Fabulous Field Trips
Kansas City is full of fun places to take groups of children. Whether you are a classroom volunteer, a Girl Scout leader or a coach, planning outings is part of the job description. In addition to selecting educational and enjoyable venues, a large part of ensuring a successful field trip is understanding how to plan the event itself.
Tip: Visit Going Places our searchable database of great field-trip locations before you plan your next field-trip!
“The first time I volunteered with my son’s class, I had no clue what to do. I didn’t know how to pick a place, how to plan the day. Thankfully, there were other experienced parents who could give me some ideas!” says Janice Meyer, Kansas City, KS, mom.
Volunteering as a field trip coordinator can seem like a daunting task. To help your next group outing qualify as a fabulous field trip, metro parents share their tips and experience:
- Set the goals for the trip. Have an understanding of what you hope to achieve with this field trip. What do you want the children to learn? How long should the outing take? How big is your group? Once you have a solid vision for what you want your day to look like, you will be able to choose a venue, select a theme and identify possible dates.
- Secure the needed permissions. To make sure your trip is a smooth one, get the necessary permissions ahead of time. This includes talking to your venue about your group’s needs, booking your date, clearing your plan with the school or organization you are working for and getting any needed permissions from the children’s parents. “I found out the hard way that some venues only allow groups of a particular size. If you don’t put it all out there and get the okay, the trip can go downhill fast,” says Rachel Mower, Olathe, KS, mom.
- Set the date and communicate. Set your date and make sure it is confirmed with your venue. Communicate the date to parents and your organization to prevent any conflicts. Sharing tips on attire and footwear for the outing will be very helpful for the whole group. Don’t forget to let everyone know what the alternative plan is in case the weather plays havoc with your field trip! “As a parent, I love hearing details about where the kids are going and what they are doing. I feel confident and excited for them when I see a plan for a great outing,” says Monica Michaels, Kansas City, KS, mom.
- Plan ahead. Make the day fun! “I love planning field trips because I like to put my own spin on things. Sometimes it is what we wear, sometimes it is silly songs we sing. I really love knowing that the trips are making great memories for the kids,” says Noelle Campbell, Overland Park, KS, mom. The planning is the biggest part of putting the trip in motion. Set an itinerary for the day to keep the trip on track. Plan for snacks, drink breaks and mealtimes. If your venue requires a lengthy drive, make sure to have some car games or songs ready to keep the kids entertained during the trip. And above all, enjoy the planning! Add your own twist to the day with special surprises, crafts or treats.
- Have a plan for safety. From your transportation to and from your event, to how you will keep track of the group while you are there, you need a detailed plan to keep everyone safe. Group t-shirts are a popular option to help identify members of your party, as are fun name tags made by the kids. Take the time to review safety protocols with your venue to ensure you understand their rules and processes and can communicate those rules to your group. Make sure the parents are aware of your safety plan and allow them to ask questions if there are any concerns. Always better safe than sorry!
Are you planning an upcoming field trip for a group and looking for some less traditional ideas? Great options from all over your neighborhood can both educate and offer children the chance to develop a better understanding of how the community works together. Here are a few options to try:
- Tour the grocery store and learn about where the food comes from.
- Take a tour of the local library to learn how it works and how it functions in the community.
- Visit a local bank and learn about daily operations of managing the money.
- Plan a trip to a local ice cream shop and learn how the ice cream is made.
- Take a nature walk at a local park.
- Schedule a tour of your city government offices.
- Visit a local firehouse for a tour and learn about how the engines work.
- Pay a visit to an animal shelter and learn about how they work and what role they play in the community.
- Tour your local post office to learn how the mail system works.
- Visit a local bakery; the math and measurements needed to bake the goodies can serve as a great lesson with a delicious reward!
Melissa Bellach is a freelance writer, journalist, wife and mom of two living in Overland Park.