How to Plan a Safe Field Trip

Planning a field trip might sound easy but, are you really prepared or just making do? Field trips are meant to be fun, and educational. However, you should always expect the unexpected in order to make sure everyone stays safe, and has a wonderful experience.

The very first thing you need to do when planning a field trip is to decide exactly where your group will be going. You will need to send out permission forms, or field trip notices at least 3 weeks before the planned date. This is also a good time to start looking for chaperone's for your trip, if your field trip involves children or seniors. Ideally. you will have 1 chaperon for every 2 or 3 bodies. By keeping the groups small the time allowed for the field trip will be more enjoyable. You will also need to send reminders of the field trip out 2 weeks before the trip, a week before the trip, and finally 3 days before the field trip.

We each have our own style but, everyone attending the field trip should wear matching clothes. This will make it easier to keep up with one another, and easier to find someone if they get lost. Your budget might not allow for matching logo shirts to be bought. If it doesn't ask everyone to wear a certain colored shirt, or buy plain colored t-shirts for the group. Everyone in the group should also have a name tag. You can purchase stick on "Hello my name is" name tags at any office supply store.

The field trip chaperone's should be given instructions, and the personal information of everyone they are responsible for. Personal information includes their full names, phone number a family member can be reached at encase of an emergency, any medical conditions they have, and any medications they are currently taking. The chaperone's instructions should include all rules, even if you have already explained the rules to them, a map of the area, field trip plans, along with a cell phone number you can be reached at. By keeping the groups small the chaperone's should be able to tour the area of the field trip with their group unattended. That is why you want to make sure the chaperon has a map, and a schedule of plans. EXAMPLE: Arrive at the zoo at 10:00 am, From 10:00 - 12:00 explore the zoo, at 12:00 everyone is to meet at the front of the zoo by the fountain, 12:30 Leave the zoo.

A chaperon kit is easy to put together, and is suggested. The kit consist of a few band-aids, a purse size pack of tissues, a travel pack of antibacterial wipes, a travel size of waterless hand sanitizer, a disposable camera, enough snack bars for everyone is the chaperone's group, a map of the site where the field trip is, the field trip instructions, and person information sheet. To make carrying all of the supplies more convenient use small canvas bags which can be purchased at any craft supply store. These bags usually cost around $2.00 each, however if you shop around you might find them on sale.

With all the chaperone's in place, with their kits and instructions you will have a worry free field trip that everyone will enjoy. Just be on the safe side it is always recommended to do a head count before you leave on the field trip, when you arrive at your destination, before you leave your destination, and once again when you arrive from your destination. Remember, it is always better to be safe then to be sorry.