Trip Plan: The Sheet That Stays Home

In groups, students plan a short route near school and fill out the trip plan sheet that stays at home or at school. They learn to plan a safe outing before setting foot on the trail.

How to play

1. Why a plan: the teacher tells a simple story of a group running late with no one knowing which way they went (3 min).
2. Each group picks a short, nearby route on the map and marks the start, finish, and a bail-out point if something goes wrong (8 min).
3. Fill out the sheet: who's going, start time and expected return time, weather forecast checked, shared gear, 911, and what to do if someone gets separated (8 min).
4. Swap: another group reviews the sheet with 'what if...?' questions (rain, delay, injury) and notes what's missing (6 min).
5. Improve the sheet and vote on the route for a real class outing (5 min).

Rules

• The route uses known streets, parks, or paths and doesn't cross roads without a safe crossing.
• Every sheet has a return deadline and what happens if it's missed.
• Feedback on another group's plan is given as questions.
• No one ever heads out without leaving the sheet with an adult.

Variations

Adaptations

• Reading or writing difficulties: a sheet with icons and short answers, or dictated to a partner.
• Students with limited mobility: check the route's accessibility (ramps, curbs) and propose it as a group criterion.
• Students new to the area: take the 'what if...?' role, which doesn't require knowing the streets.

Learning goals

• Plan a short, nearby route with safety in mind.
• Know what information to leave before an outing.
• Know what number to call in an emergency.

Equipment for a class of 25

• neighborhood maps: 8
• trip plan sheets: 8

Teacher tip

Print the map on large paper from any free online map viewer. Common mistake: leaving out the return time; without it, no one knows when to worry.

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