![\"A](\"\/bhr\/files\/2020\/03\/Boston-Images--636x434.png\")
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By<\/strong>\u00a0Dr. Suzanne Markham Bagnera<\/em><\/p>\n The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has dismantled the hospitality industry. With increased demands for social distancing, camping could very well be this summer\u2019s best vacation plan. A better understanding of current practices and recommendations for new campgrounds protocols will be addressed. Camping provides many benefits, consider getting outside and enjoying the disconnect from the traditional busy world.<\/p>\n Many infectious disease\u00a0experts claim there is no exact timetable to put a halt to the spread of\u00a0coronavirus\u00a0(COVID-19)\u00a0(Grady, 2020). As the confirmed\u00a0virus\u00a0cases\u00a0increase daily, the amount of social distancing and reduction of social density must continue to be\u00a0adhered\u00a0to\u00a0in order to\u00a0halt the spread. In such an effort to do so, several\u00a0national\u00a0parks have closed their gates\u00a0(Frazin, 2020). Since no federal mandate exists,\u00a0for\u00a0national or state\u00a0parks, each state is, therefore, handling their closures individually\u00a0(Cleveland, 2020).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC)\u00a0is presently engaged in\u00a0discussions with government authorities to promote the fact that campgrounds and parks often provide permanent residences for individuals and temporary lodging for those traveling, due to necessary work\u00a0(The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, 2020). Campgrounds and RV parks\u00a0are\u00a0better\u00a0suited to allocate social distancing since the\u00a0units\u00a0are in sectioned spaces.\u00a0Additionally,\u00a0the\u00a0campgrounds that provide propane, grocery services, and other food services,\u00a0are\u00a0considered\u00a0essential\u00a0business\u00a0services\u00a0(The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, 2020).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One way to avoid airports or\u00a0the\u00a0close confines of public transportation is to vacation\u00a0at a\u00a0campground\u00a0(Reynolds, 2020).\u00a0Camping\u00a0gets you out of a dense city and provides a chance to spend quality time outside. The great aspect of camping is you can control\u00a0your level of\u00a0socialization.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Concepts like \u2018glamping\u2019 have taken a significant hit to their upcoming season. Owner of\u00a0<\/span>TerraGlamping<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Rebecca Martin,\u00a0from East Hampton, NY, has been forced to temporarily shut down her business, due to the state\u2019s \u2018stay-at-home\u2019 order and the shuttering of the Suffolk County Parks Department, which\u00a0is where\u00a0her business is located.\u00a0 Between the cancellations for May and June, and the lack of additional reservations, for the rest of the summer, her ability to fund the ramp-up for opening is unlikely going to happen.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the increased level of uncertainty, as to when America will open again, it makes it more challenging to figure out how to operate.\u00a0 Presently, NY Governor Andrew Cuomo is forecasting that April will be bad, May will be worse, and June is not well understood\u00a0(Villarreal, 2020); this leaves so much uncertainty for when a recovery effort can commence. As a small\u00a0business, Rebecca notes that, \u201cas an\u00a0owner,\u00a0all of\u00a0the financial\u00a0resources\u00a0have been\u00a0placed\u00a0into the business so there isn\u2019t a slush fund to tap into.\u201d Her \u2018ramp up money\u2019 comes from the reservations booked for the season to hire her team to set up the tents, the 200 beds, and dressers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While some places will not be able to open for this season, Rebecca of\u00a0<\/span>TerraGlampling<\/span>\u00a0is confident that \u201cnext year is going to be amazing, as guests will want to experience the luxury she can offer in an outdoor setting, to help establish the digital detox that everyone will be so desperately be craving.\u201d She is already working on her 2021 marketing strategy. The hardest part is determining when is the best point in time to deploy that strategy since so much is left unknown at the present moment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In these unprecedented times, owners Wayne and Rob Charest of Friendly Beaver Campground<\/a> in New Boston, New Hampshire, have made the difficult decision to close their facility.\u00a0Originally, the closure was for March 17th<\/sup>\u00a0to April 3rd. Now, with the \u2018stay-at-home\u2019 order issued by the NH Governor, the campground will remain closed until May 4th<\/sup>.\u00a0<\/span>Wayne is in constant contact with the Fire Chief and Board of Health to determine if the state will allow him to be considered an essential business. Another challenge they brought to light, \u201cdespite the effort to open the campground so guests can self-isolate at their campsites, there is also the burden those guests place on the town resources.\u201d Wayne says, \u201cit\u2019s more than just a cleaning and activity protocol to consider.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bathrooms are an issue. Unlike in a hotel room, these showers are not cleaned after each guest’s use. This will be a unique challenge as many campgrounds presently have limited staff. However, it is possible to service is provided only twice daily.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A campground will accommodate seasonal and transient campers. It is typically, the transient camper, who would use the public bathroom facilities more than a seasonal camper. Campgrounds, which are RV focused, are likely to have the largest increase in business volume, as RVs have their own facilities; thus, reducing the dependence on the public facilities. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n DIY Shower<\/p>\n \u00a0 Many campgrounds offer social activities.