Wonderstruck
A NEWSLETTER FROM THE TEAM AT WONDER YEAR
Volume 8 • January 2024
Wonder Year News
Welcome to 2024!
2023 was a banner year for us at Wonder Year. A tickle of an idea in 2018 materialized into a gorgeous book in our hands in September. But the fun isn’t over! The Wonder Year team has exciting travel plans in 2024. From Denver, San Francisco, and Cincinnati to Puerto Rico and Playa del Carmen, we will be attending conferences, speaking about family travel, and connecting with fellow adventurers. In January we’ll visit three REI stores in Texas to continue sharing our book with local audiences. Check out our Press Page as we add more stops.
This month we’ll also will be teaming up with Deliberate Detour and The Worldschool Coach for an exciting giveaway on Instagram. Check in mid-month to make sure you’re entered to win.
Blog Roundup for December
This past month we published a blog to inspire a new season of discovery. Loaded with educational ideas for indoors and out, it “gives a shout-out to the joy of winter worldschooling and the coziness of shorter days.”
We’ve also been planning our blogs for the upcoming year and are excited to share more Community Connectors, Fernweh Families, destination inspiration, travel tips, and worldschooling resources. What else would you like to see from us? Feel free to drop us a line at the email below to suggest topics!
January Happenings Around the Globe
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – A special day in the United States, MLK Day is celebrated each year on the third Monday of January to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Many people do volunteer work as part of a national day of service. Dr. King’s message resonated with millions worldwide, and his organizing, teaching, and commitment to nonviolence helped bring about significant social change in the US. You can deepen your learning by visiting the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia, or by exploring the King Center website here. You can also explore volunteer opportunities on this platform.
- Carnaval de Negros y Blancos/Carnival of Black and White – Every year between December 28 and January 6, the Carnival of Black and White happens in Pasto, Colombia. In 2009, UNESCO declared the Carnival an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Noted for its indigenous roots and celebration of cultural identity and expression, the festival offers intricate body painting, street festivities, great food and music, a massive parade, and a full schedule of colorful events.
- January in Paris – Yes, January in Paris, France is cold. Days are short and skies are likely to be overcast. But travelers who can embrace the conditions will find Paris at its most local. After the holidays Parisians settle into slower ways, and it’s a great time for visitors to take in some art, shopping, coffee, and delicious food. You might also find great deals on flights and lodging, lower train fares, and little or no line at some of the top sites.
- Carnaval de Québec – Celebrated in Québec City, Canada, this event is believed to be the oldest winter carnival in the world. With 10 days of festivities, the Carnaval celebrates day and night winter fun with ice sculptures, night parades, ice canoe races, ziplines, and so much more. This year Carnaval takes place from January 25 to February 11.
- Polar Bear Plunge Day – Brrrrr! Many intrepid dunkers kick off the new year with a plunge in open water. Some do it to raise money for a charity. Others plunge “just because” and tout the health benefits of cold water bathing like improved circulation, boosted immunity, and stress reduction. Whatever the motivation, a polar bear plunge can be a fresh start to the new year.
Nature’s Offerings
- Diamond Dust – In really frigid climates, an amazing weather phenomenon called diamond dust can occur. This precipitation event is like fog, but diamond dust is made up of tiny ice crystals instead of liquid. It’s usually a thin veil that doesn’t affect visibility but does wow the imagination of those who witness it.
- Sounds of Winter – Bundle up and head outside during the cold months and you’ll be treated to some beautiful acoustics, especially on a windy day. With the leaves gone, the wind whistling through the branches of deciduous trees can be low and haunting or high-pitched and creaky. If there’s a new layer of snow on the ground, sounds may be muffled and replaced with a deep, insulated quietness. And while many birds migrate south in the winter months, others stick around, including the Northern Cardinal, Dark-Eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, and American Goldfinch. Pause for a winter moment and see if you can hear their calls.
- High Noon Sun – If you find yourself along the equator in January, you may experience the High Noon Sun, when the sun is directly overhead and reaches its highest point at noon. Fun fact: this is true no matter where you are along the equator. During this time, there are roughly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness every 24 hours.
- Meteor Showers – While not exclusive to January, several meteor showers peak this month, offering excellent opportunities to see shooting stars as they paint the night sky. From December 26 to January 16, the Quadrantids meteor shower will be active. Check out NASA Science Space Place for helpful information about the science of meteors and some fun activities for families to enjoy together.
- Height of Summer in the South Pole – In the South Pole, January brings relatively warmer temperatures (-15 degrees F versus June temps of -75 degrees F) and continuous daylight with a woozy 24-hour twilight quality. The seasonal melting of sea ice opens up the region to tourism and research activity, so January ushers in an Antarctic hustle-bustle. Visitors arrive by ship or plane to take in the extraordinary landscape and marine life, including penguins and their fluffy chicks, whales, and seals.
Links We’re Loving…
- Hipcamp Mates – Last month we featured Hipcamp, a website with ideas for unique outdoor stays. You can also follow Hipcamp Mates, a group of intrepid outdoor enthusiasts in Australia, the UK, and the US, Hipcamping and creating cool and colorful content along the way.
- livologyblog – The Mariottis sold it all in 2013 and spent many years wandering the globe. They aim to live a deliberate life and publish stories designed to be “fun to read, thought-provoking, and inspiring.” Their website, ebook, and Instagram account all feature travel insights and curated guides to help you plan your family’s journey.
- WanderRock offers international, small-group tours for neurodiverse young adults. Their programs are built “so they induce growth and provide challenge…but aren’t completely overwhelming or overstimulating.” Participants meet in advance by Zoom and receive packing tips, lists of what to bring, and the security of tour guides who understand their needs and concerns.
- @toddlers_kidsactivities – We love featuring platforms that offer free educational content. This account comes from a teacher who “helps caregivers create meaningful, fun, and engaging learning activities.” It includes short videos with tips in the captions organized by age range.
- Our Offbeat Life – This podcast celebrates full-time family travel, diving into the lifestyle and offering insights from digital nomads, worldschoolers, and other adventurers. We were lucky to be recent guests and found host David to be thoughtful, insightful, and funny. In a crowded field of travel podcasts competing for attention, we’re loving this new entry!
We hope you found these updates and tips helpful! We wish you all the best in your worldschooling adventures, whether you’re planning your trip, are currently on the road, or have already returned and want to stay connected to the family travel community.
As always, we’d love your feedback. If you have any questions or comments about this newsletter, feel free to reach out to us at any of the emails below. Thank you!
Happy Trails,
Wonder Year Team
Annika: annika@wonderyear.com
Angela: angela@wonderyear.com
Julie: julie@wonderyear.com
