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We're a global online learning community for guides and experience creators.

Campfire by TripSchool is a global community learning platform that helps travel businesses connect with experience creators like tour guides, tour managers, and tour designers around the world.

Who is Campfire for?

local tour guides & docents

tour directors, tour managers & trip leaders

creators & influencers interested in offering experiences

Powered by TripSchool and partners.

Campfire is a custom community & learning platform created by TripSchool, as an open place to gather and learn. We invite course creator partners from across the industry to participate and share in the learning and community.

What does Campfire offer?

Online courses.

A community of course creators, all in one place, with specific training for the experiences industry.

Video & Article Library

Read and watch others’ insights into the industry. Get discovered by creating your own content that’s shared with everyone.

Guide Job Board & Directory

Operators, find the guides you need. Guides, find new work.

Small Group Cohort Learning

Workshops and masterclasses held in small groups, with practical outcomes.

Tour Operator Directory

Discover tour businesses that you can work with.

Campfire for Teams

Host your company in a group, and power a community-based relationship, customized to your team’s needs.

We created Campfire because there is no central hub of quality courses and community for the tours & attractions industry.

There is so much good content out there, and knowledgeable individuals. Our model is the shopping mall: let everyone offer their knowledge and support in a central location, where people can browse and discover what’s right for them.

We chose the image of a campfire because it’s a warm, friendly, inviting place to gather and share. One of the aspects of our industry that’s incredible is everyone’s willingness to help each other in so many ways.

The project has been spearheaded by the team at TripSchool . However it’s meant to be a neutral platform where creators of courses, e-books, videos and other quality learning material can all share (and sell!) their goods to the industry, making everyone better.

So much learning and information online is geared towards the tourism & hospitality industry in general—hotels, airlines, etc.

Campfire is for those who work in experiences: tour operators, guides, attractions, and those that support them: DMOs, DMCs, marketers, OTAs, and more.

Campfire is a learning and networking hub for the experiences industry. Created by TripSchool and partners.

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The University of Chicago The Law School

Meet the class: mae farmer, ’27, mental health advocate aims to make a difference in healthcare policy.

Mae Farmer, ’27, graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in criminal justice. She always knew she wanted to study law and use it as a vehicle for social change, particularly in the area of mental health—a cause she cares deeply about.

Please describe your professional background and path.

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to attend law school, so throughout my undergraduate career I sought opportunities to gain experience towards that goal. I interned for a nonprofit, a county judge and commissioner, and for the Indiana state government within the Division of Mental Health and Addiction.

What key experiences have shaped you?

My passion for mental health advocacy has led to experiences that continue to enrich my personal and professional life. I have worked with several nonprofits, created my own blog and initiative focused on raising awareness, and been recognized with several service-based distinctions at my undergraduate institution.

What motivated your decision to go to law school?

By gaining a legal education, I believe I can be a voice for individuals, businesses, and causes that I care deeply about. I think it is especially important to see more business-minded people engage in the humanities to enact greater change, so I hope to do just that.

Why did you select the University of Chicago Law School?

I chose the University of Chicago Law School based on several factors including the spectacular reputation, location, and academic offerings. Specifically, the blend of economics and law was hugely important in my decision. I know that by coming to UChicago, I will have endless opportunities and become well-equipped to achieve my goals.

What do you plan to do with your legal education?

After graduation, I hope to gain more judicial and governmental experience through a federal clerkship. I also would like to get exposure to a variety of different cases by working at a large firm early in my career. Eventually, I plan to work for healthcare policy reform.

What is the thing you are most looking forward to about being a law student?

I am most excited to learn from my classmates, professors, and others associated with UChicago. I know these next few years will push me out of my comfort zone, and I'm looking forward to gaining an abundance of knowledge by connecting with my peers from backgrounds different than my own.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

Some of my hobbies include trying new and unique foods, photography, competing in pageants, modeling, baking, and traveling. In fact, this past summer I spent nine weeks traveling to over thirty cities across Europe. Throughout my trip, I explored the theme of advocacy as a recipient of The University of Alabama Ramsey Award Great Ideas Tour .

What is a “fun fact” about you?

People are often surprised to learn that I was adopted from China when I was eleven months old, and I have two older brothers that are ten and twenty years older than me.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am excited to start this new chapter, and I will always be down for studying together, exploring Chicago, and making memories. I hope to find some lifelong friends at UChicago, so I look forward to meeting everyone!

