I was an ‘adventure nanny’ for more than five years and here’s what it was like

Skip science lessons, it’s Burning Man on the agenda today!

Welcome to the world of Adventure Nannies – a company catering to nomadic, adventurous parents looking for caregivers to join them on their offbeat jaunts – whether it’s festivals in the desert, ski trips to Aspen or meditation retreats in India. 

Ashley Wainwright, a 33-year-old from Connecticut, told DailyMail.com that she had been employed by the firm for more than five years and during that time she had travelled around the world, with one of her more unusual assignments involving a musician who had taken their children on tour with them.

Instead of providing youngsters with set school work, Adventure Nannies are hired ‘to encourage and support families who have unique needs and desires for their kids,’ according to the company.

Ashley Wainwright, a 33-year-old from Connecticut, has been an adventure nanny for more than five years

During her time as an adventure nanny, Wainwright has travelled around the world, with one of her more unusual assignments involving a musician who took their children on tour with them

Wainwright says the most important qualities needed to be an ‘adventure nanny’ are ‘adaptability, patience, and a pinch of creativity goes a long way.’

Quizzed on her most extreme adventure nannying experience, she explained: ‘One time I was employed by a musician and we had two back-to-back legs of a tour in Europe. 

‘We country-hopped for about a week, came home to the US for less than 48 hours and then went straight back to Europe. We were there for another 10 or so days and did a bunch more country-hopping before coming home. 

‘On our flight home, one of our connections (we were on four flights total that day before we got back home) was delayed and we missed our next connection by just a few minutes.

‘I remember both my employer and I sitting in silence, finally making eye contact and we just started cracking up. There wasn’t anything else to do except laugh at the moment. Door-to-door, it took us about 26 hours to get home.’

In terms of pay, Wainwright said she made anywhere between $30 to $45 an hour, before overtime, when she was on the road full time.  

Annually, this worked out to be between $70,000 to $100,000.

Nowadays, the caregiver prefers spending time closer to home with her partner and their two cats, and last year she predominantly looked after families on the east coast. 

Asked about her plans for the rest of the year, she replied: ‘This year has a lot more in-store – much of which will be spent with my family, friends, partner, and two cats.

In terms of pay, Wainwright said she made anywhere between $30 to $45 an hour, before overtime, when she was on the road full time (stock image)

The business was officially launched in 2012 and was geared toward ‘finding exceptional travel nannies with unique skill sets for adventurous families across the country’

‘I’m excited to dive into that quality time with those close in my life and go on personal vacations, take more time to ski and boulder, and to cram in as many concerts as possible.

‘For the upcoming fall, I’m looking forward to having the time to finish up my Bachelor’s degree in Public Health: Child, Family, and Community.’

The idea for Adventure Nannies was born in Denver in 2007 when founder Brandy Schultz realized she herself had become an adventure nanny, joining families on backpacking treks through the Canadian wilderness, trips to Burning Man, and other off-the-beaten path destinations.

In between Brandy’s adventures, she met an aspiring musician, Wesley Schultz (now of The Lumineers), who had recently moved to town and was working as a busboy to make ends meet. 

They began dating and, as Brandy’s calendar filled up with families trying to hire her for upcoming trips, she saw an opportunity to launch a business and support Wesley’s music. 

The business was officially launched in 2012 and was geared toward ‘finding exceptional travel nannies with unique skill sets for adventurous families across the country.’ 

According to the website, ‘only five per cent of our 10,000+ applicants each year make it through our rigorous qualification process.’ 

It adds that the ones who do are ‘true individuals – but they share some important characteristics,’ with these being adventurous, forward-thinking, bright and professional.

Looking ahead, Adventure Nannies co-founder and CEO Shenandoah Davis says she has lots of plans for the company.

‘I always tell folks half-jokingly that my 10-year plan for Adventure Nannies is to put the first nanny into space! In all seriousness though, I’m thrilled and so grateful for all of the ways Adventure Nannies has grown over the past seven years,’ she told DailyMail.com.

‘We’ve gotten to meet so many incredible families and nannies and the need for companies like ours to exist has only gotten larger due to the pandemic.’