Life is nothing without a little chaos to make it interesting.
~ Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
Over the last couple of years, I have gained some first hand experience with the chaos that can ensue when I take a group of kids on a field trip. It turns out that kids - and you may have already known this, but I had to learn the hard way - don't think like adults do.
They have poor impulse control - they'll run off impetuously - they don't think logically - they aren't particularly concerned with the question of how I'm going to round everyone up at the end of the day and get them all home on time... Go figure! ;)
Now, this summer for our vacation we are going to spend a few days visiting some Mayan ruins in Mexico, and we are taking Ana and four of her nieces and nephews (between the ages of 12 and 16) with us. And I am bound and determined to return ALL FOUR children to their parents at the end of the trip.
What can I say? I'm like that - always setting the bar high.
Even more than that, I'm hoping to avoid terrified moments of trying to find a child - without actually super-gluing everyone together... ;)
With this in mind, I have assembled a gift kit for each of the four children. Here is the content of one such kit:
The contents of each child's kit includes:
- a bright yellow shirt that can easily be seen from far away
- a whistle that can be used to attract attention if someone is lost or hurt
- a watch that includes an alarm, which can be set for 10 minutes before we are all supposed to meet at a pre-designated spot
- a camera
- a molded plastic camera case that will hopefully protect the camera from assorted bumps and drops down five levels (or more) of stairs on assorted temple pyramids
What have I forgotten?
You know, besides the simple fact that no matter how much I plan and prepare, the minute our group steps out of the bus, all bets are off and fate will take over, with chaos riding on her wings... ;)
Sunscreen! The type that comes in a roll up stick is especially good for faces and ears. If they are wearing sandals, remember the tops of feet - an often forgotten and often burned spot.
ReplyDeleteHats might be a good idea also, especially if they are fair skinned. Sunscreen should be applied to the 'part' in hair on the scalp. Stick sunscreen is good for that too.
Good luck!
Hi Andrea - thanks for the good advice! Sunscreen is going to be a MUST! :)
DeleteWater bottles. Sunglasses. You are an angel. Definitely.
ReplyDeleteHi Gwen - Wow! More good advice! Thank you! I don't know about angel - I think I'm more on the "fools rushing in" side of things! ;)
DeletePS - water bottles ordered and received!
DeleteTUS IDEAS SON EXCELENTES NO TE PREOCUPES POR MAS COSAS, AAH Y NO VE A VER CAOS MIS SOBRINOS SON UNOS ANGELES, OOPS!!!
ReplyDeleteGracias, mi hija! ;)
DeleteTodos en tu familia son angeles! :)
MUCHAS GRACIAS POR TODO
ReplyDeleteHi Gwen- What about matching ( or alike in some way ) brightly colored hats to help spot them from afar. Your Spanish version of " have you seen a child in a yellow shirt and a rainbow striped hat " will be well practiced by the end of the trip. I concur with the water bottle idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ruth! A hat is not a bad idea, especially under the bright Mexican sun... And I've already picked up some water bottles - so I'm all set there.
Delete