Sunday, March 26, 2006
Susan's Believe It or Not!
Believe it or not, all of the things listed below have actually happened on our past adventures with People to People. Your Delegation Leaders are all about PREVENTION, so here are some things to consider. Can you believe that these things actually happened? What would you do if this happened to you?
- An ambassador wanted to mail a postcard home, but didn't know how to address the card!
- An ambassador never used a phone card before and tried to call home.
Photo: Ambassadors call home from airport on payphones when they arrive at their final destination. - An ambassador used his phonecard from his hotel room phone and when he turned in his key to check out was charged more than $50. in extra hotel phone fees.
- Upon check in at the airport to go home, an ambassador's suitcase exceeded the weight limit. The cost was $85. for an overweight bag and she only had $20 left on her debit card and no cash.
Some things are just unavoidable, like waiting in line, delays at the airport and long rides to get to the next destination. How will you pass the time?
- Several ambassadors wore sunblock but forgot to reapply, or didn't put sunblock on their ears! Ouch! This can ruin your entire trip.
- An old suitcase was taken on the program, and the zipper tore. The ambassador had to spend the rest of the trip using duct tape to keep his suitcase closed when we traveled.
- A student jumped into a big puddle for some fun while wearing his tennis shoes. The shoes never dried out and he wore his soggy shoes for four days. Blisters, blisters, blisters! Your feet must be healthy when camping. Think smart so you DON'T do dumb things.
Many of the Believe It or Not items are fun . . . Will you step out of your comfort zone to try something safe and new?
- Swimming with the fish as we snorkel at the reef.
- Hiking a challenging mountain to say you reached the top.
- Eating a food that may taste much better than it looks.
- Being a team player and a good leader with new friends.
Photo: a trail guide offers fly larvae to the delegation for a treat at Mono Lake in California. These little guys were salty and crunchy. The students actually liked them! The larvae were the staple food for the Mono Indians who used to live here. The word "mono" means fly!
# posted by Author @ 9:42 AM
Sunday, March 19, 2006
FAQ's Volume II: What ELSE to expect on the program . . .
Travel Tip from Jill:
Take only what you absolutely need on the trip. As you are packing and you have to question whether you will ever use it on the trip, your probably won't. Remember, you will be carrying your own gear. Plus, you want to have some room left to bring home some great presents! Photo: Jill at St. Kevin's Abbey in Glendalogh, Ireland.
What is a typical day like?
Delegation Leaders will be given a detailed day by day itinerary on the first day of the trip. Each day begins around 7 am and lights out is around 9:30 pm. The Field Instructors will do their best to keep the same structure every day. This structure includes a morning meeting, an evening meeting, and frequent evening activities after dinner. During the day, Field Instructors will teach about flora, fauna, natural history, geology, and human history through short talks and activities. Most days will include some driving to the day’s destination.
Here is the schedule for a typical day, although the actual itinerary for your delegation may be different:
Wake-up: Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel
Go to sleep: Volcanoes National Park – Namakani Paio Campground
Day at a glance: This morning we will get a chance to learn Hawaiian culture from the “Kupuna” or Hawaiian elders. After lunch we will take a bus to Volcanoes National Park for our first night of camping.
Activities/Lessons: Intro to Volcanoes, Rock Cycle Game, Campfire Games/Activities
Details of day:
7:30am Breakfast: Ken’s House of Pancakes
8:30am Morning Meeting
9:00am Go to University of Hawaii Hilo for Kapuna Day
12:00pm Lunch at the University of Hawaii at Hilo
1:00pm Head back to rooms and pack up bags
2:30pm Charter Bus to Namakani Paio Campground
4:00pm Arrive at Namakani Paio
Camping at the Volcano House Cabins. Students will be divided into groups. Leaders of The Day will begin dinner preparation with one field instructor while other students are getting instruction in setting up tents.
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Clean up
8:30pm Evening Meeting/Activity- Camp Fire.
9:30pm Lights out
Delegation Leaders will be given a detailed day by day itinerary on the first day of the trip. Each day begins around 7 am and lights out is around 9:30 pm. The Field Instructors will do their best to keep the same structure every day. This structure includes a morning meeting, an evening meeting, and frequent evening activities after dinner. During the day, Field Instructors will teach about flora, fauna, natural history, geology, and human history through short talks and activities. Most days will include some driving to the day’s destination.
