Family Travel and Worldschooling: A Resources List

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Below is a curated list of resources to help you start planning for a worldschooling journey. We’ve aimed to provide credible sources, but inclusion in this collection does not indicate our endorsement or affiliation.

Accommodations

Airbnb
An online site for hosts to list available places, and travelers to book accommodations and experiences. The site has expanding functionality and offers search features to locate special-interest accommodations such as islands, national parks, tiny homes, monasteries, etc.
https://airbnb.com

Booking.com
An online platform to reserve transportation and accommodations for both hosts and travelers. Available in forty languages with 24‑7 customer support.
https://booking.com

Couchsurfing
A website, Facebook group, and app-based membership service to connect travelers interested in community. Offers a free exchange of hospitality. It has 12 million active members in over 200,000 cities.
https://couchsurfing.com

Furnished Finder
A website for travelers interested in longer-term stays. Created to serve roaming professionals and medical providers, some slow-traveling families may also find furnished-housing options here.
https://furnishedfinder.com

Home Exchange
An online membership-based home-exchange platform available in over 150 countries.
https://homeexchange.com

Home Swap
An online membership program for home swaps, active in over a hundred countries. Free trial period and tiered membership options with varying features.
https://lovehomeswap.com

Hostelling International
An over 100-year-old nonprofit that works with youth hostel associations around the world to promote affordable, sustainable, and good-quality accommodations. Many hostels are family friendly; check to see if there are age limits or restrictions.
https://hihostels.com

House Sitting Magazine
A magazine and website that provides useful information and resources for house sitters and pet sitters around the globe, including house‑sitting sources (for a fee) and location-specific information.
https://housesittingmagazine.com

Vrbo
An online resource that helps families looking for accommodations find and reserve entire homes around the world. Expanding functionality serves the needs and budgets of various travelers.
https://vrbo.com

Workaway
An online resource to connect travelers who wish to work and immerse themselves culturally with hosts who need some form of help such as gardening, baby-sitting, or other tasks.
https://workaway.info

Worldschool House Swap/Sit/Rent Facebook group
A private Facebook group for worldschoolers to post available accommodations and to search for places to stay.
https://facebook.com/groups/worlschoolhouseswap

Cultural Exchange

AFS Intercultural Programs USA
American Field Service (AFS) emerged out of WWI and WWII with the goal of advancing cultural exchange. Today, AFS hosts exchange students from eighty countries.
https://afsusa.org/host-family

The Pen Pal Project
A partnership between WeAre Teachers and the United States Postal Service that connects classrooms around the world to foster friendships and build tolerance and understanding.
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/1108-usps-introduces-pen-pal-project.htm

Health & Safety

Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT)
A nonprofit organization that provides helpful information to travelers worldwide about road conditions, local laws, and other road‑safety topics. In the interest of safety, ASIRT partners with many organizations including the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
https://asirt.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The CDC’s Traveler’s Health website is a comprehensive travel health resource that includes a disease directory, information on finding a clinic, travel notices, country-specific information, and a helpful FAQ page. Additionally, the CDC website provides information for immunocompromised travelers. The CDC also publishes the Yellow Book.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/yellowbook-home-2020

Environmental Working Group (EWG)
A nonprofit organization that publishes consumer guides on the efficacy and safety of various consumer products, including sunscreen and insect repellent.
https://ewg.org

Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)
A US-based nonprofit that supports individuals living with food allergies. The FARE website has comprehensive information on traveling with food allergies, including a travel checklist.
https://foodallergy.org/resources/traveling

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
The TSA website provides useful information for persons with disabilities and medical conditions, including passing through security checkpoints with medications, liquids, and other accessories.
https://tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures

United States Department of State
A credible and up-to-date source of information on critical topics including health and safety and country-specific travel advisories, embassies, consulates, doctors, and hospitals. It also includes resources for high-risk-area travelers, special‑needs travelers, and LGBTQ+.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/your-health-abroad.html

UNWTO/IATA Destination Tracker
A user‑friendly platform providing travelers with information on health-related travel restrictions and requirements.
https://unwto.org/tourism-data/unwto-iata-destination-tracker-easy-travel

Inclusive Travel

ABC Travel Green Book
A resource available in both paperback and ebook formats with information to celebrate and inform Black travelers across the globe.
https://abctravelnetwork.com

Autism Travel
A website that helps families choose travel options that are safe and supportive of all family members. It lists certified travel resources and tools recognized by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.
https://autismtravel.com

Green Book Global
A travel review website that seeks to empower and inspire Black travelers to explore the world through destination ratings and crowdsourced tips.
https://greenbookglobal.com

IGLTA, the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association
Provides information and resources for LGBTQ+ travelers. IGLTA works to “promote equality and safety within LGBTQ+ tourism worldwide.”
https://iglta.org

Lonely Planet’s Accessible Travel Online Resources
A free guide providing country-specific information for travelers with disabilities or access challenges.
https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/accessible-travel-online-resources

Tourism Diversity Matters (TDM)
An industry resource that seeks to improve the tourism industry’s diversity, equity, and inclusion through research, data, and expertise.
https://tourismdiversitymatters.org

UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme
A multistakeholder program intended to spawn tourism that respects natural and cultural assets. Provides information about UNESCO sites, partnerships, publications, and activities.
https://whc.unesco.org/en/tourism

United States Department of State LGBTQI+ Travelers Site
Provides information for LGBTQI+ travelers to help with planning, security screening, and staying safe while traveling overseas.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/lgbtqi.html

