[Lokibob]

As a junior in HS, we took a field trip to the Okefenokee (thanks for the spell checker, FR) swamp in Georgia.

We captured some cotton mouth moccasins and assorted other critters for the biology lab.

I can think of at least 5 different things the teacher would have gotten in trouble for on that field trip if it had been today Lets see, endangering children, capturing animals, poisonous snakes in class room, no guide, no trip plan (we just went), no parental permission slips, on and on and on. You know what, tho, I learned a lot about swamps and my self, wading through belly deep swamp water, and slightly scared.

[erasmus605]

It's kind of amazing what sometimes happens when you're supervising kids. They are pretty good at talking you into things sometimes...

I used to teach Jr. High at a private school, and I took the whole class (25 kids) down to a creek to catch bugs for their insect collections. We had to cross a busy street, slip down a steep enbankment, and try to avoid poison oak.
One kid actually got poison oak.
We had fun, though, and no one was hurt (seriously hurt, anyway, we had a few scrapes and bruises)

Granted, this isn't letting them catch an alligator, but I know it wouldn't have been allowed at a public school.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Fear will make you VERY alert.

[flying Elvis]

Your teacher didn't happen to stop at lounge that had an artesian well in the parking lot did he? A old professor of mine when he was teaching high school took a group of students to the Okefenokee one time and stopped at an artesian well on the side of the road to teach the students how they were formed. The parents were not happy that this particular artesian well was in the parking lot of an adult club, and happened to be open for business that day. None of the students went in, but I think a few of the patrons and employees came out for an impromptu science lesson.