School trips to places like Washington, D.C., New York or Disney World have always been an important part of a student’s educational experience. For some, going on a school trip can be a rite of passage. Many groups and clubs use trips as a year-end reward or the chance to compete on a higher level such as the nationals. But with shrinking school budgets, some schools have been forced to cut back on trips. In a lot of cases, the burden of coming up with the money to pay for school trips now falls to the students. Just because budgets are tight doesn’t mean that you have to cancel your trip. Here are a few tips on how to plan and raise funds for field trip.
- Come up with a plan to raise money. Are you going to sell a product like candy bars, cookie dough or discount cards? Or will you hold car washes, rummage sales or bake sales? There are a lot of great ideas out there to help you raise money for your trip. Determine which one is right for you and get your students behind it. Remember if you go the product sales route, make sure the item is something the community will want to buy and will get behind. You may also want to select a reputable fundraising company and line up the support of the PTO or booster club.
- Get permission from the school. Each school has different rules and guidelines when it comes to fundraising. If you choose a product to sell, make sure your school allows candy bar or food sales, and get familiar with school policies. Obtain permission well in advance.
- Involve parents. Trips are expensive. You might need to ask parents to chip in help cover some of the costs. Parents also are a great source of volunteers. You’re going to need their help at car washes, bake sales or to drive you around while you are out selling.
Careful planning will go a long way towards making your fundraiser a success. The more you plan and engage parents and volunteers, the more likely you will raise enough money to reach your fundraising goals.