New Hampshire Road School: Camping, Climbing & the Coast

Where We Stayed

Hussey Mountain Tree Farm

Our adventure kicked off at the Hussey Mountain Tree Farm in southeastern New Hampshire, and it was one of the highlights of the whole trip. The kids were over the moon about hiking into our campsite—an enormous site called Ledgewood—and immediately set off exploring every corner. Eben, the owner and proud New Hampshire native, met us with the warmest welcome. For a small fee, he even hauled all our gear in and out with his ATV, which turned out to be necessary for us with all of our stuff.

The property itself was amazing. There were plenty of well marked trails with gorgeous views, so the first day we never even left the 87 acre property. Evenings meant charades around the campfire with a mountain view that looked straight out of a postcard. If you’re looking for a camping experience a step beyond car camping that blends adventure for the kids with a real sense of New England’s beauty and calm, Hussey Tree Farm is a gem and a place we hope to return to one day.

Learning on the Road / in the Woods

Math

Wild Math: The Wild Math curriculum encourages using elements of nature to engage with math in concrete ways. While we don't use the curriculum from day to day, we borrow ideas from it to reinforce mathematical concepts in the natural world. Our 2nd grader is becoming interested in multiplication, so we turned a simple nature walk into an engaging math class, where we employed the acorns as manipulatives. As we collected acorns, we discussed various multiplication techniques, using the acorns to illustrate concepts such grouping and repeated addition. This hands-on activity not only reinforced multiplication skills but also gave KG agency to explore concepts in her own way.

Science

We also visited the Seacoast Science Center within Odiorne State Park, where marine life from the Gulf of Maine is brought to life within. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, especially when talking about the center’s lobsters. Through hands-on exhibits and simple presentations, our kids learned about the lobsters’ life cycle, habitat, and the role they play in New England culture. It was an engaging experience that gave them a better appreciation for local marine biology and a lobsterman's way of life.

While we didn't have time to take advantage of their many curricular materials, however the center's resources coupled with the eager teaching staff has the potential to deepen understanding and appreciation for marine life for all learners for those who have time to do so.

Fruit Picking & River Exploration

During our visit to New Hampshire, we were eager to engage in a variety of fun activities that would allow us to experience the local culture and natural beauty. Our adventure began at Butternut Farms, a pick-your-own farm known for its bountiful orchards and friendly atmosphere. Here, we had the opportunity to gather crisp apples, juicy peaches, and sweet raspberries directly from the trees and bushes (while Bear napped in the wagon).

We also made a stop to explore the scenic Packer Falls in Durham. Given recent droughts, the water levels were low, which only made the adventure more fun as the kids hopped from rock to rock and I read a few pages of a book.

Reflections on Our New Hampshire Adventure

We left New Hampshire with more than just photographs; we gathered experiences that ignited our wanderlust as the first official stop of our New England journey and left us wanting more time to explore further. We have no doubt we'll return in years to come to dig further into the history and significance of the first colony to declare independence. I look forward to updating our New Hampshire State Study in the time to come as we delve more deeply into what my family will forever consider a most magical place.