Our perception of what is safe has rapidly changed over the last couple of months, and many of us will continue to exercise varying norms of social distancing in the near future. These are expected to keep the demand for air travel and hospitality lower than usual in the near term.  

Meanwhile, many turn to RVing and boating to embark on new vacation adventures while keeping their families safe. 

Generate your new normal with an RV; explore the national parks and beyond

RVing was on the rise even before the recent pandemic, and 2010s was the golden decade for the RV industry. Many people, ranging from retiring baby boomers to younger millennials with kids choose the RV lifestyle to spend more time travelling in pursuit of happiness.

For people seeking to generate their new normal, an RVing vacation offers expanded personal space both along the way and at the destination. Moreover, RVs of today provide many of the comforts of home, such as hot showers, air conditioning, and full kitchens, even when parked away from power hookups. RVing can be a great choice to help your family exercise social distancing norms while traveling.

To inspire your next family adventure with an RV, we have curated a list of national parks to visit in each state. If you don’t have an RV yet, you can consider renting one to evaluate whether it is the right fit for your family. Whether you own or plan to rent an RV, you can review our top RV maintenance tips for travel season to ensure your family has a smooth trip. 

Boating is good for social distancing as your family enjoys time on the water and build memories

A third of U.S. households already go boating in a given year¹; a number that could increase as more families consider boating for their next day trip or vacation. 

Whether it is just for few hours or for a long weekend, boating gives you the chance to go to remote places that otherwise aren't accessible and build unforgettable memories with your family. Even better, you don't need to own a boat and instead rent one for few hours to days. 

While there were restrictions on boating during the peak times of the pandemic, many facilities you need for boating are now re-opening with well-designed safety practices. For example, many marinas have adopted practices to help your family stay safe while you load and fuel the boat. In addition, there are a few things you can do to make your next boating trip safer in light of the recent pandemic.

• Continue practicing social distancing norms that fit to your family's needs. You can limit who is aboard to others that practice similar norms to minimize the risk of exposure to virus.
• Continue washing your hands or sanitize them any time you touch shared surfaces such as fuel pumps.
• Consider not rafting up with other boats to avoid mass gatherings.
• If you beach or dock your boat, do not leave potentially contaminated items behind. 

In addition to these pandemic related tips, consider reviewing five boating safety tips to remember before you hit the water this season, to make your next boating vacation safer.

Boating is a great way to be outside and have fun with your family without close contact with others. 

The recent pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives, including how we vacation with our families. Keeping our loved ones safe necessitates adopting new behaviors, including social distancing. Whether your family's next vacation includes boating, RVing or others, consider continuing to practice appropriate safety practices.

References:  
1 National Marine Manufacturers Association (August 2017). New Study Reveals 142 Million Americans Went Boating in 2016 [Article]. Retrieved from https://www.nmma.org/