\u00a0The recreation space is not normally very large, so individuals tend to be together in tight quarters. Outdoor activities tend to include close contact sports.<\/span><\/p>\n While many aspects of the COVID-19 experience are making people stressed out, concerned and worried,\u00a0this too shall pass. Despite concerns for cancellations and refunds, an aspect that campground owners must resolve is the aspect of\u00a0around\u00a0cleanliness\u00a0and<\/span> activities.\u00a0<\/span>Campground owners need to devise a new strategic plan to address COVID-19 protocol.<\/p>\n Campground owners and operators will need to redefine their bathroom cleaning protocol.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n According to the strict disinfect CDC recommended guidelines, bathrooms that are unable to be maintained will be unable to open. Once a campground establishes a policy indicating the procedure, it must be adhered to. Hence, if the bathrooms can\u2019t be reached hourly for sanitization because staff would be stretched too thin, then closure of certain bathhouses is recommended (The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds, 2020).<\/span><\/p>\n It is likely that these events\u00a0need to be eliminated or redesigned with a restriction in\u00a0the numbers of\u00a0people and increased social distance between individuals. Indoor\u00a0crafting\u00a0activities could be organized to have one person at a table and restrict the number of people in the room. Instead of accommodating one large group at the same time in one room,\u00a0camps could offer the activity to\u00a0smaller groups of people in shorter shifts of time, with cleaning in between.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Outdoor activities\u00a0can\u00a0be restricted to have less person-to-person contact (i.e. no flag football, soccer, basketball, football);\u00a0be more creative with the playing rules around such games as dodgeball (wearing gloves) or kickball (only ball outs and no person to person outs, while wearing gloves). They could also have advanced registration and limit the number of attendees.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Depending on the\u00a0campground\u2019s location, state laws will dictate what public space is able to be open.\u00a0It is\u00a0suggested\u00a0that the campground shut down facilities, such as the playgrounds, or swimming pools, to prevent the spread of the virus.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Consider camping near a natural waterway to stay cool and have fun. Pack your own outdoor games, such as crochet, corn hole, and giant Jenga!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Laundry rooms should have the same cleaning procedures as the bathroom. If they are not able to be cleaned, then they should be closed. Another aspect of the laundry room is that it will typically require quarters for operation.<\/span>\u00a0This brings us to cash handling.<\/span><\/p>\n Cash can transmit and contains bacteria and pathogens so following the CDC recommendations is critical. Cash collectors must wear gloves to handle cash. It is recommended to keep one person restricted to handling cash so they can keep the same gloves on. Then, have another person do the other transactions. If cash is handled without gloves, hands must be washed to avoid a significant risk of contamination. Try and pay cashless when possible.\u00a0 But, if you have to pay in cash\u2013place in an envelope, then to give it to the attendant.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As a reminder,\u00a0for those who go camping and\u00a0for\u00a0those\u00a0who are\u00a0considering the option, there are some amazing benefits to camping.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Your mood can be enhanced by an increased level of oxygen, which in turn produces additional serotonin.\u00a0 Sunlight provides vitamin D, something lacking after being kept inside for so long. The increased exposure to the air will actually promote better sleep.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Some sites will offer electric, some will offer\u00a0<\/span>wifi<\/span>\u00a0in certain locations \u2013 otherwise, you are going to be unplugged and disconnected from technology.\u00a0\u00a0 Connection with the people you are camping with is going to happen much easier without the electronics.\u00a0 Play a card or board game. \u00a0Pack games into labeled\u00a0<\/span>ziplock<\/span>\u00a0bags\u00a0instead of keeping them in the original boxes, allows more games using less space.\u00a0 While the campground may offer activities, you don\u2019t have to take part in them, you can simply remain on your campsite and self-isolate with your\u00a0own\u00a0pack around the fire pit!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The options are endless, hiking, walking, biking, fishing, and getting out on and in the water \u2013 swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and paddle boating.\u00a0 In addition to the calories you will burn from all of the working out you will do, the movements you make when camping will get you using different muscles.\u00a0 You can finally enjoy a sunrise or sunset or star-gaze at night.\u00a0 Maybe even have the chance to observe the wildlife!<\/span><\/p>\n The food you make at home is typically a healthier option than when you dine out.\u00a0 Camping will offer you the chance to cook in a simpler, more healthy\u00a0manner, such as\u00a0grilling.\u00a0 It\u2019s not like you will be making pizza\u00a0for dinner, so enjoy the freshly grilled food.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Between the need to get out of your house, a need to have\u00a0a\u00a0technology detox, and a desire to get outside\u00a0to\u00a0be in natural surroundings, camping might very well be the best way to vacation this summer.\u00a0 The hospitality industry is in desperate need of business to aid in the recovery. Also, keep in mind that most\u00a0campground owners are small business operators who certainly need your business to keep their business afloat.