I called them field trips too. I always loved field trips and assemblies. I often get challenged when I tell people here that the best translation for ensoku is field trip. Apparently field trips are supposed to have a learning goal in mind. For example, you go to a museum and learn about history or science, etc. Japanese schools often have field trips that are based more on building relationships, making memories, and sharing experiences than learning in an academic sense. Since I don’t remember ever having an all school field trip, I used the word outing here. It feels strange to me though.
I called them field trips too. I always loved field trips and assemblies. I often get challenged when I tell people here that the best translation for ensoku is field trip. Apparently field trips are supposed to have a learning goal in mind. For example, you go to a museum and learn about history or science, etc. Japanese schools often have field trips that are based more on building relationships, making memories, and sharing experiences than learning in an academic sense. Since I don’t remember ever having an all school field trip, I used the word outing here. It feels strange to me though.