Pulaski Music Boosters: Band Trip Manual
Updated:
August 1, 2007
I. THINGS TO BRING ON A TRIP:
1. INSTRUMENT OR FLAG:
--Must be in good working order
--Woodwind players must have at least 2 good reeds
--Drummers should all have their own sticks packed plus a couple of additional pairs as back-ups.
--Color Guard must pack flags,banner and equipment needed for performances
2. LUGGAGE:
--Each student will be allowed ONE SUITCASE, which he/she must be able to carry
--Each student will be allowed a carry-on bag that will stow below the seat or above in the luggage compartment
Books, Playing Cards |
Camera, Film |
Batteries |
Trip Handbook |
Snacks |
Toilet Articles Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Deodorant |
Medication Health Needs Suntan Lotion |
Swim Suite Towel Plastic Bag for wet suit |
3. UNIFORMS:
--Students will be responsible for their own uniforms
--Please do not handle anyone's uniform but your own
White T-shirt (with sleeves, no decals or writing on front) |
Body Suit (Color Guard) |
Boxer shorts for under band uniform (strong recommended) |
White Gloves (clean) |
Black Socks (band) |
Nylons/Socks (Color Guard) |
POLISHED white marching shoes (band) |
Boots (Color Guard) |
4. ALL TRIP PARTICIPANTS (including chaperones) - must have must have the proper shirts for each day of the trip.
5. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY !!!
--Cash is usually best
--Each bus will have a chaperone that will serve as a "treasurer". Students can give them sums of money they don't feel comfortable carrying. Each day (ONCE A DAY) students will be able to make "withdrawls" for their spending money.
--Traveler's Checks can usually be cashed at hotels, two forms of ID are recommended
--SPENDING MONEY...enough for souvenirs, snacks and any other odds and ends you might want. This is strictly a personal matter.
--FOOD MONEY...you will need to have enough to pay for snacks and any meals that are required for the trip.
6. MISCELLANEIOUS ITEMS TO BRING ON THE TRIP:
--SUNTAN LOTION - this is an absolute MUST for trips during the year when the weather or destination will require it. Every time we've taken a trip during the warmer months, a few of the students forget to bring, or use, suntan lotion and end up getting extremely sunburned. This only results in the remainder of the trip being a very miserable experience for the student who got burnt and everyone around them. A waterproof suntan lotion with a minimum of SPF 15 is required.
--Small alarm clock - possibly at least one per hotel room
--Small pillow and light blanket for the bus. The buses are air-conditioned and it sometimes becomes chilly, especially at night.
--Walkman Radios/CD Players, etc...must be used properly WITH HEADPHONES.
II TRIP RULES:
The following rules are designed to make bands trips a fun and rewarding experience for everyone involved. These rules have been reviewed by the Band Director and previously approved by the School Administrators and the Board of Education. These rules apply to any band trip we take.
A. Failure to follow the first three PRIMARY RULES will result in being sent home IMMEDIATELY with a chaperone at the parent's expense:
| 1. Absolute NO alcohol or other drugs, including use or possession of the same. |
| 2. Absolutely NO leaving the assigned hotel room following bed check for any reason. If an emergency arises, students will be able to contact their chaperone or myself in our rooms. |
| 3. Absolutely NO problems with discipline, control, defying a chaperone's directive, or conduct detrimental to the Band and Pulaski High School |
B. While very important, the following SECONDARY RULES do not warrant being sent home. However, if any are broken, the student will spend the next day with his/her chaperone on a continuous basis.
| 1. Students are to refrain from smoking or chewing tobacco, including use or possession of the same. |
| 2. Students must stay in groups of 3 or more AT ALL TIMES |
| 3. Students will be punctual at all times and follow the trip itinerary. WEAR A WATCH ! |
| 4. Co-ed room visitation is permitted, the door is to remain fully open at all times. |
