Planning a school excursion two years in advance has become absolutely necessary, especially if you are travelling with a cohort of 50 + students that require more than one program booking. If you are looking for a quality educational experience, you will not want to rush these learning experiences and many of these attractions have maximum capacity restrictions to consider.
If we use Canberra as a destination example the Nation’s Capital sees over 160,000 students each year all booked in, to participate in the high-quality educational programmes on offer. The programmes cover topics as civics and citizenship, history, arts, science, technology, and the Australian environment so it’s understandable that there will be several schools competing for the same travel weeks and restricted by the term dates all trying to secure their preferred accommodation and the popular programmes such as the Australian War Memorial.
Here are some reasons why you might consider planning a school excursion well in advance and using a specialist school travel agency to manage this for you.
Availability and Reservations: Some popular venues and destinations for school excursions may have limited availability, especially during peak seasons. Planning a school camp advance allows you to secure reservations and ensure that your preferred date is available.
Budgeting: Long-term planning enables schools to budget for the excursion more effectively. It provides ample time to assess the costs involved, determine the necessary funds, and explore fundraising opportunities. Remember cheap school camps are not quality experiences!
Curriculum Integration: Planning in advance allows teachers to align the excursion with the curriculum. They can design lessons and activities that tie into the excursion, providing a meaningful educational experience. Many of the programs on offer have fantastic resources and lesson plans that teacher can integrate and use for orientation prior to the excursion.
Safety and Logistics: Ensuring the safety of students on an excursion is a top priority. Planning well in advance gives schools and organizers time to address safety concerns, obtain necessary risk assessments and certificates of currency to comply with their school’s excursion protocols.
Parental Involvement: Parents often need time to plan for their child’s participation in a school excursion. Providing ample notice allows parents to budget for any associated costs, sign permission notes, acknowledge attendance and submit any dietary requirements to the school.
Reduce Last-Minute Stress: Planning an excursion well in advance can help reduce any anxiety for both teachers and students. It allows for a smoother planning process and minimizes the risk of logistical issues. If you are working with a school travel agency, they will manage all the logistics associated with the itinerary so you can board the coach with a cup of coffee and enjoy the excursion as much as your students will.
Special Requirements: Some students may require special accommodations or modifications for the excursion. Planning provides time to address these needs and ensure that all students can participate.
It’s essential to note that the specific timeline for planning a school excursion can vary depending on the destination, the size of the group, and the complexity of the trip. While two years in advance may not be necessary for every excursion, early planning can be beneficial in many cases, particularly for larger, more complex trips.
If you would like to book and plan an excursion ask Away We Go Tours about their ADVANCED BOOKING FORM send us a message and we can help you lock in some dates and send you a draft itinerary or start by Requesting a Quote. There is No obligation to sign booking conditions until 12 months prior to travel