Cost of field trips is unreal

[bcp (Premo)]

Originally Posted by inkah

Recently went on a $20 field trip w my kid. While waiting in the classroom I realized there was a child who wasn't going because his family couldn't pay for it. I wish I had known. I would have gotten the ticket. :(

Thats what Im thinking about right now. Should I call the teacher and find out if there are any that cant go because of cost??? if so, would they accept an envelope with the bus money extras and some spending money in it, or would it actually insult the parents.

[bcp (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Save_a_Horse

quit whinin , u gonna pay 4 my trip 2 Miami, NCAA Championship Game?

Pick a real University.

sorry, not a sports type guy.
waste of money.

[thurley42]

Originally Posted by bcp

sorry, not a sports type guy.
waste of money.

Bite your tounge!!!!

[abcxyz]

Originally Posted by bcp

My daughter is the type that likes to wait till the last moment to let us know these things. Cant break her of that habit.

Tell her she can't go because you didn't have enough notice and I'd be willing to bet she will give you more notice next time.

Can't afford field trips? Maybe the kid will see that they need to work hard and study hard that their kids won't be in the same position. Cravings create motovation more than getting every thing they want all the time and the have nots want to become the haves.

[daylily]

Originally Posted by bcp

Thats what Im thinking about right now. Should I call the teacher and find out if there are any that cant go because of cost??? if so, would they accept an envelope with the bus money extras and some spending money in it, or would it actually insult the parents.

Can't hurt to call and ask. That is A LOT of money for some people to shell out, I agree. I used to work for the schools in NY, I always felt bad for the kids who couldn't go on the field trips. If they weren't really expensive ones, we'd try to pitch in money if it was only a kid or 2 in the class so that they could go too.

Sounds like a great trip...being born/raised in NY, I of course think it's a great experience for everyone to get up there at least once, especially around the holidays.

[bcp (Premo)]

Originally Posted by abcxyz

Tell her she can't go because you didn't have enough notice and I'd be willing to bet she will give you more notice next time.

.

I actually think that this is a great idea.
if I have the money or not, you best let me know in advance.

thanks.

[inkah]

Originally Posted by bcp

Thats what Im thinking about right now. Should I call the teacher and find out if there are any that cant go because of cost??? if so, would they accept an envelope with the bus money extras and some spending money in it, or would it actually insult the parents.

Personally, I would not be offended. People are different though. I think you have to let adults be adults and decide what they can and cant accept. The way I see it, you offer what goodwill you are willing and able to offer and be gracious enough to allow folks to either accept or reject.

If they reject...my kid came home all bummed out for not having le Brons - can you help? ;)

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

I am assuming this is not kindergarden or even middle school, going to NYC.

Is it possible that a high school age kid would have a part time job, have done some babysitting or even allowance and maybe have saved up $150 for the trip?

I mean, I get it, once a parent has paid for their unlimited phone plan and 6 HBO channels, it doesn't leave much for the kids but, if you're a parent with high school age kids, maybe you've advanced past minimum wage and can squeeze it out of somewhere? Skip 75 lottery tickets? Pass on 8 or so 30 packs of Milwaukee's Best?

After all, the poverty level is $22,300 for a household and we spend, state and federal level, $60,000 per household for those 17 million households to combat poverty so, maybe $150 is covered in some program?

[migtig]

I went on some fabulous field trips as a kid, and being dirt poor, you'd wonder how I went. It was because in most cases we knew about it almost a school year in advance. We'd be told at the beginning of the school year and the trip would be held at the end of the school year. I pooled my babysitting money, and other job money and usually was able to make it work. Sometimes I didn't. One trip cost a couple of thousand and that one I knew about two years in advance. If anything, those field trips taught me the value of the dollar better than you'd think.

Another opportunity I had as a kid was through Girl Scouts. Every year I hustled my butt off with the Girl Scouts, getting my patches, doing my community service and selling as many cookies as possible, just so I could go to "summer camp" for two weeks for free each year.

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by somdfunguy

I'm guessing this trip wasn't planned in a week. Kids/parents can work to save money to pay for this. Usually this is something that you know will happen every year. If they really want to go they could save up for it and have money when it is time. Life is about choices even the hard ones.

^ This ^

My son's French class did a trip to Montreal his freshman year, to the tune of just over $1000, when I was struggling financially having just started Somd.com. I saved and hit up my folks for part of it. It can be done.