Two to four weeks prior to trip:
☐ Complete required school documentation (field trip permission forms, transportation forms, etc.).
☐ Secure chaperones for your field trip; at least one chaperone for every ten students (chaperones must be 21 years or older).
☐ Coordinate transportation with your district.
☐ Download online curriculum at hmns.org/curriculum.
☐ If possible, visit the Museum ahead of time to familiarize yourself with the location.
The day before your field trip:
☐ Adjust final count of students, parents, teachers and chaperones. This number will be given at check-in. All participants (students, parents, chaperones, teachers, administration) on the trip must be included in the count for payment.
☐ Assign students to groups. Remember, one chaperone for every ten students.
☐ Prepare payment. Final payment is due upon check in.
☐ If the school is not paying for chaperones, ensure that chaperones know which venues/shows they will need to purchase tickets for.
☐ Remind students of proper Museum etiquette as outlined in the Field Trip Preparation Guide.
☐ Distribute curriculum to students, along with necessary materials.
☐ Ensure that chaperones are aware of lunch procedure. If ordering from Elements Grill, complete and submit lunch order form.
The day of your field trip:
☐ Ensure that all chaperones have a copy of the Museum Map and your field trip itinerary.
☐ Buses will unload on Hermann Park Drive, near the “Bus Unloading Zone” signs. Lunches should be left on the bus unless other arrangements have been made.
☐ Once unloaded, students will line up outside the main entrance at the “Teacher Reporting Point” while the Lead Teacher enters the Museum and checks in.
☐ During check-in, the Lead Teacher will provide a final count, payment, and the required Teacher Admission Sheet available in the Preparation Guide.
☐ Lead Teachers should distribute chaperone stickers and verify that all chaperones are aware of the schedule and designated meeting times and locations.
☐ Once checked in, chaperones may lead their student group into the Museum. Remind chaperones that they must remain with their student group at all times.
Parking:
☐ Buses can park near the Sam Houston Statue or in the Houston Zoo parking lot on a first-come first-serve basis.
☐ Chaperones on the field trip reservation and parking in the HMNS garage will receive the discounted chaperone rate for parking to be paid at the Box Office.
Safety Tip: Please bring student medical forms and all necessary medications to ensure a safe and enjoyable field trip!