Field Trips and Extracuricular Activities

This section of Step Up 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 can offer you many great benefits. Field trips are organized by schools for students to learn away from the classroom. These trips can increase your understanding of different concepts by giving you the chance to learn in a real-world setting. Field trips can also be helpful if you learn by doing and the trips tend to make learning exciting.

Extracurricular activities are a great way for you to make new friends and discover new interests and hobbies. High school or college can offer new activities such as language, theater or arts, academic, or recreational clubs and organizations. Getting involved in such activities will help you discover your identity and interests. Being involved in activities also builds relationships with peers who share similar interests and passions. You may even continue to enjoy the same activity that you started in high school throughout your life.

When it comes to field trips and extracurricular activities, you have the right to participate. You cannot be denied participation because of your medication, treatment, or special assistance needs. If a field trip is planned, the teacher should give you and the school administration enough time to put together a plan to meet your needs. Work with the school to ensure that you have access to your medication and treatment at all school activities.

Here are some ways to help you prepare:

• Your Individualized Health Care Plan (IHP) is current and with the school staff.
• Your teacher, school staff, or others have a copy of the Letter for Trips and Activities, which has been personalized to fit your needs.
• You are carrying your emergency preparedness card and are wearing your medical alert jewelry.
• You have taken the necessary medication or treatment before the trip or activity (if applicable).
• You are carrying an Emergency Kit, which includes supplies, medicine, and treatment.
• A parent, caregiver, or other trusted adult has the details of the activity, including the location.

Community Activities and Sports

Being active in sports, community, or faith-based activities is important. When you are involved in your community, you not only build your unique identity but also a sense of belonging. Joining and participating in community activities can help you explore your physical, creative, and social potential. Being active helps you build independence, develop skills, explore career interests, and raise self-esteem. By engaging in volunteer work, you can experience how your time, talent, and effort can help those in need.

Sports and other physical activities are also important. Physical activity supports good health, but also supports social and emotional development. Before starting a new sport, you should talk to coaches about your bleeding or blood disorder. The increased use of prophylactic therapy means that even if you have a bleeding disorder you can still participate in sports. You may have to take some precautions if you are playing a sport competitively.

The type of sport and the level of participation depends on your interests and medical history. Your health care provider and Hemophilia Treatment Center (HTC) team can support you to choose the right activity. You can learn how to set appropriate limits on physical activity with friends and understand safety measures. For example, some people 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

As you get older, you will have more opportunities to spend time away from home. If you are a teen, you may be going to camp or if you are a young adult, you may have already transitioned to living away from home. If this is your first time being away from home, it is normal to be anxious or worried. Good preparation will help put your mind at ease.

Here are some recommendations to help you feel prepared:

• I feel comfortable managing my disorder on my own.
• I know where to go if there is an emergency and how to self-advocate for the best care.
• I am wearing my medical alert jewelry.
• I am carrying my Emergency Kit with extra medicine and have a copy of the Travel Letter.

As you prepare to be away from home, you might wonder about how to transport your medication safely, what to pack, and what information you need. To learn more about traveling with a bleeding disorder, please go to Domestic and International Travel.