Tips for Traveling with a Gaggle of Tweens

This past weekend I spent my time...

...with this fabulous bunch of 4th and 5th graders

at a preteen event called

SuperStart!

It was a GREAT trip,

and I saw God moving in those guys and gals

all weekend.

I have attended this event five times now

(I think),

and I have learned a lot about what it takes

to make a trip successful for

the tween age group.

I thought I would pass along

my helpful hints,

and would LOVE to hear YOUR ideas

for trips like these in the comments section-

I am always looking for ways to improve the fun!

:0)

***

Tween Travel Tip #1:

Let them use technology for entertainment

on the long ride up.

Yes-

you heard me correctly.

This generation of kiddos is growing up in a time

where they can't remember life without

some type of handheld electronic device.

And when you have a 4+ hour drive

in front of you,

items like iPods and Dsi's are handy.

I mean,

look at the FUN we had playing around with the

Oldify 2 App!

They took pics of several people on the bus

and we got to see ourselves at age 60+-

aren't we LOVELY?

Here are my "rules" when it comes to technology, however:

1.  Age appropriate games/music/etc. only

2.  NO devices are to be used during SuperStart sessions,

unless you are taking pictures or videos

3.  As adults, we need to check in on what the kiddos

are doing with the electronics periodically-

even play WITH them!

4.  The kiddos are to be responsible for their devices,

keeping up with them at all times.

They can be a great bonding experience

for us and the kiddos...

***

Tween Travel Tip #2:

Keep the kiddos BUSY!

There is nothing worse than a bored tween!

In my opinion,

kiddos at this age should not have

a ton of "free time"-

time with no purpose only leads to opportunities

for mischief or bad attitudes.

Besides our actual time at SuperStart,

we were either traveling, eating,

or playing!

We spent our 2 hour lunch break on Saturday

at a gymnasium with inflatables

and games,

Saturday evening exploring our villa,

and all day Sunday at

Wilderness at the Smokies. 

When I co-deaned 4th-6th grade

Summer church camp.

the schedule we made for those kiddo

kept them hopping from sun up sun down.

The only free time they had was in the afternoon

to swim or hang out in the dorm rooms,

which was for about one and a half hours.

Trust me-

scheduled activities

may wear us adults out,

but it wears the kiddos out too!

;0)

***

Tween Travel Tip #3

Establish the "Buddy System."

Since this trip involved a lot of

traveling from place to place,

and being in venues with LOTS of other people,

it was important that the kiddos stick with

a buddy where ever they went.

Not only does this ensure safety...

...but it allows the kiddos

to bond with each other and deepen their friendships.

And friends are VITAL for this age group!

Now,

if a situation ever arose in which

the buddies needed to switch partners,

that was OK-

just as long as they stuck with someone.

Also, the buddies needed to check in with the

adults every once in awhile,

or we would check in on them,

just to make certain everybody was safe

and having a good time.

***

Tween Travel Tip #4

Give the kiddos responsibilities.

4th and 5th graders are not babies-

and should not be treated as such!

Our kiddos are responsible for their behavior,

luggage, etc.

 They are also GREAT helpers at this age!

Here is Baby Girl helping with one of a fellow

Children's Minister's kiddos.

Our kiddos all had to help

clean up the areas we stayed or played at,

were expected to use manners,

and check for their belongings

when we packed up at the hotel.

Yes-

we reminded them.

Yes-

we also helped.

But we, the adults,

did NOT do all the work.

These kiddos are perfectly capable

of being helpers-

and are honestly GOOD at helping too!

***

Tween Travel Tip #5

Feed them!!!

I mean,

this seems like a no brainer,

but you gotta make certain to have

regularly scheduled meals

and snacks available

for these ever-growing age group.

Here are a couple of our kiddos,

"enjoying" some gum during a self-chosen snack time.

Before the trip,

I sat down and figured out how much money

I would need to spend for meals and snacks

and then I divided that cost into the price of the trip.

The ONLY money our kiddos bring with them

on the trip is for souvenirs or sodas.

I order all the meals in advance,

bring food with us,

or use Visa gift cards

to buy meals on the road.

The kiddos each also receive their own

Snack Bag.

It is a gallon sized baggie I fill with

non-perishable, easy snacks for the entire trip.

They can choose when (and how much) to eat them.

This year's Snack Bags consisted of the following:

2 Rice Krispie Treats

4 Bags of fruit snacks

1 pack of peanut butter crackers

1 Nature Valley Sweet 'n Salty Granola bar

1 snack sized bag of Cheez-Its

1 Tootsie Pop

PLENTY of snacks that were low mess

and kept their bellies full!

***

Tween Travel Tip #6

Bring adult sponsors who will

love on the kiddos!

I was VERY blessed to have some

pretty cool adults helping lead and care for

the kiddos on this trip!

See the man in the gray jacket

dancing?

He is Mr. Jonathan-

father to one of the boys on the trip,

and an expert on the dance moves of...

...The Peanut Butter Shake.

 That pretty little lady on the left

is Miss Angela,

the 4th grade Sunday School teacher

who is also...

 ...an excellent belly board surfer.

 The lonely man in that sea of kiddos

is Mr. Jerry,

our 5th grade Sunday School teacher.

He is a SuperStart veteran...

 ...and an expert in the art of 5th grade boy

"torture."

 This beautiful bombshell is Miss Carol,

the mother to one of our 4th grade girls...

...and the Queen of photo bombing.

(Also not pictured is Mr. Paul-

the father of one of our 5th grade girls

and an expert at the art of driving

a 13 passenger van full of silly kiddos.)

I could NOT have had a successful trip

WITHOUT these wonderful people!

They sacrificed their time

(and SLEEP!)

to come and hang out with the kiddos.

They all got into the SuperStart worship

and activities,

kept the kiddos safe,

and just plain old loved on them!

I ADORE these people!!!

***

Tween Travel Tip #7

Plan on an easy day after the trip!

This is a collage of a conversation

two of my children's minister friends

and I had the morning after our trips.

We were all tired,

but we all had a good trip

with our kiddos!

I am thankful for women like this in my life-

for opportunities like SuperStart-

they all strengthen my faith

and encourage my spirit.

And leave me physically exhausted!

Which is why it is important to not expect

a lot out of yourself

for a couple of days

after a trip like this one.

***

Hope these tips help some of you out there!

And- again- I would LOVE to hear any tips

you have for making a tween trip

easier-

Please comment below if you have any ideas!