What To Tell Your Students Before An Overnight School Trip

05 December 2016

Overnight school trips can be the perfect opportunity for students to develop a greater sense of autonomy. For some who have never spent time away from home before, it may even act as a mini right of passage.

However, to make sure everything runs smoothly, you’re going to want to give your students thorough instructions ahead of time.

Here are some things to tell your students before an overnight school trip to make sure everyone has an enjoyable experience.

Sign all permission slips

This is the number one issue you want to get out of the way. Permission slips are often required in the case that something goes wrong and you end up with a tricky legal situation. You need to ensure your students do this ahead of time so you don’t end up having to chase down parents for permission in the lead up to the trip.

Wake up early on the day of the trip

By getting up earlier than they usually would, the students will have time to check everything once over to make sure they haven’t missed anything. It will also prevent the likelihood of latecomers who accidently sleep in.

Weather forecast

Students should all be encouraged to check the weather forecast of wherever they are going the night before. This allows them to make any small changes in the clothes or items that they plan to bring, in the case of rain or other unexpected events.

Have all payments completed on time

If there are any fees due for the trip, it’s vital that you remind the students to have them paid in advance. You don’t want to be in a situation where either you or the school has to cover costs and later chase down parents for money.

Likewise if there are any additional costs to the trip, such as museum entry fees, it’s no fun for the student (or the teacher that might have to stay with them), if they aren’t allowed in.

Remind them of the rules

Because overnight school trips are such a unique experience, many students can get the idea in their head that different rules apply. You need to ensure that they know that this isn’t the case, and let them understand that they’re still representing the school and should conduct themselves in a way that they otherwise would have.

Pack in advance

This includes making a list of everything that is needed and beginning to pack a few days before, to ensure there isn’t anything extra that has to be bought. Another tip is to tell your students to use bags to separate types of clothes.

Label everything

All personal items and clothes should have the student names on them. It’s not unlikely that children will have the same items, particularly if you are going out in big groups. By making sure everything is marked, you stop things being misplaced and any unnecessary arguments.

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