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Field trip planning checklist (free printable)

Two ticked lists, one for what to do before the trip and one for the day itself, with a box for notes. Edit the lists to your school's rules and print one for each trip.

Printed on the sheet. Leave it empty to write by hand.
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Field Trip Checklist, page 1Field Trip ChecklistDestinationDateLeaving atBack atBefore the tripTrip approved by the schoolTransport bookedVenue confirmed and times agreedAdults arrangedPermission forms sent and returnedPayment and receipts handledLunch and water planBad weather planOn the dayHead count before leavingFirst aid kit and emergency contactsPhone charged and numbers savedNametags or colored shirtsBathroom stops plannedHead count at every moveHead count before returningThank the venue and the adultsNotes and phone numbers of adultsFree at teach.peabody.kids

To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.

About this sheet

A field trip is thirty things that have to happen on the right day, and a teacher carries all of them in their head. This checklist takes them out of it. The first list is for the weeks before, from the approval to the permission forms, the adults and the transport, and the second is for the morning of the trip, from the head count to the first aid kit and the plan for rain. The items are editable, because every school's rules differ, and the lists are checked as you go. The page holds no information about students: lists of names, contacts and medical details belong in the documents your school requires, carried the way your school tells you.

Best in: September, October, April, May.

How to use it

  1. Edit the two lists to match your school's rules for trips, and write the destination and date at the top.
  2. Print one page for each trip. Tick items off in the weeks before, and take the page with you on the day.
  3. Use the notes box for phone numbers of adults, the bus company or the venue, which are not student information.

Five ideas for class

  1. Begin the checklist as soon as the trip is approved, and put due dates beside each item, so nothing is left to the last week.
  2. Share a copy with the other adults who are coming, so everyone knows which jobs are theirs.
  3. Use the head count line at the start of the trip, at each move and before you leave, and say the number aloud with another adult.
  4. Write a plan for bad weather and for a child who needs to leave early, and tick it before the day.
  5. After the trip, add a line to the notes about what you would change, and keep the page for next year.

Related

Questions

Does it replace my school's forms?

No. Your school's forms and procedures come first. This sheet is a reminder to do them in time and does not carry any student information.

Can I add items?

Yes. Type any lines you like in either list, up to twelve in each. The rows resize to fit the page.

Is the list a safety plan?

No. It is a planning aid. Follow your school's and district's safety rules, including adult-to-student ratios and emergency procedures.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.

Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?

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