jcps field trip chaperone

• Book Lists by Age
• Book Lists by Category
• Reading Resources
• Language & Speech
• Raise a Reader Blog
• Back to School
• Success Guides by Grade
• Homework Help
• Social & Emotional Learning
• Activities for Kids

Helpful Tips for Chaperoning School Field Trips

Learn how to be an informed chaperone on your child's class trip, while also doing your part to keep the kids safe, engaged, and under control..

Being a parent chaperone on your child's school field trip can be a wonderful experience for both of you. Here are some practical tips for being a responsible and effective volunteer for the class.

Know the Plan Before you leave, discuss the itinerary, logistics, and any chaperone guidelines with the teacher in charge. If you can, get this information ahead of time and familiarize yourself with it before the trip. Ask how many kids you will be responsible for (usually 5-10, depending on their ages and your destination) and learn their names as soon as you can. Make sure you're clear on meeting and meal times — especially for going home — and if you're responsible for your own admission charges. You should also find out if any of the children have a medical or behavioral problem you should be aware of and what the ramifications might be. Be clear on the school's disciplinary policy and what to do in case a child gets lost. Ask the teacher if there are certain exhibits, shows, or displays that should not be missed.

Come Prepared Bring enough cash for food, extras, or admission fees. Though you're not responsible for paying for your charges, you never know who might forget her money or lunch. Throw a few band-aids and some bottled water in your bag, too. Dress appropriately for the destination and wear comfortable shoes. A cell phone can be an excellent helper if you have one, but keep it turned off.

Show Up Believe it or not, one of the biggest problems teachers face is parents who cancel the morning of the trip or simply don't show up. If you have to cancel, try to give the teacher as much notice as possible and help her find a replacement. Many teachers will book more chaperones than needed for this very reason.

Be Focused Remember your primary concern is to make sure kids are safe and help them enjoy themselves. Model good behavior and professionalism — after all, your group is an ambassador for your school. Avoid discussing your child's progress or other irrelevant topics with the teacher during the trip. By riding the bus, following the tour, and eating with your charges, you not only help maintain their safety but keep them involved in the trip. If you have other children, leave them at home. Avoid smoking in front of the students. Pay attention, be on time, and follow directions. Keep your voice at a moderate level and be courteous.

Establish a Rapport While you need to keep your group under control, remember this is not a military exercise. Be firm about important issues — running off from the group, horseplay, behavior that bothers others — but let minor infractions slide. After all, learning is supposed to be fun! When a child breaks a rule, try to pull him aside rather than reprimand him publicly, but don't be afraid to discipline when necessary. While it's important for you to be respected, you don't have to be liked.

Staying Safe If you stick with the group and keep kids away from potential hazards, you should be in good shape. Take frequent head counts, particularly when moving to a new location. Learn the names and faces of each child in your care, and be sure they know you too. When your group travels, space adults out so that there's always a grownup in front, behind, and in the middle of the group. When you reach your destination, find out where you can go for first aid and the location of the bathrooms, but be sure to let the teacher know before you take any child away from the group. Be clear on what to do in the event of an emergency.

Help Teach Engage your charges in the trip by asking thought-provoking questions that help them discuss what they see, rather than test what they know. If you can, involve all the students in your group — the shyer ones may take a bit longer to participate in discussions. Be careful not to interrupt the guide or teacher and try not to contradict any information they convey.

Stay Positive Your enthusiasm and interest may be infectious. Keep the kids as engaged as you can, participate in the activities, and support the teacher and/or guides' decisions. If you do disagree with something they say, speak to them about it privately. Compliment kids on good behavior and thank guides for their help.

Keep in Good Communication If there's a serious problem, let the teacher know as soon as you can. While you should discipline where you can, let the teacher be the ultimate boss.

• NEW! – Broadway
• Latest Guide
• Previous Editions
• NorthEast Field Trip Guide
• Southeast Field Trip Guide
• Band & Choir Trips
• Where to Go
• Site InSpections
• Field Trip Ideas
• Virtual Field Trips

Planning Advice

• Los Angeles
• New York City
• Philadelphia
• Rome, Italy
• San Francisco
• San José, Costa Rica
• Washington D.C.

Select Page

The Definitive Guide to Parent Chaperones

Whether it’s your first time recruiting a parent chaperone for your next field trip or your 20 th , this complete guide has you covered with all the do’s and don’ts.

Field trips are often some of the most anticipated days of the school year for students but can sometimes be a source of anxiety for teachers and organizers. We get it; finding a great chaperone isn’t easy. And then once you do, what are some of the things they should do to ensure everyone has a terrific, and most importantly, safe trip? 

Plan a better field trip for everyone by employing parent chaperones and watch your hectic day transform into an unforgettable experience not only for students, but for any adults who tag along for the ride. Here, we offer some do’s, don’ts, and a few tips to get the most out of your next field trip.

RECRUITING CHAPERONES DO’S

• Start recruiting early as most parents’ schedules are busy, especially during the week. For those who have trouble finding enough chaperones, your short-notice requests may be the culprit.
• Send out a mass email or letter home with students with the date of the field trip far in advance. This allows parents to take off work and plan accordingly (and forces you to start organizing ahead of time).
• To encourage parent participation, do describe what the trip entails in detail.
• Know what qualifications and expectations you have in advance which will eliminate any hard feelings while ensuring the best possible trip experience for everyone.
• Highlight the educational and recreational benefits of the event and how the parents can be directly involved in their child’s learning. Parents are more likely to sign up to be a chaperone if they realize that their presence will make a positive impact on their child’s experience.

TEACHERS DO’S FOR CHAPERONES

• Make sure your chaperones are dressed appropriately for the trip and remind them to arrive with all the necessary field trip essentials (including lunch, if not provided).
• Print out the schedule/itinerary for the day, as well as any maps or directions needed.
• If students are required to complete an assignment during the field trip, provide chaperones with that homework.
• Provide chaperones with your contact information in case of emergency.
• Provide chaperones with a short description of each child. Student’s name, hair color, and color of clothing will all help chaperones keep an eye on each child and better track down a lost student.
• Do make chaperones feel more welcome by introducing them to each other and encouraging parent involvement once you reach your field trip destination – parents should not be bystanders.
• Post-trip be sure to properly thank your chaperones by sending a thank-you note home with their child within a week after the outing along with any photos that were taken. If time allows, ask each student to write a letter thanking their group’s chaperone leader and describing their favorite memories from the day. Thoroughly thanking each parent chaperone ensures that they don’t feel like mere babysitters. Chaperoning should be more than just herding students around, it should be a way for parents to connect with their child’s education and experience the interactive learning from which their child benefits.

TRIP CHAPERONE DO’S

• Ensure there are enough adult chaperones going with you. The number needed relates directly to how many students are going, but there should never be less than two adults per group.
• Speaking of numbers, do make sure to keep groups as small as possible. Even the most organized of chaperones can feel a little overwhelmed with a herd of children to look after, especially if the field trip venue is large and crowded. Ease parents’ worries and make it easier on everyone by keeping groups to under 10 students per chaperone.
• Assign parent chaperones to groups with their child – this may seem obvious, but parent chaperones should lead groups that include their own child to make the day more fun for them both. Not to mention, children are more likely to behave when their parents are around.
• Within groups, assign student partners to increase students’ accountability and minimize the chance of losing someone along the way.
• When taking attendance throughout the day, do ask students to give their partner a high-five – that way, a child’s absence is more likely to be noticed.
• If the trip is mixed gender, do make sure there is at least one adult for each sex. 
• When choosing chaperones, the most important piece of advice to remember is don’t worry about hurting feelings. Parent chaperone choices should be based on which individuals would make the best chaperone – not which parent emails you the most or the nicest parent of the bunch. 
• The safety of the group and the logistics of the trip should be the top priority, so the most responsible parents are the best choices as well as the parents who maintain a positive attitude no matter the situation. If all willing chaperones are equally qualified, picking names out of a hat is the best method.
• Just like in the theater, it’s a good idea to have an ‘understudy’ ready to step in in case a scheduled chaperone can’t make the trip. 

