This post reminds me of why in nine years of elementary school, I haven't ever chaperoned a field trip. Our field trips are similar 8-hour long-days to Minneapolis museums and other adventures that leave everyone exhausted. 

A funny incident happened as my daughter prepared for one, a number of years ago. After I dropped her off at the school, I went home and found she'd forgotten her lunch. I drove back, only to pass the bus on its way out of town. I drove after the bus until I made it came to a stoplight. Then I jumped out and literally ran after the bus. It sped up and never saw me. I jumped back in my car and followed, again, only to be left behind, wanting to save my child the misfortune of going without lunch, but unable to do anything to help her.

I went home and cried on the floor about how she was setting off on an adventure "to explore around dim corners" without me, and part of that new found responsibility was feeling the good and bad that goes with freedom. An important step in parenting that has left me able to let them now explore.