Would you Sign a Field Trip Permission Slip...

for your 5th grade child to do during school hours that read like this:

I fully assume all risks associated with utilization of and participation in the Pine Lake Challenge Course, even if due to the negligence of the City, its agents, servants or employees.

I hereby release, and agree that I will not sue, the City, its agents, servants and employees, and all of its departments, boards, commissions and agencies, including the Youth Services and its staff members from any and all claims, suits of demands by anyone arising from my or my child's use of or participation in the Pine Lake Challenge Course, even if caused by the negligence of the City, its agents, servants, or employees. I certify by my signature that I have read this document carefully and fully understand the risks involved with the Pine Lake Challenge Course participation and wish to continue in my participation. I further understand that by signing this agreement I am giving up substantial legal rights. I have not been induced to sign this agreement by any promise or representation, and I sign it voluntarily and of my own will.

Should an injury or accident occur, I grant permission for (child's name here) to receive necessary emergency treatment by licensed or certified medical personnel at the nearest medical facility.

Parent or Guardian:
This is to certify that I, as parent or guardian with legal responsibility for this participant, do hereby consent and agree to his or her release as set forth above, and for myself, my heirs, assigns, successors, executors, administrators, and legal representatives, agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City, it's agents, servants, and employees, and all of its departments, boards, commissions and agencies, including the Youth Services and it's staff members from any and all claims, suits or demands by anyone arising from said participants use of the Pine Lake Challenge Course facilities and equipment including claims of negligence on the part of the City, its agents, servants or employees.

This is the second time Natalie has come home from school with this permission slip. She brought this same one home 2 years ago and I refused to sign it then. I fought it too. I don't think I was the only parent who argued it. It didn't matter too much then though because they didn't do the Pine Lake Challenge. They told me I could just cross out the parts I didn't like, but they needed that. They also tried to tell me that no judge would hold me to a contract like that anyways. Ummm, then why even make parents sign it? Of course they are going to hold me to that. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying if my kid trips and falls on a stick and breaks her arm I'm going to run out and sue the entire city here. But you better believe that I am not giving my permission for them to neglect her. If they aren't watching her and another child strangles her with a rope and she gets serious injuries I'm going to be wondering where the supervision was. I send her to school during the day under the impression that she's getting the proper care and looking after. If she is playing on the playground at school and chases a ball out on the street and gets hit by a car yeah I'm going to be wondering where the supervision was and I just might want to pursue something legally. This is a legal school day and I'm sending her on a field trip with the school I expect her to be watched and if she's not I should have some sort of recourse for their negligence if they are neglectful. Now of course neglect is going to be hard to prove most likely, but seriously what kind of parent would I be if I signed this?

And sadly I know what they are going to tell me. Well, you can come along on the field trip. Sure, can I bring my 22 month old along? Nope, I can't. My husband works during the day. I can't go on every single field trip to make sure my child isn't going to be neglected and get injured by someones negligence. The stupid thing even tells me that by signing this I'm giving up my legal rights. I won't do that. But unfortunately my ten year old doesn't get why I need to refuse this. And if I don't sign it and can't come along then she is stuck at the school all day doing busy work while her friends are having this wonderful adventure. And I'm the bad guy. If I can get more parents who refuse to sign this, then I might have a leg to stand on.