HELPFUL HINTS FOR FIELD TRIP PLANNING

To make planning and attending field trips organized by H.E.R.O. subscribers as easy, and problem-free as possible, here are some helpful hints.

Please note, there are no officially-sponsored H.E.R.O. field trips. All field trips are organized by individual families. We ask that you do not use H.E.R.O. as the group name for your field trip.

CHOOSE A FIELD TRIP - There are many great field trip opportunities in Arizona. Be creative. Choose something your family and others will enjoy. Have fun!

CALL the location and find out their requirements and parameters for a group field trip. See the Field Trip Planning Worksheet (pdf) for a list of questions to ask and information to gather when calling the establishment.

SCHEDULE THE FIELD TRIP - Book the date and time with the establishment; send a deposit if required.

YOU ARE THE CONTACT PERSON - Give the establishment your name and phone number as the contact person.

SELECT A DEADLINE - Select a deadline for sign-up. If payment must be collected ahead of time, select a deadline for payments to be in as well.

SPREAD THE WORD - Let others know about the field trip you are planning. If you wish to submit an announcement for the HERO newsletter, send all pertinent information to nancy@happilyeducatingourown.org using the proper HERO format for your announcement. Be sure to put HERO Submission in the subject line of your e-mail. Click here for Submission Instructions and sample formatting.

CANCELLATION OF FIELD TRIP - In the event your field trip is cancelled, please contact everyone who signed up as soon as possible. Make arrangements to return money paid, if applicable. Offer to reschedule if you desire.

FIELD TRIP IS FULL - In the event you reach capacity for the field trip you are organizing, please communicate that to anyone who expressed an interest so they know it is full and they will not be able to participate.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY - Communicate as quickly as possible with people who are interested in your field trip so that there is no confusion or disappointment. Also, communicate with the location of your field trip. A follow-up call to confirm your field trip date/time would be beneficial.

NAME TAGS - It's a good idea to bring name tags and sharpie markers to the field trip. Have everyone in the group make a name tag when they arrive (parents and kids). It's a nice way to get to know other people's names and also to identify who is in your group.

NO DROP-OFFS - We strongly recommend that you avoid planning field trips where children are dropped off. Family-friendly field trips where parents accompany and supervise their own children are best.

EXPECTATIONS & CONDUCT - As the person organizing a field trip, you are responsible for setting the tone and expectations for behavior and conduct.  We recommend that all group field trips have the highest of standards and expectations for conduct. Parents should make sure their children are obeying rules and being respectful of those around them as common courtesy as guests of the establishment you are at. We represent the home school community wherever we are and we want to leave the best impression with all who encounter us. We want companies and organizations to *want* to have home school groups visit their establishments. As Christians, we also want to be godly examples of good conduct.

INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY - Field trips are not officially sponsored H.E.R.O. events. Individuals organizing a field trip and everyone attending the field trip must be responsible for their own safety as well as responsible for any issues that arise during a field trip (i.e. financial issues due to arriving late or inability to attend a field trip you've paid for; or any injuries sustained or accidents that occur while on a field trip, etc.)

FIELD TRIP PLANNING WORKSHEET - Click here for a downloadable Field Trip Planning worksheet (pdf) that will help you collect the necessary information for organizing a homeschool field trip.

We hope these helpful hints aid in making all parent-organized field trips a pleasurable experience!

Posted 09/05/07