The field trip is booked and the bus is reserved. Now you need a signed field trip permission slip back from every family, and often a waiver too. Collect those on paper, and you spend the week before the trip digging slips out of backpacks and reading half-blank forms.
There is a simpler way. This guide shows how to collect a field trip permission slip and waiver online.
Need to Know
- A field trip permission slip is a parent’s written consent for a child to join a school trip. Some trips also need a separate waiver.
- On Cheddar Up, families sign both with a built-in e-signature, right from their phones.
- Collecting online keeps every response in one place, so you can see who has signed at a glance.
What is an online field trip permission slip?
An online field trip permission slip is a parent’s consent form completed and signed on a phone or computer instead of on paper. A parent or guardian opens it on their phone, reviews the trip details, and agrees to let their child attend. The moment they submit, the signed slip is recorded for you.
Permission slip vs. waiver
A permission slip gives consent. It confirms that a parent or guardian knows about the trip and gives their child permission to attend. A waiver focuses on risk, asking families to acknowledge hazards tied to activities like swimming or an overnight camp.
For a trip to the local library, a permission slip may be all you need. For something with higher physical risk, like an indoor trampoline park, ask your school whether a waiver is required as well.
Pro-Tip:
Need an online permission slip? Families sign from their phones on one Cheddar Up collection page, and every response stays organized and easy to track.
How online consent works: a built-in e-signature
Cheddar Up captures consent with a built-in e-signature, and the same method covers the slip and any waiver. The parent reads the text, enters their name, and signs on their device. The form records the signature with the date and time, so you have a clear record of who signed and when.
Families sign permission slips and waivers the same way. The difference is the wording. A permission slip captures a parent’s consent for the trip. A waiver includes language about the risks of a specific activity, such as swimming or an overnight stay. When a trip needs both, put them on one collection page so a family signs once and covers everything.
The e-signatures are built to comply with the federal ESIGN Act, the U.S. law that gives electronic signatures the same legal standing as handwritten ones. A slip a parent signs on their phone carries the same weight as one signed in pen, as long as your school allows electronic consent.
Every completed slip and waiver is stored and available as an exportable PDF, so you can keep it on file or hand it to your office as proof.
A quick caveat: this is general information, not legal advice. Electronic-signature and consent rules can vary by state and district, so check what your school accepts before you rely on e-signed slips.
A field trip permission slip & waiver example
Here is a sample permission slip and a sample waiver you can adapt. Copy what you need and swap in your details.
Field Trip Permission Slip Example
My child, [student name], in [grade/class], has my permission to attend the field trip to [destination] on [date]. I understand the group will travel by [transportation] and return at approximately [time].
I confirm that the emergency contact and any medical or allergy information I have provided is accurate.
☐ I give permission for my child to be photographed for school use.
☐ I have read the above and give my permission for my child to attend.
Activity Waiver and Acknowledgment of Risk Example
I understand that this trip includes [activity, such as swimming at the recreation center], which carries some risk of injury. I confirm that my child is in suitable health to take part and that I have shared any medical or allergy information staff should know.
I accept these risks on my child’s behalf and agree that [school or organization name] and its staff and volunteers are not responsible for injuries that happen despite reasonable care.
Parent/guardian signature: [e-signature] Date: [auto-filled]
Your district may require specific wording or its own official form, so treat these as a starting point and confirm with your school office. Waivers get into liability, and how enforceable a parent’s waiver is for a minor varies by state, so have your school or its legal counsel review the waiver wording before you rely on it.
Prefer not to build from scratch? Cheddar Up’s field trip permission slip template gives you a slip like this, with the consent fields ready to customize.
Do different field trips need different permission slips?
- Zoo and museum trips: Note the group meeting spot and any admission cost. A standard permission slip usually covers it.
- Walking trips: A short slip with the route and return time is often enough. Emergency contacts still matter.
- Overnight and high-activity trips: These carry the most risk, so plan on a fuller medical section and a signed waiver alongside the slip.
Match the consent to the trip. A half-day zoo visit should not carry the same paperwork as a three-day trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a field trip permission slip include?
A field trip permission slip should name the student and grade, the destination, the date and times, the transportation method, an emergency contact, a space for allergies or medical needs, and the parent’s signature and date. Add a photo-permission line and a waiver if your school requires them.
Do I need a permission slip and a waiver for a field trip?
Sometimes. A permission slip covers consent for the trip. A waiver covers risk for a specific activity, like an overnight stay. Low-risk outings usually need only a slip. For higher-risk trips, ask your school if a waiver is also required, and collect both on one page if so.
Can I collect field trip permission slips online?
With a tool like Cheddar Up, you share a link and families sign with a built-in e-signature, no printing required. Cheddar Up stores each response with the date and time the parent signed.
Are e-signatures on a field trip permission slip legally binding?
In the U.S., electronic signatures carry the same legal standing as handwritten ones under the federal ESIGN Act, and Cheddar Up’s e-signatures are built to comply. Rules vary by state and district, so confirm that your school accepts electronic consent. This is general information, not legal advice.
What's the difference between a field trip form and a permission slip?
A permission slip is the consent piece: a parent signs to allow their child to attend. A field trip form is the fuller package that can also collect fees and chaperone sign ups in one place. If you need all of that together, the all-in-one field trip form covers it.
Before You Go
A field trip permission slip should be the easy part of trip planning. Move it online, pair it with a waiver when the trip calls for one, and let families agree right on their phones, with every response saved and tracked for you. When you are ready to leave the paper behind, Cheddar Up collects field trip permission slips, waivers, and fees through one link.
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