One of the most challenging parts about preparing for a school field trip is planning the itinerary with things to do – but luckily, we’re here to help build a foundation for you to get started towards curating an impactful and fun experience.
The Non-Negotiable of the trip – The Itinerary
Before we get into some tips for starting your planning it is important to understand the importance of having a structured itinerary. The biggest advantage to creating an itinerary is being able to stay organized and aware of what is ahead and needed for each portion of the trip. It also allows you to get the most out of each activity by not having to deal so much with wasted time figuring out direction.
Lastly, an itinerary helps to ensure that parents are seeing the value for the money that they have spent for their student to participate. This is usually a topic of discussion at some point during the trip-planning process. At Student Adventures we know how crucial this is, and thats why we created the TripWheel, a resource for you to help assist and prepare you at every step of the trip!
Now that we can see some of the value in creating an itinerary, here are a few tips to help you get started in curating your own.
- Research
The first step to planning an itinerary is researching activities and determining a destination.
Sometimes it helps to pick places and activities that are inline with course curriculum or themes that you may be currently teaching your students. This provides a hands-on element to the educational process that can have positive lasting impacts on comprehension.
Make sure that in your research for a destination you also consider your class size, temperament, and learning style. These factors can make or break a field trip experience.
- Prioritize Your Activities
Make it a point to strategically plan what activities will be happening when and think about how those activities in the order you choose will work for the group you have.
Starting with activities that aren’t collaborative, hands-on or engaging can start your trip off on the wrong foot causing many students to check out mentally. It is always a good idea to start strong with something that will capture the attention of your students and set the tone for a day of excitement and fun.
- Time Management
To get the most out of your trip it is important to stay on a time schedule – do your best to not stay longer than you have planned at a given station. This helps to create an expectation that the trip has a purpose and that you are intentional about everything you have planned to do and see. It also helps to keep students in a mode of anticipation.
- Backup Plans
For the most part any place that you visit on a field trip will be prepared to accommodate you given the information you have provided them and see to it that all things planned get done.
However, sometimes things happen that are out of your and their control and in those instances, it is important to have plans in place to counteract these inconveniences and maintain an enjoyable experience.
- Maintain Balance
School trips are fun, but they are also still a learning opportunity and the way to get the most out of any school field trip is to have a good balance of exciting activities and learning opportunities. Maximize the time with your students by presenting them with various opportunities to reflect, perceive, challenge and grow within the experience.
Now you’re ready to plan and execute an exciting school field trip itinerary! If there is anything that we can help you with as you navigate this process know that our experts are available to help guide you! For any questions or additional help don’t hesitate to call Student Adventures at 1.877.873.7550 or email us atinfo@studentadventures.org! Be sure to visit our website for more information on school trips and some destinations worth touring!