Leading school-age children’s field trips can seem scary, especially if it’s your first time. In honor of Halloween and scary stuff everywhere, Eppley provides some guidance for interpreters on how to successfully lead field trips. The advice below, along with the online course, More Than Just a Field Trip: Interpretation for School Curriculum, is the perfect prescription to get rid of the ‘scaries’ when leading trips for children.
The key to not being scared is to focus on practical strategies that make the process smoother and more manageable. Preparation, clear communication, and confidence are the three pro-tips to help you create a safe and enjoyable experience for the students while also overcoming any fears you may have. Read on for the 1-2-3 on school field trips.
First, preparation is everything in interpretive programs and is essential to building confidence, start with the Eppley Center’s Expand course to help you, as an interpreter, to:
- Identify age-appropriate pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit activities.
- Apply core standards required by schools to your site’s interpretive and educational programs.
- Define curriculum-based programming, align your agency or park mission with curriculum-based programs, and build the program as a sequence of learning.
Second, be sure to know the itinerary and familiarize yourself with the destination and resource so that you can plan your activities accordingly. Creating a detailed schedule with built-in breaks can help you feel more in control, and being prepared to address any unexpected changes will minimize anxiety. It’s also helpful to have backup plans, such as alternative activities or routes, in case of unforeseen circumstances like bad weather.
Third, establishing clear communication with your students and any adult chaperones will reduce the fear of losing control. Before the trip, explain the rules and expectations to the students in a simple and engaging manner. Emphasize safety and group cohesion, making sure everyone understands the importance of listening to instructions. Provide chaperones with specific responsibilities to support you in supervising the children, giving you the assurance that you are not handling everything alone.
Finally, remember that confidence comes from experience. Trust in your abilities and focus on preparation, so that you know what to expect. By building a connection with the students, you’ll lead a field trip that is flexible, fun, and inspiring for both you and your school group. You’ll be on your way to conducting field trips that are rewarding rather than nerve-wracking in no time!
The More Than Just a Field Trip course is discounted 20%, in honor of beating the ‘scaries’ through 11/30/24. Enter the code FieldTrip20 at registration to receive the discount.