$53 for field trip

[runwad]

Wow my DD9 in 4th grade brought home a permission slip for a field trip to Cosi (science center in Columbus, OH) in May..the cost is $53 We are about 100 miles away so they are renting a bus..I went on the website and it's about $23 for admission (i'm sure less cause they should get a group discount) for the various exhibits and movies I think they will be viewing then another $30 for the bus & gas? Geez my oldest daughter did this same field trip 2 years ago and I paid 13.50. At first I thought the $53 fee was for the parent and child, but on closer inspection saw it's 53 just for the child. I can't imagine how many kids will not get to go on this field trip, that is kinda steep.
Oh and the kids are packing their own lunch but supposed to get a healthy snack on the way home provided. I can't remember if other daughter got that or not
Has anyone else ever paid that much for a school day field trip?

 

[mum4jenn]

Gas cost alot more now than when your other child went.

 

[dougsmom98]

That is a lot of money for a 4th grade field trip. Our PTA pays for most of the elementary school field trip, so our children do not have to pay at all. In high school, there are more elaborate filed trips and students fund raise to go on them.

 

[unbroken chain]

Yes. I have two going to a theme park an hour away for a music trip. The cost was $75 each last year, but with fund raising, only $65 each this year. If you have a season ticket to the park you pay $15 less. So $50 each for bus and gas, if the ticket is $15. And no food provided, not even a healthy snack.

 

[jmcdc]

My dd is also in the 4th grade. In June her school will be visiting Biltmore. They will also rent buses. Our cost is $35 for each student plus $ for dinner (we have to pack lunch); this is after a fundraiser for this trip which raised $2100.

So, I understand how you feel!!

 

[torismom]

My dd's 4th grade field trip is coming up. For both of us to go was $140.00. This was for a rented coach bus, lunch and the historical tour.We are not going and I will be keeping her home that day. We have been to the city they are going to many times and have done everything that they were going to be doing.

Everything is going up.

 

[problemchild718]

I think I'd have to call the school to clarify the cost break down (and ask them what they are smoking!) I would also voice my concerns about the expense if the break down didn't make sense to me.
DS school wanted to go on a class trip and then out to a Chinese Buffet-not for learning purposes-just because. Once enough parents called-they scrapped that idea and the kids brough a bag lunch.

 

[runwad]

Gas cost alot more now than when your other child went.

Ya I guess I was just surprised I've NEVER paid over $10 usually for school field trips, but then again they don't go very far or very often. But to have had one child do this trip two years ago for so much less just really threw me for a loop. And to boot my other daughter didn't even like Cosi so needless to say i'm not thrilled to spend $53 bucks to have the other one come home and say she didn't like it either. She wants to go so I'll let her. But I just figured a lot of kids won't be able to go for that price. Unless the school is paying for them instead of paying a little for all, not sure.

 

[tasha99]

Last year my son had an overnight at the Portland Zoo and it ran about $50/pp with no transportation included (because we all carpooled and pitched in for gas amongst ourselves). The field trip was really $100 per family because all the kids brought a parent. It was expensive, but a wonderful time. We're a smallish private school, so there's almost never a bus--seems like they're extremely expensive!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I know it sounds outrageous but both DD an DS's field-trips are expensive. The school can no longer do small inexpensive trips because with the gas prices a trip to the farm or apple orchard is very expensive. The school's are taking more elaborate field trips and are only doing one per year. They seem to be more memorable to my kids. Sometimes it is better just to pay the price and let your child experience fun with their friends. I always try to move the budget around to compensate for the high cost of the trip.

 

[m&m's mom]

5th grade DD's field trip was $57.00 and they are just doing local sites.

 

[runwad]

Ya Tinker I guess... honestly we live in a small town and the park is within walking distance to the school so they do a lot of "field trips there. They also can walk into "town" and tour the city hall and mayor's office so really our district doesn't do many off site field trips. In fact first graders go to the zoo and 4th graders go to Cosi other grades do the previous walking field trips. My DD in 6th grade hasn't had a field trip since 4th grade. I'm just shocked is all that it went up so much. But I will pay for her to go just flabbergasted.

