Great Meeting Last Week!

Our meeting last week was all about questions.  We went over some important information, handed out the student agreement to kids who didn't already have it, went over chaperone groups, and then let the kids ask any burning question that they just couldn't wait to get answered.  I answered many of these questions during the meeting, but for those who may have missed some, here they are, all the questions, with answers, that were asked last week.

One quick reminder that our next meeting is our MANDATORY Pre-departure meeting at 6:00 pm in room D-6 on Wednesday, March 26th.  At least one parent/guardian must be in attendance.

Q:  What are we supposed to pack?  What should we wear in NY?
Check out the Packing List tab at the top of this page for basic information.  New York clothing should be the same as the rest of the tour.

Q:  Do we have to stay in our chaperone groups?
No.  The chaperone groups are for organizational purposes only.  Most of the time we will be in a full group tour.  Chaperone groups allow us to account for all kids before we leave a location.

Q:  How often will we get food?
We get three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). These meals begin with breakfast the morning of our first tour. You are responsible for eating dinner before we leave for our trip.

Q:  How big are the food portions? 

Some portions are fixed. At other places it's all-you-can-eat. I've never had anyone starve on the trip, so I think the portion sizes are good.  Be careful not to over-do it!

Q:  Is there time for shopping?

Plenty. You won't get to shop in every shop in every city we visit, but you will be provided with ample opportunity to spend your money.

Q:  What will the weather be like? 

It really depends.  It is early Spring on the east coast which means it will likely be cooler than it is here in California.  It could potentially be cold enough to snow, or you could have an 80 degree day (like we did 2 years ago in NY).  Pack for all eventualities.  

Q:  What play are we seeing on Broadway? 

Right now we are scheduled to see "Aladdin". This new Broadway version has been in production in Seattle and Toronto before making its way to the "Great White Way" this Spring.

Q:  What kind of chocolate bars can we make at the Hershey factory? 

 I have no idea what ingredients they offer.  I'm looking forward to finding out with the rest of you.

Q:  How long are the plane rides? 

We are scheduled to take a direct flight from LAX...it's about 5 hours each way.

Q:  What time do we leave the hotels in the morning and what time do we get back? 

It depends, but usually we have breakfast at the hotel around 7:00am and leave around 8:00am.  Depending on how long you take to get ready in the morning, you should set your alarm accordingly.  We will return around 10:00pm each night.  Lights out is usually around 11:00pm.

Q:  Is the school dress code in effect? 

Yes.  You are allowed to wear hats and sunglasses (if you are a Red Sox fan, I wouldn't recommend wearing that hat in NY).  If you insist on wearing leggings, whatever shirt you wear must reach your thumbs with your hands flat at your sides.

Q:  Are there opportunities to buy snacks in between meals and can we bring water with us on tour? 

 Yes, but be careful not to eat too much junk or you will get sick.  Water is fine to bring with you while we are on tour.

Q:  Can we bring food in the hotel rooms and on the bus? 

In the Hotel the answer is yes, on the bus, NO.

Q:  Can we chew gum on the plane?  

Yes...I like to chew gum on planes during take-off and landing because it makes it easier to keep your ears clear. Just make sure to dispose of your chewed gum properly in the trash!

Q:  How long is the trip? 

We will leave Rio around 5:00pm on Sunday, April 6th and return around 10:30pm on Saturday, April 12th.

Q:  What if our phone goes off while we are walking around? 

Your phone should be on silent mode for the trip...we don't want to be disrespectful.

Q:  Can I bring my tablet? 

I would recommend against bringing a tablet...there's no need, and it is just one more expensive thing that can get broken or lost.

Q:  Should we bring cash or a pre-paid card for the trip? 

This is up to you and your parents.  I would suggest looking into whether your bank will allow a debit card with set maximum daily charges.

Q:  Is it just us on the plane, and are the planes nice? 

We will have our own bus for the trip, but the plane will have many others.  At this point it looks like we will be flying on United Airlines.

Q:  What are we doing everyday? 

We will be touring, and seeing many of our most important national treasures!

Q:  What kind of hotels are we staying in?

They're four-star hotels like Sheraton, Hilton, Doubletree, and Marriott. I don't know exactly where we're staying yet, but it will be in hotels of this quality.

Q:  What is the bed situation? 

There are two beds per room and 4 kids per room...that means 2 people per bed.

Hope that helps!  See you all at our Pre-Departure Meeting: 6:00pm on Wednesday, March 26th!