Summer Travel Can Be a Time to Learn

School may be out for the year, but that doesn't mean the learning has to end. Your children can benefit from a variety of learning experiences—even on your family vacation. By recognizing opportunities for learning, and investing a little time in pre-planning, your children will not only enjoy the vacation, but they will come home with learning experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Planning your trip
If you haven't already decided where you'll travel, consider the following:

Tie into classroom learning. Are there places you would like to visit that would extend the lessons your child has learned, or will learn, in school? For example, if your son studied state history last semester, consider a trip to the state capital? Or, if your daughter is studying outer space, a trip to an aeronautic or space center would be in order.

Pick fun destinations with educational components. Popular tourist attractions like Busch Gardens, Disney Land, Disney World, Epcot, Sea World and Sesame Place all can teach kids a lot. Slip in historic or scientific side-trips, if you plan to travel by car. For example, if you are traveling through South Dakota, you could schedule a peek at Mount Rushmore. Are you traveling along the East Coast? Detour to Williamsburg, Virginia. If you plan to travel by airplane, can you inexpensively schedule a two-day layover in an interesting place like Washington, D.C.?

Learning before you go
Once you have decided where you would like to visit, the learning can begin.

Write for information about the area. Help your children contact the state tourism office, or the destination itself for travel and promotional materials.

Contact your local auto club for maps and other materials. They can read about the areas you plan to visit and suggest must-see attractions.

Plan a route by road or air. What is the best way to get where you are going? What interesting stops are along the route? How long will it take to get from point A to point B? Where can you stop for lunch? Dinner? Overnight?

Develop a budget. How much are travel costs? Figure air fare or gas mileage. What are the expected costs for overnight stays? Have your children call some national hotel chains for quotes then figure averages. If you are planning a trip to a major theme park, what will the admission be? Not only will your children learn personal finance and budgeting skills, they might make sacrifices and thrifty choices when they know what the tradeoffs are.

Watch television programs that focus on your intended travels. Public television, cable learning channels, and even the networks offer educational and travel programs on areas throughout the United States. Consider taping specials for future use.

Research back issues of National Geographic and other publications. Don't forget to check the library.

Read fiction set in your destination. For example, if you plan a trip to the West, read books about the westward migration, the Oregon trail, or the Gold Rush. Check libraries and local book stores for stories set in those areas.

On the road
Of course learning experiences present themselves en route too.

Give your children their own maps. Using maps appropriately is one skill we often ignore. Road or air travel offer opportunities for practice. How far is it to your destination? How many states will you travel through? What exit do you need to take for Six Flags?

Ask questions along the way. Traveling also gives conventional math skills a work-out. How many miles to the gallon is the car averaging? If we travel 65 miles per hour, how long will it take us to cover 500 miles? If it takes us three hours to arrive at the rest stop, what is our average speed?

Visit tourist information centers. They not only offer a wealth of information about the area you are traveling through, but also they have materials designed especially for children. If you don't see any, ask. Often coloring books, state history materials, road safety information and other activities are available to those who request them.

While you are there
No matter what your destination, there are many learning opportunities you shouldn't miss.

Pick up all educational material about your location. State and national parks offer a variety of materials discussing the history of the area, the native peoples, wildlife and plants, the topography and so on. Take self-guided tours. Read informational plaques along the way, and point out interesting facts and sites.

Send postcards home. Instead of buying expensive souvenirs, let your children buy postcards depicting your travels. Have them write their thoughts about the site and then send the card home to themselves.

Keep a vacation journal. Log interesting happenings and tidbits, cute quotes--anything that will help your children remember the trip.

When you get home
After you return from your trip, the learning doesn't need to end.

Continue to collect materials. Point out magazine articles, books, and newspaper reports about the places you visited. Your children will be more interested now that they have a "personal tie" to the area.

Watch educational television specials. Watch again those programs you taped earlier.

Write a family newsletter. Have each person include his favorite parts of the trip, and what he would like to know more about.

Remember, vacation learning is supposed to be fun. Take your cues from your children. Don't cram the information down their throats. If you plan it right, they will enjoy themselves and not even realize they are learning. Moreover, they will be entertained before and during the trip. They will be less concerned about "When are we going to get there?" and more interested in "Where are we now?" Happy Trails.