F Fees: It's important to call ahead and reserve. Ask for special groups rates. Many places will not charge the adults who supervise young children. Make sure you know if there are additional cost for equipment, taxes, food and transportation.
I Itinerary: Will this field trip be a half day or a full day? Find out the business hours and plan an itinerary before you leave and not as the day goes by. Don't forget to schedule time for bathroom visits, hand washing, visiting and free play. Do not schedule from beginning till the end; children have short attention spans and will need time to run around and spend some energy. Will you be participating in a guided tour? Make sure the length is age-appropriate. Find out if the children will leave with a souvenir or token from their visit.
E Equipment: Bring your camera to take pictures, and the children's labeled water bottles. If you're going on a boat or canoeing, do the children need to bring their own life jackets? For outdoor play, do you need to bring your own balls and other toys? Is there a safe playground on the premises?
L Lunch: Can you bring your own lunch or must you buy from their restaurant? Is there an area where the coolers can be stored? Is there a shaded area for lunch time not too far from washrooms and running water? Will you have this space all day or will you be sharing this area with another group?
D Dressing: Depending on the activity and the season, should the children be dressed in specific clothing? Some places do not accept sandals, others don't accept running shoes. Will they need their bathing suits and towels? Have the parent apply sunscreen to their child before they arrive at the day care.
T Transportation: When looking on different outings possible look to see what transportation you might use. Can you take cars (for small groups - check your insurance coverage first), the bus, or the train? Is this place walking distance? How long will it take to get there? Is parking available? How much will it cost? When renting a bus make sure you have the directions on hand to give the bus driver - not all bus drivers know where the tourist attractions are.
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