Here is the schedule for a typical day, although the actual itinerary for your delegation may be different:
Wake-up: Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel
Go to sleep: Volcanoes National Park – Namakani Paio Campground
Day at a glance: This morning we will get a chance to learn Hawaiian culture from the “Kupuna” or Hawaiian elders. After lunch we will take a bus to Volcanoes National Park for our first night of camping.
Activities/Lessons: Intro to Volcanoes, Rock Cycle Game, Campfire Games/Activities
Details of day:
7:30am Breakfast: Ken’s House of Pancakes
8:30am Morning Meeting
9:00am Go to University of Hawaii Hilo for Kapuna Day
12:00pm Lunch at the University of Hawaii at Hilo
1:00pm Head back to rooms and pack up bags
2:30pm Charter Bus to Namakani Paio Campground
4:00pm Arrive at Namakani Paio
Camping at the Volcano House Cabins. Students will be divided into groups. Leaders of The Day will begin dinner preparation with one field instructor while other students are getting instruction in setting up tents.
6:30pm Dinner
7:30pm Clean up
8:30pm Evening Meeting/Activity- Camp Fire.
9:30pm Lights out
What kinds of things will the students learn each day?
Field Instructors will teach a variety of subjects each day through games, activities, and short talks. For example, on a typical day Field Instructors may teach an activity about native flowers, read a legend about Pele, and teach the students the different types of lava they may see throughout the day. Delegation Leaders will also assist in teaching.
Each student will receive a small Activity Book, which will elaborate on topics the Field Instructors are teaching and will include games and puzzles that relate to the curriculum. Students will be able to take these Activity Books home. Field Instructors will leave it up to the Delegation Leaders to decide when and where journaling time is most appropriate and appealing.
Will we do everything in a large group?
The delegation will be divided into 3 “trail groups”. Each trail group will have one Field Instructor and one or two Delegation Leader(s).
We have made these pairings for your convenience for the first day, which will remain the same for the entire trip unless Delegation Leaders choose to make changes. (This doesn’t mean the students won’t “mingle”. They do many activities together in the large group).
How hard is the hiking?
Hiking is an integral part of this trip, and probably much more so than any People to People international trip. Our longest hike is about 3 miles, down into Pololu Valley and back. There is a steep uphill climb on the way out of the valley. Please encourage the students to get out and hike before the trip, and to have a positive attitude. The better prepared students are for the hike, the more they will enjoy it!
The Field Instructors and Delegation Leaders will carry walkie-talkies to communicate among trail groups while hiking. Because of permit issues and the desire to reduce impact, trail groups hike separately on the trail. If there is any emergency, leaders can communicate via walkie-talkies.
Hiking is an integral part of this trip, and probably much more so than any People to People international trip. Our longest hike is about 3 miles, down into Pololu Valley and back. There is a steep uphill climb on the way out of the valley. Please encourage the students to get out and hike before the trip, and to have a positive attitude. The better prepared students are for the hike, the more they will enjoy it!
The Field Instructors and Delegation Leaders will carry walkie-talkies to communicate among trail groups while hiking. Because of permit issues and the desire to reduce impact, trail groups hike separately on the trail. If there is any emergency, leaders can communicate via walkie-talkies.
What kind of food will we eat?
When camping, students will be cooking breakfasts and dinners under the supervision of the field instructors. They are meant to be tasty meals that are easy for the kids to prepare, such as pancakes, burritos, and spaghetti. When we are not camping, we will be eating the breakfast and dinner our lodging provides or in restaurants.
Some lunches are provided by the university where we staying. They pre-pack them for us in brown paper bags. When we are camping, we set up our lunches buffet-style at the beginning of the day, and students will pack their own lunch in a brown bag. Because we are traveling quite a bit, it is sometimes challenging to provide a wide variety of lunches. However, we make a tremendous effort to offer lunches that are nutritious that the kids will actually eat, such as hoagie sandwiches, pizza bagels, and chicken wings. Every lunch will include a fruit, fresh veggies, chips or crackers, and a sweet. We welcome Delegation Leader feedback if you know there is something your delegation either likes or dislikes. Food considerations provided on Student Health Forms will be taken into careful consideration throughout the program.
