The Challenge  One of the potential problems that teachers and the ES staff face when taking a class of young students into the field is disruptive behavior.  The natural exuberance and energy level of children with classmates in an outdoor setting often lead to inappropriate behavior. While a single child running in a field or down a stream bed might not seem like such a big deal, even one child doing this can do a lot of damage to the habitat – and several children doing so can cause significant damage to micro habitats.  Unruly behavior can also disrupt the activities and diminish the enjoyment and quality of the learning experience for the other children.  And finally, we want the excursion to be a safe one, preventing such things as injury from falling or contact with poison ivy. 

The Solution  This is why we require a minimum number of chaperones to accompany each class.  Chaperones are a very important element of a student field trip that can make or break the success of this outdoor experience. We rely on chaperones to help students stay focused on the activity.  Because the group leaders (ES staff and docents) are busy guiding the activities, they do not have time to handle discipline problems; we need chaperones to partner with the teachers in taking responsibility for student behavior.

Rules for Student Behavior  At the start of every field trip, ES Staff will explain the rules of ES’s Field Station to the students.  The rules vary depending on the location of the activity and the type of habitat, but will usually be something like this:

            1. respect all habitats and the plants and animals in them
            2. stay on the mowed paths at all times
            3. do not walk into the lake or stream unless assigned to do so
            4. stay with your assigned group leader
            5. when the group leader blows the whistle, freeze and listen for instructions
            6. no running (unless it is specifically permitted)
            7. no horseplay, fighting, arguing, or complaining (if the latter gets disruptive)

For disruptions we recommend three levels of action.  1st level: Give warning(s). 2nd level: Student gets a 10 minute time out on the bus and chaperone counsels student. 3rd level (for severe problems only):  Student spends remainder of the field trip on the bus.

We want the field trip to be a positive experience for every student; we want them all to enjoy the environment and have fun learning about nature.  We ask chaperones to enforce rules gently and kindly without hurting feelings, making every attempt to engage students in the activity rather than immediately using sharp words or punishment as a quick solution.

The Assist  Listening to instructions given by the group leaders is another important chaperone duty, so chaperones can assist students with the activity if needed.  It is not appropriate for chaperones to change the instructions or activities; the activity has been carefully designed and coordinated with teachers to match the needs of their particular classes.  Changes may disrupt the activity or defeat educational objectives.  The group leader is in charge at all times.  If a chaperone has suggestions for improving the activity, we heartily welcome input - however the time and place to do so is after the field trip is complete and in a private conversation or email, not during the activity itself.

Chaperones make it possible for students to have a fun, positive and enjoyable learning experience in a beautiful and natural environment.  A big THANK YOU! to all.

For Everyone

K-12 Educators