trips out are tough to fund, tough to organise and prone to mishap, but at Trojans scheme, we wouldn't miss them for the world!
They are a little holiday from everyday life and, with good planning, should be a grand day out for everyone.
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
In 2001 the Policy Studies Institute found that parks in the most deprived areas were generally in poor condition and that 82 per cent of people in the UK did not have access to good open spaces. Less than one in five of the nation's 30,000 parks was considered by local authority managers to be in good condition.
It is true that many London children have not seen a cow in a field, or a stretch of ground longer than their local park, or an expanse of water greater than a pond. Any time that a child is able to engage with and explore a different environment, it literally broadens their horizons.
For all sorts of reasons many children's experience of different environments is limited and a well-organised trip out can offer precious contact with the countryside for city kids and interaction with built environments for country kids. Playschemes are ideally placed as providers of excursions for children.
VENUES
After 45 minutes children start nodding off and a long journey just eats into play time, so first research possible destinations within a reasonable time radius of your project. The venue needn't be fancy although weather will limit your outdoor choices at different times of the year. Fields, forests, parks, adventure playgrounds, high vantage points, anything with water or animals and castle ruins are all winners for kids.
Avoid venues that are crowded, noisy and distracting, for example funfairs or theme parks. The fear of losing someone increases strain and detracts from the enjoyment. Exceptions are museums, which make excellent wet weather places because strategic manning of doorways allows children to follow their interest without accidentally wandering off.
Every location should be checked in advance. If you let local staff know you are coming they will make recommendations, often revealing unknown marvels. They'll give advance notice of sudden changes that may affect your enjoyment, and may help out if things go wrong.
A written venue introduction and general instructions for staff promotes good practice and provides an easy reference to points of interest. It establishes the pace of the day, confirms meeting points and how to get help if needed (see box).
SAFETY FIRST
* A thorough review of children's allergies, special needs and parental consent forms must take place in good time to obtain further information if needed.
* Essentials should be prepared the evening before and include snacks, lots of drinks, a dozen bottles of water (for various uses) first aid kits, tissues, wipes, play equipment and, of course, sick bags.
* Consumables should be in disposable packaging and a wheeled shopping bag makes light work of carrying it all.
* All children must be accounted for, both on a full register and on group registers.
* They must be carrying their lunch and be seen to be adequately clothed for the weather.
* Toilet visits should be within 15 minutes of departure.
* Head counts should take place every time you move from one place to another with full head counts on and off the transport, and before and after lunch.
Prepare a brief 'safety and consideration' talk for children and deliver it at the start of every expedition (if on a coach you can do it airline style). Include information about the place you are about to visit and special considerations such as washing hands after touching animals and where to go if you get separated. Have a few topical games to hand if there are delays and mutiny becomes likely.
COMMUNICATIONS
Two staff or more must carry a mobile phone and the team leader should carry a register of the children's names, clearly indicating special needs and remedies carried/known.
Keep children's full details with a link person at home or in an office where they can be contacted on a 'hotline' in case of emergency - it is not practical or safe to cart the information around on the trip.
Allocate each group a coloured symbol and give each child a sticker to wear showing which group they belong to and giving two or three emergency contact numbers, one of which should be that of the on-site team leader.
Children's names should never be displayed.
High visibility wear for children and staff is easy to achieve and helps everyone to keep visual checks. Choose a colour and make it compulsory for everyone on a trip - bright yellow, lime green or turquoise work well. If you don't already have a uniform, consider getting T-shirts printed for as little as 3 each; parents will be happy to buy them when the reason is explained.
GROUP DYNAMICS
A good sized group is eight children with two adults, at least one of whom should be qualified and experienced. As far as possible, let children choose which group to belong to but obvious incompatibilities should be kindly prevented.
The manager or a senior member of staff should be free to move between groups and deal with unexpected matters. There is never a shortage of volunteers to join trips out but a volunteer without a task description and basic induction can be a hazard. Avoid the temptation to involve anyone 'just for the day'.
TRANSPORT
Shop around for the best price and get references for coach companies.
Discounts are available for multiple bookings and those made far ahead. The number of seats on an average-sized coach varies between 43 and 53 and early booking gets you the bigger coaches (double decker coaches seat 72 and are difficult to find).
If using your own vehicle, complete essential checks early to avoid delays.
Or if you are travelling by train be sure to reserve seats well in advance.
Make up a seating register and immediately set aside nine or ten for staff in order to protect minimum ratios of 1:5, and maintain it obsessively.
MONEY
Parents should expect to contribute something to the cost of the trip and it is reasonably easy to achieve other financial support if you begin asking six months in advance. From raffles to small funding applications, all playschemes, whether voluntary or private, can raise money for trips.
Jackie Nunns is a founding member and director of the Trojans scheme, a charity running out-of-school services in south London
Further information
* Pier 32 for T-shirt printing, www.tshirtprinters.uk.com, 020 8398 2847 * First aid kits, including pocket-sized travel kits from 6, www.firstaidshop.co.uk
* National Trust - preserves places of interest, including many parks and grounds, www.nationaltrust.org.uk, 0870 242 6620
* Transport for London gives advice on getting around the capital on free buses, www.tfl.gov.uk/buses
* National Rail Enquiries, 08457 484950
Example venue
Diana, Princess of wales Memorial playground, 6 April 2005
Arrival approx 10.30-10.45am
Lunch 12.30pm by main gate
Departure 3.00pm
The playground was created as a permanent tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in recognition of her enduring love of children. Its design encourages children to explore and use their imaginations and learn while they play.
None of the facilities can cope with all of us at once so move around the park to take part in all the possible activities.
Playworkers are reminded that they are required to supervise the children at all times, should not 'take over' the equipment and there should be no eating while playing on the equipment.
CHECKLIST
* Essential local phone numbers
* Essential staff phone numbers
* Map of venue
THINGS TO DO
Memorial Playground
* Teepees, pirate ships, crocodiles lazing on the beach, totem poles
* Swings, slides and climbing frames
* Beach cove - footprints and fossil imprints
Diana Fountain Pool
* Plugs to alter the direction of the water flow
* Rock bears the imprint of a mermaid's tail and handprint
Pirate Ship
* Hidden passage between decks
* Shift sand out of the hull on a trolley system
Movement and Musical Garden
* A variety of interactive instruments
Tree House Encampment
* 'Tree-phones' where children can communicate across the playground
Games in the Park
* Suitable for rounders, football, skipping
Diana Playground Cafe
* The cafe offers hot and cold drinks and snacks. Individuals must pay for all purchases themselves.
