Tour Book - Introduction
This booklet has been compiled as a result of many years of personal experiences and observations, and it is intended to be a guide for a safe, enjoyable, and less expensive trip. Discipline is paramount in any undertaking of this size. Delegates will be expected to be on their very best behavior at all times. Chaperons will use swift and stern disciplinary action against those delegates who jeopardize any phase of the trip. The overall behavior and courtesy displayed by our delegates will be the determining factor in whether or not the trip will be made available to Safety Patrol members next year. If delegates read and implement the suggestions and tips contained in this booklet (and follow without question their chaperone's directives), we guarantee that this will be one of the most memorable trips you have or ever will take! Thank you for your cooperation!
Your Patrol Supervisors, Coordinators, and Chaperons
Tour Book - General Topics B-L
Buddy Plan: The Buddy Plan - going everywhere with a buddy - will be used during the entire trip. This will be especially true when leaving the buses for meals and periodic rest stops. Buses: You will be traveling in an air-conditioned, restroom equipped bus. These buses have been specially chartered for this trip and will be your "home away from home" from the time we leave until the time we return. Although the buses are equipped with restrooms, it will be imperative that they not be used unless it is absolutely necessary! The buses make periodic rest and refueling stops. You will be notified by the head chaperone whenever a sufficient period of time will exist for you to get off the bus and stretch your legs, use the restrooms in the oasis or depot, or get a soft drink or snack. Cameras: If you take a camera, it is imperative that it is one you are thoroughly familiar with. Check your camera for smooth operation, cleanliness (especially the lens), and install a new battery (if needed) to ensure that your flash unit will operate properly. Stock up on film and flashcubes/bulbs and/or batteries, as prices at local and area discount stores may be as much as 50% less than prices at some of the D.C.-area stops we will be making. Label your camera and equipment with your name, home address, city, and state. This can be done with a piece of adhesive tape and a ballpoint pen or a label marker. Chaperons: Almost without exception, chaperons will be a delegate's parent or teacher. All chaperons are instructed to maintain strict discipline at all times. Delegates are to be advised as to which room their chaperons have been assigned. They will also be instructed not to call chaperons unless a serious problem exists. Clothing: Take adequate, appropriate clothing. Most school or casual clothing is considered appropriate. No clothing that is excessive in length or volume, or platform or clog shoes, and short-shorts are not practical or acceptable. You may want to consider taking a sweater (to wear under your jacket or raincoat), as the weather may be cool. Take comfortable shoes! Boys - be sure that the slacks or jeans that you wear are of such design that the pockets are adequate to hold your billfold completely. Don't wear slacks or jeans that allow a good portion of your billfold to stick out. Conduct: All delegates are expected to be on their best behavior at all times. Remember that you are the official delegates from the state of Wisconsin to our nation's capital. Your conduct will determine whether or not this trip will be made available to next year's Safety Patrols. Courtesy: Remember that you are only a handful of the guests in the hotel. You are expected to be courteous to all hotel personnel and guests. Again, be on your best behaivor. Do not use hotel accommodations unnecessarily - especially phones and elevators. Curfew: All delegates are to be in their assigned hotel rooms within 15 minutes after returning to the hotel, and are to be in bed with lights out no later than 10:30 p.m. Hotel Accommodations: With a few exceptions, rooms are assigned in groups of four delegates of the same sex. Chaperons are assigned two per room. Luggage: One medium suitcase is usually sufficient. Remember, you must carry your own suitcase. Take enough clothes, but travel light. Also, you may want to allow a little room in your suitcase to pack souvenirs. Do not pack your camera (or anything else you will be needing en route), as your luggage will be stored in the luggage compartment and will not be accessible during the bus ride. It is for this reason that we suggest that all personal items, toiletries, and medication be packed in a second "carry-on" type bag. Be sure to label all luggage with your name, home address, city, and state.