CHAPERONE RECRUITING CHECK LIST:

•  Have experience working with adolescents
•  Be willing to help plan and facilitate activities
•  Able to attend all pre-tour meetings
•  Assist with documentation needs such as passports and visas
•  Prepared to spend money on items not covered in the tour
•  Be able to chaperone small groups of students on flights or tours
•  Be able to follow all tour guidelines in respect to student expectations

CHAPERONE TRIP RESPONSIBILITY CHECK LIST:

•  Be on call 24/7 in case of emergency
•  Assist with student disciplinary matters
•  Responsible for small groups of students throughout the tour
•  Help facilitate curfews and room checks at night
• Stay behind if a student is too ill to participate in the day’s activities
• Accompany a student home in case of severe illness
• Make sure students are ready at the proper time
• Monitor activities during free time
• Willingness to accompany students on free day excursions
• Ability to take over the group if the lead teacher cannot complete the tour

If you’d like to receive more news about the student travel industry, along with plenty of student travel ideas, be sure to Subscribe to Student Travel Planning Guide for FREE

RECENT STUDENT TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE ARTICLES

Little Rock Family

5 ways to be the best field trip chaperone.

Teachers have a lot on their plates — so it’s important for parents to step in and help out when they can.

Volunteering to chaperone a field trip is just one way that parents can contribute to their child’s education — and there are many ways that parents can make sure they’re providing help rather than hindering the experience. Here are five ways to best serve.

1. Stick to the Plan

If you’re on a tour, driving from point A to point B or even just playing at a park outdoors, it’s important to stick to the plan the teacher has laid out.

“Please don't take your car of students to get a drive-through treat when everyone else is waiting for you at the destination,” says Vanesa Wood, first grade teacher at Central Arkansas Christian’s North Little Rock campus. “Or, if all students don't have money to buy something extra — pay to play a video game at an arcade, pay for an extra ride, pay for a snack — it may not be a good idea for you to buy something for your child.”

By following the plan, you’ll also set a good example for all of the students who are watching your every move.

2. Take Initiative

If you notice a teacher struggling to clean up a mess or even having to repeat him or herself over and over, think about how you can help.

“When parents see a need and meet it, it is always helpful — like offering to take kids on bathroom breaks or hand out hand wipes at a picnic,” said Tracy Sheehy, a third grade teacher at CAC's Pleasant Valley Elementary campus.

If your own child needs something (such as a drink, a bathroom break or somewhere to sit down), it’s great to see if other kids need the same. Focus on the whole class of students and try not to pinpoint only your son or daughter.

3. Listen and Focus

Field trips are intended to be educational experiences for students — meaning they need to listen, observe and stay focused. As a chaperone, it’s your responsibility to do the same.

“The biggest hindrance on field trips can be parent's phones,” Sheehy said. “I have had a few field trips where the parents were not involved with the learning and their child, but they were off to the side on his/her phone or they were talking with other parents.”

4. Come Prepared

A field trip emergency kit is great to have on hand! It doesn’t need to be fancy, and all of the items you would need can easily be packed in your purse or backpack.

Wood’s go-to list of items includes bandages, wipes, a digital thermometer, disposable sick bags, children’s Tylenol and peppermint candy for upset tummies. Sheehy added neosporin and a water bottle to that list.

5. Prepare Your Student

Whether or not you’re able to serve as a field trip chaperone, it’s important to talk to your child about the purpose of field trips and how they should behave on one.

“Parents should remind their children to take full advantage of the learning that can happen on a field trip,” Sheehy said. “It is about having fun but more importantly it is about the experience and learning.”

Wood added that safety is important, and students run into different scenarios on a field trip than they would in the classroom.

“It's helpful for them to talk to their child about staying with the adult in charge at all times, how to safely cross a street, and to discuss respectful behavior, because they are representing our school,” Wood said.

Get the complete list of educational destinations around Arkansas, with options focused on nature, arts, history, science and more in the latest Field Trip Guide .

Get little rock family in your inbox, thank you for subscribing.

Busy Kids Happy Mom

Fun * Practical * Purposeful

By Kristen 4 Comments

Chaperone Field Trip Survival Tips

Read to find out 8 tips for Leading a Small Group of Children, 5 Questions to Ask Before You Leave, and the Top 10 Tips for Successful Chaperoning.

  8 Tips for Leading a Small Group

• You are in charge of someone’s precious child!  Treat them like gold!
• Your job at the beginning of the day is to know how you’re going to get them to the end of the day.
• Assign students partners.  They feel a sense of responsibility too.
• Always count them, every step of the way.  If you start with 5 kids, you want to end the day with them!
• Learn your students names.  For safety reasons, students should not wear name tags with their names on them.  They may wear tags that have the school’s phone number on them.
• Always – Safety First!
• Never leave your students unattended.  Find another chaperone to partner with for the day.
• Bring an empty backpack – you may end up carrying all of the lunches.

5 Questions to Ask Before You Leave

• Schedule for the day (stick to it and make sure you meet the bus on time).
• Teacher’s Cell Phone Number
• Plan for taking opposite sex children to the bathroom.
• What to do if someone misbehaves or there is a medical emergency.
• Will the teacher be walking around or stay in one central location?

Top 10 Tips for Successful Chaperoning

• Take 2 Tylenol before you begin.
• Drive separately if you can or want to.
• Do not ask about or plan on bringing a sibling.
• Talk to your own child about appropriate behavior (sometimes they’re the worst – sorry to say!)
• Treat your small group like a team.  Say:  Sticking together + great behavior = a great day!  Set high expectations for them!
• Adhere to cell phone guidelines.  Only use the phone to contact the teacher or other chaperones, do not use it for personal calls during the day.
• Avoid the gift shop!  Do not purchase things just for kids in your group, your child, or any food related items.
• If you’ve never been to the location, do some prep ahead of time.  Look at a map on-line or get a book from the library.
• Check their photography rules.  Some children are not allowed to have pictures taken of them.
• Watch the clock!

You may also like...

About Kristen

Kristen is an Elementary Reading Specialist. She is the owner / author behind Busy Kids Happy Mom , a site dedicated to fun, practical, and purposeful activities to do with your kids. Follow Kristen on Facebook , Pinterest , and subscribe for updates .

What People Are Saying

at 12:02 pm

I found this on Pinterest and just wanted to add somethings. I work as an after school counselor during the school year and a summer camp counselor during the summer. 1-Brief the kids on what to do if they get lost. Never tell them to go to a trusted adult. Some kids are a little too trusting. Tell them to find a policeman, another chaperone, or to go to a specific place. A lot of places have a first aid station and that’s where we tell the kids to go. They know that if they get separated that we will go straight there. 2-As far as head counts go, I agree they’re important, but they’re not enough. You need to count the kids, then do a roll call or something like it. As it was put in a summer camp training, you may have the right number, but not the right kids! 3-For bathroom breaks, don’t be afraid to open the bathroom door, call out to see if anyone is in there, walk in do a quick once over, and then let a child go in. Anyone with kids will understand, and if they don’t, oh well. 4-You should have a way to get the kids attention and eyes on you. I work with Kindergarteners and I know that getting fourteen five and six year olds to drop what they’re doing and look at me is hard! The kids know that when I clap my hands, they stop talking/doing what they’re doing, repeat the clap and put their eyes one me. You can make up whatever beat you want, but I clap once, pause, clap again, pause, then clap three times fast. Some people raise their hand and say give me five and the kids then raise their hand. Other people say “1, 2, 3, all eyes on me.” Then the kids say “4, 5, 6, my eyes are fixed.”

at 11:53 pm

Great tips Courtney! Thank you so much for taking the time to write all of these ideas out! I especially appreciated the one about calling into the bathroom. A lot of kids are never allowed to go into a public bathroom alone. Take extra care when you’re there. Thanks again!

