Before the Fieldwork

Before the Fieldwork, teachers should:

• Complete pre-lessons and participate in the classroom lesson presentation

• Fill out our Teacher Classroom Information Survey before your classroom lesson date.

• Send home and collect this PERMISSION SLIP (English and Spanish) and bring to the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve. This form makes a special mention of The Escondido Creek Conservancy in the lower bolded text (this is not the basic EUSD field trip permission slip, but it was created and approved by EUSD). 

  • Teachers, bring signed permission slips to the field trip and our team will make copies and return them to you on the day of. You can also scan your permission slips and email them to laurel@escondidocreek.org. Please do not make duplicates of each signed permission slip by making paper copies for the Conservancy to keep.

• Send the Escondido Creek Conservancy Liability Form to all Chaperones: English - Spanish

• Make arrangements with the cafeteria for sack lunches

  • Every school will be eating lunch at the Elfin Forest. Collect lunches from students at school and place them in large boxes or bags for transport. Make arrangements with your school’s cafeteria to provide lunches, if needed

• Notify the school nurse (backpack, medications, 504s, etc.) 

• Notify Ariel Reed at ariel@escondidocreek.org if you have students requiring special accommodations

• Secure chaperones and communicate expectations

• Make name tags for students and include their name, group number,  and a big RED DOT (🔴) if they cannot be photographed.

• Review or print the Field Trip Itinerary 

• Remember to leave student backpacks at school

• Divide your students into groups using this guide. Contact laurel@escondidocreek.org with any questions. View the guide below, too!

Student and Chaperone Expectations:

Expectations for students:

1. Be on your best behavior

a. Behave just as you would in the classroom

b. Stay with your group and stay on the path at all times

c. Leave cell phones and other electronic devices at school

2. Come prepared

a. Dress appropriately - Wear close-toed shoes that you are comfortable walking in and bring a jacket (the Elfin Forest can be very cold in the morning)

b. Wear sunscreen and bring a water bottle

c. Bring a pencil and a lunch

3. Have fun!

Expectations for chaperones (parents and teachers):

*Throughout the field trip students will be split into multiple groups. Each group must have two adults present at all times. This will include one Conservancy staff member, one volunteer, and/or chaperone. If there is no Conservancy volunteer in your group, you must stay with the group. Please ensure that all chaperones attending the field trip are aware of this. *

1. Be a positive role model

a. Help keep students together and focused

b. Engage in the lessons along with students

c. Refrain from using your cell phone during the field trip

2. Don’t be a distraction

a. Refrain from having outside conversations with other chaperones or students while the instructor is teaching

b. Limit photos to transition times or when the instructor says it is okay

3. Have fun!