Considerable education takes place beyond the classroom walls. Here are five places you and your family can learn through experience:

1.China Kung Fu Adventure. Explore the cultural wealth of China with your clan during this 14- day journey. Learn the art of Kung Fu from a student monk, cook with a local family, check out the skills of Shanghei acrobats, play badminton in the Olympic complex and discuss ancient customs with ethnic villagers. Stay in family-friendly accommodations that make dining, napping and planning possible. Designed for children six and older, this adventure creates a “mobile classroom” through which families can immerse themselves in the history and culture of this dynamic country. Contact: 1-888-902-8808; www.wildchina.com/china-immersion-experiences/overview/cultural-family-vacation-beijing-henan-xian-yunnan-shanghai

2.The Civil Rights Trail. The battle for civil rights and justice was fought throughout the South during the 1950s and 60s. Today, families can learn more about the era through the Alabama museums and programs that now share stories illuminating the early struggles. Important stops include the Civil Rights Memorial Center, Rosa Parks Library and Museum, and the Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, where the Montgomery Bus Boycott was planned and Dr. Martin Luther King once served as pastor. A free, full-color, downloadable brochure will help with planning. Contact: www.800alabama.com/activities/tours-and-trails/alabama-civil-rights-museum-trail/; www.nps.gov/semo/index.htm.

3.Save The Turtles. From August through November, families can help preserve Olive Sea Turtles by gathering eggs on the beach in Mazatlan, MX and releasing the tiny hatchlings back to the sea. Learn how the effort, coordinated by Estrella del Mar's Turtle Sanctuary and Preserve, helps save more than 50,000 of these sea creatures each year. The Sea Turtle package, offered by Las Villas Hotel and Spa, includes airport transfers, a tour of the property and preserve as well as other amenities. Contact: Contact: 877-629-2852; www.mazatlanhotellasvillas.com.

4.Archeological Adventure. In Southwestern Colorado, visit the largest archaeological preserve in the United States and learn about the Ancestral Puebloans who made their home on Mesa Verde from 500 AD until 1300 AD. Choose a tour of this World Heritage Site that best serves your family’s interests and abilities, from a collection that offers insight into the life, culture and history of these ancient people. Explore cliff dwellings and mesa-top developments and discuss what life might have been like for families in this environment. Later, sample foods that sustained the Puebloans, including corn, squash and beans, in the Metate Room restaurant. Contact: 800-449-2288; www.visitmesaverde.com.

5. A Culinary Calling. Practice your language skills and learn from the pros at the Santa Fe Cooking School when you and your family take part in the Muy Subrosa ( “very tasty” in Spanish ) two night experience at this centrally located Santa Fe inn. The package includes a cooking demonstration, paired with the opportunity to taste other local cuisine while exploring this enchanting and historic town. Contact: 888-984-2121;www.innonthealameda.com.