Across the U.S. and around the world, hundreds of grandparents and their grandchildren reunited, as they learned together on Road Scholar Grandparent and Family Adventures this summer.

Road Scholar has required that all adult participants and Group Leaders be vaccinated against COVID-19, along with lots of other safety precautions, but what about traveling with unvaccinated kids? Is it safe for families to travel?

If you’re wondering if you’d feel safe traveling with kids in the context of the COVID pandemic, read about some of our Road Scholar grandparents’ experiences traveling with their grandkids this summer.

Traveling with Kids to the Ozarks

I thoroughly enjoyed being “back on the road again” with Road Scholar this past July when my granddaughter and I took part in the adventure at the YMCA Camp in Potosi, Mo. To be able to spend time with my granddaughter, in a different location, and making new friends was remarkable — probably more appreciated after more than a year of quarantining.

I felt totally safe in terms of the pandemic, since all the adults in the group had to be vaccinated and all the kids had to have had a negative COVID test prior to arriving at the camp. All the activities were outdoors. When we were inside, and around other groups using the camp, most of us put on masks, as did others in the dining room. When we were at our own table, the masking was more casual. Road Scholar did a good job of making sure everyone was as safe as they could be. 

– Carolyn C. from Denville, N.J. | Road Scholar Class of ’08
Traveled with granddaughter in July 2021

Not being able to travel during the pandemic was at least one of the hardest parts for us. We were so excited when we were able to look forward to another Road Scholar program. Road Scholar had strict protocols to keep us safe during our trip. All travelers who were eligible were vaccinated, as well as all staff that we interacted with. We always felt safe and booked our next trip with Road Scholar as soon as we returned home! 

– Marilyn & Reed W. from Monroe, Wash. | Road Scholar Class of ’07
Traveled with grandkids in July 2021

I was so glad to be going back on the road. Road Scholar ran a great program. The pandemic was a concern, as it should be, but the group I was with was very accommodating and willing to abide by what was expected to maintain everyone’s safety. Would definitely go again and have already enrolled in a future program. 

– Sherri I. from Fairfax, Va. | Road Scholar Class of ’09
Traveled with grandkids in July 2021

We were thrilled that the Grandparent Programs were offered this summer. We love the educational programming and are grateful to Road Scholar for the special time with our two grands. We flew with our grandkids to California from the Midwest. We were being very careful and aware of the pandemic. We felt like Road Scholar took the necessary pandemic precautions for our group without hindering our activities at all.  We felt safe and felt like the Sonoma Serengeti Safari was safe for our family. 

– Linda K. from Meade, Kan. | Road Scholar Class of ‘12
Traveled with family in August 2021

My first and only trip since February 2020 was the July 2021 grandparent/grandchild program “Magical Yosemite with Your Grandchild” It was all-around magical, indeed. Road Scholar’s pandemic precautions meant we experienced a most exceptional and memorable program. 

– Barbara Q. from San Diego, Calif. | Road Scholar Class of ’09
Traveled with grandkids in July 2021

My Road Scholar Trip in July with my granddaughter was my first trip since the beginning of the pandemic. I felt comfortable with the COVID policies of Road Scholar. Also, since my granddaughter is too young to be vaccinated, we are ardent mask wearers and hand sanitizers. We also were traveling to a state with a very high vaccination rate. I was sure to monitor myself and her in the weeks following our trip, and neither of us became infected with COVID. 

– Pat M. from Tucson, Ariz. | Road Scholar Class of ‘20
Traveled with granddaughter in July 2021