Chaperoning a trip to Hershey Park

[Anonymous]

Op here. Thanks all. I'm hoping some have cells just incase. We're supposed to stay together as a chaperoned group. I'm going to make them each pick a buddy for the day to help with keeping track of them. Hoping they have the same philosophies on rides. Gonna back granola bars. Don't know of all will bring suits so maybe we won't do water park.

[Anonymous]

Have the kids map out the 4-5 rides they want to do and then work from that. If possible, sort the kids into groups based on their interest in various rides (i.e. a kid who doesn't like roller coaster will have a miserable time waiting for the rest of the group to get on roller coasters. That kid should be with the group that likes shows and other rides.) If you can't sort, then make sure everyone gets a couple of events/rides that they like. Stay together. Keep expectations low. They won't be able to do everything. Time goes fast.

[Anonymous]

Write your cell number on their hands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised by the amount of supervision other posters have in mind. I would exchange cell numbers, plant myself in a couple places and let them know where I am at the time, meet up for lunch, and turn them loose. A place like Hershey is family friendly and all the rides should be enough to keep them from
doing something really silly.

This right here is why I will not allow my kids to go on trips unless I know what kind of parent the chaperone is.

[Anonymous]

There needs to be a second adult. One adult needs to stay in a central meeting place (with a small first aid kit, epi pen, and water) where all the kids know to go to check in. One adult stays with the most wild, or immature, or badly behaved kids who need supervision.

Every kid going must have a working watch/clock (phone). WHen you arrive, everyone "synchronizes watches" (boys will love that phrase). Tell them to meet back at the central meeting spot in three hours. They must stay in groups of three or more. No fewer than three kids in a group. They all need to check in, in person, at the central meeting spot where kids are counted, given a new time to come back, and then set free.

This is how a tween travel camp is run when 70 kids are set loose at Disneyland or somewhere. You stay in groups of three in case one kid gets hurt - one kid stays with the hurt kid, and a third kid goes to the central meeting spot to get help.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised by the amount of supervision other posters have in mind. I would exchange cell numbers, plant myself in a couple places and let them know where I am at the time, meet up for lunch, and turn them loose. A place like Hershey is family friendly and all the rides should be enough to keep them from
doing something really silly.

This right here is why I will not allow my kids to go on trips unless I know what kind of parent the chaperone is.

Not the PP but that's why my kids go on events like this, I make sure they don't invite the kids who have helicopter parents.

Did you have a parent planted on your ass when you were 12yrs old is the world just "so dangerous" these days?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There needs to be a second adult. One adult needs to stay in a central meeting place (with a small first aid kit, epi pen, and water) where all the kids know to go to check in. One adult stays with the most wild, or immature, or badly behaved kids who need supervision.

Every kid going must have a working watch/clock (phone). WHen you arrive, everyone "synchronizes watches" (boys will love that phrase). Tell them to meet back at the central meeting spot in three hours. They must stay in groups of three or more. No fewer than three kids in a group. They all need to check in, in person, at the central meeting spot where kids are counted, given a new time to come back, and then set free.

This is how a tween travel camp is run when 70 kids are set loose at Disneyland or somewhere. You stay in groups of three in case one kid gets hurt - one kid stays with the hurt kid, and a third kid goes to the central meeting spot to get help.

Hershey Park has multiple first-aid stations
They sell water and they also have water fountains.
If a child needs an epi-pen it should NOT be at a central meeting place but with that child at all times.
A parent should not have to pay admission to sit in a central area the entire time.

If you are going to set the kids free and meet up every once in a while (which I agree) you don't need a second chaperone.

[Anonymous]

wow, some of you people sure do hover. And NFW am I carrying around a bunch of water bottles and granola bars in my bag for 8-10 boys who don't belong to me "just in case" they happen to get hungry or thirsty because they don't plan for these things. Well, hell, if I knew someone was going to be a walking concession stand whenever I wanted something, I wouldn't bother to think of those things, either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have the kids map out the 4-5 rides they want to do and then work from that. If possible, sort the kids into groups based on their interest in various rides (i.e. a kid who doesn't like roller coaster will have a miserable time waiting for the rest of the group to get on roller coasters. That kid should be with the group that likes shows and other rides.) If you can't sort, then make sure everyone gets a couple of events/rides that they like. Stay together. Keep expectations low. They won't be able to do everything. Time goes fast.

