Educational Tri-State Roadschool Route and Where to Camp
There’s a lot of uncertainty about the upcoming school year, and all types of questions are weighing heavily on parents and their children. Will there be school? What will it look like? Do I want my kids to go or not to go? The questions are endless – but so are the opportunities to help your children continue to learn new things in non-traditional ways through roadschooling. Here the classroom takes place in new destinations as families hit the road and incorporate what they experience into the curriculum.
What is roadschooling?
While it might sound daunting, roadschooling is just combining travel and hands-on experiences with state-regulated curriculum. Instead of learning about history through an online textbook and fill-in-the-blank worksheets, you could learn about the French settlers of upstate New York by walking through Historic Huguenot Street. Or take science class outdoors and visit a nearby National Park. Study the plant life and animals you encounter there rather than looking at diagrams.
We’re all hoping that daily life will return to normal soon. However during this strange time, take this opportunity to hit the open road on a family learning experience that your kids will never forget. Whether you’re considering roadschooling for the entire school year or just a week, this Tri-State route is a great option for all families.
What should my route be?
Pack up your bags and hit the open road – we’ve created a route with campground stays and educational destinations along the way. Whether you’re considering roadschooling for the entire school year or just a week, this Tri-State route is a great option for all families.
Stop 1: Seaport RV Resort & Campground in Old Mystic, CT
With convenient Wifi service, you won’t miss a beat. When you’re ready to take your lesson plan outside, just a stone’s throw away is the charming town of Mystic, where you’ll find all things maritime.
If you have ever wondered how America’s seafaring past has shaped American life today, visit Mystic Seaport Museum & Village. Stroll through a recreated 19th-century village composed of dozens of real New England buildings and staffed with historians, musicians, storytellers, and craftspeople who bring the past to life.
For more educational opportunities, visit Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, a wildlife sanctuary, natural history museum, and educational facility. With the mission to inspire and nurture appreciation and scientific understanding of the natural world, they offer a variety of informative environmental education programs and hikes for all ages, year-round.
Stop 2: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort in Gardiner, NY
Overlooking the winding Wallkill River, this park boasts a majestic view of the Shawangunk Ridge. Enjoy the view while hitting the books; all cabins and campsites allow for the full vantage point of the scenery. Take your studies outside with a biology lesson at Minnewaska State Park, followed by a history lesson in New Paltz.
Take a short drive to Minnewaska State Park Preserve, where you’ll see numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, sheer cliffs, and ledges opening to beautiful views. For a lesson in biology, head to Sam’s Point Preserve, the most southerly section of the park. There you’ll find a rare community of high altitude pitch pine barrens. The pitch pine barrens, and the matrix of chestnut oak forest that surrounds them, provide habitat for abundant flora and fauna.
Take a trip to Historic Huguenot Street, a naturally recognized historic site. Here you’ll experience over 300 years of history across seven historic stone-house museums, a reconstructed 1717 French Church, the Huguenot community’s original burying ground, and a replica Esopus Munsee Wigwam. You’ll find great lesson plan opportunities in American history while also carrying forward the conversation about the relationship between past and present.
Stop 3: Peaceful Woodlands Family Campground in Blakeslee, PA
Located in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, much of the natural design of the land has been retained, which makes for a beautifully wooded campground with most sites surrounded by a small grove of trees. At 2,212 feet above elevation, there are plenty of geology lessons as you experience one of the highest accessible points overlooking the Pocono Plateau.
Learn equestrian first-hand as you experience the Pocono Mountains on a guided horseback ride. There are multiple riding stables nearby that are perfect for beginner and intermediate levels of riding, like Mountain Creek Riding Stables, only 20 minutes away from the campground.
Take your curriculum on the road and make the great outdoors your classroom at Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, a 130-acre preserve frequently visited for hiking, fishing, waterfall viewing, and picnicking. The natural area features three hiking trails for all levels.
Stop 4: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resort in Quarryville, PA.
Not only is the park an amazing place to get away while staying connected to Wifi, but a great destination for tons of educational attractions to explore nearby.
The area surrounding this camp-resort is filled with exciting things to do and see – such as Amish Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania! Take a tour and experience the Amish way of life and their peaceful lifestyle! Located on 12 scenic acres of land in the heart of Amish Country, visitors can choose from 3 guided tours that will show you everything the Amish culture has to offer – from the unique farmhouses to the gorgeous surrounding farmland!
We also recommend taking a trip to The Old Windmill Farm, where you can learn where your food comes from and the hard labor it takes to run a farm. Meet farm animals, sample foods from the garden, enjoy a 20-minute hayride, and even bake bread in the farmhouse.
Stop 5: Seashore Campsites & RV Resort in Cape May, NJ
Dominated by large shade trees and lush landscaping, you’ll find the spacious feel of the campground perfect for setting-up a home away from home. During your stay, take advantage of the campsite amenities, including a private beach and access to campground Wifi. If you’re looking for local experiences to add to your curriculum, visit picturesque downtown Cape May.
Take an educational cruise off the coast with Cape May Whale Watcher, where Captain Jeff and his crew will take you into the Delaware Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean – a sanctuary for many species of Marine Life. The unique mix of fresh and saltwater makes for a nutrient-rich area perfect for whale and dolphin activity.
Just ten minutes away from the campground, you’ll find the Jersey Shore Alpacas. At this family-owned operation, you’ll be greeted by alpacas running to the fence to welcome you! Make sure to book your tour before visiting. Alpaca my bags.
This year looks a little different, and so might the classroom with roadschooling! Make it a year they’ll never forget with first-hand learning experiences, campground stays, and educational destinations along the way! Looking to add more destinations to your route? Campspot makes it simple to search for parks and campsites that offer Wifi through a filter when searching for a camping destination.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, some activities may be closed until further notice or open with restrictions + limited hours. For the most up to date information, please check the status of each attraction.