Living a nomadic life while homeschooling brings incredible freedom and adventure—but it also takes intentional planning, especially when raising a neurodivergent or autistic child. In our own experience, we’ve learned that thriving on the road isn’t just about visiting places—it’s about integrating into each community we land in. Here are five practical tips that have helped our family feel at home wherever the road takes us.
1. Research Your Destination Beyond the Search Engine
Before you arrive, take time to get to know the area. For RV families, this means looking beyond standard resorts. Ask around, especially on the local social media pages. We have found most places have at least one social media page dedicated to the local community. we have had great luck joining and getting information straight from the locals who often know the quieter, off-the-beaten-path spots that give kids more room to roam without constant interruptions or stares. These hidden gems have been a gift to our son with autism, offering him the space and freedom he needs.
2. Make Friends with the Local Librarian
The library is often the heart of the community. Call ahead and introduce yourself—the librarian will likely know about reading programs, extracurriculars, and homeschool groups that may even meet in the library’s conference rooms. We’ve found that libraries are often hubs where homeschool families connect. This one simple call often opens the door to rhythm, routine, and belonging.
3. Connect with a Church or Faith Community
Reaching out to local churches has been one of the most meaningful parts of our journey. Many offer youth programs or weekday gatherings that give kids a place to connect. When you’re open and honest about who you are, you’ll often find not just a support system, but opportunities to serve and contribute in ways that make you feel part of something bigger.
4. Volunteer in the Community
Look for local thrift stores, food banks, or small nonprofits where your family can lend a hand. Volunteering—especially alongside your older children—teaches life skills, builds confidence, and forges deep connections. We’ve found that working with older generations brings wisdom, encouragement, and a sense of grounding that’s timeless.
5. Explore Extracurricular Opportunities
Don’t hesitate to call the local elementary school and ask if homeschoolers can join sports, music, or arts programs. Some schools welcome outside students for specific activities, and these experiences can enrich your child’s social and educational life while giving them a sense of belonging.
At the heart of it all, our philosophy is simple: we don’t just visit a place—we become part of it. Each stop on the journey brings blessings, friendships, and new ways of seeing the world. Homeschooling on the road is less about passing through and more about weaving yourself into the fabric of every community, even if only for a season.
Wow! I have really enjoyed learning about your journey and have given me faith and hope to continue forward. My wife and I have always wants to do RV life but unsure how to provide financially for it. I probably could do virtual meeting with clients but now my wife is pregnant with our 7th child and I don’t know an RV that will house that many! We have an autistic 6 year old son who is non verbal level two. He thrives in the outdoors! I have a blog about me when I had an accident but that was many years ago. I should write in my blog again. Haha
David, thank you for your comment. Wow, 7 kids! Honestly, we didn’t have a great plan to do this financially. We just didn’t feel we had a choice. Living like this is much cheaper than how we lived in Farmington Utah. But trying shift careers has been tough and challenging. Only thing is if you can sell everything and have now debt, cost of living isn’t too bad so the bar is lower to hit your monthly nut. There are some RV’s that have sweet sleeping setups. It could be possible if the kids can bunk in the same room. But if your ASD child needs his own sleeping area like ours does it complicates it. I can say that the outdoors seems like the perfect medicine for these precious kids. It has helped us so much. Share your blog with us! We are rookies at blogging but it has been a way for us to cope with it all. Thanks David!