Where Do I Find Worldschool Community?
Updated: Oct 30
Worldschooling is wonderfully fulfilling… but our lifestyle choices often land us in some unusual situations to navigate. Maybe it’s changing travel restrictions, or fielding questions from naysayers, or finding ourselves in a slump, or noticing that we voluntarily chose a lifestyle where we lack community, or observing our kids’ desire for peers who understand them and their circumstances.
*Teotihuacan (Mexico City), Santa Barbara Cenote (Merida), Picnic Point (Madison)
Unfortunately discussing these issues with someone leading a typical lifestyle isn’t necessarily helpful. They may steer us away from worldschooling when they see us struggle. If we want someone to hear us out and help us brainstorm fresh ideas that fit our life goals, there’s nothing like connecting with other traveling families.
Worldschoolers understand the ups and downs of living outside of the box. We all see each other and are ready to meet one another right where we are in our journeys. Finding a community of like-minded individuals is instrumental in keeping ourselves happy and healthy… and I tell you, the amount of information I’ve gleaned from travel tips, to mental health checkups, to educational strategies, to advice for honing lifestyle and child-rearing goals is beyond valuable.
*Guanajuato, Florida Keys, Kona, Guanajuato
OK Great! But where do we go to find community? There are loads of options out there (and please let me know if I missed something, I’m happy to edit the article). I’ll give you links to businesses who offer worldschool gatherings as well as online resources to browse for potential meetups.
Note: There are three sections, hope you make it all the way to the end! So many opportunities!
Tours, Communities, & Pop-Ups of the Worldschool Kind
The following businesses/individuals provide worldschool community options…and each in a unique manner. Some are stationary locations, others are guided tours, others are just meetups at a given point. Some are all-inclusive, others have the families do their own planning. Some have set dates, others are short-term, others are long-term, and even others are ongoing. Some have a dedicated shared workspace, childcare, educational classes, etc, etc, etc.
Here are the Facebook pages and websites:
🌈 Anahata Worldschooling Community [website] [currently on hold but contact Patty if you'll be in the area]
Anahata is an inclusive community in Telchac Puerto, Yucatan, which values the gifts of intentional living, cultural exchange, exploration, and adventure. Schedules can include yoga, educational classes, and offerings co-created by participants.
🌺 ArcticTerns Popups and Camps
ArcticTerns offers Worldschooling Netherlands, this is a full program of excursions, workshops and other learning experiences. During the popup they will visit the whole country and offer celebrations, cultural events, museum visits, city trips, historical events, workshops, amusement parks, & educational activities.
ArcticTerns also organizes IQ teen camps. IQ teen camps are specifically aimed at teens who are open minded and motivated, who seek challenges on intellectual and philosophical levels. The teens will explore the country while gaining a higher understanding through special assignments. The program also includes a plenty of games and social interaction.
Boundless Life provides a collection of thoughtfully designed communities in beautiful destinations around the world. They provide private homes, co-working spaces, and an education system based on experiential learning. Visa assistance is also offered.
😍 Ecovillages & Communities with Kids - TURKEY 🇹🇷 [currently on hold]
A well-equipped 6-bedroom farmhouse on 14,000sqm of farmland, independent tiny homes for 5 families, swimming pool, treehouse, trampolines, zip wire, permaculture vegetable garden, livestock, workshops, toys, bikes, books, games - this is a place to help like-minded families find each other and make a start in getting their Turkey-based community up and running.
🌼 Ecovillages & Communities with Kids Portugal
An outlet to connect with other traveling families in Portugal with options to test out communal living.
🌎 Egypt Luxor Worldschool Learning Hub [Month-long hubs scheduled into early 2024, transitioning to Egypt trips after a family break]
The Luxor Learning Hub is a social center for child- and inquiry-based learning, with an emphasis on hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to make friends and be part of a community while you stay in Luxor. The educational framework is to give children opportunities to gather skills to be used in their growth as person and in any community setting. Multiple options available.
🌺 Forever Wild Children’s Garden [website]
Forever Wild originally had a home base in Las Terranas, Dominican Republic, but now they offer mobile hubs. In 2024 they'll be exploring different destinations throughout SE Asia. Education program is available.
The Human Hive is a global network of inspiring organizations and individuals. We have a school in Cabrera, Dominican Republic, and it's open to local families and worldschoolers.
🌳 Mom and Kid Travels [website]
Mom and Kid Travels LLC is a travel and adventure company focusing on experiential, international learning trips for mothers and children.
💙 Nica World School [website] (on "pause" until 2023, no recent news)
Nica World School runs 2-week sessions. Plan on learning all about Nicaraguan culture, cuisine, Spanish, and surfing in a community setting in beautiful San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Days at Nica World School are infused with local foods, wildlife, tropical flora & fauna, learning activities, and field trips to the pristine beaches.
😃 Project World School Family Summit and Teen Retreats [website]
The Project World School Family Summits unfortunately have ceased with a final summit in Veracruz, Mexico, March 2023. However, there are teen trips offered and if you have teens or tweens, Lainie offers free weekly zoom meetups: Virtual Meetups
🌼 Quartier Collective [website]
The Quartier Collective offers month-long Pop-Up Life events and provide an integrated learning component, long-table dinners, space for parents to work, and deep connection to the local community. Like-minded families gather together to explore and learn in amazing locations. Programs for 2022 explore Portugal, Mexico, Japan, and Bali.
