Field Trip Plan

Field Trip Plan

Candidates will research a social studies field trip location in the Richmond/Central Virginia region (within a 50-mile radius), VISIT THE SITE, and create a field trip plan.

Possible Sites
When you call to make arrangements for your visit, inquire about the possibility of visiting at a time when a class is touring the site to truly experience the tour as you would on a “real” field trip with students.  (This is a suggestion, not a requirement.)   

Options for sites include those listed below. Please note that each class member is expected to visit a different site. Please sign up for your site at the SignUp Genius below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084AADA623A7FDC25-47578512-field

If you wish to visit a site not on this list, please consult your instructors.

  • American Civil War Museum (Tredegar)
  • American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
  • Beaverdam Creek Battlefield
  • Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia
  • Chesterfield County Museum & 1892 Jail
  • Clarke-Palmore House Museum
  • Colonial Williamsburg
  • Confederate Memorial Chapel
  • Dabbs House Museum
  • Deep Run School House
  • Edgar Allan Poe Museum (Richmond, Virginia)
  • Executive Mansion (Virginia)
  • First Freedom Center
  • Hanover Courthouse
  • Hanover Tavern
  • Henricus Historical Park
  • Historic Jamestowne
  • Historic Tuckahoe Plantation
  • James Madison’s Montpelier
  • Jamestown Settlement
  • John Marshall House
  • Library of Virginia
  • Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
  • Magnolia Grange House Museum
  • Meadow Farm Museum
  • Monticello
  • Patrick Henry’s Scotchtown
  • Richmond National Battlefield Park
  • Richmond Railroad Museum
  • St. John’s Church
  • The Valentine Museum and Wickham House
  • Virginia Museum of History and Culture
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Virginia Randolph Museum
  • Virginia State Capitol
  • Ware Bottom Church Battlefield Park
  • White House of the Confederacy
  • Wilton House Museum
  • Yorktown Battlefield

Writing the Field Trip Plan

You should plan your field trip by researching and reporting the information below.  Some of the information can easily be obtained via phone or website prior to your visit.  Some will require you to connect with site staff members, while you can learn other information while touring the site yourself.

  1. About the Site – Provide a paragraph with basic information about the site, it’s history, importance, etc. 
  2. Purpose – What is the rationale for taking this trip? How does it align to the SOL? What do you want students to learn or experience as a result of this visit?
  3. Basic Information  – Provide information on the following:
    1. Name of Site
    2. Web site
    3. Address
    4. Phone number
    5. Name of contact person at site
    6. Hours and days open for school tours
    7. Length of tours
  4. Reservations and Payments –  What is required to book a trip to this site? Describe the process for reserving a day and time for a field trip. Provide information on the following:
    1. Cost – What is the cost for students, teachers, and chaperones? Is there reduced or free admission for students on free or reduced lunch programs? Are there any grants or scholarships available to help cover costs?
    2. Timing – How far in advance must reservations be made?
    3. Payment – Is payment required in advance? What payment method(s) can be used?
    4. Cancellation – What is the cancellation policy? 
    5. Chaperones – How many are required to oversee small groups of students? What is the ratio of adults to students the site requires?
  5. Inclement Weather  – What is the policy for inclement weather (rain, snow, severe storms, etc.)?
  6. First Aid – Should you bring a first aid kit? How does the site staff handle first aid needs?
  7. Identifying Students – How will students be identified as belonging to your group and to a particular chaperone?
  8. Site Orientation – Provide information on the following:
    1. Where are the restrooms, activity areas (if any), lunch or picnic areas, gift shop (if relevant)? (Provide a site map if possible.)
    2. Where will buses drop off and pick up the students?
    3. Who meets your group?
    4. What should your group do first or what schedule should you follow? 
    5. How long should your visit be?
    6. Are there any specific recommendations from staff to make the trip run smoothly?
  9. Students with disabilities  – How does the site handle students with disabilities?
    1. If you have students in wheelchairs or walkers, inquire about access. Are there automatic doors?
    2. Are restrooms easily accessible? Is there any place that the group will be going that someone in a wheelchair cannot easily go? If you are going to be outside, will a wheelchair be usable?
    3. If you have students that are hearing impaired, will there be a sign language translator or do you need to get one? If you are seeing an AV program, is there closed captioning available?
    4. If you have visually impaired students, do programs have audio descriptions or other accommodations?
  10. Meals and Trash – Provide information on the following:
    1. Are there indoor eating spaces or picnic areas available and do they need to be reserved?  
    2. How should trash be handled? Are there receptacles on site or is there a carry-in/carry-out policy? This means that there are no trash cans. Groups must carry their trash back to school. 
    3. Is there recycling available?
  11. Dress – What is the appropriate dress for the site? What would you recommend students and adults wear and bring with them?
  12. Site Expectations – What are the site expectations for students (conduct), adults, and chaperones?
  13. Gift Shop – Describe the gift shop policy. 
    1. How many students are permitted in the gift shop at one time?
    2. Is an adult required with the students?
  14. Educational Resources – Provide a brief overview and links to materials that the site provides related to field trips and building background knowledge. These might be lesson plan resources, primary sources, handouts, on-site activities, etc.
  15. Letter to Parents – Draft a sample letter to parents that includes some of the information provided above such as the purpose of the trip, information about the site, cost, appropriate dress, whether students will provide their own lunch and snacks, interest in serving as a chaperone, and student behavior expectations. If the site has a gift shop, you should make parents aware of this as well.