Many families have had to go on vacation this summer because of the coronavirus health crisis.
This year, the family vacation program has been turned upside down. Thus, nearly four million children will not have the chance to enjoy the beach or even outdoor walks in the woods. According to the Ministry of National Education, Youth and Sports, one in four children will not go on vacation in 2020.
According to a study carried out by the Observatory of Holidays and Recreation of Children and Young People (Ovlej), the first reason given by parents is the lack of financial means. Indeed, 70% of families with low incomes were already depriving themselves of going on vacation to save money. But with the covid-19 crisis, families have had to tighten their belts to meet their needs.
A summer turned upside down by the coronavirus
"We are seeing an increase in requests even if it is difficult to have an exact figure for the moment», Analyzes Romaric Godolu, director of Secours Populaire in the Hautes-Pyrénées. During the lockdown, Secours Populaire saw a 45% increase in requests for financial assistance. The health crisis has weakened these modest families who have seen additional unforeseen expenses, such as shopping or having to feed the children at noon, because of the closure of the canteen. In addition, many employees have found themselves unable to take time off or even have to cancel group stays for children.
Associations are mobilizing
To spend the summer as "normal" as possible, associations such as Secours populaire, the Red Cross and Jeunesse en plein air have organized day trips. In 2019, thanks to Secours Populaire, nearly 50,000 children took advantage of the sea or the mountains during Happiness Day. This year, 112 days are planned but the program will be slightly modified to correspond to current health standards.
Nevertheless, the uncertainty surrounding the course of the covid-19 crisis makes "sometimes fearful families“To the idea of sending their children to a colony, reports the regional director of Secours Populaire.
Learning initiatives
To avoid dropping out as much as possible among children from disadvantaged neighborhoods or who have dropped out of school during confinement, the state set up a "learning holidays" scheme in early June. The objective being to "strengthen knowledge and skills with a view to the next school year".
In addition, Facebook is launching an online safety training program for families: "Summer courses for a connected family". The goal is to support parents in the digital education of their children, with exchanges and training on online safety. This week from July 27 to August 2, 2020 will be supervised by associations such as "e-Enfance", "Startup for Kids" or "Marion la main tendue" with professionals from childhood and adolescence. It will be possible to find the lives, every day, on the Facebook France page.
As a reminder, the Caf (Family Allowance Funds) paid 80 million euros in holiday vouchers to give a boost to low-income families who wish to go on vacation.