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n PDF Version Available Here<\/a><\/p>\n By\u00a0Dr. Suzanne Markham Bagnera The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has dismantled the hospitality industry. With increased demands for social distancing, camping could very well be this summer\u2019s best vacation plan. A better understanding of current practices and recommendations for new campgrounds protocols will be addressed. Camping provides many benefits, consider getting outside and enjoying the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17398,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[483,494],"tags":[489,484,409],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5563"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5563"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6101,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5563\/revisions\/6101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/bhr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Impact of COVID-19<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Owners<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Perspective<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"An](\"\/bhr\/files\/2020\/03\/Picture2-1.png\")
\u00a0![\"A](\"\/bhr\/files\/2020\/03\/Picture3-1.png\")
<\/p>\nSource: TerraGlamping Gallery<\/h5>\n
Current Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"a](\"\/bhr\/files\/2020\/03\/Picture1-1.png\")
<\/span><\/p>\nSource: Google Images<\/span><\/h5>\n
New Practices<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Cleaning<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Social Activities<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Playgrounds and Water Features<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Laundry Rooms<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Cash Handling<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Benefits to Camping<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Fresh Air\u00a0& Sun<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
2. Unplugged\u00a0in Isolation<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
3. Exercise \u2013 be one with nature<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
4. Eat Healthy<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n
Camping this summer? Will you go?<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\nReferences<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
Basler, D., & Taylor, C. (2020, March 26).\u00a0ARVC webinar series: Get expert answers to all your questions – March 26<\/em>\u00a0(Vol. 3). https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=vYDigebTu70&feature=youtu.be<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
Cleveland, N. (2020, March 24). Here\u2019s what is open and closed due to COVID-19.\u00a0RV LIFE<\/em>. https:\/\/rvlife.com\/campground-closures-2020\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
Frazin, R. (2020, March 24).\u00a0Iconic national parks close over coronavirus concerns<\/em>. The Hill. https:\/\/thehill.com\/policy\/energy-environment\/489322-iconic-national-parks-close-over-coronavirus-concerns<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
Grady, D. (2020, March 8). Not his first epidemic: Dr. Anthony\u00a0Fauci\u00a0sticks to the facts.\u00a0The New York Times<\/em>. https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/03\/08\/health\/fauci-coronavirus.html<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
Reynolds, C. (2020, March 14).\u00a0Despite coronavirus, many people are \u201cgoing camping. They\u2019re not running away.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0Los Angeles Times. https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/travel\/story\/2020-03-14\/while-hotels-slump-many-campgrounds-say-theyre-steady<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds. (2020, March 26).\u00a0Coronavirus: What you can do to protect yourself, your employees and campers. Resources and Guides to Help Your Park Through This Emergency<\/em>. The National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds: ARVC. https:\/\/www.arvc.org\/<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
Villarreal, A. (2020, March 24). New York governor issues dire warning as coronavirus rates rise faster than expected.\u00a0The Guardian<\/em>. https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/us-news\/2020\/mar\/24\/new-york-coronavirus-cases-andrew-cuomo-hospitals<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
\n![\"\"](\"\/bhr\/files\/2017\/10\/Bagnera.jpg\")
Suzanne Markham\u00a0<\/strong><\/span>Bagnera<\/strong><\/span>\u202fis Associate Clinical Professor and Chair of the Undergraduate Programs\u00a0in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University, where she specializes in teaching hotel operations and human resources. She has held positions as General Manager at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, Staybridge Suites, and Holiday Inn Express. She is a member of the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant, & Institutional Education (I-CHRIE) and serves as Immediate Past President for the North East North American Federation.\u00a0 She holds numerous certifications in hospitality training; Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) and\u00a0<\/span>ServSafe<\/span>. Suzanne earned her M.B.A. in Management and B.S. in Hotel\/Restaurant Management from Johnson & Wales University her doctorate from Iowa State University in Hospitality Management.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n<\/h6>\n
![\"Members](\"\/bhr\/files\/2020\/03\/Picture4-1.png\")
Suzanne and her family started tent camping in 1998.\u00a0 Finally, in 2017, they started camping with a 32\u2019 travel trailer.\u00a0\u00a0She and her family\u00a0(son, John and husband, Ronny)\u00a0<\/span>now\u00a0own a 40\u2019 travel trailer and spend their summer at their seasonal campground.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"