What if finding a few like-minded families near you were as easy as dropping a pin on a map? In this episode, Lisa chats with Morgan Bergstrom—former corporate recruiter, mom of three (soon four!), and creator of BaseCampEd, a free app that helps homeschool and alt-ed families connect locally.
When you’re just starting to think about homeschooling, it can feel overwhelming. Is it “all or nothing”? Will your kids miss out on friends? How do you even begin to find like-minded families nearby?
That’s exactly the journey that Morgan Bergstrom faced. A former corporate recruiter and mom of three (soon four!), Morgan and her husband knew something had to change. Long days at daycare and late nights filled with mom guilt led them to explore homeschooling—and eventually to create a brand-new resource for families: BaseCampEd, a free app that connects homeschool and alternative-education families right where they live.
From Corporate Career to Homeschool Curious
Morgan spent 12 years in the high-pressure world of corporate recruiting. With three little boys under five and another on the way, she realized that the lifestyle just wasn’t sustainable. “I was that mom dropping my kids off at 7:59 and picking them up at five,” she remembers. “I loved my job, but I was missing the best parts of my kids’ day.”
When she and her husband started talking seriously about homeschooling, it felt daunting. Neither of them had been homeschooled, and the idea of “school at home” seemed foreign. But small steps—like trying out fun curriculum kits together after dinner—gave them confidence. “You don’t have to go all in on day one,” Morgan says. “Just test it out and see how your kids respond.”
Join Morgan on her podcast, The Homeschool Curious Podcast at the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
Why Community Matters
One of the biggest myths about homeschooling is the “lack of socialization.” But what families really crave isn’t endless playdates—it’s connection with a handful of like-minded families.
Morgan saw this firsthand when she heard about a group of families in Maui who built a mini co-op during COVID. Each parent shared their expertise, took turns teaching, and leaned on each other for support. That story stuck with her. “I thought, how do families find each other if they want to do that? Where’s the tool that makes it easy?”
Introducing BaseCampEd
Out of that question came BaseCampEd, a free app designed to make local homeschool connections simple. Think of it like a “Zillow for homeschoolers”—you enter your zip code, pull up a map, and see who’s nearby. Families can create profiles, list their kids’ ages, join groups, and even post events.
Some standout features:
- Free forever for parents (no paywall for community access)
- Zip code–based search (no geo-tracking)
- Travel friendly (road-schoolers can update their location to find families on the go)
- Group & event tools (perfect for co-ops, micro-schools, or park days)
- Business listings (find nature schools, farm schools, STEM micro-schools, and more in your area)
Morgan’s dream is to grow BaseCampEd into a central hub for all things alternative education—a place where families can not only find each other but also discover new programs they didn’t know existed.
Homeschooling Doesn’t Have to Be All or Nothing
Morgan admits she once thought homeschooling meant six hours a day at the kitchen table. Today she knows it can look very different: co-ops, hybrid schools, part-time micro-schools, or even just one or two subjects taught at home.
For parents who are homeschool curious but not ready to make a full leap, she recommends starting small:
- Try a weekend unit study or kit with your child.
- Attend a local homeschool group or co-op just once to see how it feels.
- Use BaseCampEd to find families who’ve already blazed the trail.
“You’re giving your kids the gift of time,” Morgan says. “True literacy and critical thinking don’t require six hours at a desk. That opens up space for books, travel, passions—and yes, even starting a business together.”
Why This Matters Now
Homeschooling and alternative education options are exploding—from STEM-based micro-schools to traditional trades programs to farm schools. Yet families often feel isolated or unsure where to begin. Tools like BaseCampEd are changing that by making connection both safe and simple.
As Lisa Nehring, host of It’s Not That Hard to Homeschool, says: “Nobody needs 100 people, but we do need a couple. And our kids do too.”
Try BaseCampEd Today
If you’ve ever wished you could pull up a map and instantly see families near you who share your values and goals, BaseCampEd is for you. It’s free, easy to set up, and a great way to dip your toe into the homeschool world—without doing it alone.
👉 Download BaseCampEd here and create your family profile today.
Key Takeaways
Homeschooling can blend with entrepreneurship, travel, and hybrid options.
You don’t have to go “all in” to start homeschooling—try small steps first.
True socialization comes from a few strong family connections, not huge groups.
Tools like BaseCampEd make it easy to find those families nearby.
Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.
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