If you are around kids, work with kids, volunteer with kids, or even just do family outings here are some quick tips on keeping tabs of your herd.

1. Make a detailed day plan

• Start with a meeting and departure time, make sure everyone know where and when. Stick to this plan as much as possible, and only allow for some plan deviation.

2. Find an identifier

• If your kids are a group/troop/ have a uniform of some fashion, encourage wearing it out and about.
• Additionally, have something else each child wears. We do bandanas, all green, just so we can see a kid from a distance and know it’s our girl with the green headband.
• Our Girl Scouts get green bandanas.

3. Be prepared

• Be ready for any and everything, especially little kids. I have wet wipes in my car, I carry a first aid kit, and snacks are a must.

4. Plan on someone being short

• Not on height, but money. Inevitably someone will not have enough for their slice of pizza or souvenir, or someone will just lose their money. Bring some extra cash to fill in the gaps. If it’s a lot of dough, ask a parent to fix it later.

5. Permission Slips

• If you are part of a formal group especially, DO NOT FORGET PERMISSION, in writing, on a piece of paper, have contact information. Even if you don’t NEED a permission slip for group purposes, check your outing location to make sure everything is signed off and ready. Nothing would be worse than getting somewhere and someone not being able to go.

6. Make sure everyone can Enjoy

• In order to teach kids to think of others, and ensure everyone has a good time make sure your outing is friendly for everyone. Sometimes a child is diabetic, make sure they can eat or treat properly for where the group is going. Sometimes a child is too small for the roller coasters, make sure that everyone helps plan a day for everyone to get to enjoy many activities. Whatever it may be, look into the limits for your group and try to help everyone create a great day.

7. Capture the Memories

• Don’t forget your camera or cell phone to make sure you can get photos of your day to share with the kids for later in life, or black mail. Parents that are unable to attend will also enjoy the fun!

HAPPY TRAVELS!