C. Any student who violates any rule will be required to call their parents and inform them of the violation.
III BASIC EXPECTATIONS:
| PERSONAL: | 1. During the trip, students' personal appearance and dress will reflect neatness and cleanliness at all times. |
| 2. Attire: -- WHEN IN PUBLIC: Your appearance should be neat and well groomed, and meet school dress policies. --WHEN IN UNIFORM: Reflect what the uniform stands for. Remember the many hours that students BEFORE YOU have dedicated to this organization so that you might be able to take this memorable trip. Your performance standards on this trip, both in your musical participation and in your actions on the bus, hotel and elsewhere, may allow future bandsmen and color guard members to experience the same type of trip in the coming years. |
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| 3. You will be expected to be punctual at all times and follow the trip itinerary. Your tardiness and inability to read a watch will hold up over 200 people and may make the trip less enjoyable. | |
| 4. Rest is very important on a long trip, as is staying hydrated. All students are required to eat breakfast at the scheduled time - NO EXCEPTIONS. Those who stay up late will pay the price the next day! | |
| 5. If the trip occurs during a time when the weather requires it, sunscrene should be worn with a minimum of SPF 15. Don't forget to apply often while swimming. It only takes a few minutes in the hot sun to receive a burn that lasts for days and it is NO FUN trying to wear a uniform over a burned back and neck! | |
| 6. Caution is advised with strangers and "newly acquired friends"! Do not tell others where you are staying or your room number. | |
| UNIFORM & EQUIPMENT | 1. Replacement or repair of uniforms and equipment furnished by the band will be the financial responsibility of the student at fault, if lost or damanged through neglect. |
2. Each student is responsible for his/her equipment. This includes luggage, instruments, flags, uniforms, shoes and marching accessories. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE IF LOSS OCCURS |
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| 3. On each item of equipment (suitcase, instrument case, uniform bag, etc...) place your bus number with masking tape or some other visible means. The letter represents your bus (A - 1st bus) and the number is hte order in which you signed up. | |
| HOTEL | 1. Any damage that may occur in the hotel room will be the responsibility of ALL STUDENTS ASSIGNED TO THAT ROOM - unless roommates can verify and document the student at fault. All payments for damage must be made to the hotel management prior to departure. All damage shall be reported to the Band Director. |
| 2. Co-ed visitation in hotel rooms will be permitted until one-half hour before bed check, but the hallway door must remain fully open at all times. | |
| 3. Rooms are relatively small and there are as many as four students to a room. Keep your rooms neat so things do not get lost. Set a schedule for the use of the bathroom. Without some "bathroom plan" problems result in the morning when we are preparing for breakfast or departure. | |
| 4. Any local or long distance phone calls and incidental expenses made by individuals will have to be paid by the individual upon check out. Phone calls from hotel rooms are generally $.50 to $1.00 each and are added on to the room bill. | |
| 5. There are NO PHONE CALLS MADE AFTER LIGHTS OUT! This especially relates to room-to-room, UNLESS an emergency requires a call to your chaperone or the director. This rules INCLUDES the use of cell phone. | |
| 6. Chaperones will check the rooms at check-in and check-out. This will assure that everything is in order and all towels and amenities are there and in working order. Taking souvenirs of our host hotel will result in the host hotel billing the band and the students in that room. Please do NOT create this problem. | |
| 7. No ordering pizza after 10:00 p.m. Any pizza that arrives after 10:30 p.m. will be considered a gift to the chaperones, without question. | |
| BUS | 1. Food may be taken on teh bus, providing that all paper, etc...is placed in the proper receptacles immediately. Each individual is responsible for his/her seating area. Remember this is your "home away from home" for at least a good part of the trip. |
| 2. No horseplay, etc...on the bus. DO NOT sit on the armrests or wander around the bus. | |
| 3. Bus rides are generally quite long, so be considerate of others. Keep the noise level low! After 10:00 p.m. is quite time. The bus drivers switch off and are required to sleep a set number of hours each day to comply with regulations, so again...be considerate of undue noise. | |
| CHAPERONES | 1. Students will be assigned chaperones before we depart. Basically, the chaperones are along on the trip to ensure the safety and well being of the students. While on the trip, the chaperones are charged to act in teh place of the parents or teachers. |
| 2. Chaperones have the right to make and enforce decisions for the welfare of the participants. | |
| 3. Defying a chaperone's directive will be considered teh same as defying your parent or teacher and will result in being sent home at your parents expense. | |
IV Suggestions and Reminders for a Fun-Filled, Memorable Trip:
1. Bring your handbook on the trip. This will remind your of our itinerary and commitments throughout the trip.
2. Read all details in your handbook. Even though they may seem trivial to you, this will eliminate many questions and concerns.
3. Make sure that you keep working at your music. Its easy to forget memorized music when you are nervous!
4. Before departure, make sure that your instrument is in proper working order, that you have valve oil, reeds, lyre, etc... That all percussion equipment is set and re-checked and that your case is properly labeled for identification (Bus Letter & Number).
5. If you bring a radio, tape player/CD player or whatever, make sure that you also have headphones to use. Trips can be long and tempers have a tendency to flare if your "musical tastes" offend others (especially the Band Directors).
6. Don't allow negative things to destroy your trip. All details, itinerary, guidelines, etc.. are for the benefit of the entire band and guard. Although every possible attempt has been made to make sure things go smoothly, THINGS SOMETIMES GO WRONG. Have patience and use good common sense.
7. It is very probable that we will have to make some time changes from those indicated in your handbook/itinerary. This could happen due to a wrong estimate in travel time, tourist lines, etc.. So always listen carefully when the Director or Chaperones give directions.
8. Never believe any time change unless you hear it directly from a chaperone or director.
9. We will possibly be entering different time zones - please reset your watches as soon as you are told or you will risk being off by one or more hours.
10. Be aware that it is easy to get sunburned, depending on the time of year and trip destination. We have seen people "sun themselves" with no intention of getting burned, but 20 minutes in the sun can burn you quite badly. When the trip is during warmer months and/or the destination is warmer climates, a suntan lotion with a minimum SPF 15 is REQUIRED.
11. For those who prescription medicines - be advised that out-of-state prescriptions may not be able to be filled in states outside of Wisconsin. Therefore, take an ample supply.
For any questions or concerns, your PMB Resource Network is there to help. Click HERE for information.
If you would like to sign up to help, click HERE to fill out the Volunteer Sign Up Form.