at 10:13 pm

Know if students in your group have allergies. If they do, monitor closely and know how to use an EPI PEN! Kids with anaphylaxis will always have it with them (or the adult will be assigned to carry it).

at 10:20 am

Awesome ideas! Will have a chance to use these in the next few weeks. 🙂 Some additional items I’ve brought in the past: magazines, books or mad libs for the long bus rides AND (more importantly) a few gallon sized ziplock bags and paper towels or baby wipes for anyone who gets motion sick. Unfortunately have had to use them, but glad to have them! 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments via e-mail

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• About Disney Imagination Campus
• Technology of Disney Parks
• Physics of Disney Parks
• Disney Broadway Magic
• Dance Disney
• Marching Band Performances
• Soundtrack Sessions: Instrumental
• Soundtrack Sessions: Vocal
• Stage Performances
• Festival Disney
• Immersive Storytelling
• Theme Park Design
• Leadership the Disney Way
• Teamwork the Disney Way
• Disney Leadership Assembly
• Student Tickets
• 5th Grade Graduation
• East Campus Planning Resources
• West Campus Planning Resources
• Connect With Us Form

Disney Imagination Campus Blog

5 tips for picking the best chaperones for your school field trip.

Stay Connected

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on LinkedIn
• Follow us on Pinterest
• SHARE SHARE

Teachers who have traveled with their students before know that chaperones are the backbone of a school trip.

Choosing the right chaperones will set you up for success to make sure that your field trip will run smoothly and efficiently.

When you are selecting chaperones for your school field trip, make sure to consider these 5 important things:

1. Reliable and Trustworthy

Your chaperones are your eyes, ears and extra hands and feet to make sure that your students are safe during the field trip.

You should do your best to find a chaperone who is reliable – someone that you know you can count on to pitch in and follow the plan for the trip.

Timeliness is so important when coordinating groups of students for a field trip, so you should be able to trust that your chaperones will be on time, with the students they are responsible for, at the location they are supposed to be meeting at.

If there is an emergency at 3AM on your school trip, you should be able to trust your chaperones to pitch in with whatever actions need to be taken for the success of the trip.

Your chaperones are an extension of you. If you wouldn’t feel comfortable with them assisting in your classroom, you shouldn’t bring them with you on a class field trip.

2. Travel Experience

If you are traveling with your students, make sure your chaperones have experience traveling.

It is good to have travel experts with you who know what is needed to prepare and coordinate students for airport security, have experience taking public transportation and understand how to navigate in a new city or place.

The last thing that you need when wrangling students together for a school trip is to have chaperones who need help and supervision.

3. Make Expectations Clear

The school field trip is for the students, NOT the chaperones.

Set expectations ahead of time that outline the role that your chaperone will play on the field trip. This means that chaperones might miss out on some of the more “fun” aspects of the trip that are meant to stimulate student learning and creativity.

Make sure that chaperones understand that these experiences are meant to benefit the students, not the chaperones. It can be a common mistake that some chaperones might equate their role with a “free trip,” but these are not the chaperones that you want taking responsibility for your students on your school trip.

4. Diversity

Try to include diversity in your selection so that you will have chaperones that relate to each of your students.

This is especially relevant for students who are participating in a school trip out of town. For many of the students, this may be the first time they are away from their family for an extended period of time. It is important that they feel there is someone on the trip that they can relate to and come to, even if you are unavailable, during the experience.

5. Listening and Focus

Your chaperones should be active listeners who are attuned to the needs of the students. They should listen to students concerns that are voiced out loud, but also recognize body language to tell if a student needs help or is stressed.

Sometimes this might mean that they are responsible for student discipline on the trip. Make sure you explain ahead of time what discipline responsibilities your chaperones will have on the field trip and what measures should be taken if rules are broken.

At the end of the day, chaperoning a school field trip is a job with responsibilities. Make sure those you select are focused on carrying out their role to the best of their abilities.

It’s okay to be selective when picking chaperones for your school trip! After all, it is your responsibility to make sure that your students are in good hands for their experience.

With the right chaperones by your side, you can execute a fantastic field trip your students will remember for the rest of their lives!

Ready to plan your school’s field trip? Check out our workshops in Arts & Humanities , Science & Technology , Leadership & Innovation and Performing Arts at our East Campus in Walt Disney World and our West Campus in Disneyland Resort for a discovery of real-world application of these concepts in our popular Parks and Resorts. Sign up for our e-newsletter to stay up to date on all things Disney Imagination Campus and explore all our academic workshops to see how we inspire imagination-powered learning.

• Celebrations and Field Trips
• Endorsements and Accreditations
• Meet the Team
• Performing Arts
• Program Spotlight
• Science and Technology
• Surprise and Delight
• Testimonials
• Clear All Filters
• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• November 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023

No results match your filter selections.

To see Blogs, please reset all filters.

Show More Links

Our pillars.

• Arts & Humanities
• Science & Technology
• Leadership & Innovation

Curriculum & Tickets

Special events, plan your trip, connect with us.

• Follow us on Instagram

You are now leaving DisneyCampus.com

Update to our Terms of Use

• What to Expect
• Travel Confidently
• Our Response to Covid-19
• Testimonials
• Registration & Payments
• Fundraising
• Register Now
• Parent-Led Trips
• Share Your Trip

7 Tips For Preparing Chaperones For Your Student Trip

It takes a well-prepared group of chaperones to make the most of any field trip or educational tour. Before you hit the road, take time to meet with your reinforcements to make sure expectations are clear and that everyone has what they need to make it a great experience.

Here are seven things you should cover during a meeting with your chaperones.

1. The Schedule

Hand out a finalized itinerary that includes important times and locations. If you are heading to a single destination, you may want to include a map or floor plan to point out meeting places and pick-up/drop-off locations. Include information about meal times and emphasize the importance of everyone sticking to the schedule for the sake of the group.

2. Student List and Paperwork

Be prepared with a list of students assigned to each chaperone. Include any paperwork that might be useful for the chaperone to carry, like parent phone numbers and emergency medical forms. Make sure to offer a list of all travelers to whoever is staying behind with the students who don’t go on the field trip.

3. Medications

Prepare a list of students who need medications and a schedule for dispensing them. Each chaperone should have a list of student medications in the group, a dispensing schedule, and a plastic bag with the medication inside clearly marked with student names.

If you need help figuring out how to manage student medications while on tour , we’ve compiled some helpful advice to help you get started.

4. Phone Numbers

Distribute a list of chaperone cell phone numbers and the school’s phone number. Ask chaperones to double-check their numbers and correct them as needed. If you are working with an educational tour company , you should include the number for the company’s emergency contact line as well. 

5. Assignments

If students are completing an assignment related to the field trip, give a copy to the chaperones so they can offer guidance to their student group. There are plenty of free resources museums and historic sites offer to teachers, and they often include pre-departure and reflection activities. 

6. Behavior Expectations

Review the behaviors you expect from students so everyone is on the same page, including ways to deal with behavior issues and consequences. If there are specific duties, responsibilities, or guidelines for chaperones, be clear during the meeting. No matter how logical or common sense it may seem to you as the teacher, some behavior expectations might need to be explained depending on who is chaperoning. SYTA (Student Youth Travel Association) offers hotel and motorcoach travel guidelines for student groups to use while on tour.

7. Appreciation

Sometimes a small token of appreciation can go a long way.  A water bottle and a granola bar wrapped with a bow to say “thanks” for chaperoning will let chaperones know you appreciate the time and energy they are giving.

Chaperones are an important part of your students’ experience on the field trip or educational tour , so making sure they are ready will make all the difference. After a successful meeting, it’s time to concentrate on having a great time with your group.

Originally published March 2016, updated May 2024

Related Blog Posts

Memorial Day Offers Valuable Lessons for Students on a School Trip to Washington, D.C.

