacksonville, Florida
North Palm Beach | Miami Florida
Wynwood Walls – Urban Graffiti Art Exhbition, Miami
Perez Art Museum Miami – PAMM
National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, Ft. Pierce, FL
Elliott Key | Boca Chita Key | Marine Stadium, FL
JetBlue Park at Fenway South, Fort Myers, Florida (Red Sox vs Yankees, Spring Training)
Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida (NY Mets vs Miami Marlins, Spring Training)
Mystic Seaport and Maritime Museum, Mystic, CT
Locations of Study 2015-2016
Centro Cultural de Cascais: Sam Shaw, Photography Exhibit. Cascais, Portugal
Art Collection of the Condes de Castro Guimarães. Cascais, Portugal
Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum. Cascais, Portugal
The Palacio Nacional da Pena, Sintra, Portugal
Castelo de Sao Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal
Alfarma District, Lisbon, Portugal
Capela dos Ossos (Bones Chapel) Evora, Portugal
Se Catedral de Evora, Portugal
Templo de Diana (Roman Temple) Evora, Portugal
Santa Maria de la Sede Cathedral, including the Minaret Tower, Seville Spain
Iglesia de San Marcos, Seville Spain
Parque Maria Luisa and Plaza de Espana, Seville Spain
Flamenco Shows, Seville Spain
Alcazar Palace, Seville Spain
Alhambra Palace of Granada, Spain
Albaycin of Granada, Spain
Volvo Ocean Race Headquarters, Alicante, Spain
L’Hemisfèric, Valencia, Spain
L’Umbracle — Walkway / Garden; Valencia, Spain
El Museu de les Ciències Príncipe Felipe — Science museum Valencia, Spain
Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain
Mercado Colon and Serano Towers, Valencia, Spain
Aya Sofya (Haghia Sophia) Museum, Istanbul, Turkey (built in 537 AD)
Blue Mosque (Called Sultanahmet Camii in Turkish), Istanbul, Turkey
Yerebatan Sarayi (Cistern Basilica), Istanbul, Turkey
Hippodrome of Constantinople or Sultanahmet Square, Istanbul, Turkey
Boat Tour of the Bosphorus River, Turkey
Topkapi Palace, Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul Modern (Museum of Modern Art) Istanbul, Turkey
Pera Museum, Istanbul, Turkey
Hagia Triada Greek Orthodox Church, Istanbul
15th Century Kapalicarsi (Grand Bazaar) Istanbul
The Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Bodrum, Turkey
Bodrum Castle, Bodrum, Turkey
4-day cruise aboard OBELIX on the Aegean Sea, Bodrum/South Turkey
Asia: Walking tour and dinners, Asia (Istanbul/Asian side)
Newport, RI
Jacksonville | St. Augustine | Cocoa Beach | Vero Beach | Ft. Lauderdale | Palm Beach
Art Basel, Miami : Modern Art, Installation and Mural Show
Miami Mini-Makers Faire: Art, Engineering and Science
Ocean Reef Club | John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, FL
Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, Islamorada, FL
Turtle Hospital Tour and Hidden Harbor Marine Environment Project, Marathon, FL
Sombrero Reef Sanctuary Preservation (snorkeled on reef)
The Florida Keys Eco-Discovery Center & Natural History Museum
Florida Keys/NOAA National Marine Sanctuary
Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Key West
Butterfly and Nature Conservatory,, Key West, FL
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Museum, Key West, FL
The Harry S. Truman Little White House, Key West
CityView History Tour
Jet Blue Park/Fenway South, Ft. Meyers, FL
Abacos, Bahamas: Great Sale Cay, Spanish Cay, Guana Cay, Great Turtle Cay, Sandy Cay, Little Harbour, Tilloo Cay, Sugarloaves, Marsh Harbor, Elbow Cay, Hopetown, Man-O-War Cay, Mermaid Reef, Matt Lowe Cay.
2014-2015 School Year
Flexibility, organization and curiosity to learn, are vital to making it all work…
Locations of Study 2014-2015
Spain: (Ibiza, Valencia, Barcelona)
Santa Maria de Montserrat, Spain
Picasso Museum, Barcelona
Sagrada Famalia, Barcelona
Parc Guëll de Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona, Spain
Fallas Museum, Valencia, Spain
Gulliver Park, Valencia, Spain
Flamenco Dancing, Barcelona, Spain
Catedral de Nuestra Señora de las Nieves, Ibiza, Spain
Catedral de Valencia and Torre de San Miguel, Valencia Spain
Oceanogràfic – Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia Spain
Mercado Central de València y Mercado Colon, Valencia Spain
La Lonja de la Seda Valencia, Spain
Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
France: Avignon, Montpellier
Palace of the Popes, Avignon, France
Italy: Torino, Torbole, Arco, Trento (Lake Garda)
Rock climbing on the Via Ferreta, Arco, Italy
Castle Béseno, Trento, Italy
Castle D’Arco, Arco, Italy
National Museum of American Illustration, Newport RI
Jacksonville | St. Augustine | New Smyrna | Cocoa Beach
Ft. Pierce | Del Ray | Miami | Ft. Lauderdale | Key West
Marathon | Key Largo | Islamorada | Ft. Myers
Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, Miami, FL
Kennedy Space Center/Cape Canaveral, FL
Ernest Hemingway House, Key West
Harry S. Truman White House, Key West
Aquarium and Science Center, Key West
Jet Blue Park/Roger Dean Stadium, Ft. Myers
Thomas Edison/Henry Ford Museum, Ft. Myers
Sigh. Admiration. Wishful. Believing. Learning. Living. Love
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Awwww! Wonderful! I wish you could join us sometime! xx
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