Memories of school trips
Who remembers school trips when we were at school? The excitement we felt just at the thought of leaving school and not going to class. It often started with long discussions in the playground about what we were going to do, who we were going to sit next to on the bus, which group we would be in and, above all, whether we would be separated from our friends or not! Often it was just our class going on the trip, but sometimes it was the whole school, which meant there were lots of people! Then we also had to ask our parents for a picnic lunch, which we were already looking forward to eating by 10 a.m. on the day itself. We often had trouble sleeping the night before because we were so excited about the next day, even though we knew we would have to get up earlier than usual so as not to miss the bus… What memories!
The different types of school trips
School trips are a great way to get to know children outside of the classroom or playground. Whether it’s a cultural, sporting, recreational or nature-based outing, there’s something for everyone!
Nature school trips
In Charente-Maritime, you will find what you are looking for. Whether it’s on the Atlantic coast with nature-focused outings such as ‘discovering the rocky shore’; the rocky shore is the area that is covered and then uncovered by the sea depending on the tides at the beach, allowing you to discover shells clinging to the rocks or observe the crustaceans that hide when you approach. You can also discover nature in the countryside by going on hikes to encounter animals hiding in the greenery and familiarise yourself with the sounds of the great outdoors, far from cities and noise pollution, surrounded by trees, vineyards or pastures…
Or visit the many zoos located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine to encourage pupils to think about flora and fauna.
Sports activities to burn off energy
When it comes to sporting activities, a school trip to an amusement park such as Parc Aventure de Fontdouce to try tree climbing, laser tag, bubble football, archery games and more allows young people to let off steam for a day, all on the same site, supervised but with complete freedom.
When it comes to tree climbing, we often see students helping each other, which promotes group cohesion and allows everyone to push their limits and gain self-confidence by setting themselves challenges based on sporting activities.
Tree climbing also provides an opportunity to encourage young people to enjoy contact with nature and share a pleasant moment away from their beloved screens!
Giving schoolchildren the opportunity to associate pleasure with sporting activities is also an important step for young people who are too often sedentary.
Fun and entertaining activities for an enjoyable school trip
In terms of fun activities, there are many possibilities to make school trips more enjoyable, thanks to games such as treasure hunts with puzzles or interactive rallies to develop thinking skills and answer questions.
Treasure hunts that facilitate the discovery of one’s surroundings or help to understand ancient heritage are also interesting possibilities.
School trips focused on culture
For more cultural outings, opt for museum visits, whether they focus on art, craftsmanship or historical sites such as castles, abbeys or even the Paléosite, where you can learn more about human history, particularly Neanderthals and their evolution, through hands-on activities.
You can also visit aquariums in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, such as the Aquarium de La Rochelle, where you can learn more about the ocean and discover species not found in France.
School trips often require relatively detailed planning, whether it be for the time the children arrive, the departure and arrival times of the bus, or dealing with the vagaries of the weather and last-minute surprises. These days, while they can be tiring for teachers, are nevertheless rich in memories!
What if you could relive your school trips through your pupils’ eyes?