NP here. This is great advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow, some of you people sure do hover. And NFW am I carrying around a bunch of water bottles and granola bars in my bag for 8-10 boys who don't belong to me "just in case" they happen to get hungry or thirsty because they don't plan for these things. Well, hell, if I knew someone was going to be a walking concession stand whenever I wanted something, I wouldn't bother to think of those things, either.

+1 - ignore the coddling Mommies.

Have them plan some rides they want to go on first to avoid line and make the best of it. Have a location to meet if anyone gets lost. Have them wear their bathing suit as shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers. That's it. Honestly. They are preteen boys. They will go all day and have a blast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised by the amount of supervision other posters have in mind. I would exchange cell numbers, plant myself in a couple places and let them know where I am at the time, meet up for lunch, and turn them loose. A place like Hershey is family friendly and all the rides should be enough to keep them from
doing something really silly.

This right here is why I will not allow my kids to go on trips unless I know what kind of parent the chaperone is.

Not the PP but that's why my kids go on events like this, I make sure they don't invite the kids who have helicopter parents.

Did you have a parent planted on your ass when you were 12yrs old is the world just "so dangerous" these days?

The OP said it was 5th graders. My daughter in 5th grade is 10, not 12 and would want the supervision level being discussed. And, I'm by no means a helicopter parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am surprised by the amount of supervision other posters have in mind. I would exchange cell numbers, plant myself in a couple places and let them know where I am at the time, meet up for lunch, and turn them loose. A place like Hershey is family friendly and all the rides should be enough to keep them from
doing something really silly.

This right here is why I will not allow my kids to go on trips unless I know what kind of parent the chaperone is.

Not the PP but that's why my kids go on events like this, I make sure they don't invite the kids who have helicopter parents.

Did you have a parent planted on your ass when you were 12yrs old is the world just "so dangerous" these days?

The OP said it was 5th graders. My daughter in 5th grade is 10, not 12 and would want the supervision level being discussed. And, I'm by no means a helicopter parent.

I agree with this. My son is 10 and would FREAK OUT if he got separated from a buddy, and there was no chaperone in sight. His sense of direction isn't good, particularly in unfamiliar places.

Middle school would be entirely different. We went unsupervised in 8th grade, only meeting back at lunch and at pick-up time. Nobody got lost.

[Anonymous]

HP is very family and kid friendly. Pick a meeting spot incase someone gets separated from the group and the PP suggested writing your number on them is a good idea.


I would rather 5th graders stick with the chaperone, 10 is too young to be alone at an unfamiliar theme park, but that's just me. They can still get scared, disoriented and still need an adult.

I might take extra small snacks, but not extra water bottles as there is plenty at the park. Maybe you can carry their money b/c I guarantee you that someone will loose it on a coaster. Have fun!

[Anonymous]

Agree with above. There is a big difference between 10 year old 5th graders and a 13 year old 8th grader, or even a 7th grader!

[Anonymous]

Most 5th grade boys are either 11 and some even 12yrs old.

Even still, a group of 10yr olds can navigate an amusement park. That is what maps and employees are for.

If an 8yr old can be a latchkey kid, than a group 2-3yrs older can be on there own for short amount of times with meet-up areas in a park. What do you all think will happen? They will get grabbed and thrown in a bathroom and raped? By this age I was gone all day in the woods, baseball field, park, playing games in the street and bicycling for miles. I bet you all were too. And your parents had no clue where you were as long as you were home for dinner.

You all seriously need to give your kids some breathing room to LEARN to be on their own, navigate, use common sense and acquire some street smarts.

Following their every move with water, snacks, and first aid kits is insane. Sorry. Time to stop hovering.