May 23, 2024

How to Properly Set Decorum and Behavior Expectations on Your Student Tour

March 28, 2024

One Hundred Dollars a Month

Join Mavis Butterfield for vegetable gardening and canning tips, easy recipes, and saving money strategies (Rug hooking, too!). Simple living at its best!

How to Survive Your Child’s Field Trip: 8 Tips for Chaperones

By Mavis Butterfield on September 28, 2016 - 11 Comments

Come With a Plan and a Good Memory: Kids are awesome, until they’re not. Think of some fun games you can play with them if you have downtime. Brainstorm ways to remember their names. Decide if you are going to be “good cop” or “bad cop.”

Bring a Good Set of Lungs: While I don’t suggest yelling at kids, trying to gather them after an hour spent running wild on a playground or around a park will be like herding cats. You’ll need to be able to shout. Eyes in the back of your head would also come in handy. Just an FYI.

Sharpen Your Counting Skills: If you arrive back at the bus with one less kid, chances are you’ll never be asked back. If that is your plan, carry on. If not, make sure you have a numbering system to keep track of them. Assign each kid a number and have them sound-off. They’ll think it’s fun and you’ll know you’ve successfully regathered your whole flock. Don’t Forget the Asprin: For you, not them. I’m sure someone would sue you if you gave little Johnny an Advil. But you’ll probably, most likely end up with a headache. Don’t leave home without this.

Pack Earplugs: Just kidding. Maybe.

Seriously though, kids are great. You’ll probably have just as much fun as they do. Or you’ll want to lose your mind. Could go either way.

This post may contain affiliate links. These affiliate links help support this site. For more information, please see my disclosure policy . Thank you for supporting One Hundred Dollars a Month.

September 28, 2016 at 8:14 am

I survived going to Cleveland Metroparks Rainforest and Zoo with 36 3-5 year old preschoolers. Was actually a ton of fun! Also chaperoned same 36 kids to Inventure Place, a museum [of sorts] of inventions through the years, with the bottom floor hands-on for kids. Not so much fun, was pure torture trying to get them back on the bus at the end of the day. Would do it all again though. My father always chaperoned the field trips to natural history and art museums and to see the Cleveland Orchestra, telling me if I ever had kids to volunteer at least once for trips to fun places. I would do it all again, if given the chance.

September 28, 2016 at 11:07 am

I’m with you Kathy, I’d do again in a heartbeat. My kids are now 20 and this is one of the things I miss the most. In grade school kids still WANT to hang out with their parents 😉

Thank you for the post Mavis, it definitely made me chuckle. There was madness and mayhem, but such good memories were made.

Butterflyweed says

September 28, 2016 at 8:50 am

The major thing I DO NOT MISS about having young children is field trips! I went on every single one my two kids had in grade school and it was pretty much a nightmare almost every time.

I also would never drive on one again. So many times it was the parents driving because the bus cost too much. What a liability!

I became a class pariah because the morning of one field trip, my other child woke up with a high fever and sore throat. I had no one else to care for a sick child so I had to let them know I wouldn’t be able to chaperone that day. I RUINED EVERYTHING! Exactly what was I supposed to do? It was also a stupid field trip to a local park to wander around looking for owl pellets. The lady conducting the field trip came to the school instead and they went into some undeveloped property next to the school for the lesson. Seemed to work out fine to me.

I recommend taking that Advil before you even leave the house in the morning. Then another at lunch. Bring extra food, someone is always without their lunch so if you need a mid-day bite, bring something extra or you go without because who can resist a hungry kid?

I think that most field trips are a waste of time and money. It was usually things we had already done as a family.

Carrie says

September 28, 2016 at 1:01 pm

I am really angered by your comment about the “stupid field trip to a local park”. I am an Environmental Educator who works at a local park. We see thousands of school children a year, majority of which are terrified to step onto our trails. Often times its not the subject matter (owl pellets) that matters but the experience of being in the woods. Children today are so desensitized to our natural world due to electronics being in their faces at home and school they can’t appreciate the beauty around them. There are so many underprivileged children in our country that can’t go on trips with their family that a trip to the local park 5 miles away is a huge deal. What I do matters and is not a waste of time or money (our classes are only $3.50/student!).

It’s usually the parents that make my job difficult. If an instructor is asking a question, it is addressed to the students not a know-it-all parent. Also, leave the cell phones off and put away. It doesn’t matter if you are at a park, museum, ball game or concert hall. Enjoy the time with your child.

Mary from Chattanooga says

September 28, 2016 at 2:08 pm

Mavis has some great pointers in this article and I didn’t see anything about a “stupid” something. She does a fabulous job on each and every topic she writes about. I look forward to her blog each day and I’ve learned so much from her. Have a nice day!

September 28, 2016 at 7:24 pm

Carrie was referring to Butterflyweed’s post, not Mavis’s. And, I couldn’t agree more with Carrie’s post. There are too many children and adults that are desensitized to the natural world around them. Keep up the good work Mavis and Carrie!

September 30, 2016 at 10:30 am

We live in an affluent rural area. ALL of these kids had been in the woods. ALL had seen deer and raccoons and bears. It makes sense for urban kids to go to parks. Not kids raised on acreage. AND it is a nightmare to keep track of unruly kids in the woods.

Leslie says

September 28, 2016 at 8:57 am

Your list of survival supplies is great! I don’t miss field trips AT ALL…mostly the bus rides. Oh my! Too many times I didn’t remember the aspirin for me!

I’m passing on this list to my nieces who are at the field trip stage!

September 28, 2016 at 11:53 pm

I went on as many as I could as well, so much fun. I’m lucky they still let me go after my 2nd grade incident. I guess it wasn’t exactly a field trip, it was a treasure hunt on school grounds for Halloween. I was put in charge of 8 kids and came back with 2. They kept asking me if they could go to the bathroom or get drinks of water. I would tell them ok. just come right back. My son and his friends always minded me. I found out that others didn’t. So, after that I made sure before hand that I wouldn’t be in charge of a group on the field trips I went on.

September 29, 2016 at 5:56 am

My kids school has a mandatory background check requirement on all parents attending a field trip, which I am thankful for. The school policy for field trips is also to use public transportation which was an eye opener for the suburbs. Once the commuter train took them an hour away from the school, they connected to bus routes and everyone came back safe. I’m sure that called for a lot of Advil.

September 30, 2016 at 2:21 am

I’d like to offer another perspective. I could never attend my children’s field trips because of my job. I’ll always regret that I didn’t attend any. I always hoped that my kids were listening to the chaperones; and that everyone was enjoying the experience.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

NEW: Classroom Clean-Up/Set-Up Email Course! 🧽

260+ Field Trip Ideas for Grades Pre-K Through 12 (In-Person and Virtual)

Get out of the classroom and explore the world!

Field trips are a quintessential school experience. You usually only get one or two a year so it’s important to do it right! Our roundups of unique field trip ideas have something for every age, subject, and interest. We’ve even got resources like permission slip forms and chaperone tips. Get ready to leave the classroom behind to take learning on the road!

Preschool Field Trip Ideas

Early-grade field trips help kids learn about the world and also teach them good field trip behavior. These are our top picks for the pre-K crowd, but many of the options on our kindergarten list are perfect for this age group too.

• Library: Not every student’s parents take them to story time. Schedule your own trip, and show kids that having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card!
• Farm: Whether you learn how vegetables are grown or where milk and eggs come from, the farm is always a hit.
• Grocery store: Go behind the scenes at the supermarket, and use this trip as the foundation for lessons on healthy eating.
• Park: From local playgrounds to majestic national parks, it’s always worth getting kids into the great outdoors.
• Children’s museum: This is the age group most children’s museums were designed for! They’ll love all the hands-on fun and excitement.
• Post office: Learn how mail is sorted and shipped, and teach students about stamps and other mail-related items.
• Bank: Money is a new concept for these kiddos, and they’ll be fascinated to step inside the vault and learn other bank secrets.
• Fire station: There’s just something about a fire truck that gets every little one excited.
• Nursing home: Is there anything sweeter than watching seniors and wee ones spend time together?
• Animal shelter: For kids who don’t have pets at home, this can be a good introduction to animals. Others will just enjoy the time with dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes.

