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Fieldtrips Chatboard Topics

South Carolina State Parks 75th Anniversary

by Sarah Stashuk

May 9, 2009

Have you seen this site about the South Carolina State Parks 75th anniversary? There are events going on all year, offering great ideas for student field trips.

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Planning a trip with Voyageur?

by Laurie F

May 11, 2009

I'm planning a tour with Voyageur for next year but haven't been able to contact them lately. Does anyone have any info as to how to contact them or have any inside info as to what might be going on?

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Nichole I'm not a teacher but was doing an internet search on Voyageur and bankruptcy. My niece's school decided to book a trip through Voyageur and I decided I wanted to spend some quality time with her and take a great trip. So...since March 2008 more than 20 of us have been making monthly/quarterly payments on a trip that costs over $3,000 per person (t...See More

May 14, 2009

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Rebecca On 5/14/09, Rebecca wrote: > On 5/14/09, P_M wrote: >> On 5/14/09, Rebecca wrote: >>> On 5/14/09, Wayne Schenk wrote: >>>> On 5/13/09, Cathryn Mezynski wrote: >>>>> On 5/13/09, P_M wrote: >>>>>> On 5/11/09, Laurie F wrote: >>>>>>> I'm planning a tour with Voyageur f...See More

May 14, 2009

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Mariden

by Ann

May 12, 2009

Be aware of the difference between Mariden USA and Mariden Canada. Expect problems if booking through Canada. They are totally disorganised and will leave you regretting you ever booked with them.

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Jean On 5/14/09, Cari wrote: > I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation > these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many > meetings do they have with their students and their parents? > How much do these teachers actually know about international > travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a fore...See MoreOn 5/14/09, Cari wrote: > I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation > these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many > meetings do they have with their students and their parents? > How much do these teachers actually know about international > travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a foreign > language?...or has the extent of their international > experience just been to Disneyworld? > I have been on some tours where football coaches were the > chaperones. On other tours, some of the teachers recruited > random students throughout the school for a "senior class > trip". Those teachers and students had no business going on > educational tours like these. These students were not > prepared one bit for what they were about to see in Europe. > They were better off going on a cruise ship vacation > somewhere in the ocean. Europe is NOT Disneyworld. Europe is > old and crowded, and American students need some proper > orientation in order to appreciate international cultures. > > My trips are called educational tours NOT SUMMER > VACATIONS. The key to a successful trip is preparation. I > spend literally years getting my students ready for these > trips. Language acquisition, videos, meetings, and research > play an important part in preparation. My students must prove > to me that they can speak the language and appreciate the > European culture for what it is, not for what they want it to > be. After all, isn't that why we travel in the first > place....to see another culture for what it truly is?! > > I alert my students, in advance, that there will be > frustrations, delays, rain, uncooperative "foreign people", > and hotels that are different from ours. And, Europeans don't > necessarily speak English. That is why it is > called "international travel"...so get over it. > > > Yes I agree but what do you do when there is no meal booked for you for dinner as has happened with Mariden or the hotels are not 3 or 4 star as advertised and you get a roll and coffee for breakfast. > > > > > > > > > > > On 5/12/09, Ann wrote: >> Be aware of the difference between Mariden USA and Mariden >> Canada. Expect problems if booking through Canada. They >> are totally disorganised and will leave you regretting you >> ever booked with them.

Jun 29, 2009

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Cari Hello Jean:

Have you ever traveled with student travel companies? yes...There are going to be bumps in the road. However, you sound as if you are not speaking from personal experience with Mariden. You sound as if you are talking about someone else's experience....I think. Your words are so general that it is difficult where you got your ...See MoreHello Jean:

Have you ever traveled with student travel companies? yes...There are going to be bumps in the road. However, you sound as if you are not speaking from personal experience with Mariden. You sound as if you are talking about someone else's experience....I think. Your words are so general that it is difficult where you got your info. About the failure to "book" a restaurant....All I am saying is that any company tour guide worth his/her salt always telephones the restaurants in advance of the meal...sometimes 12 to 24 hours notice. This practice assures everyone that the meal will be ready when the group arrives. Your vague references sound fishy to me. By the way, some travel companies are so large (EF for ex.)that they herd about three or four student groups into one restaurant every evening from 6 to 8 p.m.....then, I have heard about(and experienced) major delays in seating and eating times. In addition, there are plenty of travel companies out there who advertise that their hotels are 3 and 4 star, but sadly these hotels seem barely 2 stars. Please remember, European hotels may say 3 and 4 star, but they are NOTHING like the rating system here in the U.S. My advice to you is to go with ACIS and NETC ( the $$$$ companies), because you will be assured of better hotels and center city locations, but you will also PAY for those perks. I wish you would be more specific about your comments "as has happened"...too vague for me. Finally, a continental breakfast in Europe is exactly that...roll OR croissant,coffee,tea. Occasionally you get juice, cereal, and cold cuts/cheese. For ex., in Paris it is difficult to find "buffet" anything....the French don't eat like Americans and stuff themselves silly at every meal....it is called portion- control. Have you traveled with any of these student companies before?

On 6/29/09, Jean wrote: > On 5/14/09, Cari wrote: >> I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation >> these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many >> meetings do they have with their students and their parents? >> How much do these teachers actually know about international >> travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a foreign >> language?...or has the extent of their international >> experience just been to Disneyworld? >> I have been on some tours where football coaches were the >> chaperones. On other tours, some of the teachers recruited >> random students throughout the school for a "senior class >> trip". Those teachers and students had no business going on >> educational tours like these. These students were not >> prepared one bit for what they were about to see in Europe. >> They were better off going on a cruise ship vacation >> somewhere in the ocean. Europe is NOT Disneyworld. Europe is >> old and crowded, and American students need some proper >> orientation in order to appreciate international cultures. >> >> My trips are called educational tours NOT SUMMER >> VACATIONS. The key to a successful trip is preparation. I >> spend literally years getting my students ready for these >> trips. Language acquisition, videos, meetings, and research >> play an important part in preparation. My students must prove >> to me that they can speak the language and appreciate the >> European culture for what it is, not for what they want it to >> be. After all, isn't that why we travel in the first >> place....to see another culture for what it truly is?! >> >> I alert my students, in advance, that there will be >> frustrations, delays, rain, uncooperative "foreign people", >> and hotels that are different from ours. And, Europeans don't >> necessarily speak English. That is why it is >> called "international travel"...so get over it. >> >> >> Yes I agree but what do you do when there is no meal booked > for you for dinner as has happened with Mariden or the hotels > are not 3 or 4 star as advertised and you get a roll and coffee > for breakfast. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> On 5/12/09, Ann wrote: >>> Be aware of the difference between Mariden USA and Mariden >>> Canada. Expect problems if booking through Canada. They >>> are totally disorganised and will leave you regretting you >>> ever booked with them.

Jul 2, 2009

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Explorica

by John

May 13, 2009

It sounds to me that most people who complain on this web site have nothing else better to do in their lives. First of all, this is international travel you mo$%??. Things happen. As for being paired up with other groups, either suck it up or pay the extra money to go as a private tour. I have traveled with several different tour groups and this st...See More

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Cari John:

Thank you for your comments. I applaud your honesty.

I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many meetings do they have with their students and their parents? How much do these teachers actually know about international travel? Do these teachers & ...See MoreJohn:

Thank you for your comments. I applaud your honesty.

I wish I could take a survey concerning how much preparation these complaining teachers did for their tours. How many meetings do they have with their students and their parents? How much do these teachers actually know about international travel? Do these teachers & students actually know a foreign language?...or has the extent of their international experience just been to Disneyworld? I have been on some tours where coaches were the chaperones. On other tours, some of the teachers recruited random students throughout the school for a "senior class trip". Those teachers and students had no business going on educational tours like these. These students were not prepared one bit for what they were about to see in Europe. They were better off going on a cruise ship vacation somewhere in the ocean. Europe is NOT Disneyworld. Europe is old and crowded, and American students need some proper orientation in order to appreciate international cultures.

