Chaperones Need to Know These Things about Field Trips

Without proper supervision, it would be difficult to take a classroom of students on a field trip. Chaperones can help assure that learning happens, students are controlled and have a positive time, and that everyone returns to school safely.

However, there are specific things that chaperones need to be alerted to so the field trip can be a quality experience for all participants. They need to be aware that their time invested on a field trip is more than just tagging along, having a good time, or even just being able to spend more time around their child.

What is it that chaperones need to know?

Ø  Expectations

ü  They should be assigned a group of students to oversee during the day. It is helpful to have a list of students for them and any pertinent information about the assigned students (e.g., medications they need administered, allergies, etc.), name tags, and to pair the students up.

ü  It is imperative that chaperones keep the schedule with them throughout the day, adhere to it, and make note of any changes. These changes should be relayed to the students as well.

ü  Parents need to be advised to help prevent unruly behavior (e.g., excessive talking, goofing around, non-attentiveness, etc.). You can also suggest to the parents to move closer to the students who are misbehaving as proximity control reduces 85% of behavior problems. They should be told that they can see you for further help as well.

ü  Also, they can encourage students to ask questions if expected and to listen to the teacher and the tour guide/director, etc. if they are presenting information.

Ø  Behavior

ü  Parents should dress appropriately for the trip and not be drinking coffee or soda, eating snacks or chewing gum.

ü  They should not be using their cell phones during the day.

ü  They should also avoid talking too much to other parents or students as it impairs their supervisory duties. Similarly, they should not congregate with other parents.

ü  Parents need to participate in the activities and be fun additions to the experience.

Ø  Positive Attitude

ü  There should be no complaining about school-related topics or any staff members and students.

ü  This is not the time to have a parent-teacher conference about your child.

ü  Parents need to be positive and engaging throughout the day, generally a good role model for the students.

Chaperones can suggest a mobile app like TravL App for organizing the group trip. TravL let’s trip leaders and chaperones manage the schedule and send messages to everyone when a change takes place. Keep everyone on the same page.