Elementary School Field Trip Ideas

@mjdstoronto

These are the prime field trip years! Here are our favorite trips for every grade.

• 14 Kindergarten Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 First Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 Second Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 Third Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 23 Fourth Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 22 Fifth Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)

Middle and High School Field Trip Ideas

@salinasvalleybasingsa

For this age group, you’ll need to step up your game a bit. (They’ve probably already been to the zoo, the aquarium, and the art museum.) Try some of these locations, which offer educational, social-emotional, and real-life learning opportunities.

• Food bank: Hold a food drive, then arrange a trip to your local soup kitchen or food pantry. Volunteering makes for truly meaningful field trips.
• Recycling facility: In a time when reducing landfill waste is more important than ever, a trip to a recycling facility can help drive home the message.
• Theater: Many theaters offer behind-the-scenes tours for schools and discount pricing when you buy tickets in bulk. (Want to go virtual? Check out the Hamilton Education Program !)
• Community college: Parents sometimes take kids on college visits, but a community college trip offers opportunities for even more students to see themselves getting a higher education.
• TV station: Kids interested in communications or technology will find this completely fascinating.
• Courtroom: There’s no better way to understand the justice system than to see it in action.
• State or county capitol: Every government class should visit a local capitol to meet with officials and see how the government works.
• Local business: This can be a cool way to learn about managing a business, working with customers, or discovering how products are made.
• Wildlife rehab facility: Introduce students to the people who help injured wild animals recover and live free once again.

Virtual Field Trip Ideas

@edtech_tusd

The terrific thing about virtual field trips is that they eliminate so much of the hassle. No need to collect permission slips, arrange for buses, or recruit chaperones. Plus, they’re usually free!

40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips

• 20 Terrific Virtual Art Museum Field Trips
• 18 Incredible Virtual Zoo Field Trips
• 15 Fascinating Aquarium Virtual Field Trips
• 3 Science Virtual Field Trips Let Kids Travel the World

Field Trips by Location

If you live in one of these cities, check out some of our favorite spots.

• 16 Cool Field Trips in Houston, Texas
• 21 Terrific Field Trips in Chicago, Illinois
• Top 10 Washington D.C. Field Trip Ideas

Field Trip Tips and Resources

There’s a lot to do when you’re organizing an off-site field trip. These resources are here to help.

• Preparing Parent Chaperones for a Field Trip
• Free Printable Field Trip and School Permission Forms To Make Your Life Easier
• Things To Do Before Taking Your Students on a Major Field Trip
• Mistakes To Avoid When Planning a Field Trip for Students
• Why I Hate Field Trips (And How I Learned To Deal)
• Help! Is There Any Way I Can Get Out of Our End of the Year Field Trip?

Bonus: Looking for a laugh? Check out  Ways School Field Trips Are Like The Wizard of Oz !

What are your favorite field trip ideas? Come share your thoughts in the  We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus,  virtual college campus tours to explore from home ..

You Might Also Like

No permission slips needed. Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Everything You Need To Know

The Ultimate Guide to Chaperoning a Field Trip

Chaperoning a field trip can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Not only will you get to see your child interact with their peers and learn about new things, but you’ll also have the opportunity to bond with other parents. However, chaperoning a field trip can also be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’ve never done it before. To help you prepare, we’ve put together the ultimate guide to chaperoning a field trip.

Preparation

There are so many advantages to field trips for kids! And by being a chaperon, you can be part of an exciting and educational experience. However, preparing before heading out on the trip is important. Here are a few preparation tips for chaperoning a field trip.

• Make sure you are familiar with the destination. Knowing a bit about the destination will help you answer any students’ questions. 
• Prepare for the trip by reading the teacher’s instructions and making a packing list of things you might need. 
• Ask the teacher what the learning objectives are for the trip.
• Pack lunch, snacks and drinks. You probably will not have time to buy lunch. A packed lunch will save you money. Plus, ensure you have something to eat and don’t get hangry.
• Dress appropriately for the weather and the activity. Appropriate footwear will keep you comfortable and happy.

Arrive Early To Help Set Up And Get Organized

As a parent, chaperoning a field trip can be a great way to spend time with your child while also helping out their school. Plus, you’ll also see your child in action and learn more about their interests. Arrive early to help set up and get organized. Staying organized will help the trip go smoothly, and everyone will have a good time.

Keep An Eye On The Schedule

Another important thing to remember when chaperoning a field trip is to keep an eye on the schedule. Many activities are often planned for a field trip, and it can be easy to lose track of time. Make sure you know when each activity is supposed to start and end so that you can keep the students on track. 

Help Students Stay Organized

Remember that part of your job as a chaperon is to help the students stay organized. Meaning ensuring the students have everything they need for each activity and helping to keep track of any belongings they may have. 

Student Behavior

One of the most important things to remember when chaperoning a field trip is that the students are there to learn. That means that they need to be on their best behavior at all times. If you see a student acting up, talk to them calmly and try to redirect their behavior. You can also speak to the teacher if the situation warrants it. 

Spread Out From The Herd

First, remember that you are there to support the teacher, not to take over. Spread out from the other parents but stay close enough to be able to hear the teacher’s instructions. And don’t get lost. Second, take advantage of the opportunities to talk to your child and their classmates. Ask them about what they’re seeing and learning, and encourage them to ask questions themselves.

Stop Scrolling

As a parent, chaperoning a field trip can be both a fun and rewarding experience. Not only will you get to spend time with your child and see them in action, but you’ll also get to meet their classmates and teachers. However, it’s important to remember that your primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of the students. That means being attentive and keeping an eye on things at all times. It also means putting away your cell phone and being present in the moment. Use your best judgment when it comes to taking photos. Remember that you’re there to supervise the children, not document their every move. That said, don’t be afraid to capture some candid moments – they’ll be sure to bring a smile to your face later on.

*Ask the teacher about the school’s right to photography policy before posting any photos on social media.

Be Prepared For Any Emergencies

Chaperoning a field trip can be a fun experience. However, it is essential to be prepared for any emergencies. First, make sure you have the teacher’s contact information. Before the field trip, ask the teacher if any of the kids in your group has any allergies or medical conditions you should know about. Also, it is a good idea to bring a first-aid kit and a map of the area. Finally, be sure to stay calm and reassuring in the event of an emergency.

Stay Positive and Have Fun

Chaperoning a field trip can be a lot of fun. You get to see the kids enjoying themselves and participating in activities. Chaperoning can also be a great way to bond with your child. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your experience:

• Stay positive and have fun yourself. The kids will respond to your energy, so if you’re enjoying yourself, they’re more likely to have a good time as well.
• Be patient. There’s bound to be chaos on a field trip but remain calm and flexible. The goal of any field trip is for everyone to have a good time, so go with the flow and roll with any punches.

Chaperoning a field trip can be a ton of fun. With a bit of preparation, it can be easy! Read the teacher’s instructions, familiarize yourself with the destination, pack lunch and snacks, and dress appropriately for the weather and activity. By following these tips, you’ll surely have a great time!

Check Out Our Etsy Shop

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Beyond the Bay
• Community & Non-Profits
• Local Events
• Local Guides
• San Francisco
• Fashion & Beauty
• Health & Wellness
• Hella MomVersations™ Podcast
• Home & Lifestyle
• Journalin’
• Moving & Visiting
• Relationships
• Staying at Home
• Work & Career
• Babies + Preemies
• Play and Learn
• Pregnancy, Fertility & Adoption
• Preschoolers
• School-aged
• Tweens & Teens
• Twins & Multiples
• Add Your Event
• Volunteer at Our Community Events!
• San Francisco Bay Area Local Marketplace: Shop Local!
• Partner With Us
• Add Your Event!
• Submit a Guest Post
• Get Listed on Our Summer Camp!

