Attending a field trip is an important part of the education process. Students get a chance to visit various institutions, museums, theaters, and even factories to see how various industries work. It’s a great opportunity to spend some quality time as a group and to learn something practical.
The effectiveness of field trips is undeniable. During these “enrichment” trips students can take a look at how their knowledge can be applied in practice and perhaps find that they are interested in choosing a particular profession. Field trips are as important for homeschoolers, as they are crucial for school-based students. But organizing a field trip for a homeschooler is a completely different process, and requires your full effort. So to help you out, let’s take a look how to organize a field trip for homeschoolers.
Visit our extensive State by State Field Trips listing.
Choose a venue
Every homeschooler has an individual curriculum in order to make the studying process organized. So, any field trip, including one that is planned for a homeschooler, should be connected with a certain part of this curriculum. Also, try to observe your homeschooler. What does he/she like? What is he/she interested in? A field trip can be connected to a particular hobby or interest. Then your child will be even more excited, so you should also consider his/her preferences.
Contact the venue
Get the official contact information from the venue you’ve chosen and contact them right away about the field trip options. In most cases, venues are often interested in getting the students acquainted with different aspects of their work. You can also check the website of the venue, which often contains important information on open days and how you can get permission to visit it. “We often invite students, who are interested in writing and journalism to visit our office”, says Marin Jenkins, an HR manager at Awriter. “It’s a great opportunity for them to see how everything works and for us to share a part of our everyday working life.”
Organize a Group
You can join an interest group or simply invite people who also have homeschoolers, to join you on a field trip. Participate in discussions on various forums, such as one on Homeschool.com to find people who would also like to take their homeschooler on an exciting enrichment trip.
Be ready for Cancellations
There can be cases when the venue you’ve chosen can suddenly cancel your field trip. This may happen for any reason, including some complications or force majeure situations. When the venue notifies you about the cancellation, try to schedule your trip for another day right away. If your trip included some financial aspects, make sure that your money will be refunded. If the trip gets rescheduled, you can also negotiate a discount.
Prepare your Homeschooler for a Field Trip
Never skip on this important step. This doesn’t only mean talking about where you’re planning to go and what you’re going to see there but also talking about the appropriate behavior and safety during the field trip. Talk to your child about possible hazards and norms of etiquette to be observed during the field trip.
Remind your homeschooler to be polite and inquisitive, as he/she will get an exclusive opportunity to experience something new and exciting.
One More Thing
Let your child get the full experience. As a homeschooler, your child probably doesn’t often get a chance to enjoy the company and be in a group. Let your child ask any questions, even if they don’t make any sense. Don’t create obstacles and let your child enjoy this awesome experience.
Author bio
Nancy Spektor has sharpened her pencil at The Daily of the University of Washington. After graduation, she decided to combine her business degree with her passion for written communication at www.college-paper.org. Nancy writes about marketing strategies, content management, and various other topics that she finds intriguing. If she is not composing on her laptop or notebook, you probably can find her playing with her dog, Bok Choy.
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