United States Department of Transportation – Passengers with Disabilities
Provides information about laws, regulations, rights, and support for travelers with disabilities.
https://transportation.gov/airconsumer/passengers-disabilities

Wheel the World
An online repository to help travelers with disabilities find accessible places to stay, things to do, and trips.
https://wheeltheworld.com

Pets

BringFido
A website and mobile app that shares information and booking options for pet-friendly accommodations and sites around the world, including hotels, restaurants, hiking trails, and parks.
https://bringfido.com

Rover
An app and website that connects dog (and cat) guardians with pet lovers for boarding, house-sitting, drop-in visits, doggy day care, and dog walking by location.
https://rover.com

Sustainable Travel

B Corp
A nonprofit network that seeks to build a global economy that delivers environmental, social, and community benefits. B Corp certification for travel companies may indicate alignment with sustainable practices.
https://bcorporation.net

Center for Responsible Travel
A nonprofit organization that serves as a research center and promotes responsible travel.
https://responsibletravel.org

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Their Travel Carbon Footprint website is an interactive tool that lets travelers calculate and reduce their carbon footprint based on flights, car travel, rail travel, and hotel stays.
https://edf.org/travel-footprint-calculator

Future of Tourism Coalition
A coalition of NGOs, including the Center for Responsible Travel and Tourism Cares, aiming to drive positive change in tourism.
https://futureoftourism.org

Global Sustainable Tourism Council
Develops sustainability criteria and oversees their use in various sectors.
https://gstcouncil.org

Impact Travel Alliance
Educates travelers, promotes sustainability, and hosts meetups and chapters globally.
https://impacttravelalliance.org

United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
A leading intergovernmental organization that seeks to inform and promote sustainable tourism.
https://unwto.org/sustainable-development

US RV Travel

Boondockers Welcome
For an annual membership fee, travelers can find places for overnight camping without utility hookups (boondocking) on private property.
https://boondockerswelcome.com

Boondocking.org
An online site to find dispersed free camping sites in the US, outside developed campgrounds. Travelers can leave reviews and add new sites.
https://boondocking.org

Harvest Hosts
A membership program that invites RV travelers to camp at wineries, breweries, farms, and attractions within an expanding network.
https://harvesthosts.com

Recreation.gov
A partnership of several US federal agencies including the National Park Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Smithsonian. Lists over 100,000 reservable outdoor sites in the US.
https://recreation.gov

RV Communities
Online communities of RV and van travelers, including:

RV Trip Planner Apps
There are many RV trip planner apps and websites, typically with a fee, offering navigation, campground search, road conditions, and points of interest. Some to check out include:

US Travel Documentation

AAA | American Automobile Association
A membership organization that supports travelers with roadside assistance, information resources, and 24‑7 mobile and online support. The website provides an online application form for an International Driving Permit (IDP).
https://aaa.com/vacation/idpf.html

REAL ID – US Department of Homeland Security
Provides information for domestic travelers 18+ who, as of May 2025, need a REAL ID card to board domestic flights and get into certain federal facilities.
https://dhs.gov/real-id

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program – US Department of State
Allows travelers to register with their nearest US embassy and receive important safety information. Enrollment also makes it easier for family and friends to locate travelers in emergencies.
https://step.state.gov

Trusted Traveler Programs – US Department of Homeland Security
Provides information about TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, and other programs that can speed up airport and border crossing procedures.
https://ttp.dhs.gov/

United States Postal Service (USPS)
Provides information and services for obtaining and renewing passports, including scheduling appointments, downloading applications, and expediting requests. Also covers mail holds, address changes, and PO boxes.
https://usps.com/international/passports.htm

Travel Points and Miles

Miles Momma
A one-stop shop for traveler information about miles, points, hotel rewards, banking, and more to help family travelers stretch their dollars. Also provides travel tips and location-specific information.
https://milesmomma.com

The Points Guy
Offers news, tips, deals, and credit card reviews to help travelers maximize reward travel.
https://thepointsguy.com

Volunteer Travel

A Beginner’s Guide to Voluntourism
Helps potential volunteers ensure the work they engage in is helpful, respectful, and beneficial to the local community.
https://nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/a-beginners-guide-to-voluntourism

GoAbroad
An online search engine with information about international travel programs to review and compare options.
https://goabroad.com

Go Overseas
A community site providing reviews, photos, and information about thousands of overseas programs, trips, and jobs including volunteering.
https://gooverseas.com

Grassroots Volunteering
Helps travelers connect to communities in the places they’re visiting. Maintains a global database of organizations.
https://grassrootsvolunteering.org

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
Links visitors with organic farms around the world. Hosts get help on the farm while visitors gain education, cultural immersion, and typically room and board.
https://wwoof.net

Worldschooling

Citizen Science
A US government website that uses crowdsourcing and publicizes opportunities for people to participate in scientific research across the US.
https://citizenscience.gov

Common Sense Media
Provides reviews and advice about apps and websites for learning. Also offers free lessons and resources on topics like digital citizenship.
https://commonsense.org/education/selections-for-learning

Junior Ranger – NPS
A free, activity‑based program run by the US National Park Service encouraging children to learn about parks and share their “ranger story” with others. Available at almost all national and many state parks in the US.
https://nps.gov/kids/become-a-junior-ranger.htm

PBS Learning Media
An online collection of educational resources designed to support digital learning from pre-K through grade 12.
https://rmpbs.pbslearningmedia.org

Worldschooling Communities