Cost of field trips is unreal

[bcp (Premo)]

Ok, so the daughter is going on a field trip with her class on Friday to New York.
Museums etc...
55 for bus per student.
20 to get into one of the places they are going
15 suggested for meals. 15 bucks to eat on all day in New York City wont work.
20 minimum for them to buy worthless crap with

So we are up to 110.00 and only 20 bucks of that for T-shirts or that Statue of Liberty made in China thing.

Now they have to wear tennis shoes (most kids have these anyway)
it says, Due to the Nature of the trip students must bring a camera.

So, how do parents that are living on limited funds, and this does not mean poor, they could be over extended due to lay offs or tax hikes etc... anyway, how are these people supposed to shell out this kind of cash. And on top of it, if the kid does not have camera, the parents have to get one???

I gave my daughter the 150.00 in my wallet for the trip. At least I know that if someone is out of cash and hungry, she will pay for their food. (raised her that way)
But seriously, what does the school do if little Johnnys parents cant come up with the money for what I consider an expensive trip?
Daughter will also have my credit card just in case she were to get separated from the group. (she knows better than to use it if its not a matter of life and death)

[Radiant1]

Originally Posted by bcp

So, how do parents that are living on limited funds, and this does not mean poor, they could be over extended due to lay offs or tax hikes etc... anyway, how are these people supposed to shell out this kind of cash. And on top of it, if the kid does not have camera, the parents have to get one???

Some can't. Instead they heartbreakingly tell their child that they won't be able to go on the trip and suffer the humiliation along with them.

[bresamil]

Originally Posted by Radiant1

Some can't. Instead they heartbreakingly tell their child that they won't be able to go on the trip and suffer the humiliation along with them.

Yep

[bcp (Premo)]

The school should not plan things that expensive then.

and yes to me that is a chunk of change to yank out the wallet.

[okwhosaidthat]

Originally Posted by bcp

Ok, so the daughter is going on a field trip with her class on Friday to New York.
Museums etc...
55 for bus per student.
20 to get into one of the places they are going
15 suggested for meals. 15 bucks to eat on all day in New York City wont work.
20 minimum for them to buy worthless crap with

So we are up to 110.00 and only 20 bucks of that for T-shirts or that Statue of Liberty made in China thing.

Now they have to wear tennis shoes (most kids have these anyway)
it says, Due to the Nature of the trip students must bring a camera.

So, how do parents that are living on limited funds, and this does not mean poor, they could be over extended due to lay offs or tax hikes etc... anyway, how are these people supposed to shell out this kind of cash. And on top of it, if the kid does not have camera, the parents have to get one???

I gave my daughter the 150.00 in my wallet for the trip. At least I know that if someone is out of cash and hungry, she will pay for their food. (raised her that way)
But seriously, what does the school do if little Johnnys parents cant come up with the money for what I consider an expensive trip?
Daughter will also have my credit card just in case she were to get separated from the group. (she knows better than to use it if its not a matter of life and death)

First of all for that price you can't drive yourself, pay tolls, gas, add mileage to your car, and do all the things above you said she will do for that price! To bad for the little Johnnys that can't go. Our school went last year and it is a trip of a lifetime. And to your question about the camera, I'm sure she has a cell phone that works just as fine as any other camera!

[jazz lady (Premo)]

One question: is it mandatory they go?

[bcp (Premo)]

Originally Posted by okwhosaidthat

First of all for that price you can't drive yourself, pay tolls, gas, add mileage to your car, and do all the things above you said she will do for that price! To bad for the little Johnnys that can't go. Our school went last year and it is a trip of a lifetime. And to your question about the camera, I'm sure she has a cell phone that works just as fine as any other camera!

actually my daughter has a Nikon D3100.

this is about the students that dont have access to the money. and yes, I agree, it is cheap when you compare it to driving up and doing it all on your own.

[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.

[bcp (Premo)]

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.

Good point.
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.
I just assume that most are like this. I could be wrong.

[inkah]

Originally Posted by Radiant1

Some can't. Instead they heartbreakingly tell their child that they won't be able to go on the trip and suffer the humiliation along with them.

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. :(