bbcovert@juno.com

One benefit of the homeschooling adventure is the opportunity to take as many field trips as one can fit into the schedule. Not only is it fun to arrange field trips that interest both the children and the teacher, but it’s exciting when someone else organizes a field trip and invites other homeschoolers along for the fun! Do you need help arranging your own field trip? Did you know that there are standard guidelines for field trip participants? Keep reading to learn more!

If you have an idea for a field trip, call the place and ask if they conduct field trips. There is nothing difficult involved. Are you studying community helpers? Call the local police department, fire station, and post office and ask them for their field trip requirements. Do they require a minimum number of students, or can a small family reserve an appointment for a tour? Are you studying the food groups? Call the local grocery stores. The ones that offer field trips often have free goodies for the students, making it an especially fun and worthwhile trip! Bakeries, donut shops, pizza places, and apple orchards are other fun choices. If you are studying animals, perhaps you can arrange for a field trip to the zoo. Most likely they have educational activities for all ages. You may book a tour at a veterinarian clinic. If you have ever passed by a business and wondered what they do, call them up and ask if they offer field trips.

When you find someone willing to conduct a field trip, ask about any age or grade guidelines, group size limits, chaperone requirements, and possible cost involved. Record the information and any other directions that you are given. Sometimes you will be asked to call again to confirm the number of students so that they will be prepared with goodie bags or other handouts.

If you are organizing a group field trip, have a sign up sheet for taking down students’ names, phone numbers, and E-mail addresses. Then spread the word! If you aren’t familiar with all those who sign up, have name tags to keep track of all the students. It’s also a good idea to list the start time as 15 minutes earlier than it actually is, so that the inevitable stragglers still arrive on time without holding up the program. Homeschoolers must be punctual! The host will form either positive or negative opinions of homeschoolers based on the behavior they witness. We must be on our best behavior.

Beyond those few details, the only other requirements for the field trip coordinator are to maintain order during the field trip and to thank the host. Prompt the children to thank the host as well. That’s all it takes to organize a field trip.

Standard guidelines for field trip participants are as follows:

1. Please register for the field trip you plan to attend. Showing up unexpected is inconsiderate and may cause confusion for the coordinator and the host.

2. Observe the set age or grade limits. Children under the age of 5 should not attend unless they have been specifically invited. Younger children are often distracting and disruptive, which is unfair to the students for whom the field trip was planned.

3. If you register for a field trip and then discover that you will be unable to attend, please notify the coordinator. Many field trips have a waiting list, and your vacated spot could be filled if you give advance notice.

4. Arrive on time. Late arrivals are an inconvenience to others that should be avoided at all costs.

5. Good manners and appropriate clothing are always appreciated.

6. Remind your children to respect the places and people you visit. You know the spiel – walk/don’t run, stay on the sidewalk, don’t touch or climb on furnishings. While the homeschooled students may be excited to be out with their friends, the field trip is not meant for socializing and playing. (That goes for parent chaperones too!) Chatting among friends is rude to the host, guide, or instructor who is conducting the field trip. It’s also distracting for the others who are trying to listen and learn.

7. Thank the host and the coordinator! If something didn’t go to your liking, keep it to yourself. Grumbling will not endear you to anyone. Be appreciative of the efforts made on behalf of the children. If you feel that something should be addressed, contact appropriate authorities by mail or phone. Dumping on the coordinator may make you feel better, but she will be sorry she included you in her plans. (Personally, I’ve never witnessed any problems in the 7 years we’ve been doing field trips, but I’ve heard stories of nightmarish homeschool mothers who succeeded in developing bad reputations for themselves.)

I’d like to leave you with a few more field trip ideas. See if these get your educational juices flowing!

Art or science museums

Bowling alley

Dairy farms

Government buildings

Historic homes

Horse stables

Ice skating rink

Medical centers

Music shops

National battlefields

Newspapers

Public gardens

Radio stations

Recycling centers

Ethnic restaurants

Roller skating rink

State parks

Strawberry farms (May)

TV stations

Utility companies

And any local manufacturers

Copyright 2004 by Brenda B. Covert