Checklist: Managing Field Trips

A review of United Educators’ (UE’s) claims shows that injuries can result when educators are ill-prepared to lead students on educational ventures off school grounds. To help keep students safe and avoid similar claims, this checklist gives K-12 administrators an overview of sound risk management practices for planning school field trips.

Important topics to consider include:

• Drafting the school’s field trip policy and formal approval process
• Inspecting the location before the field trip and mitigating known risks
• Selecting and preparing the employees and volunteers leading field trips
• Reviewing contracts and insurance when outside providers operate the field trip
• Collecting risk transfer documents such as releases and assumption of risk forms
• Planning for emergencies and accidents
• Arranging transportation and ensuring drivers’ safety
• Monitoring student health and administering medications
• Ensuring safety and communications at the location
• Conducting evaluations after the field trip