One of the most underrated aspects of field trips is the contributions made by its chaperones. Setting and understanding with chaperones beforehand is incredibly important, they must understand that they are NOT on a vacation and that they DO have responsibilities. Our TripWheel is here to assist all our trip sponsors with this specific topic along with everything in planning the perfect field trip!
Chaperones must have an understanding that is in line with the vision for the field trip. This allows for you to lend more energy towards getting the most out of the experience for your students than spending time and energy regulating and correcting. Here are some best practices to share with your chaperones to help ensure they are helping as effectively as possible.
Understand the Plan
- Priority number 1 is to be aligned on all aspects of the trip; this includes:
- Attendance
- Itinerary
- Logistics
- Meal plans
- Rest Breaks
- Health precautions for your group
- Crisis management measures
All chaperones must be able to have a base understanding of each component of the trip so they can serve as a guide in the event the primary leader is otherwise occupied
Put Safety at the Forefront
- Make it a point to keep safety top of mind, this includes:
- Head counts when transitioning to new stations
- Frequent wellness checks with students throughout trip
- Upon arriving to different areas always look for exits, bathrooms and first aid stations
- Be clear on emergency plans of action
Build Relationships
- Being a chaperone means helping to protect against significant threats, not policing every possible infraction – it is important to create a fun learning experience for students that allows for engaging dialogue and an enjoyable learning environment
- Staying positive helps to also encourage good behavior and then affirming that good behavior with compliments and acknowledgment helps to create an environment where students are actively participating in their learning experience.
- Don’t be afraid to help teach – helping to teach shows students that you are genuinely interested in them and displays your care and seriousness for the trip itself.
Communication is Key
- Very simply, chaperones should always communicate with teachers and guides on the various topics of concern, staying aligned and on the same page.
We hope this guide gave you a solid foundation for best practices when chaperoning a field trip and are excited for you to put these things into action in your own way.
Are you planning your next field trip soon? If you want a personalized experience tailored to your students, please don’t hesitate to call Student Adventures at 1.877.873.7550 or email us at info@studentadventures.org!
Be sure to visit our website for more information on school trips and some destinations worth touring!