We had a good trip, too. There wasn't any real commotion on the bus - there was a movie playing, and the kids that didn't want to watch were either reading or talking to their classmates. No screaming, no crying, nothing crazy. We also got back home earlier than anticipated and without issue.

We had a good tour guide at Jamestown, and she kept the kids engaged. It was a really nice day to be outside, and the kids spent a good amount of time at each place on the tour, talked to different "characters", and had time to look around (the ship was a favorite of my group).

We'll go back as a family at some point, but I don't know that that's a substitute for going on the trip with their peers. I'm from southeastern Virginia and grew up going to Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown as day trips.

Our experience with Jamestown wasn't anything to shudder about. Yes, the ride was long, but the kids had a good time. They could bring backpacks on the bus with breakfast, snacks & games. We had movies playing and the bus was pretty quiet on the way down. Our Williamsburg tour guide was great (I heard that was not guaranteed) and the kids enjoyed the role playing. The weather was good for our picnic lunch & the Jamestown tour guide we had was fantastic. They had a blast at dinner, were a little more animated on the way home, but no screaming kids. It was a great memory for the kids and I'm glad so many parents were allowed to go along.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't go. That's my advice. I've done it twice and a PP is right - you're on the bus longer than you're actually there. I would just make a family trip out of it. You'll see a lot more and can go at a leisurely pace, spend the night, etc.

Was it just the long ride and not being able to see everything or are there other reason you say not to go with the class? We could probably do a family trip of Jamestown. Williamsburg maybe Great Wolf Lodge and Bush Gardens at some point.

PP here, and I realize I probably sounded like a jerk. I didn't mean to, but that was honestly my first thought when I read the title of the thread! I look back on that trip and shudder. Yes, it was the loooong bus ride, the screaming kids, the breakneck pace, etc. Just when we'd arrive at one site and hear a few words about it, we were herded off to the next place. I also tend to get car sick, so it wasn't a good choice for me to go on such a long trip. If I had to do it over again, I'd see if I could drive separately, as another PP mentioned.

But really, I just think it's so much more fun to go as a family and incorporate Williamsburg, Yorktown, and yes, Busch Gardens too. We did that with my third child in lieu of the field trip and it was 100% better.

Interesting take. Thanks for the honest opinion. (NP here.)

Our school doesn't go to Jamestown, but they do go to a few historic sites that are more local.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't go. That's my advice. I've done it twice and a PP is right - you're on the bus longer than you're actually there. I would just make a family trip out of it. You'll see a lot more and can go at a leisurely pace, spend the night, etc.

Was it just the long ride and not being able to see everything or are there other reason you say not to go with the class? We could probably do a family trip of Jamestown. Williamsburg maybe Great Wolf Lodge and Bush Gardens at some point.

PP here, and I realize I probably sounded like a jerk. I didn't mean to, but that was honestly my first thought when I read the title of the thread! I look back on that trip and shudder. Yes, it was the loooong bus ride, the screaming kids, the breakneck pace, etc. Just when we'd arrive at one site and hear a few words about it, we were herded off to the next place. I also tend to get car sick, so it wasn't a good choice for me to go on such a long trip. If I had to do it over again, I'd see if I could drive separately, as another PP mentioned.

But really, I just think it's so much more fun to go as a family and incorporate Williamsburg, Yorktown, and yes, Busch Gardens too. We did that with my third child in lieu of the field trip and it was 100% better.

Anonymous wrote:Don't go. That's my advice. I've done it twice and a PP is right - you're on the bus longer than you're actually there. I would just make a family trip out of it. You'll see a lot more and can go at a leisurely pace, spend the night, etc.

Was it just the long ride and not being able to see everything or are there other reason you say not to go with the class? We could probably do a family trip of Jamestown. Williamsburg maybe Great Wolf Lodge and Bush Gardens at some point.

Don't go. That's my advice. I've done it twice and a PP is right - you're on the bus longer than you're actually there. I would just make a family trip out of it. You'll see a lot more and can go at a leisurely pace, spend the night, etc.

Foam earplug for the bus.

Yup! We went last week. The teacher said kids could bring in G rated DVDs, so it wasn't too bad on the bus. If you're on a charter bus with screens, totally do that.

I didn't notice mosquitoes, but maybe we were lucky. It was overcast in the morning, but when the sun came out in the afternoon, it was brutal.

The school tours all follow a set agenda with a guide. Your main job is to keep track of stragglers. The day we went, the lady in the gift shop said there were 4000 school kids!

Bring snacks for yourself and the kids. You're on the bus longer than you are at Jamestown, and they will get bored and cranky. Snacks help. The teacher also suggested the bring a book, card games like Uno, etc. and some kids did that.

Foam earplug for the bus.

We had the option to drive separately. Highly recommend. I brought an umbrella, a sense of humor, and a small first aid kit. We had a great time. I drove down with three other chaperones and we had a grand old time.

TOUR guides, sorry.

I chaperoned our Jamestown trip in 4th grade last year. Wear comfy shoes, bring a backpack with an umbrella, small first-aid kit, and water. We were assigned kids, so I introduced myself to parents at drop-off. Take some pictures for the teacher. Other than that, the teacher and four guides do most of the work.

Jamestown is great! My advice is let the teacher be in charge, don't let your DC morph into a needy baby because you are there, take pictures.

Anonymous wrote:Bugs spray? I hope you aren't headed to the National Portrait gallery.

I chaperoned tons during elementary school. Good walking shoes. Easy Peary.

OP, yes will remember good walking shoes. Thanks. Not sure if I was clear. This is a trip to Jamestown settlement not a trip with Jamestown school.

Bugs spray? I hope you aren't headed to the National Portrait gallery.

I chaperoned tons during elementary school. Good walking shoes. Easy Peary.

If you were a chaperone on this trip in the past or you are a teacher, please share anything you wish you knew or anything you are glad you did. Our teacher has never the trip before and moved from another state. One mom told me to bring bug spray. Other tips? Is traffic usually reasonable both ways?