An Alternative to Muir Woods Park: Guerneville

3 Little Birds Flying Into Summer

2024 June Events Roundup

6 Poses for Mother’s Day Yoga with the Kids

Returning to Creative Writing: 3 Tips

2024 Children’s Day – Ultimate Gifts for Kids and Teens

Why You Should Skip Venmo for This Year’s Teacher Appreciation Class…

Glowing Wild at Redding: Northern California’s Best Spring Getaway

Hella MomVersations™: April 2024 Podcast – “Sleep Like a Baby”

Nurturing Kids and the Planet on Earth Day

• Tips & Tricks

Field Trip Chaperone Survival Tips

School field trips are fantastic. I loved them as a child in school, as it was such an adventure to leave the school for a few hours and do something different. As a parent, I couldn’t wait for the day for my children to go on field trips too. Since my daughter’s class started participating in field trips, I have escorted three. I’ve learned something new each time and have curated a few tips to ensure I have a good time while I keep track of my assigned school children. If you’re ready to take on the school-field-trip-chaperone role, I’ve got you covered with my top five survival tips.

Have a conversation with the teacher about the field trip before volunteering.

Before you sign-up to chaperone a school field trip, know what will be asked of you. Have a conversation with your child’s teacher about the purpose of the field trip, destination (if you don’t know it), and chaperone expectations. Sign up if you’re feeling good about the field trip and the responsibilities.

Do your field trip destination homework.  

All three of my daughter’s past field trips have been to places we know, like the Academy of Sciences and Lafayette Park, but I did a little online research anyways. When you’re a field trip chaperone, you’re managing so many different things that the obvious can fall by the wayside, like where the restrooms or trash cans are. Here are some things to consider; scope out the destination, check the weather forecast, and download any mobile maps. Don’t forget to locate all the restrooms and save fellow chaperones’ telephone numbers. A little studying before the field trip will add to your comfort and preparedness.

Prepare a chaperone kit. 

As a chaperone, you may be required to carry student lunches and crafts on top of your items. I bring a backpack and a large tote to take everything. I also pack a “chaperone kit” with  first aid supplies, extra paper masks, nut-free snacks, extra bottled water, and a battery pack for my phone (bonus points for packing toilet seat liners).  It seems like a ton of gear, but it isn’t. I always think of the children who forget something or get boo-boos. There’s always one (especially my daughter).

Dress colorfully and comfortably.

I love wearing bright colors! Wearing bright colors invigorates me and makes me happy. Wearing bright colors also makes me easier to spot for the kids I am handling. If my group or any child gets separated from me (has not happened), they can always spot me. I’ve thought about taping the letter of my first name in a large size with painter’s tape on my back too, but that might be overkill. Dressing comfortably is a no-brainer. Don’t even think about heels or wearing anything you don’t want to get stained. Don’t forget to do your homework and prepare for weather conditions.

Take photos and share them with the class .

By tip #4, the field trip is about to start. You’ve met your fellow chaperones, and a part of you is probably wondering what kids (besides your own) will be assigned to you. This is the fun part. Please take photos of your group, their teacher, and don’t forget to get yourself in a picture or two. Please send them to the teacher for sharing with families. 

Provide feedback after.

Teachers and chaperones alike can learn a lesson or two after a field trip. After a field trip, I thank the teachers and then provide a little feedback after (if any). Teachers aren’t thanked enough for organizing school field trips.  

Are you feeling good about volunteering for your child’s school field trip? Are you ready to tackle the role of a school field trip chaperone? What would you add to this list? 

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Connect With Us

Around sfba.

2024 May Events Roundup

• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Contributor Login

I've already subscribed!

7 survival tips for school field trip chaperones: Josette Plank

• Updated: May. 15, 2014, 3:00 p.m. |
• Published: May. 15, 2014, 2:00 p.m.
• Josette Plank | Special to PennLive

Did you volunteer to chaperone an end-of-school-year field trip? If so, wonderful! Field trips can't happen without parent volunteers.

As a thank you, I have some helpful tips for surviving your tour of duty.

Dress for action—and inaction

As a chaperone, you will chase seven year olds through museum exhibits. You will track middle school students intent on losing your tail so they can smooch in dark corners.

You will stand—and stand and stand and stand—while organizers count heads and give kids detailed instructions on how to behave in public. The organizers will say things like "This is the first school field trip since the Amish farm tour five years ago when an eighth grader jumped a fence and was trampled by a cow. Please, don't aggravate any farm animals and ruin it for the next class."

When dressing for the field trip, choose lightweight attire with a sweat-wicking base layer and waterproof outer layer. Bring a hat and sunglasses. Wear comfortable shoes with rubber soles and, preferably, a steel toe.

Stay hydrated and snack often

A morning cup of coffee and a bagged lunch is not enough fuel to keep up with your pack. The kids will be watching you for signs of weakness; the moment your blood sugar drops, you're a goner.

Stash granola, trail mix and other high-carbohydrate snacks in your bag.

Refill your water bottle at every opportunity.

A protein bar can stave off the muscle burn associated with looking under every theater seat for a fourth grader's lost eyeglasses.

Don't forget the headache medicine

When was the last time you traveled by school bus?

Well, in case you've forgotten, the school bus for your field trip will reach decibel levels similar to a Skrillex concert. The school bus seat will offer the exact opposite of lumbar support. The inside of a school bus is always a constant 98 degrees Fahrenheit, and yet the breeze from one cracked window will feel like an Arctic drill. Take a headache pill before you go. Take another before the ride home.

Bring a field trip survival pack

The first rule of being a chaperone is "Be prepared—for puke." One student will puke on the long, hot bus ride. Another kid will throw up during the IMAX 3D movie. And one more child is sure to vomit after spending all her souvenir money on blue crushed-ice sugar drinks.

Your "puke pack" should include a plastic grocery bag to hand to any child making an I'm-going-to-hork face. Wet wipes and hand sanitizer are a necessity. A small bottle of seltzer water is handy should you need to remove blue food-coloring stains from your shirt or pants.

Develop tricks for not losing kids

Returning to the bus with fewer kids than you left with is generally frowned upon. Tell kids in your group to stick with a buddy. Do frequent head counts. For older kids, give specific instructions on when and where to meet after each activity.

Use your digital camera to take a photo of your group. If a student does wander off, you can refer to the photo and identify Chase as the boy in your group wearing blue shorts, Nike slides and a T-shirt reminding us all that "Swag don't come cheap."

Do not hesitate to tell your group a cautionary tale. My favorite scared-straight story is about a child who once wandered away during a field trip. On the next field trip, the child's one-on-one chaperone was the school lunch lady. Brrrrrr!

Tired kids are good citizens

If you have any say in your group's itinerary, always choose the most active activity first. Hike to the mountain lookout before sitting down to watch the nature film. Jog through the park before entering the science museum. If possible, ask the bus driver to drop you off a mile or five away from the musical theater venue.

An out-of-breath child is very often a quiet, well-behaved child.

Have a crock pot of food waiting at home

I always have fun helping out as a field trip chaperone.

However, once at home, I pour a glass of wine, put up my feet and ignore all other humans for the rest of the night.

Dinner is made, kids. I'll be relaxing in my isolation tank.

Email Josette at

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

6 Lessons from Being a Field Trip Chaperone

The “I-am-a-Field-Trip-Chaperone” club!

Jealous? Maybe a little bit jealous?

The story is this: last year, my then-kindergarten son had a Field Trip to a local children’s science museum. His teacher asked for parent chaperones, and by the time I volunteered, all of the spots were taken. I was disappointed. My son, however, who didn’t even know it would have been an option for me to join his class, never mentioned missing me.

Jump ahead to this year. My daughter is now a kindergartener, and when her teacher (the same one my son had last year) asked for volunteers to accompany the class to the museum, I emailed back my “me, me, me!” response immediately. And, I was in.

