Your Worldschooling Journey: Preparation Checklists
Here are some checklists, distilled from our worldschooling guidebook Wonder Year, of things to do and think about before you head out. While it’s not comprehensive—and not all items will apply to your family—we hope this provides a helpful starting point for your worldschooling journey.
Finances
* Review any savings as a possible funding source.
* Downsize belongings for possible sale.
* Sell or donate downsized items.
* Check any financial investments as a funding source and consult a financial adviser.
* Decide whether your current residence will be sold or rented, or if your lease will end.
* If renting your home, find renters and/or engage a property manager.
* Decide if you’re interested in house swapping; if so, create an online profile and list your property.
* Decide if you’re interested in house sitting; if so, create an online profile and research properties.
* Identify any couchsurfing options.
* Decide whether any family members will work while traveling.
* Check with your current employer about a remote work arrangement.
* If you own a business, arrange for management while away.
* If you plan to work while traveling, identify your marketable skills.
* Look for employment opportunities via remote or planned destinations.
* Research income-tax implications.
* Decide whether you’re borrowing funds for travel.
* Identify volunteer opportunities to pursue while traveling.
* Create a travel cost-management plan.
* Create a draft income-and-expense budget.
* Draft financial contingency plans.
Closing Up Life at Home
* If renting your current home, notify your landlord of your termination date, or arrange to sublease.
* If selling your current home, contact a real estate agent or prepare for self-listing.
* Modify or discontinue homeowners or renters insurance policies.
* Modify or discontinue utility accounts—gas/electric, water, sewer, trash, internet.
* Talk with your current employer about end date, or transition to remote work.
* Determine logistical and technical needs for any remote work plan.
* Notify kids’ schools; complete necessary paperwork to unenroll or change status.
* Review kids’ sports, extracurriculars, and lessons—identify end/pause date, and work with coaches and instructors on plans during travel.
* Pause or discontinue memberships and other recurring payments.
* Arrange for federal and state income-tax filing.
* Arrange to receive mail while traveling.
* Establish a plan for voting while away.
* Sell, lease, lend, or store vehicles; adjust auto insurance accordingly.
* After any downsizing, determine where remaining belongings will stay or be stored.
* Decide who will care for your pets while traveling.
* If pets are coming along, ensure all travel regulations have been researched and addressed.
Travel Logistics
* Ensure each family member has a passport with current name and expiration date that extends six months beyond currently booked travel.
* Research and secure any required visas for planned destinations.
* Get an International Driving Permit.
* Establish Power of Attorney for any legal needs at home.
* Find a debit card that minimizes or eliminates foreign transaction fees.
* Load debit and credit cards into a digital wallet.
* Practice the security-line process with your kids.
* Research security-checkpoint rules for planned destinations.
* Complete applications for any security process programs you deem helpful for your family: TSA PreCheck, CLEAR, or Global Entry, for example.
* Confirm onward travel documentation requirements for planned destinations.
* Research requirements for border crossings by road.
* Pack a daypack for each family member that includes time fillers for any travel delays.
* Identify technology connectivity needs for travel, including Wi-Fi, cell phone plans/SIM cards, and/or a GPS phone.
* Determine whether streaming services are useful for travel; cancel any that are not.
* Talk as a family about plans for technology use while traveling.
* Research and select insurance as need dictates:
− Travel insurance
− Belongings coverage
− Medical insurance
− Evacuation and repatriation coverage
* Sort your remaining belongings to leave most valuables and sentimental items at home.
* Label and photograph items you are taking on your journey.
* Organize and create a checklist for packed items.
* Inform credit card companies of travel plans.
* Set up transaction alerts to monitor debit/credit card activity while traveling.
* Bring along a list of phone numbers for your insurance, bank, and credit card companies.
* Record everyone’s laptop models and serial numbers; keep the list at home.
* Update antivirus and firewall programs on your laptops.
* Secure a VPN if you plan to use one while traveling.
* Purchase any desired RFID-blocking wallets or bags (for identity-theft protection).
* Pack! See separate appendix for details.
Health & Safety
* Set up a medical appointment for each family member for updated exam and lab work and to talk through physical/mental health needs for travel.
* Secure any needed medication prescriptions, and make a plan for filling ahead of time or while away.
* Carry paper prescriptions for medications and glasses/contacts while traveling.
* Complete updated specialist exams—dermatologist, gynecologist, allergist, etc.—prior to departure.
* Make a final dentist (and orthodontist, as needed) appointment for each family member, or arrange to complete these visits while traveling.
* Research and take vaccinations required/desired for travel.
* Obtain preventive medications for planned destinations.
* Arrange for any disability-related travel needs.
* Plan and complete any physical fitness preparation, including carrying weight and acclimatizing to altitude when possible.
* Plan for:
− Reproductive health items: menstrual, contraceptives, UTI prevention
− Insect prevention/treatment
− Motion sickness prevention/treatment
− Ear pain prevention/treatment
* Prepare for any high-elevation travel.
* Get EpiPens and/or food allergy cards.
* Ensure all kids are water safe; have them take swimming lessons prior to travel.
* Reserve or bring along strollers, car seats, high chairs, and babyproofing supplies.
* Carry medical information for each family member in daypacks.
* Create a plan with kids for what to do when lost or injured, including carrying important contact info and securing help when needed.
Reentry (Coming Home)
* Preplanning: consider your itinerary and think about end-of-trip transitions.
* Check with your school district to find out about important deadlines (signing up for sports, submitting physicals, shadowing new programs, etc.).
* Connect with friends; set up get-togethers and playdates.
* Consider a gathering to share your trip with relatives and friends.
* Set up a date to pick up pets.
* Visit your library for some real books!
* Check in with movers.
* Get a car, bicycle, or bus pass.
* Schedule medical appointments:
− Wellness exams/physicals
− Dental/orthodontic checkups
− Vision screenings
− Mammograms and other routine screenings
− Specialty providers
* Line up employment as needed, and make sure you include your Wonder Year on your LinkedIn account or résumé!
We hope this starter list is a helpful springboard for your planning. Each of these topics is explored in greater depth in the book, which we wrote to help families get out into the world together! We invite you to refer to it for more detailed information.