Here is a typical lunch menu:
BAGEL SANDWICHES
· Flavored bagel sandwich with choice of fillings and condiments
· Turkey, ham, cheese, lettuce, avocado, tomato, mayo and mustard OR Peanut butter and jelly
· Carrot & Celery sticks with ranch dip
· Dill pickle
· Choice of fruit- apple, orange or banana
· Chocolate chip cookies
· Fruit Punch
One student from each trail group will be chosen as Leader of the Day (LOD). The LOD will help with meal preparation (with guidance from the Field Instructor) among other duties.
How should we pack for the trip?
Follow your Explore Guide packing list precisely! All luggage must fit into the luggage compartment of the bus and it is a tight squeeze! Some suggestions for slimming down are:
· Bring a throw pillow instead of a full-size one for camping.
· Buy travel size toiletries.
· Students do not need a change of clothes for every day—they will have at least 2 opportunities to do laundry.
· This is an outdoor-oriented trip—students do not need dress shirts.
When camping, students will be cooking breakfasts and dinners under the supervision of the field instructors. They are meant to be tasty meals that are easy for the kids to prepare, such as pancakes, burritos, and spaghetti. When we are not camping, we will be eating the breakfast and dinner our lodging provides or in restaurants.
Some lunches are provided by the university where we staying. They pre-pack them for us in brown paper bags. When we are camping, we set up our lunches buffet-style at the beginning of the day, and students will pack their own lunch in a brown bag. Because we are traveling quite a bit, it is sometimes challenging to provide a wide variety of lunches. However, we make a tremendous effort to offer lunches that are nutritious that the kids will actually eat, such as hoagie sandwiches, pizza bagels, and chicken wings. Every lunch will include a fruit, fresh veggies, chips or crackers, and a sweet. We welcome Delegation Leader feedback if you know there is something your delegation either likes or dislikes. Food considerations provided on Student Health Forms will be taken into careful consideration throughout the program.
Here is a typical lunch menu:
BAGEL SANDWICHES
· Flavored bagel sandwich with choice of fillings and condiments
· Turkey, ham, cheese, lettuce, avocado, tomato, mayo and mustard OR Peanut butter and jelly
· Carrot & Celery sticks with ranch dip
· Dill pickle
· Choice of fruit- apple, orange or banana
· Chocolate chip cookies
· Fruit Punch
One student from each trail group will be chosen as Leader of the Day (LOD). The LOD will help with meal preparation (with guidance from the Field Instructor) among other duties.
How should we pack for the trip?
Follow your Explore Guide packing list precisely! All luggage must fit into the luggage compartment of the bus and it is a tight squeeze! Some suggestions for slimming down are:
· Bring a throw pillow instead of a full-size one for camping.
· Buy travel size toiletries.
· Students do not need a change of clothes for every day—they will have at least 2 opportunities to do laundry.
· This is an outdoor-oriented trip—students do not need dress shirts.
What is the lodging like?
During our stay on the island of Oahu, we will be staying at Brigham Young University in residence halls and at a Waikiki Beach Hotel. While we are visiting the eastern or “windward” side of the Big Island we will be staying at Hilo Bay Hotel. While we are visiting the western or “leeward” side of the island, we will be staying at the Kona Seaside Hotel. Keep in mind that we will be "on the road" for the day and will only be at the hotels to sleep and for only a few meals.
While we are at Brigham Young University campus (BYUH) in the town of Laie on Oahu, we will be staying in two wings of a residence hall. The rooms have 2 single beds, so we will sleep two to a room. Each “pod” has 5-8 rooms and leaders will either have their own private room or share a room with one other leader in each “pod”. There are female bathrooms and male bathrooms, (males and females will not be sharing a bathroom), each with 3 showers, sinks and toilets. BYUH has ample laundry facilities and the machines are operated by pre-paid cards. BYUH requests that while on campus we refrain from drinking tea or coffee. Please also keep in mind that BYUH has a similar dress code to that of People to People: shoulders need to be covered while on campus, and shorts above the mid-thigh are not permitted.
