Summer waitlist is open + live Q&A with me
The info, the invite, and the vision for Roam Collective, right here.
If you’ve been following along, you know I’ve spent the past two summers living and working in Europe while my kids attended summer camp abroad.
So for next summer, this was my plan: I’d do the research, pick the destination, share every step with you, and gather a small group from this community to join. We’d enroll the kids in a local camp, book long-term rentals, and live a version of the magic we had experienced the year before when we were on an organized group program.
Because community is what makes this kind of experience go from special to unforgettable.
I still Marco Polo weekly with the moms I met in Portugal during our first summer doing this. Those relationships, and the ease of running into familiar faces at drop-off or the beach, turned a European trip into something that felt like home.
So I started researching in July (yes, while I was still in Nice). I began mapping out camps, narrowing destinations, and plotting the schedule for a Zoom session to share the plan, hoping others would say “we’re in.”
What I didn’t expect was for the entire vision to evolve.
Earlier that spring, I discovered Maria from ILO Retreats. She was hosting weeklong family trips with thoughtfully integrated childcare. I was intrigued and reached out. We started DMing, then Zooming, and it became immediately clear we shared a similar mindset around family travel, vibes, and community.
I told her about Boundless, the organized program we did our first summer abroad. I shared what worked, what didn’t, and why I thought a month-long format could be transformative if done well. We left that first call planning to reconnect a month later.
By the time we did, I was four weeks into summer in Nice. Maria had connected with another woman, Susie, a travel advisor specializing in month-long family travel who runs Carpe Diem Travel.
The three of us aligned quickly. We decided to collaborate. I shared my shortlist of dream locations for next summer. They started vetting properties to set up summer camp, accommodations, thinking through how to make something feel elevated yet warm, structured yet flexible. Something that didn’t just solve the challenges I’d encountered before, but created an experience that felt seamless, inspiring, and expansive.
We landed on the perfect spot (it will be announced next week!). From there, everything moved fast: the branding, the vision, the weekly events, the childcare model, the way coworking would be integrated and how community would show up in every aspect.
This wasn’t the group summer I originally imagined. It’s something 1000x better.
Introducing Roam Collective
A one-month immersive experience for the whole family making summer camp and remote work in Europe possible.
Built from real-life experience, Roam Collective is the culmination of everything we’ve learned and everything we wish existed.
Here’s what’s included:
Summer camp for your kids (during U.S. working hours)
Beautiful, vetted accommodations
Optional coworking space
Weekly family events and adult-only social experiences
A built-in, like-minded community to share it all with
📅 Dates: June 27 – August 1, 2026
📍 Location: Announcement coming next week
🔐 Waitlist: Now open! Join 80+ families here for early access + info
I know this may seem intriguing in theory, but complicated in practice.
So whether you're curious about Roam Collective, considering something like Boundless, or looking into creating your own DIY summer abroad, I’ll be hosting a free live session on Monday, September 29 at 1pm PT to walk through each of these options. I’ll share the pros and cons, key considerations, and open up space for Q&A.
See you there!
P.S. Thank you to everyone who completed last newsletter’s poll! Congrats to @alisoname and @jenna485990 you’ve won my New Modern Mom Essentials Kits!
Currently
BUYING This $7 kids birthday present in bulk because I feel guilty showing up to a party with no gift, even when the invite says not to. My kids love these and they are great restaurant toys.
WEARING Left on Friday Set: this fabric is reminiscent of Aligns, but love love love the square neck top, and the rise of the pants is perfect.
SHARING The news that we just signed the lease for our FOURTH MNTSTUDIO location… and this will be our biggest undertaking yet!
LISTENING Social Currently with Sammi Cohen feat. Alli Webb of Drybar Love listening to the unglamourous, real side of founder stories.
EATING GoodCulture Cottage Cheese I know cottage cheese gets a bad rep, but if you’re looking for a high protein snack, I recommend giving this specific brand a try. It’s different from all the rest.
All The Things
Although we’re entering San Francisco’s unofficial summer, Fall transitional outfits are on my mind. As always I’m looking to simplify my getting ready routine in the morning, which means having easy and comfortable pieces to mix and match. Shop the full visual edit here.
Tops: White button down, Red stripe button down, Pointelle Tee, Deep red tank
Jackets: Suede Olive Bomber Jacket, Brown leather jacket, Barn jacket
Bottoms: Ivory Charmeuse, Barrel White Jeans, Wide-leg Black Jeans, Merlot cotton pants
Perforated Flats: Gold Macrame, Oxblood Mesh, Black Mesh, Blue Mesh, Ivory Woven
New Modern Mom Podcast Spotlight
Maddy Novich (@CargoBikeMomma), Professor & NYC mom of three, joins me to share how her family has spent six summers in Europe, with her kids in local camps. No gatekeeping, just two moms sharing about our summer abroad experiences.
TLDR, here’s what’s inside this episode:
🌍 How to choose the right destination or camp first (and what to prioritize)
🔍 Where to find safe, English-speaking summer camps across Europe
💶 What camp in Europe actually costs compared to the U.S.
🏠 How home exchanges make long-term travel more affordable
✅ What to ask when vetting camps so you feel confident sending your kids
❤️ Don’t forget to give this a little love please!
💬 Comment with your thoughts or questions about Roam Collective
📤 Hit ‘Share’ to send this to your husband or group chat
These small actions keep me inspired and writing, I so appreciate the support!
Thanks for joining me on this journey,
Barbara