Tour Book - General Topics M-V
Meals: While in Washington, D.C., meals will be served cafeteria-style. It is suggested that delegates eat a good balanced meal. Many entrees are available (roast beef, chicken, stuffed pork chops, fish, etc.), as well as a large seletion of salads, vegetables, and desserts. Medication: If you take medication of any type, YOU MUST ADVISE A CHAPERON! No one is to take medication (not even aspirin) without first notifying their chaperon. The chaperon should be advised what the medication is, what it is for, and the dosage required. Note - Dramamine, aspirin, antacid tablets, and throat lozenges will be available from the chaperons. Motion Sickness: If you are susceptible to motion sickness, you may want your family doctor to prescribe something for you. Dramamine (tablets) will be available from the chaperons. Personal Items and Toiletries: Click here for checklist of recommended items. Promptness: It is very important that you be prompt at all times. One delegate who shows up late holds up the schedule for the entire bus. Refreshments: Because of bad experiences in the past, it will be necessary to restrict what can be taken onto the bus in the form of refreshments. The head chaperon will determine what items will and will not be and allowed. Rest Stops: Several rest stops are made during the trip. The head chaperon will check with the driver to determine whether or not there will be sufficient time for a soft drink, coffee, or snack. Separation from Group: If you should become separated from your group while in Washington, D.C., and only after it has been determined that the group has already left, you are to take a taxi to the hotel. The desk clerk will pay the fare (if you do not have enough) and will go directly to your room and stay there! Spending Money: Every year the question is asked, "How much money should I take?" Please take into consideration that all transportation, lodging, meals, special admission, and trip insurance are included in your advance deposit. If your child does bring spending money, remind them not to spend it all in one place...remember, there are visits to Mount Vernon and Gettysburg, as well as Washington, D.C. Telephones: Room telephones are not to be used for calling other rooms or calling home. The few public phones in the lobby are to be used for calling home; however, the delegate must get permission from his/her chaperone first. Valuables: Do not leave valuables (cameras, watches, etc.) unattended at any time or anywhere. Chances are, it won't be there when you look for it! Visiting Other Hotel Rooms: Visiting other hotel rooms is both prohibited and impractical. If we get back to the hotel at 9:00 p.m. (or later) and the schedule calls for the buses to pick us up for breakfast at 6:00 a.m., there isn't going to be time to be out visiting! All hotel furnishings that are found or damaged or missing when the chaperons inspect the rooms prior to checking out will be billed to the parents of the delegates that occupied that room. Room captains will be assigned and will work with the chaperon to make sure that damage and pilferage does not occur.
Tour Book – Recommended Items
The items on this checklist are recommended items; however, specific items may be added or deleted, depending on individual requirements. Toothbrush Toothpaste Deoderant Brush/comb Personal hygiene items (as required) Underclothes (3 or 4 sets) Casual clothes (3 or 4 sets) Medication - MUST BE CHECKED IN WITH THE CHAPERON! Sweater Sunglasses Raincoat Pajamas Jacket (REQUIRED) Tote-bag Wristwatch Spending money Camera Film and batteries
Tour Book – Site Facts
The Capitol Building: George Washington laid the cornerstone in 1793. The building is constructed of marble and sandstone - except the dome, which is cast iron. The statue Freedom on the top of the dome is 285 feet above the ground. The building was completed in 1863. The White House: The cornerstone was laid in 1792, and the building was complmeted in 1800. It was remodeled in 1902 and again in 1948. The White House (also called the Executive Mansion) contains 107 air-conditioned rooms, but only 11 of them are open to the public. www.whitehouse.gov/history/life/ The Iwo Jima Statue: More commonly referred to as the Iwo Jima Statue, this is actually the National Marine Corps Memorial. It is four times life size and was completed in 1954 after nine years of work. The flagpole alone is 30 feet long. Total memorial height is 78 feet. www.nps.gov/gwmp/usmc.htm The Lincoln Memorial: Located on the Potomac River, constructed of Colorado marble, this magnificent memorial was completed in 1922. The memorial contains 36 Doric columns, which represent the number of states in the Union when Lincoln died. See if you can find Wisconsin's! www.nps.gov/linc/ Mount Vernon: Believed to be George Washington's home by most people...it was actually owned by Washington's half-brother, Lawrence Washington. Lawrence established the estate in 1743, and George Washington inherited the estate and thousands of acres of land. Mount Vernon is located 15 miles south of the Capitol. George Washington is buried in a vault on the estate. www.mountvernon.org The Washington Monument: A majestic white marble column, reaching 555 feet in height, it is the tallest masonry structure in the world. An observation deck is located at the 500-foot level, and it takes the elevator 70 seconds to reach the observation deck. There are 898 steps in the structure. www.nps.gov/wamo/home.htm The Ford Theater: The theater where President Lincoln was mortally wounded on April 4, 1865 - the museum is located in the basement. Here you will be able to see the clothes the President was wearing that night, the actual gun used to kill him, and other items. www.nps.gov/foth/index2.htm The Smithsonian Institution: Composed of many separate buildings to contain items of special interest and historic value. One can go to the National Museum of History and Technology and see such things as the gowns worn by the First Ladies, the Star-Spanled Banner, folk art, money and medals, Armed Forces history, the ceramics and locomotives... Or you may want to go to the National Museum of Natural History and see the Hope Diamond, the Hall of Dinosaurs, the world's largest bengal tiger and African elephant, fossil animals and planets, and many other things. If your interest is in the aeronautics and space, the National Air and Space Museum is for you. Here you can see the Kitty Hawk, the Spirit of St. Louis, a moon rock, and such things as the Apollo 11 command module. www.si.edu Gettysburg: On the return trip from Washington, D.C., the buses go to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where a tour of the battle fields and a special presentation of the Electric Map is made. Upon arrival at Gettysubrg, the buses will go directly to the Tourist Information Center for a viewing of the Electric Map. This presentation will give you a very graphic display of what happened at the Battle of Gettysburg. After visiting the Electric Map, delegates will board the bus for a tour of the battlefields. Various stops will be made at the special points of interest, so delegates can take pictures. www.gettysburg.com