The coronavirus outbreak has put the brakes on a lot of events and activities this year. With restrictions on the number of people who can gather together and continued encouragement to stay at least six feet apart, this means many HOA get togethers have likely been cancelled or put on hold. But just because neighbors shouldn’t be close together and sharing materials doesn’t mean they can’t have fun.
Here are a few ways that the HOA can still celebrate while practicing safe social distancing:
- Chalk the Walk Contest
Encourage homeowners to write positive messages and draw pictures to decorate their sidewalk or driveway. As families walk through the neighborhood, they can check out each other’s creations. Create an online form to let members vote for their favorite and have a small prize for the top three selected.
- Outdoor Movie Night
See if the HOA can get permission to screen a movie if there is a large outdoor space in the neighborhood available. Mark off designated spaces to keep members separated and let them set up chairs or blankets and bring their own snacks to watch. The board can have members sign up to control the number of people and can show the movie more than one night if there is a lot of interest.
- Neighborhood Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt where families can look for certain items as they are out and about in the neighborhood. Members can submit items for the list of something they will display in their own yard or a window of their home for others to find. This can be a great way to keep people active while making it fun. Who can find every item on the list?
- Ice Cream (Truck) Social
Since build-your-own sundaes are off the table for now, the HOA may have to get a little more creative. For instance, have an ice cream truck visit the neighborhood. It can either drive from house to house or be set up in a parking lot so that members can enjoy a sweet treat. Just remind everyone to keep an appropriate distance. Neighbors can sit in their driveways or at the end of a cul-de-sac (spaced out of course) and talk while eating their ice cream. Or, much like the movie night idea, the HOA can section off spaces for families to sit.
- Outdoor Fitness Class
The gym may be closed, but members can still stay active! Have someone lead an outdoor fitness class where participants can spread out for various exercises such as yoga, jump roping, or cardio. This way, no one is sharing equipment, but they’re still getting a good workout in and joining together with others in the community.
Yes, social distancing guidelines can be frustrating, but it allows members to get creative about ways to have fun while staying safe. There are still opportunities to create a sense of community and togetherness even while staying apart. Kuester is here to support your HOA with organizing events and communicating with members throughout this epidemic and long after. Contact us today to learn more about our wide array of services and solutions for HOA communities.