Whether you are arranging a field trip for your family of one child or your Cooperative of 25 children; following a few basic guidelines will insure that your trip is enjoyed by all who attend -- including yourself. Everyone remembers the field trip that became a bear because of poor planning, lack of flexibility, or irresponsibility of one or more attendees. Yet, we also each remember the joys and learning of a well-planned and executed field trip. Here are a few tips and tricks for the road.
1. Brainstorm and Network. Spontaneous arrangement of field trips is fun for homeschool families, so don't be afraid to arrange something just for your family after your children are in bed the night before. It can't hurt to ask local homeschoolers what they have found in your area though! If you want to share the burden of field trip details, work with a few other families or a Homeschool Cooperative to make frequent field trips a pleasure. Each of you could take one week of the month or year and plan a field trip. Agree as a group who is arranging field trips and when. The first person to confirm a field trip with a venue and announce time, date and location gets dibs on that location.
2. Call Ahead/Make Contact. Call the Venue, and speak with the person on-site who will be overseeing your field trip. Make sure you understand the rules, and make sure he/she understands your expectations. Specifically ask for anything you definitely want or need. (speaker, guided tour, refreshments, programs, special seating arrangements, accommodation of special needs like hearing impairment.) Agree to a time, date, and price for the size of your group. Aquire maps or directions for your group. Inquire about parking. If you are one parent taking just your family; you may find out much of this information on the internet; just make sure you do so ahead of time. If you expect or need interaction from an actual person to make this field trip a success, do not rely on the internet. Speak to that person -- in person -- at least on the phone.
3. Define Rules and Expectations of Involvement. Clearly state your expectations of the group. Timely Arrival, Packed lunch, Group Lunch at Restaurant, cost and method of payment (to you or to venue?, cash or check?) What is included? What level of chaperonage is expected. What rules do attendees need to know?
Even within your family, it will help if you will clearly explain all rules and expectations before you arrive. Do you expect the children to awake on time and dress quickly to meet your schedule? Tell them about the field trip the night before so they are excited to wake up and cooperate. Do you expect your children to speak quietly at the Art Museum? Practice Art Museum voice the day before and talk about the atmosphere you will encounter. Do you wish your children to stay in sight at all times? Tell them ahead of time and tell them often! Practice, Practice, Practice.
4. Prepare for Learning. Read appropriate books to your children before the field trip. This might mean planning a trip to the library or bookstore well in advance. I knew for several weeks that my children would be field tripping to Niagara Falls. I waited until the week before to hit the bookstore and they didn't have any books in stock -- even though we were only about 110 miles from the Falls! I was sorry that I didn't check three weeks out so that books could be ordered. Older children may benefit from copying related definitions and journaling about the subject before and after. Younger children can keep a notebook of watercolor paintings related to fieldtrips. Consider whether your will need nature journal supplies, binoculars, magnifying glass, a notebook, pencils. Gather what you need ahead of time. We can't ever find that pesky magnifying glass the night before. Even if it's right where it's supposed to be in our rush we will not find it!
5. Lunch Money or Lunch and Money. Is there a restaurant on site? What are the prices? Are there restaurants nearby? Is Re-Entry allowed after lunch? What kinds of foods are served? Are packed lunches allowed on site? Do you have what you need for a packed lunch? I personally do not enjoy making a grocery run for picnic foods the night before, because I waited until the night before to check menu prices! Will your children be allowed to spend money for on-site shopping? How much money? Should they have a chance to earn extra allowance money?
6. Rest and Eat beforehand. Try to make sure your children are well rested the night before; and well fed the morning of. Just like testing, field tripping happens better if children are well rested and well fed.
7. Be Flexibile! Be Flexible. Be Flexible. Some things just bear repeating.
Relax! Have a Great Time! You are making memories that will last a lifetime!
The bottom line is; We try not to insist on parent-led learning or gravitate toward child-led learning. We try instead to focus on God-led learning and ask for His input and perspective on every aspect of our home school. That way, when others fuss about what Dan and I are doing and make me second guess our decisions -- I can go back to our decision process and find God's fingerprints, reminding me that this is His way.
