What to Take

UPDATED 12/15/2009

1 Suitcase with clothes/needs

Comfortable “school clothes” (look neat and clean)
Toiletries
Medications (checked in by band nurse)
Beachwear (swimsuit)
Comfortable waling shoes (tennis shoes)
50 pound maximum weight. The airline will charge you if over 50 pounds.

Complete uniform in garment bag

Coat
Pants
Band of Blue “Conquest of Gold” T-Shirt
Black Shoes
Black Socks
Shako
Gloves
Guard uniform and shoes for colorguard

1 Small carryon overnight bag (for use on the plane)

Snacks
iPod/CD player with headphones
Book to read/homework

Sunscreen

Instrument or flag

Trip handbook

Flashlight

Watch

Swim Suit

Money

These items are suggested but optional:

Sunglasses
Cheap camera
Phone card (hotel phones will be off in rooms)

General dress on this trip: Good school clothes--no grubbies--look neat and clean. Make a list of things to take and check them off as you pack.

LUGGAGE

Airline regulations state:

Checked bags

The maximum size of each checked bag is 62 inches/157 cm (length + width + height).
The maximum weight per checked bag is 50 pounds/23 kg each.
Each checked bag must have the name of the person traveling on the outside of the bag, and we recommend on the inside as well.

Overweight Baggage

Checked baggage weighing over 50 pounds/23 kg will be charged $25.00 per piece.
These charges are in addition to any charge assessed for additional or oversized baggage.
Baggage weighing more than 99 pounds/45 kg will not be accepted as checked baggage.

Oversize Baggage

Any checked bag with a single dimension more than 62 inches/157 cm is oversized.
Checked baggage which exceeds 62 inches/157 cm will be charged $80.00 per piece.
Any bag which is more than 115 inches/292 cm will not be accepted.

Oversize and Overweight Baggage

If a checked piece of baggage is oversize and overweight, the charges will be added together.

Carry-on bags

You may carry on one bag and one personal item such as a purse, briefcase, or small instrument (flute or clarinet).
A carry-on bag must fit under your seat or in the overhead bin. Its dimensions should not be more than 9x14x22 (length + width + height) or 45 linear inches (the length, height and width added together).
Airlines may require that a carry-on item travel as checked baggage if the item cannot be safely stowed on a particular flight.

Musical Instruments

Flutes and clarinets will be carried on.
All other instruments will be loaded on the trailer on December 23 at 3:00, and then transferred to the plane on the tarmac on December 27. These checked instruments should be carefully packed in their cases.
Cases should be secured with a strap.
Musical Instruments are not subject to weight and size restrictions.

Checked Baggage

Do not lock any bags/instruments!

MONEY TO TAKE

Included in your trip fee are the following:

Bus transportation to from Cedar Rapids
Airline Transportation to and from Cedar Rapids
Hotel room
Meals

5 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
3 Dinners

Fun stuff!

Beach
Seaport Village
San Diego Zoo
Old Town
Sea World
Holiday Bowl Big Bay Balloon Parade
Holiday Bowl Game
Disneyland o Harbor Cruise

Since every student is different, it is hard to suggest an exact amount of money that they should take to San Diego. Each student is responsible for:

4 Lunches

1 at San Diego Zoo
1 at concession stand at SeaWorld
1 at concession stand at Disneyland
1 at fast food restaurants in the airport

2 Dinners

1 at Old Town
1 at Stadium

2 Snacks

1 Snack at Seaport Village
1 Snack for the airplane

Parents will need to plan with their children how much to take for these meals, keeping in mind that food in the San Diego will be expensive (allow $8-10). There will be many opportunities to purchase souvenirs at shopping at Seaport village and Old Town. We caution students to be very frugal with these optional purchases.

CASH VS. TRAVELERS CHECKS VS. ATM VS. CREDIT CARDS

It is difficult to suggest a definitive manner in which students should handle their money while on tour. Each method of payment has its advantages and disadvantages. On past tours it has worked well for students to have a modest amount of cash to start the trip (a must for the fast food restraints enroute) and to have travelers checks or ATM cards for time in California. ATM cards are a great choice for those students who have the discipline to manage their money in a mature manner, as are credit cards. Cash is easiest but the riskiest. You may also want to consider a Visa Gift Card.

