Bringing Together Educational Tours, National Events,
New Horizons Tour & Travel and Travel Adventures
TOUR INFORMATION AND BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
I. INTRODUCTION
As your Tour Sponsor I would like to personally welcome you to this year’s tour. I am sure that each of you is anxious to experience first-hand all of the exciting sites and tour features listed in the first letter you received.
For many, this trip has special significance because it is their first trip away from home without their families. For some, the tour may be the last time to be with close friends and classmates before moving out of the school district or attending a different school.
To insure the safety, enjoyment, and well being of each tour participant, the following rules and procedures MUST BE FOLLOWED. Minor infractions will be dealt with on an individual basis. Major infractions – possession or use of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs, leaving assigned room after curfew, leaving the hotel, refusal to obey chaperones’ instructions, etc. – result in an immediate phone call home and the possibility of an immediate return home from the tour at the family’s expense. (Note: A refund will not be given if arrangements are made with the family and the student is sent home prior to the conclusion of the tour.)
II. GENERAL RULES
· The directions of chaperones, driver-guides or step-on guides, and tour guides are to be followed without question or complaint.
· Tour participants are to act in a pleasant, courteous, respectful, and mature manner.
· Smoking, drinking, and the use of illegal drugs or profane language are not permitted.
· Fireworks, lighters, matches, knives, and inappropriate T-shirts are not to be brought or purchased on the trip or they will be confiscated and not returned.
· Use good sense and do not purchase items from unlicensed vendors.
· Always know your driver’s name, bus company number, and when and where you are to meet your assigned bus. Participants are expected to be on time at all times.
· Participants must visit each site with the group. No one will be allowed to remain on the bus after we have arrived at our destination, unless special circumstances exist.
· A cell phone is not required, but may be brought with the permission of your tour sponsor. If brought, it may only be used to phone your parents or in the case of an emergency.
III. SPECIFIC RULES
A. TRANSPORTATION
· At the airport, stay with your group and follow instructions from your chaperones.
· All airline personnel take security very seriously. DO NOT joke about bombs or explosives, as you could be removed from the tour and subject to arrest.
· Carry-on items must be X-rayed as you go through security. If you have any metal on your person and the alarm goes off, you will be asked to go through security again. If the alarm goes off again, you will have the choice of being hand searched or to go through the new scanning machine. Also, TSA may randomly select people to be hand searched or go through the scanner even if you haven’t set off the alarm. It will be your choice as to which avenue TSA will use for the additional search. After going through security, make sure you claim all tour items from the X-ray machine.
· Your school will be boarded as a group, and all seats have been pre-assigned. Do not misplace your boarding pass. You must sit in the seat you have been assigned. No guarantees are made that you will be sitting next to friends. DO NOT switch seats from the one assigned to you on the boarding pass!
· Place your belongings in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you. Take your seat as quickly possible. Keep your seatbelt fastened at all times in the event of turbulence.
· No electronic devices are to be used until 10 minutes after takeoff and within 10 minutes of landing. DO NOT push the call button unless there is an emergency.
· Please access www.tsa.gov for detailed information about carry-on and checked baggage.
SUGGESTED PACKING LIST
· One pair of comfortable walking shoes ( you will most likely wear these when you depart)
· One outfit for each day you are on tour (slacks, shorts, tops, sweaters- pack for the season you are traveling)
· One piece of rain gear – umbrella, rain jacket, rain poncho
· Swimsuit if swimming is allowed on your tour
· Pajamas
· Personal items (undergarments, socks)
· Toiletries – refer to the 3-1-1 rule: CHECK TSA WEBSITE FOR MOST UPDATED INFORMATION. This is the policy as of the beginning of this tour season:
Liquids, aerosols and gels, in limited quantities, are safe to bring aboard an aircraft. Each traveler is allowed one bag in order to limit the total volume of liquids, aerosols and gels. Consolidating products into one bag and X-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear all items.
3-1-1 for carry-ons= 3.4 ounce (100ml) bottle or less (by volume); 1 quart-sized, clear plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. One-quart bag per person limits
· Grooming tools (brush, comb, toothbrush)
· Jacket during cool weather
This is truly all you need. Most days the clothing you wear in the morning is the same clothing you will be in all day. You will leave the hotel each morning and not return until night.
BUS TOURS:
· Stay with your group and follow the instructions of your tour moderator, chaperones, and driver/step-on guide.
· The tour moderator will ask for helpers to assist the driver with loading/unloading luggage.
· Bring your carry-on bag/backpack on the bus with your camera, sweatshirt, change of clothes, deodorant, “meds,” contact case/solution, sunglasses, etc. and other items you may need. The driver usually will not unload luggage for you to claim an item locked in your suitcase.
· The driver will advise students about food and drinks onboard. All drivers are wary of chewing gum, bottles of soft drinks, and dairy products such as ice cream.
· Keep the bus neat. The driver will typically provide garbage bags.
· Avoid use of the restroom unless absolutely necessary. Do not throw any foreign articles in the toilet.
· For your own safety, remain seated on the bus. If you are standing in the aisle or kneeling on your seat talking to the person behind you, a sudden stop could result in an injury.
· DO NOT take flash pictures in the bus as this presents a danger to the driver.
· Finally, speak in a conversational tone. This is for the safety of all participants.
B. WHILE SIGHTSEEING
· You are not to leave a guided tour for any reason without direct permission from a chaperone.
