NNCC Summer is for Field Trips

SUMMER IS FOR FIELD TRIPS

National Network for Child Care's Connections Newsletter

Sandy Davin, B.S.
Director
After-School Child Care Program
Urbana School District #116 Urbana, Illinois

Copyright/Access Information

"Let's go on a field trip!"

"Oh, yeah. Sounds like fun," you say, gritting your teeth. That night, the nightmares return....

Field trips CAN be fun, interesting, and easy to include in your school-ager's activity schedule. When you learn where to look, how outings fit in, and the power of positive planning, you'll be ready to tap into the multitude of resources available in your community.

WHERE TO LOOK

You don't have to look for a place that is far away or costly. Many of the neatest trips are not the first that would come to mind. Take a moment and look in your area for:

parks, forests, and wildlife preserves
small businesses, such as locally owned stores and specialty shops
large businesses, like regional, state, and national companies
manufacturing and distributing sites
service agencies (police, fire, transportation, and medical facilities)
commercial recreation areas (pools, bowling alleys, video arcades, theaters)
community resources (museums, libraries, and historical spots)
your own back yard and neighborhood

HOW OUTINGS FIT IN

You can make a field trip happen or you can let it blossom from the normal scheme of things. Lets look at several ways that field trips can fit into your plans:

Use the field trip as part of a regularly scheduled activity (for example, have the kids go to the grocery store to buy their snack and cooking ingredients).
Use the field trip as part of a long-term topic or theme activity (for example, visit a local recycling center as part of a month-long recycling project).
Use the field trip as a one-time activity (for example, visit the local leather shop before creating your own leather works of art).
Use the field trip to create awareness or spur an interest (for example, watch the local papers for "what's happening").
Use the field trip to provide an otherwise unavailable opportunity (for example, catch that special matinee performance at the local theater).
Use the field trip as a means to involve families (for example, plan visits to parent work sites).
Use the field trip just for fun!

POSITIVE PLANNING

Some of the best field trips are spontaneous. But even spontaneous fun can benefit from a little positive planning. The first thing to remember is that courtesy pays off! When you plan ahead, you'll know what to expect and they'll be prepared for you.

Let the management know that you'd like to visit (through a phone call, a letter, or a personal visit). Have your possible dates and times ready when you talk. Get as much information as you can. Be clear about your expectations, and let them know what to expect as well.
Don't forget to confirm the outing a day or two before the scheduled date.
Be sure to thank your hosts in person and in a follow-up note from you and the kids.

Also, remember that school-agers enjoy being involved in some of the decisions. They should be given the opportunity to prepare themselves for their activities.

Discuss as many of the details as possible in advance. Answering questions can alleviate any misconceptions or disappointments when you arrive.
Have the children help decide and plan as much of the excursion as possible. Don't forget planning how to pass the time getting to and from the activity!
Children are as forgetful as the rest of us, even about special events. Remind them the day before your outing.
Have a quick discussion of your expectations and your hosts expectations, about the children's behavior, and what will happen if they misbehave.

Planning with parents in mind is also important. Get their input on field trips they think their child would enjoy. Also ask them what types of experiences they would like for their child. Once arrangements are made, be sure to give parents plenty of notice. And remember to have signed permission slips on hand before the big day.

Let's go on a field trip! It does sound like fun. Now that the weather's nice, get out and take advantage of those community resources. Pack a snack. Grab a sweater. Head for the door. And take a field trip!

DOCUMENT USE/COPYRIGHT
National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Part of CYFERNET, the National Extension Service
Children Youth and Family Educational Research Network. Permission is granted to reproduce
these materials in whole or in part for educational purposes only (not for profit beyond the cost of
reproduction) provided that the author and Network receive acknowledgment and this notice is
included:

Reprinted with permission from the National Network for Child Care - NNCC. Davin, S. (1992). Summer is for field trips. In Todd, C.M. (Ed.), *School-age connections*, 1(6), pp. 1-3. Urbana-Champaign, IL: University of Illinois Cooperative Extension Service.

FORMAT AVAILABLE:: Internet
DOCUMENT REVIEW:: Level 3 - National Peer Review
DOCUMENT SIZE:: 24K or 4 pages
ENTRY DATE:: February 1996