How to Make Sure that Your Next Field Trip is Not a Waste of Time

Most students consider participating in a field trip as one of the most engaging and fun experiences of the school year. Not only do they benefit from the sense of community that is fostered when they venture out beyond the four walls of the classroom, but they also experience a new and fresh educational perspective as the subject matter is engaged in a multi-sensory way.

As much as our students benefit from the experience, each field trip presents us with a thousand different things that can potentially go wrong. Those of us in the education profession are well-acquainted with those concerns. Thankfully, there are practical steps that can be taken to help you organize and run a smooth, fun, and well-managed field trip for your students. Let's walk through a few of these strategies.

* Communication Is Key To An Effective Field Trip

The more information that you provide your students and parents, the better prepared they will be. Make sure that every student has a signed permission slip and that you clearly express expectations, consequences, and objectives in writing. You will want to take time to address the purpose of the trip, the behavior expectations, procedures for transitions, emergency procedures, and an overview of the schedule. You should begin the field trip by reviewing these items, along with safety procedures and responses to different scenarios. Allow students to ask questions.

* Use The Buddy-System On Your Field Trip

Pairing students up with responsible partners is another way to ensure that students adhere to expectations, especially with younger students. Responsible buddies can rehearse the rules and expectations, maintain safety, and hold one another accountable. This can pre-empt a series of possible challenges from students getting lost, to understanding general directions. Provide each student with a badge that includes the name of the teacher, school phone number, and teacher cell contact phone. Teachers will have a list of students, along with the pairings and copies of emergency information. We like to have "buddy checks" periodically throughout the day, where we account for all students and their buddies.

* Chaperons Can Be Helpful On Your Field Trip

While some teachers may frown upon over-use of chaperons, I would encourage you to keep a list of balanced, responsible parents who have been cleared through the school and can be counted on to be objective and fair when helping to assist on a student field trip. The more responsible hands on deck, the better. Provide chaperones ith lists of all of their assigned students along with the respective buddies.

* Select Age-Appropriate Trips For Your Field Trip

Age-appropriate and academically focused trips should be scheduled unless the trip is specifically intended to be a reward or fun recreational activity. Obviously, older students will be more engaged and focused if the topic and trip center around areas of high interest. The opposite can be true if the trip is considered irrelevant or low-interest.

* Create a Plan For Your Field Trip

The best antidote to a stress-filled field trip is having a solid, well-developed plan. Make sure to call ahead and gather information about the place that you or visiting, or better yet, stop in ahead of time to scout the land. Double-check your driving directions. It would also be beneficial to introduce your students to the site via the internet or books prior to your visit. Finally, if possible, find others who've attended the site and gather any information, ideas, and suggestions. With a plan in place, the experience will run a lot smoother.

As you look ahead to your field trip, keep in mind that the impact of a positive event can extend into the school year for weeks to come. Unfortunately, the same can be said for a negative experience. Therefore it is imperative that you take the time to put in the needed preparation to succeed. The above-mentioned strategies are a solid starting point for your journey. If you can accomplish the goal of an educational and fun field trip, your experience will prove to be well worth the investment.