· Even with permission, never leave the group (i.e. go to washroom, get a drink of water, buy film, etc.) without at least one other tour member going with you (“BUDDY SYSTEM”).
· Do NOT use personal viewing/listening devices (i.e. IPods, Cell Phones and Portable DVD) during sightseeing while on or off the bus. The only times these may be used are during flights (after takeoff), going to and from the hotel, or on lengthy bus excursions (Williamsburg, Gettysburg, etc).
· If lost, follow the procedures established by Brightspark. (NOTE: A card detailing these procedures will be provided to all students on the first day of the trip.)
· While a driver-guide or tour guide is speaking, you must remain attentive and quiet. Brightspark lanyards are to be worn daily, where they can be easily seen.
Do NOT litter the bus. Before leaving the bus each night, clean the area around your seat and place garbage in disposable bags provided by your driver.
C. WHILE AT THE HOTEL
· Since there are many other guests in the hotel, loud talking, banging on room doors, running in the halls and disobeying pool rules will not be permitted. Please also remember that the misuse of phones, room service, or elevators is also not permissible behavior. Students have been sent home early for causing excessive noise in the hotel.
· You will not be allowed to leave your assigned room for any reason after the evening curfew has been set, unless an emergency develops during the night. In this case, either call your chaperone or break the tape and contact the security guard who will immediately contact your chaperone or the tour sponsor.
· Phones in your room are not to be used for long distance calls at any time (unless permitted by your tour moderator) or for calls between rooms after curfew.
· Boys and girls are not allowed in each other’s rooms unless given permission by the tour moderator. If permission is given, room doors must remain open.
· Before evening curfew, you may leave your assigned floor in the hotel with the permission of the chaperone(s). You are not, however, allowed on any floors other than those approved by the tour moderator.
· Within one hour after curfew, or earlier if you return to the hotel after the normal 10:30 – 11:30 curfew, all talking should cease and TV’s, radios, CD players, etc., should be turned off so that all participants are well-rested and remain alert and healthy during the course of the tour.
· The last morning of the tour, rooms will be checked by chaperones to make sure there has been no damage and that nothing has been left unpacked by the students. (Rooms are checked for damages by Brightspark personnel just prior to the group’s arrival.)
D. WHILE AT RESTAURANTS
· Display your best manners.
· Loud talking, pushing, shoving, cutting into line, etc., is not allowed. Remember, you are in a location where such behavior is very inappropriate.
· If in a buffet line, please line up single-file, unless instructed otherwise.
· Please take only the food you intend to eat.
· Do not leave the hotel banquet room or restaurant without permission.
IV. MISCELLANEOUS
A. CLOTHING
· Check the Internet, major newspapers, the “Weather Channel,” etc. for your destination’s 3–5 day advanced weather forecast so you can be better prepared for what to pack.
· Casual clothes, including sweatshirts/sweaters and long sleeve shirts in cooler weather or polo shirts, T-shirts, cotton shirts or blouses in warmer weather are recommended. In hot weather, shorts may be worn with the approval of the tour moderator. Cotton slacks or a nice pair of jeans are fine for all seasons.
· No clothing depicting, referring to, or implying (directly or by innuendo) anything to do with alcohol, drugs, sex, or gangs will be allowed. Clothing picturing or referring to any musical group or individual is also prohibited.
· Dressier clothes, including dress shoes, should be brought along if the group is going to the theatre and/or if you have been chosen to participate in the wreath ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
· Wear comfortable shoes like athletic shoes. Do not wear new shoes because you may be more susceptible to getting blisters.
· During spring and summer trips, a light jacket and/or raincoat/poncho/ windbreaker should be packed. In cooler weather, a heavier coat and a sweatshirt will be useful.
· If you own an umbrella, please bring it on the trip (you will wish you had one if it rains!) You do not want to be stuck in wet clothes all day in cool/cold weather or in cool air conditioning.
· Pack a swimsuit, a towel, and a plastic bag if you are scheduled to go to a recreation center.
B. PERSONAL ENTERTAINMENT
· You may wish to bring along a book/magazine, deck of cards, IPod, for the bus ride to and from your destination or for entertainment in your room at night.
· Be sure your name is on the IPod, cameras, etc., so they can be returned to you if lost or if sharing the use of them with fellow participants.
· Cell phone use will be discussed at the final meeting.
C. LUGGAGE
· One suitcase is allowed however; most airlines are charging if you check your bag. Your final information letter will have this information. But you may bring a carry-on bag on board the aircraft at no additional cost.
· You should have 2 Brightspark baggage tags. The orange tag is for the suitcase and the gray tag is for your backpack. (backpacks can get mixed up on the bus and airplane so please use these tags).
· Do not lock your suitcase. Use the special tag Brightspark has provided for you. Extra tags are available from the tour moderator if you have lost yours. YOUR GROUP NAME IS THE NAME OF YOUR SCHOOL, unless otherwise instructed.
· Make sure any valuables are in a secure place before leaving the hotel.
D. ADDITIONAL ITEMS TO BRING IN YOUR TRAVEL BAG/BACKPACK
· Everyone needs to bring a watch or a cell phone. If you bring your cell phone, please remember your charger. Note: the bus does NOT have an outlet to charge your phone.
· Sunglasses
· Tylenol, Dramamine, or any other medication you might require. How medication will be handled will be covered at the Final Meeting.
· Suntan lotion if going on late spring or summer trip.
· Contact lens wearers are advised to bring an extra pair of lenses or a pair of glasses, in case something happens to your lenses.