My trips are called educational tours NOT SUMMER VACATIONS. The key to a successful trip is preparation. I spend literally years getting my students ready for these trips. Language acquisition, videos, meetings, and research play an important part in preparation. My students must prove to me that they can speak the language and appreciate the European culture for what it is, not for what they want it to be. After all, isn't that why we travel in the first place....to see another culture for what it truly is?!

I alert my students, in advance, that there will be frustrations, delays, rain, uncooperative foreign people, and hotels that are different from ours. And, Europeans don't necessarily speak English. That is why it is called "international travel"...so get over it.

On 5/13/09, John wrote: > It sounds to me that most people who complain on this web > site have nothing else better to do in their lives. First > of all, this is international travel you mo$%??. Things > happen. As for being paired up with other groups, either > suck it up or pay the extra money to go as a private tour. > I have traveled with several different tour groups and this > stands to be the best tour company, as in bang for your > buck. > Yes things may not be perfect, but if any of you > complainers have ever done any traveling, you should know > better.If not, your are just plain stupid to traveling > thinking that things are always perfect. So, in the end, > quit complaining, enjoy life and if you can't accept a few > problems while traveling, stay home and live in your bubble > and pretend you know what it is like to travel around the > world!

May 14, 2009

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Solomon Yes John, you are very right. I agree with your overall view on travel 110%. But, to equate such a wise, wordly view to a specific tour company puzzles me. Had you not mentioned any company, I would have been on your side to the end. What is good for one person isn't necessarily good for the other. Yes, complainers stay home...please!

On 5...See More

May 21, 2009

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Laura Ingalls Wilder coming to SoCal

by LauraFan

May 21, 2009

Just saw this event listed:

"The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in Mansfield, Missouri is generously sharing a special gift with the Inland Empire. On May 30th and 31st, Rileys at Los Rios Rancho will host the museum's traveling Laura Ingalls Wilder, Journey of a Pioneer Family exhibit. Rarely seen outside of Missouri, the ...See More

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Rachel Roberts On 5/21/09, LauraFan wrote: > Just saw this event listed: > > "The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in > Mansfield, Missouri is generously sharing a special gift > with the Inland Empire. On May 30th and 31st, Rileys at > Los Rios Rancho will host the museum's traveling Laura > Ingalls Wilder, Journey of a Pioneer ...See More

Jun 24, 2009

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Rachel Roberts On 6/24/09, Rachel Roberts wrote: > On 5/21/09, LauraFan wrote: >> Just saw this event listed: >> >> "The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum in >> Mansfield, Missouri is generously sharing a special gift >> with the Inland Empire. On May 30th and 31st, Rileys at >> Los Rios Rancho will host the muse...See More

Jun 24, 2009

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test

by test

Jul 10, 2009

test

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International Student Trips

by MB

Jul 16, 2009

Educational travel is such an important and rewarding opportunity. Thank you to those of you who lead, and welcome to those of you considering!

First, I want to preface this by saying I worked in the educational travel industry for 6 years prior to becoming a classroom teacher several years ago. I don't claim to be an expert but I have a u...See More

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Cari Bravo! Applause, Applause! Well said.

On 7/16/09, MB wrote: > Educational travel is such an important and rewarding > opportunity. Thank you to those of you who lead, and > welcome to those of you considering! > > First, I want to preface this by saying I worked in the > educational travel industry for 6 years prior to be...See More

