In teacher speak, the 4th of July signals the end of summer. Any teacher will tell you that once the fireworks are over, the mind jumps back into planning and prep mode for the next school year. The short summer break has refreshed and energized, allowing for a new perspective and excitement toward the coming year. As you prepare for your return to the classroom with renewed enthusiasm, don’t forget to include the class trip in your back to school plans.
Time to Plan
Summer is the perfect time to think about your pending class trip because you HAVE some time! Once the school year is underway, you are swamped with lesson plans, deadlines, activities and more. Those last sweet weeks of summer allow you to focus on the nuts and bolts of the trip. You can choose your destination thoughtfully and research your attractions. You’ll have a better chance of those attractions responding to your queries if they aren’t knee-deep in the student travel season.
You can lay out the perfect itinerary, considering flow and timing, proximity of attractions to the hotel and each other, etc. Search for great educational programs or performance workshops. Decide what kind of transportation will work best and secure contracts and rates early. Think about the best fundraiser for your group or research grant or scholarship opportunities for your students. Finally, you can plan a payment schedule that makes sense for everyone and not scramble at the last minute to pay those deposits.