All Field Trips:

Field trips are one of the most popular camp activities during the week for Explorers and Leads campers (Discoverers Do Not Field Trip). Each trip is selected for its safety and value to our campers. As a parent, there is a certain nervousness that comes with all field trips. We understand this at Kidventure. This is why we treat all of our field trips with the greatest respect and why safety is at the forefront of all that we do.

1. Campers travel on full-size buses. Due to the weight and tonnage of the buses, we believe it is one of the safest ways to move our kids. Most of our buses have restrooms on board and all of them have seatbelts throughout.
2. Anytime we move our kids we have several safety protocols in place. First, we have a great counselor-to-camper ratio at 1:12 for our Explorers. Second, we have a counselor in the front of the line and a counselor in the back of the line This allows us to make sure our kids stay in the line and with the group. Third, before we move anywhere, we count our kids to make sure we have everyone. With this in mind, the first thing we do when we get off the busses is line up and count before we go inside. On top of our 1:12 ratio, we bring in extra staff to help facilitate the field trip.
3. Our field trips are always organized and orderly. We set up rotations throughout the trip that our groups rotate to. Campers are not allowed to go wherever they want. Campers must stay with their group and they move through the trip on a schedule.

Swimming Field Trips: Out of all of our field trips swimming trips are certainly the one that causes the most concern for our families. To be honest, it should. Any time you have swimming and water involved there is an added risk. Done right, it is fun and very safe. We want you to ask the hard questions and be comfortable with our procedures and protocols. After 30 years, we have systems in place that keep our campers and your kids safe and allow them to have fun. Here are a few examples for of what we do in addition to the procedures listed above.

1. Arriving – When we get to the water park, the first thing we do in the park is go to a large pavilion and put our stuff down. This serves as a home base for us during our trip. Towels, sunscreen, and shoes will all be left here. Next, we go over the rules as a group and expectations.
2. Life Jackets – Kidventure understands that campers have different swimming abilities. Upon request or when necessary, Kidventure will ensure that your camper wears a life jacket when in the water. Each city and water park may have different procedures for life jackets depending on the park and rotations scheduled. (Please contact your local office for specific details. Also, note certain rides do not permit the use of a life jacket.)
3. Rotations – Like any field trip we utilize different rotations for our trips to water parks. Each group will rotate and stay together throughout the trip. Some typical rotations and procedures that Kidventure has done in the past are listed below. (Please note that each city’s rotations may vary. Please get in touch with your local office for more specific details)
4. The Wave Pool – In the wave pool all Explorer campers are required to wear a life jacket. LEADS campers will have life jackets as needed or by request. Counselors make an imaginary box in the wave pool along one side of the pool. Counselors stand in one of the corners of the box and all campers must stay within the box (boundaries) that are set by the counselors. The age and height of the campers will dictate how deep the campers are allowed to go. If the waves crash over the heads of the campers we will back up until everyone’s feet can touch the ground. Typically we do not go beyond the 3ft mark.
5. Water Structure – Life jackets are not available. Most water structures are giant splash pads with big play structures of various climbing levels, a big water tower, and a bucket that waterfalls over the structure when filled. Campers can go down several slides apart from the structure; however, all slides end in a tub of water at the end of the slide. Water underneath the structure is typically about 12” deep and campers are not allowed to lay down in the water. They may sit but not lay.
6. Activity Pool – Life jackets available. The activity pool is very much like a large backyard pool with various structures to climb on and across the pool. The depth of the water depends on the activity offered.
7. Lazy River – Leads campers only, Life jackets available. When going around the river, the group stays together throughout the entire river. Counselors are spread out at the front, middle, and back of the group to maintain supervision. Where permissible, all the campers will use tubes to float around the river.
8. Slides – Life jackets are not available. If time permits, some campers may have an opportunity to go on larger slides. Campers must meet the height requirement for the attraction. Two counselors will lead the group to the top of the slide. One counselor will go down first and collect the campers at the bottom of the slide. The second counselor will go down last after all campers have gone down the slide. All slides end in a tub of water at the end.
9. Restrooms, Water, Re-apply sunscreen – This is a dedicated time for our kids to stay hydrated while catching some shade under the pavilion, re-apply sunscreen, and use the restroom.
10. Lifeguards – our staff is here to oversee and keep your kids safe. On top of all the supervision we provide, we then have all of the lifeguards in the water park working to keep extra eyes on the water and safety of all.
11. Leaving – At the end of rotations, we all gather back in the pavilion to dry off, gather our belongings, count, and head towards the buses to load and return home.