This week, the Field Trip arrived. It turned out to be a rough workweek to be out for a Field Trip. I felt torn about not being in the office, worrying I was dropping the ball on work commitments—the quintessential working parent guilt setting in. Additionally, my daughter didn’t even seem excited about the Field Trip; why was I going? I wasn’t so sure, and approached the trip with a bit of why-am-I-doing-this? My husband, ensconced at his office, reminded me that actions like this—the being present in different aspects of our kids’ lives—make a difference. Our daughter would remember it, he said, even if only subconsciously. Buoyed by his pep talk, I smiled widely and embraced my role.

My daughter’s class was split into small groups, with children assigned to a parent chaperone, teacher, or aide. I had three girls to look after during the trip: my daughter and two of her classmates. They behaved beautifully; I was impressed, in fact, by how well all of the kids behaved. They followed directions, sticking together in the museum. My girls explored the space with great energy, looking out for one another, always conscious of where I was.

Much to my surprise, it wasn’t just the kids who did some learning on the trip. I gathered a few lessons along the way, including:

• If you chaperone, bring Advil. OK, this is a little bit of a joke. (Well, actually, not really.) Kids are loud. Many kids together in one place are really loud , so bring something to address the headache you’re bound to get.
• Be ready for anything. Those kids are fast, jumping around from exhibit to exhibit, from one spot to another. They run and they dash about. So, wear comfy shoes and bring a water bottle. You need to keep up with your group! Make sure you have a fully charged phone, too. After all, you never know when you’ll need to call for back-up or make a break for it.
• Little kids can get nervous in new places, so they may want to hold your hand . A lot. They need the reassurance that someone is looking out for them and that they are safe. Bring hand sanitizer. And throw some tissues or wet wipes in your purse; kids are sticky.
• Remember the parents who can’t be there. While chaperoning isn’t for everyone, it is an activity many parents would like to do but work or other commitments prevent them from doing so. I sent photos of my daughter’s friends to their parents who would have wanted to participate; they appreciated seeing the good times their kids were having. (Note: This might not be kosher with every school or teacher, so check first for permission.)
• Don’t sit backwards on the school bus. (Just don’t. Trust me on this.)
• Have fun. My kids aren’t big on sharing their days (“How was school?” I ask every day. “Good,” they answer, adding, “What’s for dinner?”), so the perk of being on the Field Trip was the chance to see my daughter interact with her friends and witness her enthusiasm for new adventures and learning.

Despite my uncertainty that my presence made an impact, my daughter was happy I came along on the Field Trip. The day after, as we walked to school, she slipped her rainbow-stripped mitten into my hand, saying, “Mama, I’m so glad you came on my trip.” She looked up at me, smiling, with her face lit up. I smiled back, pleased with my decision to be there. And, it got me thinking that perhaps I should volunteer for the next Field Trip… maybe…

Share this!

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)

About The Author

I’m glad you got to do this. I’ve gone on a few different trips, and I’ve always found it worthwhile – even with the work guilt and loudness-induced headache!

I have chaperoned several field trips now that my boys are a bit older and it is SO STRESSFUL. Keeping track of 3 or 4 kids is a lot of work!

Definitely bring the Advil!! Plus hand sanitizer, wet ones, tissues, etc. I get a new respect for teachers every time I go on a field trip.

I always love being a chaperone-although I’m generally completely exhausted by the time we get home. Glad you had the chance. Advil is no joke.

As a former elementary school teacher, I really appreciate these field trip chaperone tips for parents! It’s so important to have fun and be ready for anything. And yes- sitting backwards on the bus is never a good idea! 🙂

SanLuisObispoMom.com

(Photos on this blog are my original photos, with many that I personally uploaded on Pinterest. Depending on the speed of your device, it may take a few seconds for all photos to load. Thanks for visiting!)

Chaperoning Tips for a Field Trip

Requirements to Become a Chaperone at an Elementary School

Before I was able to chaperone on a field trip, I had to get fingerprinted and pass a background check for my sons' elementary school. They also needed me to pass a tuberculosis (TB) test. For the background check, I only had to do it once and not every year for the school. It costed me $75 for this and I had to go to the district's office to complete my fingerprinting process. I think you can pick from a list of offices but it made more sense to me to just get it done at one of the school's district offices. For the TB test, I had to get more periodic check-ups. Once I passed the initial one, however, I just have to make sure I get a quick interview for the subsequent school years. I found out later that I could have saved myself some money and tried to ask the school nurse to do the initial TB test on me. You'll have to check with your kid's school and district to see if they offer this service to you. I went to a Nurse Practitioner to get my TB done at Dignity Health a few years back. I hadn't met my deductible yet for my insurance then, so I had to pay a couple of hundred dollars for this. 

During the pandemic, the extra requirement was to show proof that you're fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and/or have a negative Covid-19 test.

Pros and Cons for Being a Chaperone

Things i would bring as a chaperone.

For the majority of the field trips, we would have lunch while we're out on the trip before returning to our school buses, so I had to bring my own lunch, which is usually a sandwich. I packed light and exchanged my everyday purse for a compact backpack so that I could fit my lunch, wallet , phone and band aids ! Band aids have come to the rescue for me a couple of times when kids accidentally trip. Usually the teacher has some supplies too but when we split up into small groups, having your own supply can be life savers for meltdowns. Once, I also packed fruit snacks enough for my small group and an 8-pack of apple juice boxes for the zoo. I checked with the teacher ahead of time for any allergies in the class first before I did this. I knew it was going to be a hot day and I looked like a saint to have come with a small cooler with those snacks and cold drinks when we took a couple of breaks during our sweaty walk together during the field trip. So for that particular field trip, I carried my backpack and had a very compact cooler that kind of looked like a purse as well with me. Another thing that has saved me and kept the kids on their best behavior was having a pack of stickers. In past field trips, I would reward the kindergarteners a sticker as an incentive for good behavior, if they were assigned to my group. I think that has helped me keep the kids together and listen to me better.

My sons are not near graduating elementary school yet, so I have a few more years and opportunities to volunteer as a chaperone while they are still smaller kids. However, I always ask them every time if they prefer that I chaperone on their upcoming field trip or stay home as I want them to know that they have the option to feel independent on a field trip without mama around. Thus far, they have always been excited when I'd tell them that their teachers asked me to chaperone and encouraged me to go so that I can spend the day with them! I know that there is a possibility that one day, they will tell me that they can go to a field trip without me, or when I have a job that will not allow me to chaperone anymore. When either of that happens, then I will have to sit out and accept my fate. Until then, I'm going to enjoy being a chaperone as much as I can!

Here is a list of field trip locations that I've been a chaperone for below:

To see fun things to do with kids in San Luis Obispo County, go to the ' For Kids' blog entries  or go to the Kid-Friendly Events Page to see a list of upcoming free events. Did you enjoy my Pros and Cons list from this blog entry? You can read my Pros and Cons list that I created for the Mother & Son Dance . 

• T ravel hand sanitizers for any time the kids have dirty or messy hands
• Kleenex Pocket Packs or travel tissues for the sneezers or accidents
• Reusable Water Bottle  and make sure you have water already filled inside before the field trip
• Your lunch in a well insulated lunch box or lunch bag

In : Mom Life  

Find family-friendly things to do and events in SLO County!

Read my most recent blog entries .

All photos (except for ads) on SanLuisObispoMom.com including: homepage , ' Family-Friendly Things to do ' page, ' SLO Restaurants ' page,' Mom Groups & Childcare ' page, and ' blog ' page were taken by me so they are my original content and belongs to this blog/website.

To find family-friendly activities in the SLO area, go to the ' Family-Friendly Things To Do ' page.

Some of the links are just useful local information that I'm sharing for free and some are commission-based products that may help me earn a small commission for each sale to upkeep with the fees of running this local blog.

