What changes field trips from the "It's Monday it must be the zoo to hooray - we are going to the zoo today?"
Much of how your children and staff will feel about the summer and going on trips will depend upon the number of trips you plan, the involvement of the staff and the children in that planning and the follow-up activities the children do when they return from the trip.
Discuss the trip, where the children will go, what they will see, what they will do and what you and they think might be learned from the excursion. Have the children do an activity or two related to the trip before you actually go. Also, have the children plan what should be taken on the trip. Remember, emergency medical forms and first aid kits are a must! Work with all of the staff to make sure they are familiar with the trip site and are prepared to lead discussions and point out happenings to the children .
While at the site encourage questions. Don't lecture and encourage others to use a question and answer format. Tell about things, don't just label them. Repeat or have children repeat important ideas. Be alert for signs of fatigue. Take a break, have ice cream, sing a song or do anything that will change the atmosphere and revitalize everyone.
When you return from the trip, plan time for the children to reflect, share or do other activities related to the trip to reinforce learning. Have the kids evaluate the trip. Did they like it? What would they do differently next time? Was there something they did not understand? What made it special fun?
Field trips can add spice to your program, if they are well planned, do not happen on a daily basis, provide for informal learning and engage the children in active planning and participation. They can provide a focus for other related activities and keep the long summer exciting.
WHERE TO FIND WHERE TO GO ON FIELD TRIPS
You and the kids in your program have been to the zoo, the movies and the science museum ten times in the past three years and even the kids think they are the only trip sites on the face of the earth. It is time to think creatively and look for some new places to explore. Have you been to an historical park? How about a playhouse or youth theater or a speciality museum like a fire museum or fisherman's museum?
There are hundreds of places of interest in any state and the Department of Economic Development/ Tourism Division will be happy to send you, free of charge guide books, maps and a calendar of on going events. Their telephone number can usually be found under your state government telephone listings. It takes a couple of weeks to process requests so plan ahead. Order the guides now, have the children look at the pictures and read about the opportunities and then together plan for a wonderful summer of new experiences.