Field Trip Procedures

Throughout the year children will be involved in field trips.  Field trips are an extension of the classroom into the real world experience.  On-site visits to farms, factories, parks, grocery stores, etc... give children a better understanding of their world.

Transportation on field trips is arranged through the college.  We use college vans and bus.  Drivers of the vans have completed the college van driver training course and have had their driving records checked.  College vans are equipped with seat belts, if you would like to have your child in a car seat please drop the car seat off at the center the morning of the field trip.  Car seats or booster seats are required by Oregon law (please review law listed below).

Information about upcoming field trips will be posted on the front door of the center, dates are also included in the calendar of events schedule. 

Parents must sign their consent on the emergency file form in order for your child to be allowed to attend field trips at the center.

If your child is not scheduled on the day of a field trip, the child may be approved by the center director to attend extra on that day (if ratios permit) or you may bring your child just prior to leaving time of the field trip and attend with them.  You are then required to take your child home at the end of the trip.

Emergency forms, first aid kits and staff trained in first aid procedures attend/go with each field trip.

Oregon Law

A person who is under four years of age and weighs 40 pounds or less must be properly secured with a child safety system; or A person who is at least four years of age or weighs more than 40 pounds must be properly secured with a safety belt or safety harness. The offense described above is a Class D traffic violation, up to $77 fine.

Oregon House Bill 3155
effective January 1, 2002
A person who is a least four years of age and under six years of age or weighs between 40 and 60 pounds must be properly secured with a child safety system that elevates the person so that a safety belt or safety harness properly fits the person. "Proper fit" means the lap belt of the safety belt or safety harness is positioned low across the thighs and the shoulder belt is positioned over the collarbone and away from the neck; or a person who is at least six years of age and weighs 60 pounds or more must be properly secured with a safety belt or safety harness.

The offense described above is a Class D traffic violation, up to $77 fine.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Oregon Booster Law

Oregon's Child Restraint Law Changed January 1, 2002. Many people have questions about how the law applies to their specific situation. The following questions have been received at the Child Safety Seat Resource Center Clearinghouse. If you still have questions call 503.656.7207 in the Metro area or 1.800.772.1315 in Oregon.

I have an eight year old son who weighs 47lbs. We have a car with three seatbelts in the back seat, 2 with shoulder straps and one in the middle with just a lap belt. Can he legally ride in the middle, with just the lap belt?
Your son must ride in a booster seat using the lap and shoulder belt.

My child is five years old. She weighs 65 lbs. Does she need to be in a booster seat?
Your daughter must ride in a booster seat rated to the appropriate weight, using the lap and shoulder belt.

My daughter will not be 6 until August. We have a Chevy Astro Van and the back seats only have lap belts. Does she have to be in a booster seat since she will not be wearing a shoulder harness?
No, she can not use a booster seat because they all require lap and shoulder belt systems. She should wear the lap only belt positioned snug and low across her thighs. To provide additional protection with a lap only belt, available options include a tethered harness system or a lap top type of seat. Call for more information.

I have four children in my family who will now need a booster seat. Is there any organization that is providing financial aid for this program?
There is a statewide child safety seat voucher program in every county. To get information on the program in your county, call ACTS Oregon Child Safety Seat Resource Center at 503.656.7207 or in Oregon 1.800.772.1315.

My car does not have air bags. Can my 7 year old who weighs 62 pounds ride in the front seat?
Best practice would be to secure your child in the back seat with the lap and shoulder belt until she is 13 years old. However, if you choose to put your child in the front seat, move the vehicle seat as far back from the dashboard as possible and secure your child with the lap and shoulder belt. If your child does not fit properly in the lap and shoulder belt, best practice would be to use a booster seat.

My child is 7 years old and weighs 65 pounds. How do I know if he needs a booster seat?
Your child needs to use a booster seat if you answer "No" to any of these questions:*

• Does the child sit all the way back against the auto seat?
• Do the child's knees bend comfortably at the edge of the auto seat?
• Does the lap belt fit snugly across the top of the thighs?
• Does the shoulder belt come across the center of the shoulder and chest?
• Can the child sit like this for the whole trip?

If you answer yes to all questions, your child is ready to ride in the lap and shoulder belt.

*Used with permission from SafetyBeltSafe USA.

I run a daycare center. Am I exempt from the booster law?
No you are not exempt. Children who are at least 4 years of age and under 6 years of age and children weighing between 40 and 60 pounds must ride in booster seats. If you are using a van or bus that has lap and shoulder belts, these children should ride in a booster using those belts. Children under 40 pounds should ride in a convertible seat with a harness secured with the lap only belts. If your van or bus does not have lap and shoulder belts, children over 40 pounds should wear the lap only belt positioned snug and low across their thighs. To provide additional protection with a lap only belt, available options include a tethered harness system or a lap top type of seat.

*Using a booster seat will be the law in Oregon beginning January 1, 2002. It states that "a person who is a least four years of age and under six years of age or weighs between 40 and 60 pounds must be properly secured with a child safety system that elevates the person so that a safety belt or safety harness properly fits the person. This means that children between 40 and 60 pounds and between 4 and 6 years of age must use a booster seat. Safety experts recommend children use booster seats until they are at lease 8 years old and weigh 80 pounds.