ORLANDO, Fla. - s4story -- ORLANDO, FL — A new outdoor meetup series for homeschool teens is encouraging families to explore parks, neighborhoods, and hidden corners of Central Florida without the cost of theme park tickets.

Travel writer and photographer Portia O'Laughlin, founder of the family travel site When I Wander has launched The Loop by When I Wander, a series of casual nature walks designed for teens ages 10–16 to connect, explore, and observe the world around them.

The walks take place on the second Wednesday and fourth Friday of each month through May, with locations rotating across the Orlando area to introduce families to places they may not have visited before.

Unlike traditional meetups centered around theme parks or structured activities, The Loop encourages teens to simply walk, observe, and wander.

Participants are invited to take photos, notice wildlife, study architecture, sketch, or talk with other teens while exploring local parks and public spaces.

"Most homeschool meetups happen at Disney, and not every family wants to or can afford that," said O'Laughlin. "The Loop is about rediscovering the spaces around us, parks, neighborhoods, and communities that are free to explore. Sometimes the best discoveries happen when kids are just given room to wander."

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The group intentionally meets later in the afternoon, which works well for homeschool families who prefer a flexible morning schedule.

The first walk took place in Celebration, Florida, with upcoming gatherings including a photo walk in downtown Winter Haven, where teens will practice observing their surroundings through photography and creative exploration.

O'Laughlin says the idea grew from watching how naturally conversations unfold when teens walk side by side rather than sit in structured settings.

Future walks may also serve as the foundation for a small observational project looking at how outdoor exploration helps teens build social connections and curiosity through shared experiences.

The Loop is a secular, non-religious meetup open to homeschool families seeking relaxed opportunities for teens to connect while exploring Central Florida's parks, wildlife, architecture, and communities.

Families interested in learning more about upcoming walks can find details at

https://wheniwander.com/the-loop