Why You Need to Plan Your School Trip NOW

…and how to get your admin to sign off!

We’re in a really strange place right now.  Vaccines are being distributed, entertainment venues are re-opening, we’re dining out more often, and schools are beginning to resume “normal” operations.

Students everywhere are hanging on to hope that they’ll have a prom, spring concert, theater production, or class trip in 2021.  The things they’ve looked forward to throughout their school years are right in front of them but still have an uncertain outcome.

Even though there’s light at the end of the tunnel, administrators, school boards, and parents are hesitant to commit to anything in the COVID-19 era.  Understandably, they’ve adopted a “wait and see” approach to making decisions.

The Time to Plan is Now

When it comes to student travel, however, it’s imperative to get to the decision phase quickly.  If students are going to have a chance at a spring, senior, or fall trip, plan your school trip now!

It’s always a good idea to make your student travel plans early, but this year it’s more important than ever.  The travel industry has suffered many blows in the last 12 months – which will have a direct impact on your plans.

Theme Parks

There are new restrictions and guidelines for groups at many of the big theme parks.  Capacity limits mean limited numbers of groups are being accepted.  A backlog of groups from the spring of 2020 will take precedence over new group bookings as well.

As education programs become available again, participation will be limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you’re planning a trip to a theme park in 2021, get in the reservation queue now.  Opportunities to take part in youth programs, performances, etc. will be more difficult than ever to confirm.

Transportation

The motorcoach industry was hit hard during the pandemic and is in crisis.  Many companies have closed their doors, reduced their fleets, or furloughed drivers.  They are consistently operating at less than half the capacity of 2019.  Many coaches have been sitting idle for so long that they are not road-ready.  Drivers have found other jobs and new drivers must be trained.

What this means for you is limited supply for increasing demand.  Booking motorcoaches is tricky in the best of times.  Throw in the current challenges and you really need to step it up if you want to secure transportation for your trip.

Discounts

As travel begins to open up again, many venues are offering deals or discounts to attract business.  These are short-term incentives and not intended to last forever.

Remember, too, that 2022 prices are on the rise.  If you plan your school trip now, you can lock in current 2021 pricing – even if your trip isn’t until 2022!!

The earlier you book your trip, the more likely it will be that you’ll score some great deals.  Ask your trip planner about early birds and other discounts that might help your group reduce costs.

Other Considerations

Administrators and school boards are weighing lots of factors before signing off on a trip.  The trip leader needs to secure those signatures as quickly as possible.

Be prepared to answer questions clearly and completely.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of students is your administration’s number one priority.  You need to be able to address any specific concerns regarding COVID-19 or any other safety issue.

Address these points quickly and concisely with your school’s leadership to avoid any lag time in decision-making.

Travel Protection and Cancellation Policies

Travel protection coverage is on everyone’s mind right now.  Administrations don’t want to approve student travel without assurances that they are protected if there’s a problem.

Verify that your trip planning partner offers post-departure protection for each traveler, with the option for individuals to add extra coverage.

Beyond travel protection, assure your administration that your partner company has flexible cancellation policies in case your trip plans change.

We can all agree we’re in a better place now than we were a year ago at this time.  However, there’s still so much uncertainty for our students.  They deserve the experiences that most of us took for granted – including a class trip.

Don’t put it off.  Plan your school trip now and give them something to look forward to!

Related Reading  

Plan A Student Trip in 2021: One Band Director Shares His Motivation for Traveling Now