Chaperone Ratio

I have participated in two high school band trips abroad which numbered around 150 students. Our ratio was one to ten with a few extras. For 17 students I would have a min of three, prefer four. You need to have one chaperon always available to leave the group to solve problems, or to accompany an injured student, etc. You need one to lead when moving through crowd public areas and two to sweep with an eye out for potential problems. Remember teenagers are very unpredictable.

First Congratulations! What and honor. I agree with Frank- at least 4- better yet 5 or 6. If each is responsible for 3 or 4 students, they won't be overwhelmed. This would also allow you to divide into 2 or 3 groups for some activities. If the students are both boys and girls, then you should have some male and some female chaperones.

For professionally led student tours, the ratio of chaperones to students is usually as follows:

1-3 (elementary school)
1-7 (middle school/junior high)
1-10 (high school)

Of course, this does not include the tour director if there is one.

For 13-17 students, you'll want 2 chaperones and one group leader/teacher/guide.

I would recommend taking 3 to 4 and making VERY sure they understand their role.

My expeience has been that some chaperones think "vacation" and don't want to actually "work"

I tend to take FEWER parents, but the one's I take understand what I expect.

If the parents "questioning" the need means "each child needs a parent" RUN! LOL!

I say the more the merrier, as long as their willing to pay their own way.

Chaperoning, especially on a trip is VERY hard work. I would imagine each chaperone would like the ability to have a little down time to recharge, so they could alternate.

My experience with music kids is that they are very responsible. A European trip wouldn't be any different from a stateside trip in that regard.

Have fun. Our son's Europe trip is in 4 years. We can't wait and are more than willing to chaperone.

Parents are questioning the need for chaperones???!! I would seriously try to avoid taking their kids on the trip.

I'm with Carrol on this.. what kind of parent would NOT want their child properly supervised while thousands of miles away from home, and some of the students are still VERY young,, 14 is not an adult in anyones books.

I think when supervising or chaperoning kids in groups its good to divide into smaller groups and assign each adult to a certain set of kids. As in, they take 5 kids, they know where THOSE five kids are .. not just a vague lets all walk as a large group and no one is really paying attention to specific kids.

I also think teachers KNOW which kids are likely to be more of an issue, and those kids should be assigned to a TEACHER led group. I remember a lazy teacher in grade school who always assigned the special needs, adhd kids etc .. to parents, and she would take the 5 or 6 easy kids.