The media is buzzing with stories, but we’ve got the schoolcation tips you need before your brood hits the road.
Yet another change 2020 brought?
The rise of the American schoolcation.
Yes, with the new school year upon us – and people opting for distance learning or homeschooling in unprecedented numbers – major resorts, hotel chains and RV parks are issuing high-gloss appeals to families to pair their vacations with remote education.
Naturally, big media has caught on.
Missing from these appeals and accounts, however, are family-centered considerations and practical guidance.
Sure, schoolcations sound like a great marketing idea – but what about the actual impact on families?
What do moms and dads and other grownups need to know to make a memorable adventure?
To fill that gap, we’ve crowd-sourced some basic schoolcation tips from seasoned homeschoolers and long-standing educators – folks who are right there in the trenches with parents during this pandemic.
Here’s what we came up with.
15 schoolcation tips
- Schoolcations don’t have to be fancy. Big-name hotels are doing promotions, but a visit to family or an AirBNB counts, too.
- Ask upfront if the WiFi meets your family’s needs. Whether or not you personally stay plugged into work all day during the schoolcation, you need to know if the bandwidth will hold up to your kids’ devices – especially if they are distance learners. Some high-traffic places (hotels) and RV parks can be slammed with traffic, making a WiFi hotspot (preferably from a different carrier) helpful.
- Consider carefully whether a dramatic change of venue will help your kids – or potentially make things more difficult for them. After all, some kids handle transitions better than others. Unsure how your kids might react? Start with a long weekend rather than a whole-hog week-long vacation.
- Distance learners: it’s just good manners to alert the teacher(s) – in case there are problems. Bear in mind that some districts require daily check-ins, too. If technology sputters and fails – and you can’t address it effectively from afar, unexcused absences can haunt your child for months.
- Headed to a resort that will provide daycare support while you work remotely in your room? Ask about staff qualifications and vetting as well as the usual on-site health and safety precautions.
- Planning to head out in an RV? Make sure you’ve got reservations at parks. Oh, and be certain you know how to drive and care for the vehicle.
- Homeschoolers: your mileage may vary. If you’ve opted to DIY homeschool in a way that mimics traditional school days, make sure to pack what you need: supplies, books, workbooks. If you’re a more free-wheeling homeschool family – and aren’t required to report on progress to your district, then don’t hesitate to see the trip as a vacation with learning opportunities.
- Think it through. Mull over schedules and puzzle through what might put things out of whack during the school day. For example, are you going far away, crossing time zones? Be sure to make adjustments to your schedule as well as your kids’ sleep schedules.
- Remote workers? If both parents are working remotely during the pandemic, you’ve likely figured out the necessary give-and-take. Make an extra effort to balance grown-up wants and needs alongside demands of school and parenting. For example, if one adult needs some time alone on the beach, plan for it.
- Healthcare concerns are important, too. Give extra consideration to things like insurance access when crossing state lines – especially if you’ve got a family member with special needs or food allergies.
- Research meal options carefully – and especially if you’re planning to do takeaway or dine out. A sudden lockdown could bring a dramatic change of plans.
- Be mindful of how your own travel may impact others – and don’t accidentally serve as a carrier from a virus-dense place to one that is relatively untouched. This includes interactions with others en route as well as at your destination. Don’t be the family that famously brought a disease to an isolated location. (And wash your hands!)
- Pick a destination to stay that reflects your own family’s approach to the pandemic. If you’re more cautious about possible exposure, don’t head off to stay at a place where you’re gonna stress out. That anxiety can impact negatively your school-aged kids and their learning. At the same time, respect the approach signaled by your hosts and surrounding community. The Golden Rule applies.
- Masks. Bring ‘em. For your entire brood. Even if you’re no fan of them, some places have strict rules.
- Keep the “-cation” part in mind. If you relocate the schooling but stay holed up all day and unleash the kids on video games all evening, an opportunity for valuable, restorative family connection may be lost.
>> Planning a schoolcation in the Texas Hill Country region? These resources may help.
