LESSONS LEARNED

So much of the stated goal of their floating winter home is to expose Sophia and Oliver to different cultures and the inherent education that comes along with adventure. Lynne said, “We have learned there are many types of home-schooling families. We don’t seem to fit into most categories we have found, though. We are home schooling, just 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, which is why we call it “Adventure School.” Lynne adds: “There are many uncertainties and obvious challenges. Travel and adventure schooling is not for everyone; it is not easy, and no, we are not on vacation! But for those who are able to make it work, the rewards are significant. It is the passion for life, travel, and our small family that keeps us going. We love being together–growing, learning, changing, and supporting each other.”

“Living on our boat has noticeably changed us. It is palpable; we can feel the change in our ways and attitudes. Our time in Florida and the Bahamas was a slow-burn balance of extreme beauty, quality family time, and nature. We found it necessary

to readjust our expectations in the areas of weather (most unpredictable), school time, and overall pace.

Lynne goes on: “We are embracing an unfamiliar path and willing to take the risk associated with that. In the spirit of adventure, we are allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, try new things, meet new people, go new places. And we are happy. Could this type of educational path work for more families? I say, emphatically—yes!”

For this school year, the Reys will repeat their schedule of the past two years. They will spend seven months living on board and cruising south Florida and the Bahamas on Cortado, and the remaining five they’ll return home to Newport.