In Honolulu, we will be at a Waikiki hotel near the beach. The rooms are standard hotel rooms. Each room will have 3 beds and we will sleep 3 students per room. Leaders will share a room with one other leader of the same gender. There are coin-operated laundry facilities at the hotel.
In Hilo, we will be at Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel. The rooms are standard hotel rooms. Each room will have 2-4 single beds and each student will have his/her own bed. Leaders will share a room with one other leader of the same gender. There are coin-operated laundry facilities at the hotel, as well as a general store and souvenir gift shop. There is a pool that overlooks Hilo Bay at the hotel as well.
In Kona, we will be at the Kona Seaside Hotel, on the waterfront in downtown Kona. The rooms are standard hotel rooms. Each large room will have 3 beds and we will sleep 3 students per room. Leaders will share a room with another leader of the same gender. There are no laundry facilities at the hotel.
During our stay on the island of Oahu, we will be staying at Brigham Young University in residence halls and at a Waikiki Beach Hotel. While we are visiting the eastern or “windward” side of the Big Island we will be staying at Hilo Bay Hotel. While we are visiting the western or “leeward” side of the island, we will be staying at the Kona Seaside Hotel. Keep in mind that we will be "on the road" for the day and will only be at the hotels to sleep and for only a few meals.
While we are at Brigham Young University campus (BYUH) in the town of Laie on Oahu, we will be staying in two wings of a residence hall. The rooms have 2 single beds, so we will sleep two to a room. Each “pod” has 5-8 rooms and leaders will either have their own private room or share a room with one other leader in each “pod”. There are female bathrooms and male bathrooms, (males and females will not be sharing a bathroom), each with 3 showers, sinks and toilets. BYUH has ample laundry facilities and the machines are operated by pre-paid cards. BYUH requests that while on campus we refrain from drinking tea or coffee. Please also keep in mind that BYUH has a similar dress code to that of People to People: shoulders need to be covered while on campus, and shorts above the mid-thigh are not permitted.
In Honolulu, we will be at a Waikiki hotel near the beach. The rooms are standard hotel rooms. Each room will have 3 beds and we will sleep 3 students per room. Leaders will share a room with one other leader of the same gender. There are coin-operated laundry facilities at the hotel.
In Hilo, we will be at Uncle Billy’s Hilo Bay Hotel. The rooms are standard hotel rooms. Each room will have 2-4 single beds and each student will have his/her own bed. Leaders will share a room with one other leader of the same gender. There are coin-operated laundry facilities at the hotel, as well as a general store and souvenir gift shop. There is a pool that overlooks Hilo Bay at the hotel as well.
In Kona, we will be at the Kona Seaside Hotel, on the waterfront in downtown Kona. The rooms are standard hotel rooms. Each large room will have 3 beds and we will sleep 3 students per room. Leaders will share a room with another leader of the same gender. There are no laundry facilities at the hotel.
# posted by Author @ 12:28 PM
Sunday, March 12, 2006
FAQ's Volume I: What to expect on the Program
The following FAQ's are part of the communication received by your Hawaiian Island Discovery Delegation Leaders from Adventures Cross Country, the Delegation Managers (guides) for our program. Please review this information as a family and check the site often for the next few Volumes of FAQ info!
Who are the Field Instructors?
Field Instructors are men and women, typically aged 21-32, who are with you every day of the trip. Most of them are graduate students, naturalists, and educators. They are responsible for logistics, food, and educating students about flora, fauna, natural history and human history. They are responsible for running the morning and evening meetings, and for teaching the students about the areas in which you are traveling. They are also responsible for teaching the students how to set up tents, how to cook the camping meals, and other camping skills. They are responsible, along with the Delegation Leaders, for the safety of the children. All Field Instructors are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
When you arrive at the airport, you will be met by 3 Field Instructors. They will divide the delegation into three “trail groups”. Each Delegation Leader will be paired with one Field Instructor (If there are four Delegation Leaders, one of the three groups will have two DLs).
Adventures Cross-Country, an organization contracted by People to People, hires the Field Instructors and arranges the logistics of this trip.
