Field Trip Tips
By Melissa Ferguson, CMI Director of Operations
A field trip may be just what you need — whether you've got several weeks left and everyone needs a breather, you're celebrating the end of the school year, or you're mapping out next year's calendar. Here are a few things I've learned from field trips we've taken over the years.
Plan ahead. As you build your school calendar, go ahead and slot in some field trip dates. Browse the websites of local museums, art galleries, living history sites, etc. to find homeschool days or events that catch your eye. Sign up for their educator mailing lists so you don't miss anything, and set a quarterly reminder to check back — new events pop up all the time.
Build your own group. Some field trips are better with a crowd, but you don't have to wait for an established co-op to make it happen. Post the trip as a signup event on a local homeschool social media page and organize it yourself. A small nonrefundable deposit upfront goes a long way toward making sure people actually show up. And when you're the one putting it together, you get to shape the experience. When I've planned art museum visits, for example, I've reached out to the museum ahead of time to explain how we approach picture study and that we were hoping for a real conversation rather than worksheets — more like a tour they'd give adults, just with family-friendly content.
Set age parameters. Some trips just land better with certain ages. If your group spans a wide range, try offering two tour times geared toward different ages, or a drop-off option for older kids with a few designated chaperones nearby.
Seek out unique experiences. One of the biggest hits in our community was a behind-the-scenes stadium tour with a professional football team. The staff walked the group through everything from locker rooms to press boxes to private suites and did a great job explaining what actually goes into running a game day. (It was especially popular with the homeschool dads.) We've also done a tour of a professional baseball stadium, which was equally fun.
Create your own adventure. This year I took my teens to three gourmet chocolate shops in a nearby city the week before Valentine's Day. One had a tea room where we had lunch; another took us behind the scenes to show how they ethically source and make their chocolate. It was such a fun outing — and honestly, we really needed it that week. When I posted a few photos, I got a flood of requests to do it next year for our local homeschool group, so it just might become a yearly event.
We'd love to hear from you — what's the best or most creative field trip you've taken? Drop your ideas in the comments!
Notes:
- Booklists: For the first time in Alveary history, our book lists will go public later this month! While we work with publishers to ensure stock, you might want to renew now and check used book sites to snag the best prices before everyone else sees the lists. Learn more here.
- Reading Placement: Great News! Our Reading lesson plan writer created an assessment you can use to help place students. Check it out here.
- Office Hours: Here is the recording from this week’s Office Hours discussing Charlotte Mason’s 8th principle.
- 2026–27 Lesson Plans: Take a quick sneak peek at an exclusive video from Dr. John Walton, featured in our Old Testament course for 7th–12th grade, as he explores how Bible stories help us know God’s attributes.
- Unbox With Us! Have you seen our latest unboxing video? Now it’s your turn! Show us what you’re opening—books, supplies, or lab kits—and tag us so we can share in the excitement.
- 2026 CMI Conference: We’d love to gift the first 5 people who register with promo code RELATIONAL26 a free spot at the pre-conference, A Morning of Relational Methods. If it doesn’t work, those first 5 spots have already been claimed. Learn more and register here.
- Friends & Fellow Labourers: Pull up a chair and join our virtual series where parents and educators come together to explore Charlotte Mason’s ideas and find fresh encouragement. Learn more here. BONUS: When you register for Alveary in April, you will get a complimentary ticket for one session!
- In the Company of Ideas: During the month of April, we will be discussing The Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History over in the Hive. Grab a copy of the book and come join us! Here is a 30 minute video of the author discussing his book with us.
Mason Quote:
"In this time of extraordinary pressure, educational and social, perhaps a mother's first duty to her children is to secure for them a quiet growing time, a full six years of out-of-door life." — Charlotte Mason, Home Education
Have a wonderful weekend!