Recent Posts

• Pismo Preserve Hike Review
• What To Do Indoors in San Luis Obispo For Kids
• Bell's Los Alamo Restaurant Review | Michelin...
• Epoch Estate Wines Tasting Room Review |...
• Austin Hope Winery (The Austin Hope & Treana...
• Arroyo Grande (3)
• Atascadero (1)
• Avila Beach (1)
• Beaches (8)
• Birthday Party (2)
• Boba (4)
• Breweries (1)
• Bridal Shower (1)
• California Academy of Sciences (1)
• Circus Vargas (4)
• Coronavirus (2)
• Cruise Review (3)
• Discounted Tickets (0)
• DIY (4)
• Easter (2)
• Fall (5)
• Farms (2)
• Fitness (2)
• For Kids (14)
• Free Concerts (1)
• Free Things to do (2)
• Grover Beach (2)
• Hearst Castle (1)
• Holidays (4)
• Home Improvement (2)
• Hotel (1)
• LEGOLAND California (2)
• Los Angeles (1)
• Madonna Inn (5)
• Mexico (1)
• Mom groups (2)
• Mom Life (8)
• Monopoly (1)
• Monterey (1)
• Mothers Day (1)
• Movies (1)
• Oceano (1)
• Paso Robles (3)
• Pismo Beach (4)
• Preschool (6)
• Recipes (3)
• Restaurants (22)
• Romantic (6)
• San Simeon (1)
• Santa Barbara (6)
• Solvang (1)
• South County San Luis Obispo (1)
• Storytime (1)
• VA loans (1)
• Vegan (7)
• Veterans (1)
• Wineries (12)

Blog Archive

• April 2024
• March 2024
• February 2024
• January 2024
• December 2023
• October 2023
• September 2023
• August 2023
• July 2023
• June 2023
• May 2023
• April 2023
• March 2023
• February 2023
• January 2023
• December 2022
• November 2022
• October 2022
• September 2022
• August 2022
• July 2022
• June 2022
• May 2022
• April 2022
• March 2022
• February 2022
• January 2022
• December 2021
• November 2021
• October 2021
• September 2021
• August 2021
• July 2021
• June 2021
• May 2021
• April 2021
• February 2021
• January 2021
• December 2020
• October 2020
• September 2020
• July 2020
• June 2020
• April 2020
• March 2020
• February 2020
• January 2020
• December 2019
• November 2019
• October 2019
• September 2019
• August 2019
• July 2019
• June 2019
• May 2019
• April 2019
• March 2019
• February 2019
• January 2019
• December 2018
• July 2014
• December 2013

Are you planning on relocating to San Luis Obispo County from a different place?

Suggested Supplies for Your Big Move

• Large moving boxes  or go on craigslist under the 'for sale' section for free used boxes
• Old newspapers to wrap dishes before putting them in boxes or buy new packing paper
• Temporary paper blinds for privacy if your place doesn't come with blinds. Read about my experience with buying a home that didn't come with blinds and my price comparison for blinds.
• A nice matching dining dish set for under $50
• Welcome mat
• An all season wreath
• Vacuum cleaner
• Broom and dustpan set
• Shop towels to clean the place

San Luis Obispo Mom - SanLuisObispoMom.com

Zhukovskiy in Moscow Oblast Destination Guide Russia

• You are here:

Zhukovskiy in Moscow Oblast, Russia

Safety Score: 4,4 of 5.0 based on data from 9 authorites. Meaning please reconsider your need to travel to Russia.

Travel warnings are updated daily. Source: Travel Warning Russia . Last Update: 2024-06-11 08:26:13

Delve into Zhukovskiy

Zhukovskiy in Moscow Oblast with it's 97,200 habitants is located in Russia about 22 mi (or 36 km) south-east of Moscow, the country's capital town.

Current time in Zhukovskiy is now 12:12 AM (Wednesday). The local timezone is named Europe / Moscow with an UTC offset of 3 hours. We know of 7 airports close to Zhukovskiy, of which two are larger airports. The closest airport in Russia is Bykovo Airport in a distance of 3 mi (or 5 km), North-West. Besides the airports, there are other travel options available (check left side).

There are several Unesco world heritage sites nearby. The closest heritage site in Russia is Church of the Ascension, Kolomenskoye in a distance of 18 mi (or 29 km), West.

While being here, you might want to pay a visit to some of the following locations: Ramenskoye, Orekhovo-Borisovo Yuzhnoye, Moscow, Cheremushki and Vostochnoe Degunino. To further explore this place, just scroll down and browse the available info.

Local weather forecast

Todays local weather conditions & forecast: 24°c / 74 °f.

Wednesday, 12th of June 2024

25°C (77 °F) 17°C (63 °F) Heavy intensity rain, moderate breeze, overcast clouds.

Thursday, 13th of June 2024

17°C (62 °F) 14°C (57 °F) Moderate rain, moderate breeze, overcast clouds.

Friday, 14th of June 2024

23°C (73 °F) 18°C (65 °F) Few clouds, gentle breeze.

Videos from this area

These are videos related to the place based on their proximity to this place.

JZX100 Mark II 1JZ-GTE VVTi 110~230 pull on bold tyres

Published: November 09, 2014 Length: 01:13 min Rating: 4 of 5 Author: 0Hoon

JZX100 Mark II 110~230km/h pull recorded on private road (Zhukovskiy, Russia) Stock motor with stock turbo running stock boost with BPU mods: -Blitz front mount intercooler -Blitz pod filter...

Supercar vs reactive plane race. Final of tournament in Moscow airdrome

Published: November 23, 2014 Length: 56:48 min Rating: 5 of 5 Author: Dolgaceva Irina

This is final of car vs plane tournament held in august 2014 in Zhukovskiy, Russia. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution with turbokit fighting against MIG 29 reactive massacre rer plane. Originally...

Attractions and noteworthy things

Distances are based on the centre of the city/town and sightseeing location. This list contains brief abstracts about monuments, holiday activities, national parcs, museums, organisations and more from the area as well as interesting facts about the region itself. Where available, you'll find the corresponding homepage. Otherwise the related wikipedia article.

Kratovo, Russia

Kratovo is an urban locality in Ramensky District of Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 40 kilometers southeast of Moscow. Population: 8,277; 6,855; 6,295.

Located at 55.6, 38.15 (Lat. / Lng.), about 1 miles away. Wikipedia Article Urban-type settlements in Moscow Oblast

Ramenskoye Airport

Ramenskoye Airport, also known as Ramenskoye Airfield or Zhukovsky Airfield, is an airport in Moscow Oblast, Russia located 40 km southeast of Moscow and near the town of Ramenskoye. It serves as a major aircraft testing facility since the Cold War years with the majority of the major Russian OKBs having facilities on the airfield. It is also now used by the Ministry of Emergency Situations and cargo transportation. This airfield was also used as a test site for the Soviet Buran Spacecraft.

Located at 55.5533, 38.1517 (Lat. / Lng.), about 3 miles away. Wikipedia Article Soviet Air Force bases, Russian Air Force bases, Airports built in the Soviet Union, Airports in Moscow Oblast

Gromov Flight Research Institute

M.  M.  Gromov Flight Research Institute or LII for short is an important Russian aircraft test base, scientific research center located in Zhukovsky, 40 km south-east of Moscow. It has one of the longest runways in Europe at 5,403 m. LII's concrete surfacing covers the area of 2.5 million square meters. LII was used as the backup landing site for the Shuttle Buran test program and also as a test base for a Buran's aerodynamic prototypes.

Located at 55.5582, 38.1465 (Lat. / Lng.), about 3 miles away. Wikipedia Article Russian Air Force bases, Airports in Moscow Oblast, Airports built in the Soviet Union, Science and technology in the Soviet Union

Nationwide popular locations

These are the most popular locations in Russia on Tripmondo.

Smaller cities in the vicinity

These are smaller but yet relevant locations related to this place.

Plan Your Trip to Dzerzhinsky: Best of Dzerzhinsky Tourism

Dzerzhinsky, Russia

Essential dzerzhinsky.

Plan Your Lyubertsy Holiday: Best of Lyubertsy

Explore Lyubertsy

Essential lyubertsy.

Lyubertsy Is Great For

Eat & drink.