Field trip tips from a veteran teacher

Tips for happy, safe and successful field trips  

• T-shirts for your group make it easy to spot stragglers.  If your program doesn't have T-shirts, consider doing a tie-dye project at the beginning of the session with the colors you choose.  Or specify a safe and visible color for everyone to wear. 
• Count-off system.  Give each student a number -- usually in alphabetical order, such as off your attendance list.  Practice counting off a few times before your trip.  On trip day take the count before you leave.  (You call out the numbers of the students who are absent.)  Whenever you get on or off the bus, in or out of your field trip destination, before and after free play, take the count to confirm that all your students are present.
• Assistants and chaperones.  Keep the groups small – three to four children for each adult, for younger groups.  Gently remind parent chaperones that they are here for all the students, not just their own.  Demonstrate to volunteer chaperones how to have a conversation standing in a “V” rather than facing each other directly, so that they can watch the children as they talk.   
• Emergency information.  Emergency forms should have parent contact information as well as details for emergency care.  Divide the students into groups and assign a chaperone.  Then place the permission slips for each group in a gallon-size zip-lock bag and give to the adult chaperone to keep on hand throughout the trip.  Chaperones must always have the emergency information ready.   
•  Maps and directions.    Start with the time an event begins and then work backwards so you know you’ll arrive on time.  Call 511 for personal service.  Print out the directions and write out each stage of your trip with approximate times. Note bus numbers.  Check out where the bus stops are.  Use Google Earth or the street view map to get a good idea of what each transfer spot looks like.  Drive the route yourself before you take a group.  Be prepared! 
•  Leaders.  You lead the way.  Ask one chaperone to stay in the middle of the group as you walk.  Ask another chaperone to be last.  Wait for everyone to catch up before you cross a street.   
• Get linty.  Instruct children to stick to their chaperone the way lint sticks to a sweater.  For very small children, get a length of yarn or rope and have the children hold onto the rope as you walk.
• Photographer.  If possible, ask one of the chaperones to be the official photographer for the trip.  Having photos of field trips is a thrill for the kids and enhances the benefits of the outing.

Have a great trip!

• Compiled by Patty Kephart, sixth-grade teacher