Teacher decides to ditch traditional classroom for global journeys with children
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Hopping on a plane to Costa Rica in 2021, Katie Campbell, aged 40, and her husband Campo, 46, embarked on a daring journey with their three daughters Taba, Kiki, and Indie. Their destination? A year-long adventure exploring 26 communal living hubs across the globe.
"We were intrigued by the concept of communal living, not the hippie communes of the '70s, but modern, intentional communal spaces where people share resources, chores, and responsibilities to live interdependently," Katie shared. This lifestyle may be less common in the UK, but it's a norm in many countries like Portugal, the US, Scandinavia, and even in the lush forests of Costa Rica.
With their daughters at ages seven, five, and three, Katie believed this was the perfect time for them to experience a world beyond their norms. "Some people thought we were out of our minds, abandoning our home and excited life behind. But there were others who encouraged us, saying that it was a gift for our kids to see the world so young. I chose to surround myself with those supportive voices," Katie said.
Preparing for their adventure soon became a whirlwind. They had to sort out their rented house, inform their children's school of their plans, and prepare color-coded packing cubes for each family member. It was strange, yet liberating for Katie, being a 36-year-old woman embracing the unknown, without a concrete plan or the weight of responsibilities holding her back.
Their first stop was La Ecovilla in Costa Rica, a vibrant community home to 43 families from 29 different countries, all living in independent houses but coming together for daily meals, gardening, schooling, and socializing. "It was exotic, with monkeys chasing each other everywhere, but it also felt warm and welcoming," Katie shared.
The girls attended an indoor-outdoor school, and Katie and Campo fully immersed themselves in learning about the pioneering, regenerative project. Every day brought new memories – swimming in the crystal-clear waters, gathering under the full moon for ceremonies, practicing yoga alongside their new friends, cooking community meals, indulging in breathtaking sunsets, and working in beautiful gardens. Every waking moment was filled with experiences they wouldn't soon forget.
Living among new friends occasionally presented unexpected challenges. Katie recalled one hair-raising moment when they lost sight of little Indie during a sunset. Despite the anxiety, a neighbor quickly found her, and the walk back home reinforced the importance of teaching their girls to establish new boundaries on these adventures.
Their next stop was the US, where they purchased a camper van to visit various communities across five months. Living as a family on the road had its ups and downs, but the shared experiences, laughter, and magical moments made the challenges worthwhile. They traveled to Arizona, Oregon, California, and Nevada, creating memories that would last a lifetime.
After spending time in Canada, they journeyed to Portugal, where Campo joined a three-week communal living course in a rural community. For three weeks they lived in a small, sweltering hut, shared communal drop toilets, had no internet connection, and couldn't explore outside the commune. As days wore on, the novelty of their nomadic lifestyle began to wear off, but once the course ended, they quickly returned home in July 2022.
The family learned valuable lessons throughout their journey. Katie felt that removing her children from school even for just a short time had been the right decision. They were well-adapted, mature, and curious because of the experiences they had been through. The girls' diets expanded as they embraced the mostly vegan communities they encountered, and their culinary skills from preparing meals together put many adults to shame.
After returning home, Katie and Campo gained fresh perspectives on communal living. While they recognized the benefits of shared resources and teamwork, they found that a degree of privacy was essential. They looked for funding and a suitable location to set up their own community in the UK but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Instead, they lead the charge in sharing resources in their local neighborhood and collaborate with friends on shared responsibilities for childcare, transportation, and more. On some days Katie misses the slower pace of life, the beautiful friends they made, and the sense of belonging to something greater. However, she no longer takes her laundry machine for granted!
These modern communes serve as examples of sustainable living, mutual support, and resource sharing worldwide. The Foundation for Intentional Community maintains a global directory of such communities, offering invaluable resources for anyone wishing to learn more about intentional living and connect with like-minded individuals.
- Katie Campbell's family embarked on a year-long journey, exploring 26 communal living hubs globally, including Costa Rica, to experience interdependence and share resources.
- In La Ecovilla, Costa Rica, their community consisted of families from various countries, engaging in daily activities like gardening, schooling, cooking, and socializing.
- The girls attended an indoor-outdoor school, learning and adapting to new environments and cultures, while Katie and Campo immersed themselves in learning about regenerative projects.
- Living in communal spaces occasionally presented challenges, such as the time when they lost track of little Indie during a sunset, but neighborly support quickly remedied the situation.
- They traveled across the US in a camper van, visiting different communities and creating memories, despite the challenges of living on the road.
- Campo later joined a communal living course in rural Portugal, experiencing a simple lifestyle devoid of modern amenities like the internet.
- Upon their return home, Katie and Campo gained insights on communal living, appreciating the benefits of shared resources and teamwork but favoring a balance of privacy.
- They embraced the communal lifestyle in their local neighborhood, collaborating with friends on shared responsibilities, and championing the values of sustainability, mutual support, and resource sharing.