Mr. Houk will have some emergency money along to loan, but not enough to handle many problems.

SOME SPECIFICS

Students are to remember that all school rules and expectations are to be followed while on tour. This tour is a reward and a fun trip for all of us. Observing some common sense rules of courtesy and behavior will make for a great tour for everyone. When attendance or instructions are being announced please give your immediate and quiet attention. This will greatly reduce the time which is spent on "business" and provide for more "fun" time.

The directors want everyone to have fun. They, however, have a lot to think about, especially on performance days. Please ask chaperones and other teachers the majority of your questions. Each evening the directors will meet with chaperones to inform them of the next days activities. Chaperones will, in turn disseminate information to students at room check and on the bus. Students should remember that chaperones are giving their time to help while on tour. We could not travel without their assistance. If a chaperone asks to you do something, please consider it the same as a teachers/directors instruction. Confrontations are not necessary. Chaperones are encouraged to speak to a head chaperone or director if there are problems with this. They will in turn try to mediate the problem.

The Band of Blue has a great reputation. We have traveled from coast to coast positively representing Jefferson, Cedar Rapids and the state of Iowa to the world. We want to continue that tradition. Administrators will handle serious problems in the appropriate manner.

Here are some general behavior guidelines:

Be prompt for any departure; dont keep the group waiting. This included adults.
Roll takers will carefully check attendance before each departure.
Stay with chaperones in the airport. Do not wander around the gates.
Be respectful of others personal space including conversations and music playing while on the plane and the bus.
Do not bring pocket knives, nail clippers, etc.
Be prepared for long lines at airport & hotel check-on. Be patient!
Keep noise and movement to a minimum. Stay in your seats. Remember that not everyone wants to hear what you are saying.
Keep floors and aisles of the plane and bus clean. Place all trash in bags provided on the bus.
You must pay for any damage to bus or hotel.
You may have food/snacks with you on the bus if you keep the bus clean. No open beverages will be taken on the bus when we leave.
Students should stay in their seats while the bus is in motion.
Follow flight attendants instructions carefully.
No drinking, smoking or drugs at any time. A one-way plane ticket home from San Diego is estimated to be $1,250.00 x 2 = $2,500 (one for student and one for adult chaperone to accompany student home).
Boys are not allowed in girls rooms or vice versa at any time. See above for cost of one-way ticket home.
No one is to leave the hotel or the group at any time. The only exception would be a pre-approved meeting with a family member. Students requesting to leave the group (to meet a relative) must have a release note signed by a parent. This permission note must be presented to a director before departure.
Stay in groups of at least 3-4 people. This is for your safety.
Do not steal souvenirs from restaurants, motels, gas stations etc. You will be arrested.
Bed check time will be announced each day. No one is to leave the room after this time.
Please mark your luggage, garment bags, and instrument clearly so that they can be identified easily.
On arrival at all stopping places stay on the bus until Mr. Houk or designated leader gives instructions.
Mr. Houk and the medical team will have all medical information with them on the trip. However, it might be a good idea for you to carry your medical insurance card numbers in case of emergency.
No profanity.

HEALTH ISSUES

A nurse and medical doctor are traveling with us. They are available for medical concerns while we are on tour. Everyone, including adults, is required to fill out a medical form and return by December 15. Please let the medical team know of all concerns on the provided form in advance of the tour. All information included in these forms is confidential (only directors and medical staff will have access to them). The nurse will manage prescription medications while on tour. Prescription drugs must be listed on the form. The medical team will speak at the December 8 Holiday Bowl meeting and will be available after the meeting for specific concerns.

EMERGENCY PLAN

In the unlikely event that there would be an emergency while on tour, the plan is as follows. The plan provides a common meeting place each day in case of emergency. This place will usually be the bus pick up area. Chaperones will have an attendance roster and will take attendance (by bus) at the assigned meeting place. After all students and adults are accounted for, instructions would then be given as to how to proceed. In addition, chaperones and directors will exchange cell phone numbers in case there is a situation where the directors want to disseminate information.