Field Trips and Extracuricular Activities

This section of First Step will provide information for parents and caregivers on preparing for different types of activities.

Field Trips and Extracurricular Activities

Community Activities and Sports

Being Away From Home

Field Trips and Extracurricular Activities

School field trips and extracurricular activities offer many great benefits to children. Field trips are organized by schools for students to learn away from the classroom. These trips can increase understanding by helping students learn in a real-world setting. Field trips can also be helpful for children who learn by doing and can make learning exciting.

Extracurricular activities are a great way for children to make friends and discover new interests and hobbies. Elementary school can offer activities like clubs and organizations for math, reading, gardening, theater, or other interests. Getting involved in such activities will help your child explore their identity and interests. Being involved in activities also builds relationships with peers who share similar interests and passions. Children that join activities while growing up often continue the same activities throughout life.

When it comes to school field trips and extracurricular activities, your child has the right to participate. A child cannot be denied participation because they need medication, treatment, or special assistance. If a field trip is planned, the teacher should give you, your child, and the school administration enough time to put together a plan to meet your child’s needs. In some cases, you or a school staff member who has been educated about your child’s bleeding or blood disorder may want to go along with the class. Work with the school to ensure that your child has access to their medication and treatment at all school activities.

Here is a checklist to help you prepare for your child's field trips and extracurricular activities:

• My child’s Individualized Health Care Plan (IHP) is current and with the school health staff or administration.
• My child and their teacher have a copy of the Letter for Trips and Activities, which has been personalized with my child’s specific needs.
• The teacher knows to give copies of the Letter for Trips and Activities to all chaperones.
• My child is carrying their emergency preparedness card and is wearing their medical alert jewelry.
• My child has taken the necessary medication or treatment prior to the trip or activity (if applicable).
• My child is carrying an Emergency Kit, which includes supplies, medicine, and treatment.
• I have carefully read any instructions and researched the location or activities of the trip.

Community Activities and Sports

Encouraging your child to be active in sports, community, or faith-based activities is an important part of their development. Being involved and committed to such activities helps children discover their identities. Joining and participating in community activities helps children explore their physical, creative, and social potential. It helps them build independence, develop skills, explore career interests, and raise self-esteem. Volunteer work allows children to experience how their time, talent, and effort can help those in need.

Children can also play sports or engage in other physical activities. Physical activity is important not only for their health, but also helps children develop socially and emotionally. Before starting a new sport, you should talk to coaches about your child’s bleeding or blood disorder. The increased use of prophylactic therapy means that children with bleeding disorders can participate in sports more than ever before. As children grow older, sports may become more competitive, and certain precautions must be taken.

The type of sport or level of participation depends on your child’s interests and medical history. Your child’s health care provider and Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) team can support your family in choosing the right activity for your child. You can help your child learn how to set appropriate limits on physical activity with friends and understand safety measures. Talk to your child about the risks and benefits of different sports. For example, children with bleeding disorders should understand the impact of a serious head bleed from playing football, or how delaying treatment of a sprained ankle from a game of soccer can have long-term consequences.

If you would like more information about sports and bleeding disorders, please go to Physical Activity.

Being Away From Home

Sleepovers, camps, and overnight field trips are a fun part of childhood. But as a parent, you might be a little worried about your child traveling without you. Good communication and preparation can put your mind at ease.

Preparing Your Child

Just as you might be anxious about your child staying away from home, your child may also feel worried or anxious. Good preparation will help your child emotionally be ready to be away from home. Below is a checklist to help your child prepare for sleepovers, overnight field trips, and other activities.

• I know my diagnosis and how to treat my bleeding or blood disorder.
• I know how to speak up and tell an adult if I have a bleed or if I am in pain.
• I am wearing my medical alert jewelry.
• I am carrying my Emergency Kit with an extra dose of medicine and have a copy of the Travel Letter.

As you are preparing for your child to be away from home, you might wonder about how to transport their medication safely, what you should pack into their bag, and what information they should have available. To learn more about traveling with a bleeding disorder, please go to Domestic and International Travel.