A Note From Alyssa: Supporting Our Community During COVID-19

Dear Hipcamp community, 

We, like many of you, are paying close and serious attention to COVID-19 and its widespread impact on communities around the world. As this is a rapidly-evolving public health emergency, we are vigilantly monitoring official recommendations and guidance from the experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and national and local public health institutions. The safety and wellbeing of the Hipcamp community—including our Hosts, Hipcampers, employees, and partners—is our absolute top priority.

In accordance with federal recommendations to restrict discretionary travel and local mandates to shelter in place across the country, we are asking members of our community who are under government-mandated travel restrictions to reschedule, cancel, or donate the value of their bookings directly to Hosts for impacted stays happening through April 18 to comply with public mandates and reduce the spread of the new coronavirus. We hope that Hipcampers who are able consider donating their bookings (either as a percentage or in their entirety) to their Hosts, which will directly support people who use Hipcamp income to run small farms, non-profits, animal rescues, nature preserves, and landowners whose work makes the outdoors more accessible to more people.

For Hosts and Hipcampers who are continuing to responsibly run their businesses and enjoy the outdoors, we’ve provided community guidelines and expectations for staying safe and healthy, particularly by following official sanitation and social distancing guidelines.

Like many offices throughout the US and the world, Hipcamp employees are all working remotely to comply with local regulations and support social distancing measures. First and foremost, we advise any employees, Hosts, or Hipcampers who are currently under travel restrictions or displaying symptoms of illness to reschedule or cancel any immediate upcoming travel plans to reduce the risk of spread and focus on getting and staying well.

Currently, we are processing COVID-19 related cancellations in accordance with our natural disaster policy, to offer impacted Hipcampers and Hosts the ability to cancel or reschedule eligible reservations for a full credit, including service fees. Hosts, as always, can control their cancellation policies and offer refunds to impacted campers by adjusting their policies and working with our Support Team. By supporting Hosts to provide refunds at their discretion and encouraging Hipcampers to use Hipcash at a later date, we’re aiming to strike a balance between supporting our Hosts’ future bookings and enhancing flexibility for impacted Hipcampers’ travel plans. As the situation is changing on an hour-by-hour basis, we will continue to revisit and update our policies as needed.

We want to support everyone to connect with nature responsibly—whether it’s appreciating nature at home (via plants, animals, or art) or getting much-needed fresh air while social distancing. We know time outside bolsters your overall health and immune system, and recognize that the work we’re doing is more important than ever. We will continue to navigate this uncertain and challenging time together (but not too close together!).

Thank you for being part of our community and for doing your part to #FlattenTheCurve.

Alyssa Ravasio
Founder & CEO
Hipcamp