5 Helpful Tips to Implement Virtual Field Trips With Your Senior Community Activity Schedule

If you are new to virtual field trips, I'm so excited that you're here! If you are an Activity Director or Professional who works within the field of aging services, I want to share a few helpful tips for implementing virtual field trips into your Activity Schedule.

1. A sense of autonomy is an important factor to consider when you're planning your virtual field trip day. I recommend choosing three virtual field trip destination options. Then let your residents decide which trip they would like to take. You can take a general consensus or a simple vote.

Conversely, if you know your residents well, you can choose a destination that you know will spark interest or rekindle memories. Recently, I hosted a virtual field trip to the Caribbean for a group of residents at a care center. The Director selected this destination specifically because one of the residents was raised in the Caribbean. This proved to be a great way to engage the mind and spirit, and led to so many wonderful talking points. Video was later shared with family members, who expressed that their loved one was more alert and engaged than they had seen in recent days.

2. Build interest with anticipatory materials. Before your virtual field trip day, print and assemble the passport templates that are provided with each trip. Take photos of your residents to add to the passports. If you have a lot of interest and a big community group, I recommend completing the passports on a separate day from your actual virtual field trip. This will provide time to assist residents as they fill out their name and birthday on the passport.

When residents first arrive at the virtual field trip day, I like to hand out passports and have residents use a glue stick to attach the new stamp to their passports. I recommend having stamps already cut out, but if you have residents who are handy with scissors, this is a great motor skills activity.

Next, I like to provide time for residents to work on the word find and the map coloring sheet. The printed materials provide engagement as I find that residents work through the tasks at varying paces. Your residents can always take the activities with them, but I recommend holding onto the passports for your next trip.

3. Be sure to test your technology ahead of time. Sometimes I can easily screen share to a smart television, and other times I have to connect my laptop directly to the tv. I also recommend using a microphone if you are conducting the trip with a large group.

As your residents gather around the television or screen, allow time for everyone to get comfortable. Sometimes it's a simple blanket over the lap or being seated next to a friend that makes a difference.

4. Go at your own pace and modify as needed. It's ok to skip slides, jump ahead, or slow down based on the feedback from residents. Use the trip as a guide, and if you don't finish everything, that's ok.

I always like to give time for comments. What I find is that the discussion, the comments, and social engagement mean so much more than the need to get through every slide.

5. Create consistency with travel. I recommend adding at least three virtual field trips to your monthly activity schedule to create consistency. This consistency can be beneficial for your residents living with Dementia, as ongoing opportunities for engagement are essential to a care plan.

If you have a resident who is especially interested in the destination, you can always revisit the virtual field trip individually with them through a tablet or computer. The virtual field trips are really versatile.

Virtual field trips offer a mentally stimulating activity that keeps the mind active, fosters social connections, and provides a sense of adventure—without leaving the safety of home or the care facility.

You can browse the entire selection of individual trips around the world here: Shop Virtual Field Trips

Have questions? Happy to meet with you for a demo or answer your questions. Send me an email at info@strategiceducationalservices.com