Answer: Students will have the opportunity to shop for souvenirs and/or gifts. It is suggested that students bring no more than $50 in spending money.

Answer: Yes, students should bring cell phones; however, just like any other school day, students should not use their phones to text or make calls during the day. Please arrange a time to contact your child in the evening when we have returned to the hotel. If there is a specific issue or concern, please arrange discreet communication in advance with the cluster teachers. Please note that students should NOT use their phones to access social networking sites, or an other pages on the internet at any time.

Answer: Yes, students should pack water and snacks for the trip. Each day will begin early, will be very busy, and will end late. Please encourage your child to hydrate, to eat at each meal, and to pack healthy snacks. Students should not pack any food or drinks containing nuts or dairy products, or that are in glass or pop-top containers.

Answer: Students will be able to bring one piece of luggage that will be stored under the bus while traveling and one backpack to carry onto the bus. Students will be responsible for carrying their own luggage throughout the trip; bell hop service will not be available.

Answer: Yes, students must select roommates from within the cluster. They will room with students of the same gender, and four students are assigned to each hotel room.

Answer: As with any trip of this magnitude, issues will arise. We may encounter a bus breakdown or flat tire, or student illness. Fortunately all issues have been handled by our very competent and professional tour guides.

Answer: Approximately 400 students attend the trip each year.

 

Answer: The eighth grade overnight trip is curriculum based. Students study the Civil War in grade 8. The Battle of Gettysburg is considered by many to be the turning point of that war. We see government in action while touring Washington. Almost all the sites we visit in Washington are open to the public free of charge.

Answer: When clusters return to their hotels in the evening, security is on duty overnight. In addition to hotel security, security guards from Eagle Protection are hired by the tour company specifically for our students. These security guards ensure the safety of students overnight, report to tour guides, contact chaperones as needed, and provide a detailed overnight report of any noise, disturbances, or situations that may arise. Security guards are on duty from the time clusters return to the hotel until the morning.

Answer: Students are provided with buttons from the tour company so as to identify them as members of the group. Students also follow the buddy system: no student is permitted to go ANYWHERE without telling a chaperone and taking a buddy.

Answer: Throughout the duration of the trip, all school rules apply, including those pertaining to technology. Students are expected to follow the school dress code. Attire should be school appropriate. Students are encouraged to dress in layers, to wear comfortable sneakers or walking shoes, and to leave flip-flops at home.

Answer: If a child is ill or injured, his/her parent or guardian will be contacted. Depending on the severity of the situation, 911 may be called, and a child may be transported to the hospital in the care of a teacher chaperone. Teachers work closely with their tour guides to ensure appropriate care when a child is sick or injured.

Answer: Security is on duty throughout the night. If there is a problem, teacher chaperones are contacted.

 

Answer: Yes, optional trip insurance is offered at a very reasonable cost each year. Per the tour company, without trip insurance, "[c]cancellation penalties apply for any reason including, but not limited to, cancellation by the school, Board of Education, Superintendent, Parish, district or any other official;expulsion, suspension or any reason that a student is unable or not allowed to participate in the tour." That cancellation penalty is the non-refundable $100 deposit that is due in October. Also, from this year's contract, "No refunds will be given for cancellations received after 02/27/18 or for "NO SHOWS" on day of departure."

Trip insurance, when purchased, "will provide you with coverage in the event that you must cancel your trip due to unforeseen covered reasons...Insurance coverage will pay the non-refundable expenses for unused travel if you cannot begin the scheduled tour or the tour is interrupted because...
1) you suffer sickness or injury (with doctor or medical facility verification), or die; or
2) a member of your immediate family suffers a serious sickness or injury; or dies.
3) If a terrorist incident occurs in a city listed on your itinerary within 30 days prior to your scheduled departure date. The same city must not have experienced a terrorist incident within the 90 days prior to the terrors incident which is causing your cancellation. benefits are not offered if a substitute itinerary is offered."

Please read the insurance offering sheet carefully for the full details before making your decision whether to purchase this insurance or not. 

Answer: We have evacuation plans in place; tour guides share this information with teachers and chaperones and coordinate efforts if an evacuation occurs.

Answer: Tour guides serve as liaisons between teacher chaperones and the bus drivers, tour sites, hotels, restaurants, museums, and other organizations. In the event of an emergency, tour guides coordinate efforts and disseminate information to all chaperones.

Answer: Please let your cluster teachers know immediately of any dietary needs or restrictions your child may have so that we can ensure your child's safety. The facilities frequented by our clusters are familiar with the needs of students who have allergies, especially those with nut allergies, or who require gluten-free meals. In food court situations, students will have choices and will be able to ask servers how meals are prepared.