Updated 11/02
2010 Washington DC / Philadelphia/New York
Fantastic! The second bus has just been activated, which means that everyone will be able to go!
We will have a meeting for those on the list at lunch next Wednesday, November 4th. It will
be during lunch and we will probably meet once every 5 weeks until Spring. Then we will meet 1 x
per month until our Departure meeting... usually held 1st week of June.
Any questions, please feel free to contact me.
Did you know……….
• The Capitol of United States is not the White House? (A common misunderstanding of many
Americans). They are each a National building 5 blocks away from one another. The President
cannot go into the Capitol unless he is invited.
• Arlington Cemetery was once the home of Robert E. Lee. During the Civil War, Lincoln had his
aide bury the bodies of the Americans in Lees’ rosebushes that were in front of his house.
Day of travel
Be sure to wear your blue USA Student travel t-shirt! This is for today only, so no worries! Flip flops
would be a good idea so you don’t need to take off your shoes at security.
Come in with only 1 check in (weighing less than 50 lbs) and 1 carry on. Make sure the check in
luggage has the USA travel tag on it. Put all liquids, gel or lotions in your check in luggage.
Carry on – make sure you have snacks / food in your carry on. We will not be eating until dinner
(6:00 pm). Ipods, something to read, keep you busy, and a light sweat shirt would also be good
items to have in your carry on. Gum is great to help the ears equalize during takeoff and landing.
Yes, bring gum.
Upon arrival, look for your chaperone and he / she will give you a name tag and bracelet. You are to
put on your bracelet for the remaining of the trip. Do not put it on tight or too loose. It must stay on
at all times – until you get back home.
Another word about chaperones and groups. Do not panic if you are not with your friends.
Chaperones and groups are only for headcounts. It would take Tagert 10 plus minutes to count 87
people. This way, the Chaps count and give me a thumbs up. Once I have 7 thumbs, we are all good
to go.
We will have an hour before our flight leaves. Please do not freakout the other passengers. They will
already be shocked to find that their flight will be shared with 80 8th graders. Show respect. Be
aware of other people around you.
At no time are you allowed to leave the group by yourself. Nor with one other person. On this trip,
three is the magic number. If you gotta go, take two with you! Safety is always my first concern!
Once you get on the plane with your ticket in hand, you must sit in the seat number that it says on
your ticket. Do not assume you can sit anywhere! Your ticket must match your seat!
Arrival
Keep together. As a group, we will get our luggage and load on the busses. Assist with the driver
and help with your luggage. Load the bus.
When our tour guide starts to talk, please stop talking and show respect. No Ipods, cellphones or
other equipment may be out. This is part of the trip, listening to him speak and tell you about sights
you will see. Prizes will be given out throughout the trip for those who are paying attention. We will
confiscate items that are distracting. Please be attentive when the tour guide is talking --- which
will be most of the trip! We will not have assigned seating at the moment. I am giving you this
respect and I expect you to show me the same.
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Here are some words of wisdom for travelers:
When on tour, in surrounding areas, please walk on the right side of area, whether it be sidewalk,
stairs, or buildings. Be alert at all times and have wallets or purses in front of you. Do not have all of
your cash on hand. Keep most in luggage back in hotel.
When taking pictures with camera (name on it), be sure to include you or friends in the picture. It
will mean more to you than just a picture of a monument later on.
Be sure to use suntan lotion, drink lots of water and have a great time! If you want to know
something, have a suggestion, unhappy, or just want to be heard, talk with me. This is your trip and
I want you to have a great time!
Our tour guide and bus drivers are awesome. They are vital in our trip and will assist us in every
way. If you would like to include a tip for those individuals, please send $3 per day x 6 = $18 to me
and I will mark it on my list. On Thursday, we will have a “Thank you” night for them.
Here is an excerpt from a student that went last year. He made notes and sent to his Dad via
blackberry. Thought this would be of interest to you:
Bring a lt jacket - it will rain
Bring shorts
Bring appropriate clothing for Broadway (collared shirts & pants) with comfortable shoes.
You can check one bag w/ 50lb. Max.
One carry on
Bring Student I’D
Spending cash - $25 day?
Bring $20 tip $ for bus driver
Bring camera and extra memory
Put your name on the camera.
Pay attention when the bus driver is talking
NO iPODS ON THE TOUR BUS - PERIOD.
NO ROOM SERVICE
NO PAY PER VIEW
Breakfast is at 7AM and you don't come back to the hotel 'till 10P - DO NOT STAY UP AND WATCH
TV
DO NOT OPEN YOUR DOOR AFTER ROLL IS TAKEN AT NIGHT - IT IS TAPED SHUT FROM THE OUTSIDE
SO THEY'LL KNOW.
Wear a watch
DO NOT REMOVE YOUR BRACELET.
If you get separated from your group, there is a phone # to call on the bracelet. A USA
representative will come and STAND with you wherever you are. DO NOT GET IN A CAR WITH THEM.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOUR LEADER'S PHONE # WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES.
YOU MUST HAVE YOUR GREY USA SHIRT ON WHEN YOU TRAVEL.
The chaperones are volunteers there to help you. Do not give them a hard time.
GO WITH THE ATTITUDE THAT YOU'RE GOING ON AN EDUCATIONAL TRIP.
YOU WILL HAVE MORE FUN IF YOU DON'T WHINE
AT NO TIME ARE YOU TO EVER BE ALONE - PERIOD. ALWAYS BE WITH OTHERS.
DO NOT LEAVE A MESS IN YOUR ROOM.
Maybe keep a few snacks in your backpack.
Arlington - show respect
iPOD ok on bus ride to NY - USE THAT 4HR DRIVE TO SLEEP.
More to come.
I will be updating this page periodically, so please check in often for updates.