Being a chaperone is a rewarding job. Group leaders are grateful for your willingness to be a partner, and parents are more at ease knowing responsible adults are keeping a watchful eye on their child. Trips can’t happen without chaperones like you along for the adventure!

As a chaperone, think of your role as another set of eyes and ears as an extension of leadership.

You’ll help to manage a group of middle and/or high school students who may be excited and rambunctious or anxious and withdrawn. You’ll help them stick to a tight, fast-moving schedule and keep things running smoothly. Even if your child is on the trip, you’ll need to prioritize the needs of the entire group. You may be responsible for constant tasks from morning through evening, and need to understand that the trip is not a vacation.

Finally, you’ll proudly represent your school or organization and model appropriate behavior at all times.

Responsibilities:

• Actively support the mission and travel goals of the organization as well as value the rules and expectations set forth by the group leader, hotel, and venue(s).

• Be aware of the daily itinerary and adhere to meeting times and designated meeting locations for your group.

• Check attendance in your student groups’ rooms and make sure students stay on their floor.

• Remind your group of items they will need each day.

• Make sure student rooms are in order and that nothing is missing or broken, upon hotel check-out.

• Maintain emergency contact information and keep a travel first-aid kit on-hand

• Report any issues to the group leader.

Skills and attributes:

• Is inclusive of students of diverse backgrounds and ages.

• Must enjoy middle and high school-aged students.

• Ability to stay flexible and shift gears to attend to the unexpected.

• Follows instructions and has solid time management skills.

• Positive, energetic, kind, and attentive

1. Prior to departure, request that your driver talks to the group about motorcoach safety. Your driver may present or play a safety video from the motorcoach company. Be sure that all passengers pay attention and locate emergency exits and equipment.

2. Ask for your driver’s contact info. If there’s a change in your schedule, you may need to adjust the times and locations of pickups/dropoffs.

3. Monitor student behavior throughout the trip. Chaperones should be alerted to safety regulations and be sure that students comply.

4. Remain in your seats while the motorcoach is moving. If there are seatbelts, insist that all passengers wear them.

5. Maintain clear aisles. Keep them free from backpacks and baggage items.

6. Store overhead items securely. Heavy items should not be stored in overhead compartments.

7. Don’t leave valuables unattended inside the motorcoach.

8. Keep an open seat near the front of the motorcoach in case anyone suffers from motion sickness or needs assistance.

9. Check on your driver throughout the trip. Don’t engage in conversations for long periods of time, but check that the driver is alert.

10. Refrain from distracting the driver. He or she must be 100% attentive while driving.

Here’s more recommendations for Student Travel Safety..

Here are a few tips to encourage healthy phone use:

• Establish tech-free times to encourage curiosity, appreciation, exploration, and socializing.

• Celebrate phones as a way to document the trip and capture memories.

• Take advantage of new tech at destinations such as kiosks, headsets, and games.

• Use phones to communicate efficiently with students, chaperones, and parents.

• Download travel apps such as Google Maps and Whats App.

• Reiterate the importance of safety when it comes to posting on social media.

Some trips require fundraising. There are many ways to help students raise funds for their trips - a car wash, cookie dough sales, 50/50 raffles, bake sales, and “dine & donates” are just a few ideas. The Just Fundraising website has some more great ideas!