Jul 16, 2009

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instructours On 7/16/09, Cari wrote: > Bravo! Applause, Applause! Well said. > > > On 7/16/09, MB wrote: >> Educational travel is such an important and rewarding >> opportunity. Thank you to those of you who lead, and >> welcome to those of you considering! >> >> First, I want to preface this by saying I worked in the &...See MoreOn 7/16/09, Cari wrote: > Bravo! Applause, Applause! Well said. > > > On 7/16/09, MB wrote: >> Educational travel is such an important and rewarding >> opportunity. Thank you to those of you who lead, and >> welcome to those of you considering! >> >> First, I want to preface this by saying I worked in the >> educational travel industry for 6 years prior to becoming >> a classroom teacher several years ago. I don't claim to >> be an expert but I have a unique perspective: I planned >> trips for over 500 school groups and have travelled to >> more than 30 countries. I am also now planning my second >> tour as a group leader. >> >> I have just a few tips as a fellow group leader: >> >> 1. Be Flexible, both in the planning phase and on tour. >> Things come up, especially with large groups of people, >> hotels, restaurants, planes, buses, etc. >> >> 2. Keep an Open Mind. If you expect everything to be like >> it is at home, stay home. The point is to experience >> something different (note: expect old hotels with small >> rooms outside the city center and no 'American-sized' >> portions at meals). >> * #'s 1 and 2 are critical, especially in front of >> students. >> >> 3. You get what your students' parents pay for. I >> personally recommend going with a smaller, affordable >> travel company - you will see all the same sites and your >> group will get the most bang for their buck. >> >> "The World is a book, and those who do not travel read >> only a page." - St. Augustine

I think that proper supervision, safety protocols on the trip as well as for emergencies, and good insurance (better through an outside carrier that specializes in students)is a must. While this may be a vacation for the students, it is NOT for the teacher/chaperones; they are still responsible for the students. I always suggest that teachers and parents have personal liability insurance to protect themselves legally in case of an 'incident'on tour. Teenagers can do some really silly things.

Also, one needs to get a real handle on all the expenses not included or outlined by the tour operator: meals, admissions, gratuities, airport fees, baggage fees, taxes etc. Many groups have found that they did not have enough money during the trips and students had to frantically contact home to receive more money.

I work with only smaller, affordable companies because of the personalized service and attention to detail. Normally there is a company representative traveling with the group who is knowledgeable about the areas being visited and is the direct advocate and troubleshooter for the group. It's well worth the extra money. I prefer an all-inclusive price structure where the students need only to bring money for their souvenirs and the company representative takes care of the gratuities, admissions, fees, and meals (giving out cash for lunches etc. In this way nobody gets caught short.

Jul 20, 2009

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Gold Rush Fieldtrips in Sacramento area

by Noelle/Sacramento

Jul 19, 2009

Hi! I'm going to be teaching the 4th grade in the Sacramento area and I know there are supposed to be some great fieldtrips for this. Are there any living history experiences where the kids can pan for gold? I'm looking forward to advice from those who've experienced this! THANKS :)

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instructours On 7/19/09, Noelle/Sacramento wrote: > Hi! I'm going to be teaching the 4th grade in the > Sacramento area and I know there are supposed to be some > great fieldtrips for this. Are there any living history > experiences where the kids can pan for gold? I'm looking > forward to advice from those who've experienced this! THANKS :)
...See MoreOn 7/19/09, Noelle/Sacramento wrote: > Hi! I'm going to be teaching the 4th grade in the > Sacramento area and I know there are supposed to be some > great fieldtrips for this. Are there any living history > experiences where the kids can pan for gold? I'm looking > forward to advice from those who've experienced this! THANKS :)

Hi!

Normally teachers take their groups to Sutter's Fort and Sutters Mill, panning for gold in the American River. There is also Goldbug Mine. There is also a theatre experience in Coloma that the students like. Start here: [link removed]

Since you are already in Sac, you really don't need a tour operator, however, you need to reserve times through Reserve America - which is tricky because they start accepting reservations for the school year soon (find out the exact date) and the minute the phone lines open, literally hundreds of teachers and tour operators vye for these appointments. There is a feeding frenzy with the phone lines - enlist help to man several lines in order to get through.

May I strongly suggest that you get in touch with the Convention and Visitor's Bureau in Sacramento to get some ideas of itineraries, updates, special events, curriculum materials and teaching plans, and how to reserve through Reserve America. Ask for the school group representative. [link removed].

By the way, for a curriculum-based Western experience, there is Jerry Bestpitch at the JB Ranch in Elverta who has a great program with a real wagon train and horses. The children learn about the care of horses, the rules of a wagon train, and how to pack a real prairie schooner, as well as having the opportunity to ride in it as well. For an extra few dollars he can have some hands-on activities with renenactors that allow the students to make various items to take back home with them. [link removed]

Have you also taken advantage of the Immigrant Program at the Railroad Museum - great fun!

