The Chaperone Checklist: How To Choose The Right Leaders

When you choose adult leaders for you Wonder Voyage, you are inviting them to have a personal impact on your teens. To take the guesswork out of building your leadership team, we’ve curated a chaperone checklist to guide you through the selection process.

Chaperone Checklist: Essential Qualities For Effective Leaders

When you were in high school, did you have an adult who changed your life? Maybe they were a teacher or a coach? Whoever it was, that person likely made you feel seen, heard, and valued.

As you build your team of chaperones, keep that person in mind. What qualities did they have? Those are the same qualities you are look for in a chaperone. Consider:

1. Flexibility

Trips with teens often involve the unexpected. An adaptable chaperone can roll with the punches as they come. Whether it’s relationship turmoil, unexpected weather conditions, or physical challenges, a flexible chaperone can step up when needed.

Chaperone Checklist Tip: Look for adults who are relaxed rather than rigid or controlling. They carry authority because the teens choose to listen to them, not because they demand it.

2. Maturity

Teens may test the maturity of a chaperone throughout the trip. Make sure your leaders can handle both public and private situations calmly. They should encouraging the teens while enforcing necessary boundaries.

Chaperone Checklist Tip: Choose adults with emotional stability, patience, and grace for the imperfect. Avoid complainers who may bring their negativity with them.

3. Sacrificial Spirit

Chaperones should be prepared to sacrifice personal comforts and prioritize the group. Leaders are often the last to eat, the last to go to bed, and the first ones up in the mornings.

Chaperone Checklist Tip: Look for people who are willing to step outside of their comfort zone. Seek chaperones who are kind, resilient, and who have a servant’s heart.

4. Teachability

The best chaperones are open to learning from new people, environments, and cultures. They spark curiosity and appreciation among the team.

Chaperone Checklist Tip: Choose adults who enjoy experiencing new things and respect different cultures and perspectives. Chaperones who seem to be know-it-alls can negatively impact the overall experience.

5. Preparedness

A well-prepared chaperone understands the trip’s goals, their specific responsibilities, and the group’s needs.

Chaperone Checklist Tip: Ensure every adult knows their role and is willing and able to take on the responsibility. Power struggles among leadership can be a huge distraction.

How To Use This Chaperone Checklist To Choose The Right Team

Now that you have a checklist of essential qualities, here’s how to put it into action:

1. Assess Past Experience: Does the adult have prior experience working with teens? If not, how can you connect them with the teens prior to the trip?

2. Evaluate Energy And Attitude: Does the chaperone bring positive energy and enthusiasm? If not, what does that person need in order to be more confident in their role?

3. Gather Feedback: What is the overall dynamic of the leadership team? If there are challenges amongst the chaperones, how can those be sorted prior to departure?

4. Ask Key Questions: Understand each potential chaperone’s strengths and weaknesses by asking questions like:

• “How do you handle unexpected changes in plans?”
• “Are you comfortable in situations that require you to step outside of your comfort zone?”
• “How do you approach learning about new cultures and experiences?”

Asking these questions can help gauge how well the person aligns with the chaperone checklist.

Use Free Curriculum To Connect Chaperones With Teens

With over 25 years of experience leading trips worldwide, Wonder Voyage learned that the key to a truly transformative journey is thorough team preparation. We’re excited to offer you a free resource to help get your group (and your leaders) ready for their upcoming adventure.

The Way of Wonder pilgrimage curriculum is available in two editions:

• The original pilgrimage curriculum is ideal for church youth groups.
• The Educational Expeditions version is modified for school trips.

Whichever curriculum you choose, get your chaperones involved. Have them lead discussions, share stories, and connect with the teens prior to going on the trip. Both editions of the curriculum are free, whether or not you utilize Wonder Voyage for your trip planning.

The Impact Of Choosing The Right Chaperones

As the team leader, you are inviting every chaperone to be that hero adult that teens long for. A well-built leadership team can take a lot of pressure off of you because it is difficult for one person to connect with every teen in a personal way.

Whether your trip focuses on service, hiking, connecting with church history, or bringing the textbook to life, chaperones with the right qualities make all the difference.