Unknown Destination Trip: Problems and Pitfalls

• The biggest problem, of course, is simply gaining the trust of a group and their parents for the event to happen. The first few times there may not be a sellout crowd, but in any group there are usually a few intrepid adventurers who will try anything. Their reports will determine the future of the trip.
• The no-brainers that we all miss sometimes: don't plan any activity that is likely to cause a parent to feel betrayed (Stadium rock concert, X rated movie, sex ed. program, ... ) or cause a child to feel left-out, weird or a failure (hang-gliding, Ropes course, working in a geriatrics ward ...). Some of these may be valid youth group activities, well worth doing - but not as surprises.
• Uncontrolled situations. On return from the trip, everyone needs to feel that you were totally in control of everything from start to finish in order for the activity to build a sense of trustworthiness. Unavoidable problems will be understood as long as everyone agrees that the problem was unavoidable. Taking a group into an uncertain situation with the expectation that you can "wing it" will not build confidence.
• Make sure that additional drivers have explicit directions for each destination location. If they get separated they need to know how to get where they are going, even if they don't know what is at that location. I have given them a sealed envelope with maps and everything in it. Usually they can just blindly follow me.
• Make sure that the young people are always in eyesight of a counselor, since the youth haven't any idea of where they are supposed to be.
• Recognize that you are at the mercy of the contact person. Rather than getting a single idea or itinerary from them, get a list of options and use your own judgment. What appeals to their youth may not appeal to yours. If you are not satisfied with the list you obtain, contact the destination's Chamber of Commerce and/or Travel Bureau.