MBC Foray
	Field Trip Facilitator Activities/Duties

Your participation is greatly appreciated.  Primarily the field trip facilitator's duties revolve around assisting the field trip leader with whatever they need to make the trip the most successful for all concerned.  REMEMBER, you are not to co-lead the trip. 

The facilitator's duties consist of such activities as:

BEFORE THE TRIP 
•	Pick up the packet for your trip from the Registration Table, including roster of participants, map, directions, drive time and other trip information.
•	Introduce yourself to the field trip leader (if leader is attending the Foray) and coordinate with him/her, as to:
•	Directions and/or map to the site.
•	Where along the trip restrooms will be available (especially important on all-day trips).
•	How long it will take to return to the hotel from the final stop of the trip.
•	Any other duties the leader wants you to do.

AT THE START OF THE TRIP
•	Pick up the sign identifying your trip, flagging, MBC placards (car caravans only), participant roster, first aid kit (a cooler for lunches, usually for all day trips only) from the Field Trip   Bottled water?
•	Coordinators at a designated location at or near the staging area.
•	On all-day trips and AM trips, pick up lunches for field trip leaders that are being met at the field trip site.
•	Participants will be told to assemble about 15 minutes before the actual departure time of the trip.  You should arrive in the parking lot before this.  Display your sign prominently.
•	Check off participants on your roster as they arrive.
•	If you do not have a cell phone, identify someone willing to take theirs into the field for emergency purposes.
•	To reduce the number of vehicles on your trip, assist with carpooling, making sure those without cars have a ride, and those with space have riders.
•	Organize vehicles into a caravan in the parking lot before departure of trip.
•	Pass out flags/ribbons to drivers to place on antenna or roof rack to identify vehicles in caravan.  
•	Make sure each driver has maps and/or directions and a full tank of gas.
•	Give each driver an MBC identifying placard to place on dashboard.  Sometimes, this is important to explain our presence in remote areas and alleviate concerns.
•	Ask drivers to make sure they have the same number of passengers arriving and departing from each stop, i.e., make sure everyone is accounted for.
•	All-day trips make sure participants place their lunches and drinks in the ice chest/cooler.
•	Assist the leader in making any announcements participants need to know before departure.                                                                                                   
•	Conduct a final head count of all participants before departure.               OVER

DRIVING TO THE FIELD SITE
•	If the field trip leader does NOT lead the group to the site, then you will be the lead or guide until you meet the leader.
•	If the field trip leader DOES lead the group to the site, then you bring up the rear, making sure no one is left behind at traffic lights, freeway entrances/exits etc.

ON THE TRAIL
•	At the first stop, assist the leader with distribution of any handouts or other information.
•	Note the presence of any children, handicapped or elderly participants who may have special needs.  Assist them as necessary.
•	When appropriate, point out restroom facilities.
•	Bring up the rear on trails, making sure no one (esp. photographers) is left behind.
•	Be alert to special problems as they arise.
•	When departing from any stop, try to determine that all participants are ready to move on, including knocking on washroom doors to announce "We are leaving now!"
•	Carry the first aid kit, but make it clear that you have no medical background and make no medical claims and assume no liability for injuries.
•	Watch the time and make sure the group departs so as to arrive back at the hotel before the next scheduled activity.

AT THE END OF THE TRIP
•	Return sign, flagging, placards, first aid kit, cooler, extra maps etc. to the registration table or field trip coordinators for use by another trip.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE!

Foray field trip facilitator guide.rtf				Revised May 7, 2008