Shepherd's Rest is located in Spain and offers programming and accommodations. They've also organized family and teen gatherings on their property. Communal dining and playrooms are available, check with them to see what current events are scheduled.
Toucanto offers responsible tourism by supporting local conservation projects, providing carbon-neutral tours, and supporting small local businesses. They've run communities in Ecuador and in the Galapagos Islands.
The Traveling Circus is a self-organizing group of 5 to 7 families exploring different countries all over the world. Come experience shared meals and community activities while still enjoying the independence of selecting your own accommodations.
🌈 Traveling Homeschoolers [website]
Organized tour group. Traveling Homeschoolers coordinates river cruises, rail journeys, road trips, sleepovers, and trips to Washington DC, NYC, Boston, Disney, England, Italy, Ireland, France, and more!
🦋 The Wanderlust Worldschool (on hold until 2024, next destination is Australia)
Robyn and Eduardo from "The Wanderlust Worldschool" share a deep passion for travel, culture and people. They create and host unforgettable experiences for traveling families where local culture is woven into their well-curated events. Explore, discover, create, and connect with The Wanderlust Worldschool.
💙 Wild Life Worldschool [website]
Wild Life operates month-long hubs in Marsa Alam, Egypt, with accommodation, education, activities, and some transport included. Their hub is located on the Red Sea with the option to learn or experience pristine SCUBA diving there.
🌺 Working without Borders [website]
Family- and community-centered trips to temporarily live in amazing destinations. Kids and teens enjoy hands-on learning projects and field trips with similarly-aged local youth. Meanwhile, parents can work remotely, volunteer, or experience all sorts of outdoor and cultural adventures.
🌎 Worldschool Pop-Up Hub [website]
Temporary week-long gatherings designed to bring worldschoolers together to develop community and explore our planet. Each week's activities highlight nature, history, culture, food, local offerings... and time to create connections with other like-minded families.
Families have full autonomy over where they stay, how they get around, and how involved they are with pop-up activities. And if you can’t join the locations on the schedule, you’re able to run a pop-up of your own on our platform! Host a Pop-Up Q&A
😍 Worldschooling Bansko Bulgaria
In Bansko they offer a 12 hours per day/5 days per week activity program for the whole family that consists of skiing, snow fun, hot springs, volunteering, family diners, parents’ nights out, coworking, classes, games, etc. Families buy in for a month at a time, with or without accommodation. Programming is very popular, especially with teens & tweens.
🌳 Worldschooling Family Retreat
Rebecca Wegmann runs month-long worldschool gatherings in different areas as her family travels. Hubs may include learning about local wildlife, swimming and snorkeling, kayaking, art workshops, cooking classes, volunteering in a permaculture farm, coastal cleanup, hikes, horses… a wide variety of activities suited for families of all ages.
*Xochimilco (Mexico City), Merida, Guanajuato, Florida Keys
Private Facebook Groups that Highlight Upcoming Events
Some Facebook groups are specifically designed to help worldschoolers connect. However, many of the worldschooling community groups allow you to post your upcoming itinerary to see if anyone will be in your general vicinity. All are excellent options.
🌎 Alternative Schools Around the World
This group highlights alternative schools, hubs, meet-ups, and pop-ups.
A place to list events and find causal gatherings that cater to teens & tweens.
This group page includes two pinned posts of events and has opened their Event Tab for anyone to post gathering and meet-up info.
💙 We Are Worldschoolers Events & Meet-Ups
A separate Facebook dedicated to organized meetups.
This private group is for Worldschoolers in Europe to communicate, share information, and plan meetups.
🌼 Worldschool Hubs & Events Community
A family-friendly group where families and hub creators come together and share their community-based projects and gatherings.
🌎 Worldschoolers Pinned Post about Hubs & Meet-Ups
Within this Facebook group there is a pinned post listing both past and future events.
A collection of posts which include child-friendly communities, camps, and worldschool activities around the world.
This group has weekly posts for multi-day events, hubs & schools, and single-day events.
*Guanajuato, Florida Keys, Bentonville & Bentonville
Additional Resources to Meet Other Families
Lastly, here are a few other organized outlets including apps and platforms which allow you to post your current location:
It’s July creates matches between families to meet & create experiences together - where one family is the host, and the other is the guest. Families are invited to meet new friends and have an exceptional experience together - anything from a homey meal or a picnic in the park to a joint hike in nature or a homemade workshop.
This app has a desktop version as well as an android version. The platform offers a worldwide map to locate other nearby traveling families as well as an events tab and chat.
A conglomeration of digital nomad info including communities and activities categorized in worldschooling, RV life, and digital nomad sections.
A free online map with pins for current hubs, classes, & meet-ups, as well as co-working spaces and childcare offerings. All designed for families.
This free app is created by and for worldschoolers. There is an option of a desktop version or phone apps (Apple AppStore and Google Play), they work with the same login info. This platform provides a space for all things worldschooling: newsfeed, real-time locations of families, options to post upcoming trips, events, projects, communities, etc.
A page on the We Are Worldschoolers website dedicated to community offerings.
This site is a conglomeration of worldschool events of all kinds.
This platform gives worldschoolers the opportunity to create an account which shows their world-wide location. Free to join, but paid service to access other accounts via the map.
Wishing you all well with finding your connections within our diverse and expansive worldschool community! For edits or additions to the list, please comment below or email me (Rachel) at director@worldschoolpopuphub.com. Wishing you all happy travels!