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Some of the most rewarding parts of our jobs are taking students out for cultural excursions. I’ve taken students camping, on flights to conferences, routine museum trips, the works. The thing is, we can’t predict the future, but we can be as prepared as reasonably possible. I strongly recommend taking the items below when you’re leading trips with groups of students.
First aid kit
It was one of my first overnight trips as a professional staff member. I took students camping at a small campground a couple hours away from campus. A student came power walking up to me: one of her friends was stung by a bee! I was concerned but calmly told the girl to hang on and I’ll grab the first aid kit.
Make sure you have these essentials in case a student (or you!) have a cut, scrape, or other easy-to-achieve injury:
- Bandaids in a couple of sizes
- Pain medication
- Antibiotic ointment
- Antiseptic wipes
I recommend buying a pre-made kit like this classic one, this, or this. Some of these are so small you can fit them in your purse/bag. Other recommendations if you have room:
- Pepto Bismol
- Tissues
- Plastic bags (to securely wrap used bandaids and tissues if no trash can is available)
- Disposable gloves
- Disposable masks
Zippered portfolio
It’s important to me to make sure that important items won’t fall out if I don’t handle the binder as carefully as I should. I use a portfolio like this that zips completely to carry these types of papers:
- Registration list
- Tickets
- Itinerary
- Emergency contact list
This one is really cute and I’m considering getting it but it doesn’t have a space for business cards.
Emergency contact info
Don’t wait until an emergency to realize you never got your supervisor’s cell phone number. I’ve been in an situation where the emergency was so severe that we needed to contact the dean of students to begin the protocols to contact the student’s family.
- Dean of students
- Your supervisor
- Transportation contact
Detailed registration list
Have this for each student:
- Full name
- Student ID number
- Phone number
- Allergies (in case something happens to them and you need to tell emergency responders)
Vehicle insurance
If you’re driving a college vehicle, make sure to ask for the insurance information before you hit the road. Accidents happen and you don’t want to find yourself trying to track down the motor pool supervisor’s phone number on a Saturday evening if someone rear ends you.
Hand sanitizer
Bottles are useful disinfecting hands on the go. Wipes (and this fragrance free type) can be used for hands and to wipe down other things like chair arms and cafe tables.
Bottled water
A bottle of water is good for so many things besides preventing dehydration. Helping soothe someone’s stomach, rinsing a deep cut, cooling off someone who’s overheated in the sun, and helping someone who accepted a dare to eat a whole jalapeno, seeds and all, are all good uses for water.
Name tags
You may know all of your student’s names, but they may not know each other. On the flip side, they may all be the best of friends but you’re still getting to know them. A name tag can stop the repeated “Remind me of your name again.” These name tags are very cute, and I’m a sucker for cute, but these tags also do the job if you’re looking for traditional.
Phone charger or power bank
I have found myself with 4% phone battery in some not-to-great times. I always kicked myself for not having a power bank on hand. With a group of students, YOU are the adult in the situation. Make sure you can get information and/or help if need be. I received one of these extra long cords for Christmas and love the length because I don’t have to sit on the floor to use my phone while it’s charging. I’m planning to get this power bank in the near future since I don’t always have access to an outlet.