Some general principles for handling disasters on a trip

To keep an experience such as related in the previous posts from being the disaster it could have been:

• Remain calm ... It'll all work out somehow, and if you remain calm the kids are more likely to remain calm. If you are worried, they'll be worried, if you are angry, they'll get angry.
• ... But be honest with the kids. Trying to gloss over or pretend everything is OK is wasted energy, reduces the trust level and leaves you isolated. The kids need to know what's going on when things have gone awry.
• Follow the general principles for youth ministry. For example, I could safely leave the group to try to work out problems because I had enough counselors.
• Always keep the safety and sense of security of the young people firmly in mind at all times. If the planned activity is becoming risky, bail out without apology; if a backup plan being considered has not been researched thoroughly and is questionable in your mind, do something else. Don't be afraid to cancel an activity if you can tell the parents that it was for the safety of their children - they will be happier with you if you seem to be overprotective than if a child is injured or frightened.
• Always have a few backup activities and plans:
• Even though they are not thrilling to the youth, I always locate a museum, park, historical site and other such "tourist" items that we can go to if we end up with too much time on our hands.
• Have a storehouse of stupid games to play.
• Pizza is usually a good fallback activity and takes time.
• On trips, I carry a catalog case crammed with arts, crafts, worship resources, pens, paper, etc. - and lots and lots of games and toys.