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

My stepson who is in 4th grade has been on 2 field trips this year that were more than $50......one to the chattanooga aquarium and one to the huntsville space and rocket center. The've also been on several other field trips that ran about $12. I just feel that it is excessive. Some kids parents can't afford that and they are left out. My stepson went on both trips but I just think it is unnecessary..........what happened to staying at school?

 

[I Believe In Magic]

My kids went there in 5th grade, we live in Michigan. I thought it was high, especially since I took them in the summer and it was WAY cheaper. I think my last kid that went it cost like 45.00. I heard that place was closing, glad to hear it is staying open!! (total rip off though......)

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

DD14 has 2 field trips to the SAME PLACE (Hershey Park) within 2 weeks of each other but with different classes - once with Orchestra and once with Science class. Each trip is costing about $50!

Why the school couldn't have combined these field trips into one day trip is beyond me. Ugh.

 

[Kathi OD]

My DS28 went on field trips that cost over 50 when he was in 4th grade, so the price of this one doesn't surprise me in the least, especially when you consider they are renting a bus to travel over an hour away. The cost for gasoline alone will probably be over $600!!

 

[mom2twinz3]

Wow my DD9 in 4th grade brought home a permission slip for a field trip to Cosi (science center in Columbus, OH) in May..the cost is $53 We are about 100 miles away so they are renting a bus..I went on the website and it's about $23 for admission (i'm sure less cause they should get a group discount) for the various exhibits and movies I think they will be viewing then another $30 for the bus & gas? Geez my oldest daughter did this same field trip 2 years ago and I paid 13.50. At first I thought the $53 fee was for the parent and child, but on closer inspection saw it's 53 just for the child. I can't imagine how many kids will not get to go on this field trip, that is kinda steep.
Oh and the kids are packing their own lunch but supposed to get a healthy snack on the way home provided. I can't remember if other daughter got that or not
Has anyone else ever paid that much for a school day field trip?

Well, my 8th grader just went to Gettysburg, which is only an hour and a half away from here. It was $40, but they didn't go on "school buses" they rented them coach buses with bathrooms and a DVD player/screens. They didn't pack lunches, General Pickett's Buffet was included in the price. The price for parent/chaperones was $20.

It really was a great deal for all that they got to do and see, but yes..field trips are different than they used to be.

Mary

 

[MDTerrapin]

I feel your pain!
Here is a breakdown of the checks I have written to our school in April for one child.

Field Trip- 22.00

Band Shirt- 13.00. Don't know why they could not wear the same black pants and white shirt I had to buy for the winter concert instead of a t-shirt he will never wear again.

Yearbook- 16.25

Silent Auction Tickets- 70.00, does not include if I want to bid on something.

Going to an awesome school- Priceless

Karen

 

[daisyduck123]

DS10 is going on a field trip tomorrow that cost at least $50.00. I can't remember the actual total. They leave at 8am & return at 3:45.

 

[traviesojmt]

Wow, this thread brought back memories. I remember going to COSI for a girl scout sleep over about 100 years ago. OK, more like 25 years ago. It was a blast.

Ok, my DS is in 5th grade. The 5th grade here take a week long trip (leave Monday morning and come back Friday at lunch) to Outdoor Science School. I am pretty sure that only one child did not attend. The cost of this field trip is $285 per child. That does include three home-cooked meals per day. (My son did that say that they food was really good) They also had to pay for the bus, but the kids paid for that with ice cream sales at the school store.

The 5th grade did offer a BUNCH of fundraisers, but I hate funraisers. I detest having to keep asking relatives and neighbor to buy crap.

BTW, my son had a blast at Outdoor Science School. He was, however, the only child to come home covered from head to toe with poison oak. He said that the trip to the Dr.'s office was worth it.