Planning A Senior School Trip: A Guide For Teachers
Many senior classes like to go on a class trip as a way of closing out the year and forming memories with their friends. If you are a teacher who has been tasked with overseeing such a trip, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the undertaking. Here are some tips to help you guide the students in planning a safe, organized, and memorable adventure.
1. Charter a bus
With airport security growing more and more strict, having your class travel by air can be quite a hassle. Plus, it's expensive, and some kids' parents may not be able to afford the tickets, which will make them feel left out. A better option is to arrange for the kids to reach their destination via a charter bus. Of course, this means they will have to choose a destination within a reasonable driving distance — no more than 6 hours away.
You may need to charter two or more buses depending on class size, but split between all of the students, the price will be pretty affordable. The kids can watch movies and play road trip games on the way, which turns travel time into more bonding time. Contact a charter bus service to learn more.
2. Look for chaperones now
It can be tough to find chaperones for a senior trip since you'll be asking adults to take time off from work — so start early! Ask the administration if some of the other teachers can come along as chaperones, and also send emails out to parents. See if the class can do some fundraising to cover the chaperones' costs during the trip. There is much more incentive for them to tag along and supervise if the trip is free or low-cost.
3. Make sure the activities are appropriate
It's fine to let the kids plan the activities they want to do on the trip. This can be a good exercise in research and travel planning. You can let them create a schedule themselves, too. Do, however, check in periodically and make sure all of the activities they are planning are appropriate. It's a good idea to have a semi-final itinerary put together a month before the trip as this gives parents a chance to weigh in on any activities they may not approve of.
4. Fundraise, and then fundraise some more
Some families will obviously be better able to afford the trip than others, but the more you get the kids to fundraise, the more you can even the playing field. For example, if you're able to raise enough for each kid to have $300 towards a trip that will cost $500 per person, that means each family will only have to come up with $200,