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USA TODAY 10Best

Homeschool mom shares how to turn a road trip into an epic field trip

September 5, 2024 // By Jessica Cole

By Jessica Cole September 5, 2024

As a homeschool mom, one thing I enjoy about homeschooling my kid s is the flexibility to travel at almost any time of the year. This past spring, our family took advantage of this by traveling to Austin, Texas, to view the most recent total solar eclipse.

Rather than pay airfare for seven family members, we chose to drive to Texas from our home near Raleigh, North Carolina. Facing 20-plus hours in the car, I decided to make our drive part of the experience, transforming our family road trip into one giant field trip!

We stopped at fun and educational places — museums, tourist attractions, and the like. I learned many lessons along the way. If you're planning a family road trip, here's how to turn it into a memorable field trip.

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Choose a road trip route that offers variety

Once you identify your ultimate destination (we spent three days in Austin), you'll need to decide on your route to get there. For us, there were three recommended routes with a few hours' difference among them. We decided not to take the most direct route. Instead, we went slightly north to North Carolina and then through Tennessee and Arkansas before arriving in Texas. On the way back, we passed through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. This way, we were able to stop at more attractions and experience a greater variety of environments — in climate, landscape, wildlife, and culture.

Tie planned stops to family and educational interests

Once I had the general route mapped out, I began searching for things to do and see in each state. First, I considered which attractions hit on areas of interest for members of our family or tied in with something the kids were learning in school. Next, I looked at how far out of the way we would have to drive to reach those points of interest. As a final measure, I considered how long a typical visit would take and made sure the attraction would be open at our desired date and time.

Read several reviews before booking hotels

I booked our hotels through a popular travel site, heavily relying on their star-rating system. As it turns out, I probably should have checked the reviews in more detail and maybe checked reviews from a few different sources. Most of the hotels were a hit, but one turned out to be a real miss.

Consider waiting to make reservations at attractions

While it was helpful to reserve hotels in advance, I didn't reserve tickets to most of the museums and other attractions until the day of our visit. This allowed us some flexibility to trade one stop for an alternative at the last minute.

On the other hand, we would've never gotten into one particular museum if I hadn't made an earlier reservation, so it's important to check each destination for any likelihood of selling out.

Figure out parking ahead of time

Parking in big cities can be challenging, but modern technology makes things easier. Besides looking on a location's website for parking suggestions, you can check your map app for nearby lots. I found Google Maps street view to be especially helpful in determining which lots would work best for us. Some attractions and even cities (street parking) will allow you to reserve parking spots in advance online.

Consider renting a van for your road trip

With five growing kids, my husband and I had been toying with the idea of trading in our minivan for a 12-passenger. Partly with this trip in mind, we took the plunge. The gas mileage isn't great, but the extra room for packing and spreading out is amazing!

Of course, buying a van isn't necessary for most, but it might be worth your money to rent one for a longer road trip.

Pack a suitcase for each day, not each person

When stopping at multiple hotels, packing hacks can simplify the process. Rather than dragging out seven individual suitcases every night, the kids and I pre-picked and packed our outfits into one suitcase for each day, rather than for each person. We then packed bathroom supplies and an extra outfit or two in the kids' backpacks. It made loading and unloading so much easier.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to bring a few dollars' worth of quarters for coin-operated laundry, as I learned when my preschooler accidentally dirtied his favorite blanket!

Factor in time zone changes when planning your road trip

If crossing several states on a fairly tight itinerary, don't forget that you may cross time zones. Overlooking this fact worked in our favor on our way westward, but it led to one late arrival time on a planned activity as we headed back east.

Pack food and save money on dining out

We have several food sensitivities in our family and we rarely eat out, so we packed a ton of food. We bought a good quality cooler and brought a second, more basic one for backup. We refreshed the ice regularly and made sure to stay at hotels with refrigerators/freezers. Although we supplemented with food at a few convenience stops, we managed to avoid dining out at restaurants and saved quite a bit of money.

In the end, we visited some amazing destinations, including the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee; the Space Center in Houston, and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The only thing I regret is that we didn't have more time to explore some of these places. But, of course, there's always next year!

About Jessica Cole

Jessica is a homeschool graduate and homeschooling mother who contributes to the Home School Legal Defense Association blog. Besides writing, her favorite activities include singing at church, teaching literature and theater at homeschool co-op, and planning escapades that push her routine-oriented husband outside his comfort zone. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and five children.

Read more about Jessica Cole here.

Connect with Jessica via: Website