Travel Check List - Kids Field Trip

Basic Checklist for One Day Field Trip for Kids 

Treks; Mountaineering; Nature Excursion; Fort Excursion etc.

Season - Summer or lite winter in Maharashtra or Similar Tropical Climate Region.

Attire

• Track Pants or loose comfortable trousers; Preference is for trousers whose material is light and can stretch. Avoid heavy jeans.
• You may carry spare one (Shorts or three fourth pants).
• Wear loose full sleeves shirt; or t-shirt of material that can breath, but does not retain liquid. 
• Carry 1 pair of spare shirts / t-shirts.

• Cap or hat with good shade
• Sun Glasses
• Shoes – trekking shoes or tough sports shoes or Canvas Shoes with good grip. Avoid shoes with high heels or very thick soles.

• Carry Spare floaters, slippers, or light canvas shoes.
• Socks – carry one pairs of spare socks.

Personal medical Kit and Toiletries

•  Mosquito repellent
• Any personal medicine that child takes for any chronic ailment (Organizers should be informed of the ailment in advance so that they can proactively help in case of emergency e.g. Child taking medicine for Asthma; Sugar; Sinus problems etc). 
• Your medical Kit should contain your blood group and emergency phone number.
• Hydration refreshments.

Other essentials in your survival kit

Essentials

• Hand Sanitizer
• Torch / Flash Light
• Small Hand Towel (light)
• Plate; Mugs; Spoon (We encourage children to carry their own plates; bowls etc so that they learn to be more environment friendly).
• Carry a note pad and two ball pens for your diary writing. (Short notes; reference are always useful if you wish to recollect event / moments during your outdoor excursions). These notes can also come handy if you wish to write your own blog, diary or an article for any publication. 

Food / Snacks (Even if the organisers may be providing the food its always good to have your own check list or carry some of your favorite food along for the trip). Few tips here too.

• Un-Cut Fruits and Salad item always remain fresh and are super agents for re-hydrating one selves during the field excursions. (Carry a small pocket knife if you wish to carry these items). 
• Chocolates; Biscuits; Dry fruits; Nutri-Bars are instant energisers during trek. They are light weight / compact and easy to carry. 
• Other ready parcels you can pickup during breakfast (Upma, Sheera, Boiled Eggs; Shredded Chicken for sandwiches; Bread; Butter and Jam).
• 2 or more water bottles (1 liter each). This is the single most important in food pack; especially if you are heading to field excursion that may take to off the beaten track where there might by shortage of potable drinking water. One of the secrets of keeping water cold through the trek is keep them in deep-freezer overnight a night before you leave for trek and pack them in plastic bags before you keep them in your backpack. Note: Most sanctuaries do not allow Commercial Mineral water bottles so carry your water in proper PET Bottles of good plastic grade.
• Main Course Meals – Options (Paranthas; Rotis; (Indian Bread) or Packed Sliced Bread; Dry Vegetables home cooked or canned; Idlis; Boiled Eggs; Theplas; Chatni; Puran Polli; etc). You may also carry juice packs. 

Monsoon Special

Essentials

• Carry Poncho or light Rain Coat (Poncho is better as it can cover your bag too).
• If you are into photography (Carry a small folding umbrella too, useful while taking pictures while its raining)
• Cap or Hat (Made of Waterproof material)

Optional 

• Gaiters (Protects your trouser / shoes against mud and water splashes)

Backpack or Rucksack

• For a One Day Trek a 25 liters to 35 liters Backpack / Rucksack is more than enough to carry all your essential items.

• Carry all your belongings in a backpack or rucksack with light items at the bottom and heavy stuff loaded around your shoulders level. If you have, compression straps in your bag use them to compress your luggage to make it well balanced.
  Goodies

Other Optional Goodies

• You may also carry goodies like camera; small - binoculars, magnifying glasses and pocket field guide to make most of the trip.

Special instructions during normal treks

• Trekking involves waking through beautiful but rough country side sometimes even through jungles and/or climbing hills.
• Rule number one, stick with the group and listen to all instructions given by group leader before start of the trek as dos and don'ts
• It is normal to be breathless as you start ascend a hill, reduce your pace while climbing and observe how the trekkers ahead of you are climbing and what trail are they follow.
• Stick to the beaten trail, avoid wandering off the trail.  
• Always ensure that you are in site of the person ahead and behind you.Do not put your hand in cracks of Rocks/Boulders as these may have hidden insects, scorpions or snakes.
• If you have any chronic illness kindly inform the group leader before start of the trek and procedures for first aid in case of emergency. 
• During monsoon avoid wet spots on rocks that have green moss layer.
• And last but not the least enjoy the trek, countryside nature and good company of your friends.