Volunteer and Chaperone Information

Thank-you for your interest in learning about becoming a Chaperone.

For many students, this trip has special significance because it is their first trip away from home without their families. For some, the tour may be the last time to be with close friends and classmates before graduation, moving out of the school district or attending a different school.

You will be part of a team that includes the Trip Sponsor (person organizing trip for your group), chaperones and a Brightspark Tour Director (a staff member who actually goes on tour with your group). Chaperones share the responsibility of ensuring the safety, enjoyment, and well being of each tour participant. The selection of chaperones to participate in the tour is at the discretion of the Tour Sponsor and organizing group, and a limited number of spaces may be available if the group is taking chaperones other than the teachers. The selection of chaperones is reserved for the Tour Sponsor and organizer. In many cases, chaperones are teachers from the school or adults from within an organization. Chaperones support the Tour Sponsor’s objectives on tour and have specific responsibilities which may include:

Checking-in at the School or other Departure point
- Check-in students. Make sure all participants are present and stay on schedule
- Day of Departure – checking off the participants to make sure all are present.
- Rechecking bus counts each time the group loads the bus.
- Helping to keep the group on schedule.

Working closely with your Brightspark Tour Director
- The Tour Director is there to facilitate between your group and the tour components as well as handle any on tour issues (such as a medical emergency) that may arise.

Supervising your group in the hotel
- Reinforcing safety precautions with your group while on tour.
- Helping to facilitate communication between parents and their children while on tour.

Air, Train and Motor Coach Tours
- Help with the transition between flights, train and motor coach and maintaining a safe yet enjoyable atmosphere during travel. Work closely with the motor coach driver and the Brightspark Tour Director.

Arrival at Your Destination
- Assist your group with baggage claim, Meet with the Brightspark Tour Director (if meeting in the destination) including

Keeping the Group Together
- Ensuring all passengers are with the group or in smaller supervised groups at all times, and that the students have clear instruction on safety, schedule and behavior.

Hotel Check-in
- Arrival at the hotel increases the flow of adrenalin in your students. No matter how tired the students are, arrival at the hotel wakes them up! Help make their check-in process easy and work closely with the Brightspark Tour Director..

On Board the Sightseeing Bus
- There's a wealth of information being shared during sightseeing tours should you have a local guide included in your tour; work with your Brightspark Representative to make sure the sightseeing activity is adapted to the needs of your group, and that your group is taking in all of the great information!

In the Hotel
- If your group has chosen to include night security, after curfew, meet your Brightspark representative and security to discuss your groups overnight requirements.

Feedback while on tour
- Your Tour Director is available to you at all times while on tour, but you should make a point of meeting with them daily to provide feedback to that we can resolve any issues you may have immediately.

School Code of Conduct
- If travelling as a school group, every school has its own school code of conduct. All chaperones should be familiar with the Code of Conduct, and what the expectations of the students are.

Communication with the Parents and School Back Home
- Parents back home love to hear how the tour is going. Encouraging the students to give their parents a quick call is a good idea. The chaperones should also report on a daily basis back to the school in the event that parents call there.

If you would like more information about being a Volunteer or Chaperone for your child's trip; contact your Tour Sponsor and School.