Busch Gardens Field Trip

What is this field trip? ❓

We are going to Busch Gardens!!

The purpose of this field trip is to celebrate all the hard work your child has done so far in the first semester.

How much does it cost for my child to attend this event? 💲

There will be no cost for students to attend this trip 🙂

Where is the event? 📍

Busch Gardens
10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612

Click here for the location on Google Maps

Who can go to this event? 🙋🏻

We are able to take 85 students from both of my programs with us on this trip. The students who get to go will be determined on a first come, first served basis. The first 85 students who turn in their completed field trip form (including signatures from parent/guardian and all teachers), will be the 85 students who get to go. The 8th graders in both of my programs will have first priority because they will get forms 2 days before I hand them out to my 7th graders. IMPORTANT: CHAPERONE’S CHILDREN ARE GUARANTEED A SPOT.

When is the event? 🕰️

December 5, 2025 from 9:30am – 5:30pm

Students attending this trip must have transportation to get picked up from school at 5:30pm.

How does transportation work? 🚎

We will be taking two, 56 passenger full size charter busses from Annett bus lines.

We are not allowed to eat on the bus.

What’s the procedure for dropping off/picking up my child? 🚗

Students will come to school the way they normally do because we don’t leave until after school starts. However, this trip ends after school ends so students will need to be picked up from the BACK of Barrington at approximately 5:30pm. The pick up time could be +/- 30 minutes based on traffic. On the way back, I will text all parents with updated pick up time based on traffic.

Is it possible to be a chaperone on this trip? 👓

Yes! We need 22 parent chaperones for this trip (this trip is free for chaperones as well). In order to be a chaperone, you must be a LEVEL 1 approved volunteer with the school district. Here’s information about becoming a district approved volunteer:

CHAPERONE’S CHILDERN ARE GUARANTEED A SPOT ON THE TRIP.

I want to be transparent, being a chaperone on this trip requires more work than other trips we’ve done this year. Please click here to read all the expectations of chaperones on this trip.

How will food work during this trip? 🍔

Quick Summary

  • Make sure your child has a refillable water bottle.
  • Students and Chaperones will be provided 1 snack voucher to use in the park (free).
  • Students and Chaperones will be provided 1 one-time dining certificate to use in the park (free).
  • This means the only reason to pack a snack or a lunch is if you’re worried about food allergies at park offerings.

Specific Details

  • Please make sure your child eats breakfast before they go to school. It is a lot of walking and they will need the energy from a good meal.
  • One-Time Dining Certificate valid for one entree, one side item or dessert, and one regular fountain beverage at select restaurants.
  • Snack voucher valid for choice of popcorn, cotton candy, or ice cream novelty (pre-wrapped ice cream from the freezer coolers with a sliding door) at select locations.
  • Upon entering Busch Gardens, students and chaperones will break up into groups and take their own path through the park.
  • This means different groups will eat at different times and different places depending on the overall preferences of the group.
  • Click here to learn more about the different dining options available in the park.

My child said it was ok for them to bring an electronic device on this trip, is that true? 🕹️

Yes, it is. We will be on the bus for an hour there and an hour back, so students are encouraged to bring something to help occupy their time.

Acceptable electronic devices include:

  • Phones
  • Tablets
  • Handheld gaming consoles (e.g., Nintendo Switch)

Headphones are required for any student wanting to listen to sound while they watch/play.

  • Students may not play sound through their device’s speakers.
  • If they do not bring headphones, their device must remain on silent or muted.

Students are also encouraged to bring a portable charger and charging cable to ensure their device stays powered during the trip.

Night Before Student Checklist ✅

  • Must wear green t-shirt
  • Must wear shoes that are secure to your feet (no flip flops, sandals, or crocs)
  • Check weather and bring appropriate clothing
    • Shorts vs Pants
    • Jacket
    • Sunglasses
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Optional – Electronic device, charger, and headphones to help pass time on bus ride
  • Optional – Cashless payment option for extra drinks, gift shop, ride lockers, etc
  • Optional – Draw string bag to hold extra items
  • Remind parents/guardians of trip tomorrow and that they should meet us in the back parking lot of Barrington by approximately 5:30pm to pick you up.

Morning of Student Procedures 📝

  • For those students going on the trip, DO NOT BRING YOUR BACKPACK TO SCHOOL.
  • As soon as you get released from holding area, go straight towards the cafeteria and line up outside the west entrance (doors closest to Stowers).
  • DO NOT go to 1st period/Homeroom
  • Wait in line outside the west entrance of the cafeteria (line up along the wall towards Stowers) until 6th graders are dismissed from the cafeteria.
  • Once all 6th graders have left the cafeteria, please enter the cafeteria (through the door closest to Stowers) and look for your name on the lists of groups spread out across the tables of the cafeteria.
  • Once you find your name please sit down right by the list that has your name, make a mental note of your group number and bus number at the top of the list, and wait for instructions from Mr. Waraksa.

Student Expectations at the Park 📋

  • Must stay with chaperone the entire time
  • Do not ask to switch to another group with a different chaperone
  • Do not ask to go off somewhere by yourself. The group must stay together with the chaperone at all times.
  • Don’t buy anything at the gift shop until just before we leave
  • Don’t ask chaperone for meal or snack vouchers. They will hold on to them until its time to use them.
  • If you lose something in the park, we will not hold bus for you to try and find it.
  • Make sure you go to the bathroom right before we get on the bus to go back to school.
  • Start heading back to the exit of Busch Gardens at 3:45pm
  • We start loading busses at 4:15pm
  • Busses leave at 4:30pm
  • If you have a phone, call/text parents with approximate time of our return. They will meet us in the BACK parking lot of Barrington.

What if I have more questions about this trip that weren’t answered on this page?

You have my phone number. Don’t hesitate to call or text if you have any additional questions 🙂