Some of the sites do have pre-visit materials available for downloading or 'trunks' to be sent to your school. There are also historic reenactors that can visit. Check this out with the Sacramento Visitors and Convention Bureau as well as the California State Parks.

Good luck!

Annaker

Jul 20, 2009

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Wagons West Camp We have some Day Camp FIeldtrips and 24 hour Camp dates available to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classes at our Gold Rush Living History Ranch in Colfax California. We provide sleeping tents and pioneer costumes for all students as well as a great curriculum, hearty food, lessons in Canning, Square Dancing, Doll Making, Candle Making, Leather Work, Bla...See More

Nov 19, 2012

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Disney Education Field Trips

by E.A. Floyd

Jul 28, 2009

Is anyone familiar with the Disney Youth Education Services programs? has anyone been on any? I think they look pretty fun, but didn't know if schools/teachers actually like them. Would there be any interest in going to Epcot to compare the "worlds" there, in World Showcase? I guess they aren't really all of the comparative politics countries, so w...See More

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Class Act Tours for Washington DC Field Trips

by Sunnie Templeton

Aug 7, 2009

Hi...My name is Sunnie Templeton and I have been a Personal Tour Coordinator for Class Act Tours, an Educational Tour Company, for the past 20 years! I understand all too well your disappointed experience on your last class trip to Washington DC, where the students were not as prepared as you had hoped. At Class Act Tours, we provide teachers prior...See More

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Carol As a private school Board member for 6 years, and as someone who has had the privilege of being part of several trips to D.C. organized by Class Act Tours ([link removed].

What I was most impressed with from Class Act Tours is the total accessibility that each group had with their tour coordinator. Being able to have 24-hour access to an ...See More

Aug 16, 2009

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socaliforniamagistra It's nice to hear positive feedback concerning student tour companies. I think we all need to start looking at the smaller companies for better service and educational content.

After traveling with the three of the large companies, our school has also found a wonderful company, (LEAD USA leaddiscoveryusa.com) that works with our standards ...See MoreIt's nice to hear positive feedback concerning student tour companies. I think we all need to start looking at the smaller companies for better service and educational content.

After traveling with the three of the large companies, our school has also found a wonderful company, (LEAD USA leaddiscoveryusa.com) that works with our standards and my teaching plan to design itineraries from scratch with hands-on activities. We (a public school) were recommended to them from a local Lutheran school that has traveled with them for a few years.

LEAD usually includes an historic character as a dinner guest and after dinner speaker. (The past two years we have had Thomas Jefferson join us in Williamsburg.)

In the past, we have reenactments scheduled as well as a Civil War Adventure Camp called Pamplin Park (we chose the full day and not the overnight). We also had an on-site archeology program in Jamestown and an Underground Railroad program in Pennsylvania.

They make arrangements with all the places to have pre-trip curriculum materials like 'trunks' and teaching plans sent to us.

And the food is great! We have never received coupons at food courts, in fact, we hardly do any fast food! My kids particularly love eating in a fine, French restaurant in Washington, DC before we go to Ford's Theatre.

The nicest part is that the tour designer or tour guide visits our school to conduct an introductory meeting for parents to describe the trip as well as a meeting for parents and students a week or so before we travel.

They also include all the fees and insurance in their price, and although it may seem expensive to the parents at first, after getting 'bids' from other companies and then adding in all their extra fees, LEAD was cheaper! (My parents were royally ripped-off by two companies that charged a lot of extra money right before we traveled.)

They are also responsive 24/7, but as we have guide with us throughout the trip, she always handles any 'situations'. (Our flight was cancelled at the last minute due to weather and air traffic problems, and our guide got us rescheduled immediately and stayed at the airport until we took off. I didn't even have to pick up a phone to call the office.)

So obviously, I recommend LEAD USA.

8/16/09, Carol wrote: > As a private school Board member for 6 years, and as someone who > has had the privilege of being part of several trips to D.C. > organized by Class Act Tours ([link removed];

Aug 17, 2009

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