Do You Need A Student Trip Planner?

This blog has been updated from June 2020

The student trip is in your hands. You want it to be the most educational, exciting, and epic trip anyone’s ever taken! Do you really need a student trip planner to pull it off? Maybe. Maybe not. There’s a lot to think about as you begin to plan.

As you start to wade through the process, consider these five key points…

Experience

If trip planning is not your specialty, finding the right destination or experience can be challenging. Performance groups are probably looking for something completely different than educational groups.

Will you know how to find the right venues, attractions, or dining for your group? Do you know about the one-of-kind performance opportunities and exclusive education programs available?  Think outside the box and look for unique opportunities that meet the needs of your students.

Safety

Student safety is everyone’s top priority. As you plan your trip, ask yourself these important safety questions.

1. Do you have a plan for health and safety or procedures for sick travelers?
2. Are you using a reputable security company with vetted guards?
3. Do you have travel protection for each of your travelers?
4. If traveling by motorcoach, is the equipment modern and recently inspected? Do drivers follow all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines? Check out the new rules for driver hours
5. Does your hotel have interior corridors?
6. Do you have emergency procedures in place for transportation, accommodations, cities, theme parks, etc.?

These are just a few of the safety concerns you should keep in mind when traveling with students. When it comes to student safety (especially in a COVID world), don’t take chances.

Reduce your risks and check with an expert!

Financial Matters

Student travel can be a big spend, and you’ll be handling all the money! Be prepared to set student collection schedules, pay vendors and safeguard students’ spending cash.

Logistics

One of the most challenging parts of planning a student trip is getting everyone where they need to be on time! Itineraries need to reflect traffic patterns, group size, crowds, etc. If you’re in an unfamiliar location, do your research. It’s the only way your students will see and do everything on the schedule.

Parents

Parents have lots of questions when sending their offspring into the wide, wide world! If you’re planning on your own, it’s your job to answer them! They’ll want to know about chaperones, dress code, spending money, rooming buddies, food, and more. Make sure you can speak to all the points above and anything else that pops up.

For more helpful tips on how to prepare for parent questions, check out Great Questions Parents Should Ask Before the Student Trip.

Do You Really Need A Student Trip Planner?

So do you really need a student trip planner? Think of it this way… you encourage your students to double-check their work, why wouldn’t you?

Check with a trusted student tour company to see if you’re on the right path or if you’ve hit a few roadblocks. The experts will walk you through the process and address your concerns.  As all teachers know, it never hurts to ask a few questions!