“Summer” and “vacation” are practically synonymous, and with these creative destination activities, residents can take a trip to anywhere. The following activities are designed to be spread across the week to keep residents excited and for ease of planning. Below you will find the top five virtual trips to take your residents on this summer, according to National Geographic’s list of top destinations to take this summer.
Day One – Learn
Kick-off vacation with a day of learning about your destination. This day should include activities that center around the geography, population and demographics of your selected destination. A great way to build anticipation is to collect travel brochures or magazines that include the destinations and ask residents to share what they think is interesting about each place. Create and print itineraries that consist of the week’s activities and pass them out to residents. Download our template here and copy and paste your itinerary for each activity, where it will be held and what to expect.
Day Two – Art
With every city, we can find a way to creatively express its uniqueness through art. By decorating your common spaces or places residents will participate in these weekly activities, decor can help immerse them into each activity. The ideas below are also great for getting your residents to work with their hands. Have themed music playing in the background or use headphones for an added touch. For playlists to match your destination, visit our Spotify channel here:
Day Three – History
History topics are always popular among residents and stimulate engagement, not to mention there are several activities that make learning fun for everyone. Activity ideas include creating a timeline, cutting it into pieces and ask residents to put the timeline back together after a brief presentation or find interesting YouTube videos for residents to watch than host a trivia game.
Day Four – Culture
Every culture has its own customs and traditions, and there is no better way to experience a destination than being immersed in its culture. Residents can participate in various activities to get to know each destination such as learning songs, dances, holidays and even the language attached to each. On this day, utilize a variety of different types of cultural activities that residents can choose to participate in throughout the day. Some ideas include a language class, a dancing class, a movie or game night.
Day Five – Dine
The quickest way to the heart is through the stomach, and these cuisines are no exception! If you can, include at least one themed dining option from your destination each day of the week or host a dinner party where residents can discuss what they have learned so far. For a fun tasting game, have residents try to decipher what spices are used to create the dishes. For residents who are unable to participate in cooking lessons, hold demonstrations for residents and have them participate by reading out the recipes.
Day Six – Tour
On the final day, have residents take a virtual trip through their destination. Host a movie night and use a virtual field trip site to transport residents to their vacation destination. If your residents have smartphones, have them download a VR app and create their own cardboard goggles. Use the resources below to find free videos.
Free Virtual Field Trip Apps
Search for these free apps on your smartphone or tablet:
Google Views
Discovery VR
Google Earth
YouVisit
Day Seven – Unpack
Getting back from any long vacation should include a day to unwind and reflect. On the last day of vacation, facilitate a discussion among residents about what they learned, what they liked or what they did not. This is also a great time to discuss current events in each country and how their experience throughout the week influences their thoughts on what is happening today. A bonus activity is to create a scrapbook, virtual or physical, from photos that were taken throughout the week. Share these with residents’ families and keep vacation yearbooks in your community for family visits.