How do we travel?
We all travel together on a 53-passenger charter bus. We contract Hawaiian bus companies to do all of the driving for us. Between the Big Island and Oahu we take an “inter-island” flight. The Field Instructors may or may not be booked on the same flight as the rest of the group, so the Delegation Leaders will be the sole supervisors of the students during this flight.
What is the camping like?
We camp only for two nights at Namakani Paio Campground, just outside of Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. (http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/camping.htm)
Students in general sleep 4 in large North Face tents, separated by gender. Sinks and hot showers are available. The bathrooms are close by and well-lit.
Field Instructors will show the students how to set up their tents, and how to help with the cooking of camping meals on the outdoor stoves. We set up a dish wash line so that students can be responsible for cleaning their own plates. Students also have the option of sleeping out under the stars.
What will the weather be?
Most days will be shorts and t-shirts weather. However, it can get cold at night while camping in the Volcanoes National Park. On most days there is the possibility of rain, sometimes downpours, especially while traveling on the windward sides of the islands, so a rain jacket is essential.
What kinds of things will the students learn each day?
Field Instructors will teach a variety of subjects each day through games, activities, and short talks. For example, on a typical day Field Instructors may teach an activity about native flowers, read a legend about Pele, and teach the students the different types of lava they may see throughout the day. Delegation Leaders are always welcome to assist in teaching!
Each student will receive a small Activity Book, which will elaborate on topics the Field Instructors are teaching and will include games and puzzles that relate to the curriculum. Students will be able to take these Activity Books home. Field Instructors will leave it up to the Delegation Leaders to decide when and where journaling time is most appropriate and appealing.
Who are the Field Instructors?
Field Instructors are men and women, typically aged 21-32, who are with you every day of the trip. Most of them are graduate students, naturalists, and educators. They are responsible for logistics, food, and educating students about flora, fauna, natural history and human history. They are responsible for running the morning and evening meetings, and for teaching the students about the areas in which you are traveling. They are also responsible for teaching the students how to set up tents, how to cook the camping meals, and other camping skills. They are responsible, along with the Delegation Leaders, for the safety of the children. All Field Instructors are certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.
When you arrive at the airport, you will be met by 3 Field Instructors. They will divide the delegation into three “trail groups”. Each Delegation Leader will be paired with one Field Instructor (If there are four Delegation Leaders, one of the three groups will have two DLs).
Adventures Cross-Country, an organization contracted by People to People, hires the Field Instructors and arranges the logistics of this trip.
How do we travel?
We all travel together on a 53-passenger charter bus. We contract Hawaiian bus companies to do all of the driving for us. Between the Big Island and Oahu we take an “inter-island” flight. The Field Instructors may or may not be booked on the same flight as the rest of the group, so the Delegation Leaders will be the sole supervisors of the students during this flight.
What is the camping like?
We camp only for two nights at Namakani Paio Campground, just outside of Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island. (http://www.nps.gov/havo/visitor/camping.htm)
Students in general sleep 4 in large North Face tents, separated by gender. Sinks and hot showers are available. The bathrooms are close by and well-lit.
Field Instructors will show the students how to set up their tents, and how to help with the cooking of camping meals on the outdoor stoves. We set up a dish wash line so that students can be responsible for cleaning their own plates. Students also have the option of sleeping out under the stars.
What will the weather be?
Most days will be shorts and t-shirts weather. However, it can get cold at night while camping in the Volcanoes National Park. On most days there is the possibility of rain, sometimes downpours, especially while traveling on the windward sides of the islands, so a rain jacket is essential.
What kinds of things will the students learn each day?
Field Instructors will teach a variety of subjects each day through games, activities, and short talks. For example, on a typical day Field Instructors may teach an activity about native flowers, read a legend about Pele, and teach the students the different types of lava they may see throughout the day. Delegation Leaders are always welcome to assist in teaching!
Each student will receive a small Activity Book, which will elaborate on topics the Field Instructors are teaching and will include games and puzzles that relate to the curriculum. Students will be able to take these Activity Books home. Field Instructors will leave it up to the Delegation Leaders to decide when and where journaling time is most appropriate and appealing.
# posted by Author @ 2:16 PM
