Over 325 million people visit national parks every year. Even though many of the national parks and campgrounds are closed right now, supporting them is still extremely important, especially during National Park Week (April 18-26). The parks are still staffed, and they still have to pay the staff to take care of the maintenance and upkeep of the park. After all, someone has to mow the grass and fill the bird feeders, right? It may be hard to think about parks while you are cooped up in your home because of social distancing. But make no mistake, you will be back out there again, soon, paddling across the glassy mountain waters, working up a sweat hiking the Great Smoky Mountains, and camping in the woods in your RV. No matter what, the parks will eventually open back up, and you can get back to nature before you know it.
Plan a virtual event for National Park Week
How can you support our parks from home during National Park Week? Believe it or not, there are many ways to support the national parks from the comfort of your own home. Get online and plan a virtual event with your Facebook friends to celebrate the parks, and all they mean to you. In a virtual event, you can all share your past experiences in national parks and post pictures of your adventures. Have a photo contest for everyone to vote on his or her favorite photos or adventures. You may even want to plan a fundraiser to donate money to a national park charity.
Grand reopening party
How about a party? You may not be able to set the date, but you can plan a party for when your favorite park opens back up. Use your social media page to plan a get-together in the near future. As soon as your favorite national park is ready, that is. For example, maybe you could call it a Grand Reopening Party. Invite everyone you know. Even those who don’t have RVs can rent one and get out in the woods to celebrate the reopening of the park system. Set a tentative date (subject to change) to get everyone together in one park. Be sure to leave enough time for reservations to be set, or you all won’t be in the same campground. However, you can still all gather in one park in a day-use area even if everyone is not able to get a spot in time.
Donating yourself to your favorite national park
Giving money is also a fantastic way to help support the National Park System during National Park Week. After all, they are struggling right now, too. Of course, this shutdown has been tough on much of the world, and many cannot afford to donate. In that case, you can do something else to help out. If you can sew, make some masks for the park staff to wear when they are interacting with the public again. Even if you cannot sew, be creative. You can make a mask out of an old t-shirt with no sewing required. Another way to help is to become a partner. Donating your time by volunteering your services to the park after reopening is also a nice way to help support them.
Take a tour of national parks
Stay aware of when your favorite national park opens so you know when you can get back out there. Keep track of the news on your favorite national parks by subscribing to the National Park System or your favorite park directly. No matter what you decide to do to help the National Park System, remember all the fun experiences you’ve had. Get online and take a virtual tour of one (or more) of your favorites. Or check out some of the parks you have never visited. The virtual tours on some websites are incredibly realistic. It actually makes it seem like you are there, even if you are still cooped up at home.
Whatever you decide to do in support of this year’s National Park Week, you can know that your participation and contribution helps boost spirits and keeps people’s love of the parks alive.
Team Outdoorsy is here to help you along your journey. If you have questions or concerns about your upcoming RV rental, give us a call at 1-877-723-7232, send us an email, or start a chat. And for a continuously updated list of frequently asked COVID-19 questions relating to RV travel, visit our FAQ page.
