If you had asked me a decade ago whether I’d homeschool my kids, I wouldn’t have had an
answer for you.
I was homeschooled from preschool to Senior year of high school (except for a brief stint at a
private school for 3rd and 4th grade)—I have very fond memories of being homeschooled.
Picking out our curriculums at the beginning of the year (by 5th grade I was already trying to
build my own curriculums) curiosity is celebrated in homeschool and whatever I wanted to learn
I could explore.
But when it came time to raise our own kids, I wasn’t sure I could shoulder the weight of being
the everything—
the teacher,
the guide,
the motivator.
I loved the idea of homeschooling… but could I really do it?
Still, something about it kept pulling at me. I started researching what modern homeschooling
looked like and (thanks to my sister) I stumbled across the Wild + Free movement. I was gifted a
ticket for one of their conferences, and I was hoping for clarity.
Within minutes of the first session, I was sobbing. It felt like every word spoken was landing
straight in my chest. This was the feeling I’d been waiting for. The confirmation. The invitation. I
walked out of that room knowing, without a doubt, that this was the path I wanted to take.
But that doesn’t mean it was easy.
As we started homeschooling, I quickly found myself feeling a bit trapped. We were home all
day, every day, and I felt the walls slowly closing in. My body craved movement, space, open
skies—and so did my kids. That’s when we started hiking. First it was just little trails, then
longer ones, and before long we were out in the wild a lot.
Hiking became our classroom.
Our reset button.
Our shared rhythm.
It helped us regulate, bond, and breathe deeper.
I was so passionate about it, I ended up starting a local branch of a hiking group for other moms
and kids. Week after week, we explored together, and reminded each other that we weren’t alone
in this adventure.
Homeschooling wasn’t about being stuck at home. It was about the freedom to live learning—
outdoors, together.
Years later, that wild, wonder-driven approach still shapes how we do school. One of the most
unexpectedly delightful rabbit trails we’ve wandered down lately has been Fungi.
It started with lots of questions, my kids were curious—and so was I. One of the best parts about
homeschooling is that you get to constantly learn alongside your kids, my 5th grade inner self
thrilled that we still get to build curriculums.
It turned into a deep dive: field guides, spore prints, art projects, nature journaling. I watched
their curiosity bloom, and mine too.
I poured all of that inspiration into something more structured: and using my favorite sidekick
for homeschool (Chat GPT) I created a Fungi Course for other homeschool families. With art
prompts, science experiments, storytelling ideas, nature walk suggestions, and just enough
structure to help your kids explore this weird and wonderful kingdom alongside you. Its like a
trail guide—not a map with one route, but a companion for wherever your curiosity leads.
To all the mamas out there walking this path, whether you’re homeschooling, forest schooling,
world schooling or public schooling. While also trying to nurture your own adventure, creativity,
and sense of self: I see you. If you’re unsure or overwhelmed, I’ve been there too. But I’ve
learned this truth again and again—being a mom isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s
about connection. And often, it’s about getting outside, following the wonder, and letting nature
do its work.
This life is full of unexpected turns. But if you follow what sparks curiosity—for you and your kids—you just might find yourself exactly where you’re meant to be.
With gratitude and hopefully muddy hiking boots,
Rachel Downing
@adventure_mama
You can find all my homeschool guides here www.homeschooling-adventures.com (more guides
coming soon)