Vacation = Education: The Educational Way We Spent Our Vacation

When we decided to homeschool our children, it was because my girls were falling through the cracks of the “Brick and Mortar” system. I found that they were learning information for the moment, but it wasn’t sinking in and becoming lifetime knowledge. They seemed to spend all their time learning things in prep of standardized testing. We knew that we wanted more for our children and we embarked on this grand adventure called……homeschool life!

As we began this journey we knew that we wanted them to excel, so academics was our top priority! However, we knew that there needed to be a balance between simple book learning and hands on educational moments. By using both methods, we felt that our kids would be able gain more long-term knowledge which will make them more well-rounded student and a more well-rounded adult.

One method that we utilized in this quest for long-term knowledge is “field-trips.” We found it quite easy to turn simple trips into a teaching moment. During our most recent vacation, were able to do such a thing. With a little bit of research beforehand and a few changes to our original plans, our simple vacation became an educational extravaganza!!

Although we were heading to Florida, we decided to jog over to Virginia for a day and experience a little bit of history on the Appalachian Trail! Now, it is important to have your kids do a little learning as you explore! Right?! Like…did you know that it is approximately 2,184 miles long and considered a premier long backpacking trail in the United States. The Appalachian Trail (AT) passes through Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. We also found out that most of the trail is in wilderness, although it does cut through some towns and roads, and also crosses a few rivers too! For those of you that don’t know me, I am a huge fan of waterfalls…and we were lucky enough to find a waterfall on our trip into the mountains!

The last little learning moment in Virginia came in an unlikely way. Some relatives of ours introduced us to a friend of theirs and we were able to tour their home that was built in 1853. My girls and I love early American History and found this little visit absolutely wonderful! Their family purchased the home in 1910 and the home still contained a pump organ, Victrola, and a dress worn by the home’s original owner. It was interesting listening to our new friend share the unique and wonderful heritage of his family and home. You see, it is one thing to read in a history book about homes being built with a detached kitchen and another thing to witness it for yourself. We loved our time at Gap View Farm!

Then we took off and found our way to Florida. But, in true homeschool form, we didn’t leave our teaching moments in Virginia. Our final destination was to be Orlando, but we took a bit of a sidetrack to St. Augustine. We thought it would be great for our girls to experience the oldest city in the United States.

St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain.  While we were there we walked through the Castillo de San Marcos. It was fabulous! Located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay, Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. The fort was designed by the Spanish engineer, Ignacio Daza and construction began in 1672.

We rounded out our trip at Sea World. Who doesn’t love that?! We had a blast and loved every second of our time together. My husband and I arranged a behind the scenes tour for our girls. We learned all about the park, but also about their efforts in animal rescue. The tour was not super long, and full of wonderful tidbits of knowledge that will stick with my girls for the rest of their life.

I know that this is a vacation that we will all remember for years to come!

Thank you for reading and have fun homeschooling!!

Barbette Yingst is the mother of three girls ages 21, 17 and 14.  I also seem to collect pets!  My husband and I got married 25 years ago and have been on this grand adventure called life together ever since!  I have been homeschooling for 5 years, and love it more each year. I love God with all my heart and want to do all I can each day live my life for Him! She can be found over at 3 Girls, My Guy, and I.