Survival Tips on Your Toddler's Field Trip

Last November 28, 2009, Thea and I had a bonding moment at her school's educational field trips on several sites in Metro Manila. Thea is my four (4) year old daughter, studying at Dasmariñas-2 Central School as Kindergarten here in Dasmariñas City, Cavite. I wrote this post to share my experiences for those Dad who's joining with their Toddlers Field Trip for the first time and for those WANNABE DADS ;P

The Preparations

First things first, what to prepare for the trip... hmmm. My wife took cares all of that and I listed it below:

1. Drinks, Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks
- 2 Bottle of Ice Tea
- Tuna Sandwich Breakfast
- Fried Chicken and Rice
- Some pack of chips
2. Extra Shirts, Caps, Extra Underware, Fan and Umbrella.
3. Toiletries - Baby wipes, Isoprophyl Alcohol & Soap, Hair comb (Which I forgot)
4. Cellphone
5. Camera
8. Extra Money (shsss...don't tell my wife that I brought some extra money.)

The Field Trip

The call time was 5am in the morning. I woke Thea at around 4am, took a bath, checked the food (of course) and things I needed to bring for the trip. I have no trouble waking up Thea because she's so excited for this. We arrived at exactly 5am in the parking area and we were the first two (2) of her classmate were first to arrived. We waited for 30mins before we're able to board the bus and the bus left at exactly 6:30am. Out of 12 buses we were the first to leave the waiting area.

We have visited (4) four site that took us 14 hours. Below were the educational destination:

The Basilica of Barasoain (also known as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish) in Malolos Bulacan was our first destination. We arrived at around 8:30 am as scheduled. The Malolos Congress was in accordance with the Presidential Decrees of June 18 and 23, 1898, Aguinaldo convoked the Revolutionary Congress at Barasoain, Malolos. This is the Basilica found at the back of our P10 Ten Peso Bill.

Our second stop was the Nature's Spring Purified Water Plant or the Philippine Spring Water Resources, Inc. Plant located at Sta. Rita, Guiguinto, Bulacan. Camera's are not allowed inside but they demonstrated to us the water purification process during the time. Boring?... Thea didn't enjoy this part of the trip either. But before we went back to the bus we able to refill our bottled water and bring with us there flavored water as well.

The third part of the field trip was in a ballet theater named "Aliw Theater" which just beside from our last destination in Manila. Picture taking during the presentation were not allowed but this was the best part of the trip for Thea and she enjoyed it very well. "Tatlong kwento ni Lola Basyang" (Three story by Grandma Basyang) was the title of the presentation. The three stories was dramatized thru ballet, in which Thea really enjoyed. The story was about romance , adventure and comedy pack in one. 

The three (3) story was:

Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon (Choreographed by Osias Barroso, Music by National Artists as arranged by Mon Faustino)

Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria (Choreographed by Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Music by Joey Ayala)

Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin (Choreographed by Tony Fabella, Music by Ryan Cayabyab)

Presentation are still on going from December 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 2009
Aliw Theater, Star City, CCP Complex

Our last stop was at the  Star City Amusement Park, it's just beside the "Aliw Theater" where we watch the Ballet presentation in CCP Manila. Thea enjoyed the rides to the max, up to the last minute of our schedule. We boarded back to our bus and left CPP at around 7:00 pm. We arrived back home almost before 9pm, ...tired but so excited telling her first outdoor adventure to her mom.

Things to take note, before traveling.

1. Take note of the Bus Number or Plate of the Bus.
2. Make sure that you and your toddler have unloaded (pee) before you leave.
3. Count the bags you have and make sure it's properly labeled.
4. Make sure that you have an identification card on your toddler or insert a calling card on her packet if ever you lost each other in crowded areas.



If you have any other tips to add, just fill out the comment form below. Enjoy!