Traveling With Students:

1. Traveling With Students: Adventures in Studying Real Live Art Liz Ashworth, Nipissing University

2. Why Take Students Out of the School? • because you’re crazy • because they can learn outside of the classroom walls (sometimes better) • because they need to expand their real-life experiences • because they need to see art in its real form (as opposed to slides and photos)

3. How To Get Started… • start small (local sketching trips, galleries) • work up to out-of-town day trips and overnight ones • don’t be afraid to leave the country • work with professional student travel companies • customize the trip to fit your students’ needs

5. You’ve chosen a destination, now what do you do? • write a proposal (why important for students) • get administration approval • advertise to students and parents • plan a information meeting • check the “undesirable list” in the office • create a list of students and have a waiting list as well • keep numbers smaller for international trips • have a meeting with both students and parents

6. What About Money? • fundraise well in advance to ensure all students can go • do not fundraise alone; get students and parents involved • be aware of hidden costs (e.g. tips, uncovered meals, taxes, etc.) • set due dates for installments well before you really need the money

7. Tips for Bus Trips: • Try to fill the bus (to defray costs) • May have to share with another school • Book something appropriate and comfortable • Bring videos/DVDs • Take attendance after each stop • When you reach the destination, do not let students off bus without a map and your cell number!

8. Tips for Airplane Trips: • Find out who has not flown before • Charter an airline bus • Review airport security procedures • Check in together to get grouped seats • Pair nervous fliers with seasoned ones

9. Hotel Tips: • Make sure hotel is student-friendly • Keep all students in same part of hotel as you • Have a separate room from students • Make sure there is security • Have a set curfew • Check on them before you sleep • Tape them into their rooms • Make sure they come to the door for wake-up call

10. Gallery and Museum Tips: • Have an assignment for them to do • Discuss gallery and museum protocols • Move in groups • Book a guide, or get the audio guide • Give students gallery/museum maps • Have set meeting times and places

11. Student Travel Logistics: • Have detailed itineraries to deter lateness • Fill their time as much as possible • Build in shopping and fun time • Give students a packing list • Have students bring bank cards instead of travelers’ cheques • When walking keep students between chaperones • Count them constantly • No less than four in a group when they “explore”

12. Student Travel Logistics, cont’d: • Have all student info on you at all times • Keep a second batch of student meds on you and know their allergies • Give them a currency exchange chart for foreign countries • Encourage them to try new foods • Have students keep a travel journal and sketchbook • Don’t be afraid to send them home early at their parents’ expense! • Have a phone pyramid in case of emergency • Have a party to swap photos after the trip!

13. For More Information: EF Tours – www.eftours.ca Explorica – www.explorica.ca Check with local bus companies for group excursions and rates