Preparing for your Naturalist-Led Field Trip

GROUP LEADER CHECKLIST

Thank you for choosing Island Beach State Park for your field trip. To ensure that your visit meets your expectations as well as ours, please refer to the following checklist and share this information with your group.

BEFORE YOUR VISIT

Chaperones

IBSP requires one chaperone for every 10 students, plus one lead teacher.

  • Assign each chaperone to a group of 10 children, leaving yourself free to help oversee and facilitate the program.
  • Make sure chaperones are aware of the schedule and their responsibilities.

Students

  • Review behavioral expectations with students.
  • Remind parents to send children with layers in case of inclement weather. Also, students will get wet and dirty. Please dress appropriately.
  • Nametags: Please create nametags for all adults and children.
  • Make double sided copies of the field trip journal provided by IBSP Staff.
  • Introduce IBSP to your students before your trip. Visit WEBSITE

What to bring

  • Lunches
  • One liter of water per person
  • Any necessary medication
  • Check the weather report a few days prior.

Reservation Changes

  • If you need to make any changes to your reservation, please call 732-793-1315.
  • Cancellations must be made by phone three weeks ahead of your trip. No shows and last minute cancellations may lead to schools not being offered field trips in the future.

UPON ARRIVAL

  • At the entrance gate: Show your confirmation page to gate staff.
  • Where to go: Follow the main road approximately 7 miles into the park. The IBSP Nature Center/Interpretive Center will be on your left. The bus driver may park in the parking lot and MUST stay with group for the duration of the trip. (Please no idling)
  • Bathrooms: Have chaperones organize students, forming 2 lines outside of the Interpretive Center. Only four students of each gender may enter the building at a time.
  • Greeting: A naturalist will greet groups to review expectations and schedule

DURING YOUR VISIT

  • Each group of 35 students will be led by a naturalist
  • Naturalist rely upon the lead teacher and chaperones for behavior management
  • Tablets, phones, etc are prohibited during field trips.
  • Programs require walking on uneven terrain.
  • Programs conclude promptly at scheduled times (Regardless of what time you arrive.)

STUDENT BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES

  • Respect wildlife. It is disrespectful and illegal to harass the animals in any manner, including feeding them, throwing things at them, making loud noises, and approaching them. Remember that we are visitors in their home.
  • Respect plants. Stay on trails and do not pick flowers. Stay off the dunes.
  • Respect other visitors. Just as in the classroom, yelling, running, throwing things, and derogatory comments are unacceptable.
  • Respect each other. When a naturalist, teacher, chaperone or student is talking, please listen quietly. Keep your hands to yourself.