Bug bites. Twisted ankles. Kids that stray from the pack. Oh my! Thinking about all of the things that could go wrong on a field trip can be daunting. But if you plan ahead and prepare your students, there’s no reason you can’t all have a stress-free time.
Talk to your students
Three to four weeks before you field trip, start talking about the big day. You can start by talking up the experience and mentioning all the fun things they’ll get to see and do. After you’ve spent some time discussing the location, remind them about your classroom safety procedures and how they are expected to behave during the trip.
Practice safety procedures
After introducing the idea of the field trip, explain that when you are outside of the school, it is important that they all listen for directions and stay together. Take a walk around your school building in a single file line. Give them scenarios to problem solve and ask them questions like, “What would you do if you got separated from the group?” This will help them (and you) feel more prepared.
Pack a safety bag
Before the day of the field trip, gather safety supplies that will help to ensure that everyone returns to the school the way they left. You might want to include:
Carry ID cards
Often schools will provide laminated ID cards for each child that includes the name, address and phone number for the school in case a
child loses their way. You can even punch a hole in these cards and have the children wear them around their necks
Emphasize a dress code
Send a note home a week or two before the field trip letting parents know that their child needs to be dressed appropriately for the season and location of the field trip. And if you or your school requires students to wear a school shirt on field trip days, make sure that is made clear.
Jessa is the Editor-in-Chief of Hooray for Family and the mom of three energetic children. She has a BA in Mass Communication/Journalism from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, and is a long-time resident of Central Texas. When she isn't writing and editing, she enjoys playing board games with her kids, teaching Sunday school and channeling her creativity into craft projects.