🎒Complete Checklist for Day Trips, Overnight Adventures & Educational Excursions

🚨 Absolute Must-Haves (Required for Every Trip)

• Signed permission slip
• Student ID or name tag
• Emergency contact information
• Medical information/allergies card
• Required medications (in labeled containers)
• Water bottle (labeled with name)
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Weather-appropriate jacket/layer
• Lunch money or packed lunch
• Small backpack or day bag
• Hand sanitizer
• Face mask (if required)

🍎 Food & Drinks

• Packed lunch (if not provided)
• Healthy snacks (granola bars, fruit)
• Extra water bottle
• Juice box or sports drink
• Trail mix or nuts (if no allergies)
• Crackers or pretzels
• Fresh fruit (apple, banana)
• Lunch money/cash for food court
• Reusable utensils
• Napkins
• Cooler pack (for perishables)
• Garbage bag for trash
• Wet wipes for cleanup
• Gum or mints (age appropriate)

👕 Clothing & Weather Gear

• Comfortable, weather-appropriate outfit
• Extra layer (sweater/hoodie)
• Rain jacket or poncho
• Hat or cap (sun protection)
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable walking socks
• Backup shirt (in backpack)
• Gloves (cold weather)
• Scarf (cold weather)
• Shorts (if warm weather)
• Long pants (protective/dressy)
• Closed-toe shoes (required for many venues)
• Swimwear (if applicable)
• Towel (for water activities)

📚 School Supplies & Learning Materials

• Notebook or journal
• Pencils and pens
• Clipboard (for writing support)
• Assignment sheets/worksheets
• Field trip educational packet
• Calculator (if needed)
• Ruler or measuring tools
• Colored pencils/markers
• Eraser
• Highlighters
• Index cards
• Folder for handouts
• Camera (if allowed)
• Magnifying glass (nature trips)

💊 Health & Safety Items

• Prescription medications (labeled)
• Inhaler (if applicable)
• EpiPen (if applicable)
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+)
• Lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent
• Band-aids
• Antiseptic wipes
• Tissues
• Motion sickness medicine
• Personal thermometer
• Emergency whistle
• Medical alert bracelet (if needed)
• Contact lens supplies (if applicable)

🎒 Personal Items & Comfort

• Small pillow or travel pillow
• Blanket (for overnight trips)
• Stuffed animal or comfort item
• Reading book
• Travel games or puzzle books
• Headphones (if electronics allowed)
• Eye mask for sleeping
• Travel-size toiletries
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant (older students)
• Hair brush/comb
• Hair ties/headband
• Small mirror
• Tissues/handkerchief

💰 Money & Electronics (Check School Policy)

• Cash for souvenirs
• Lunch money
• Emergency money (separate location)
• Wallet or money pouch
• Cell phone (if allowed)
• Phone charger/portable battery
• Camera (disposable or digital)
• Tablet/iPad (if permitted)
• Gaming device (if allowed)
• Watch
• Calculator
• Audio recorder (for notes)

🚌 Transportation Essentials

• Motion sickness bags
• Entertainment for bus ride
• Seat cushion
• Travel pillow
• Snacks for journey
• Chewing gum (for ear pressure)
• Plastic bags (for trash/wet items)
• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfecting wipes
• Window markers (if allowed)
• Travel sickness bands
• Emergency contact card

🏛️ Venue-Specific Items

Museum/Indoor Venues:

• Quiet shoes (no squeaking)
• Dress code appropriate clothing
• Sketchbook for art museums
• Voice recorder (if allowed)

Outdoor/Nature Trips:

• Hiking boots or sturdy shoes
• Bug spray
• Collection bags/containers
• Field guide books
• Binoculars
• Magnifying glass
• First aid kit
• Whistle

Science Centers/Labs:

• Safety goggles (if required)
• Lab notebook
• Scientific calculator
• Closed-toe shoes (required)

Historical Sites:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Historical timeline reference
• Camera for documentation
• Research materials

🏨 Overnight Trip Additions

• Pajamas/sleepwear
• Extra clothes for each day
• Underwear and socks
• Shower shoes/flip-flops
• Towel and washcloth
• Shampoo and body wash
• Laundry bag
• Alarm clock
• Flashlight
• Room key holder/lanyard
• Spending money
• Contact solution (if needed)
• Bedtime snack
• Plug-in nightlight

🎯 Grade-Level Specific Items

Elementary (K-5):

• Name labels on everything
• Buddy system partner info
• Simple camera or disposable camera
• Comfort item for security
• Extra snacks

Middle School (6-8):

• Personal hygiene items
• More independence supplies
• Technology (if allowed)
• Social activity games

High School (9-12):

• Advanced project materials
• Leadership responsibilities kit
• College prep materials
• Career exploration tools

📋 Final Pre-Trip Checklist

• Check weather forecast
• Confirm departure/return times
• Review trip itinerary
• Pack night before
• Charge electronic devices
• Confirm pickup arrangements
• Review school behavior expectations
• Pack emergency contact info
• Label all personal items
• Review prohibited items list
• Prepare educational goals
• Set meeting points with chaperones

⚠️ Items to Leave at Home

• ❌ Valuable jewelry
• ❌ Large amounts of cash
• ❌ Prohibited electronics
• ❌ Weapons of any kind
• ❌ Inappropriate clothing
• ❌ Aerosol sprays
• ❌ Glass containers
• ❌ Pets or live animals
• ❌ Laser pointers
• ❌ Food with strong odors

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