P2P: Hawaiian Island Discovery

What's a "budget"?

A budget is a plan to spend your money wisely so that you can get the most for your money. Unfortunately, a sad event that many a Delegation Leader has witnessed is the tragic occurance of careless purchasing by delegates. Many ambassador tears have been shed over running out of money by the third or fourth day of the program. You won't get much sympathy from us!

How much money should an ambassador take? It depends on each individual. The Explore Guide suggests $25 per day. Some families can afford that. Others can't. What we leaders have found is that whatever money the students take, they will spend it all! There is no "magic" amount of money to take on the program, but maybe these tips can help you decide a budget that fits you best . . .

Budgeting Tips:

• Do not borrow or lend money to others! This can cause problems later in the program.
• Decide who you plan to buy souvenirs for (parents, siblings) and stick to a limit of how much to spend on each person.
• Consider souvenirs that are unique to the place you visit. A poor souvenir is one that you could buy if you were home in Ohio.
• All of your meals will be provided, so you won't have to spend money on food unless it's a snack or something to eat while waiting at the airport.
• Ask if the store gives discounts to People to People groups. Many do because so many of us shop there throughout the summer.
• Ask youself, "How will I fit this into my luggage? Can I get it home without it breaking?"
• Some stores will ship large or expensive items home for you for a fee.
• Limit yourself to a given amount of money each day so that your cash will last.
• Not all places take debit cards, so you always want a little cash ($15 or so) on hand just in case.
• Save some money for the lay-over at the airport in Chicago on the way home.
• Don't forget you'll need money to do your laundry.
• You can use your debit card to get cash from a money machine, but remember most ATMs will charge a fee.

Be Prepared. Be Aware.

In the last blog entry (below) you read how to keep your money and valuables close. Someone who has no problem pick-pocketing loves to see an obvious group of "money-naive" people, and young "money-naive" people are their favorite. Our group can be a prime target because pick-pockets know we're on "tour" and probably have lots of money on us. Don't be a target:

• SIGN your debit card
• carry your money where others cannot easily reach it
• carry little cash
• use a debit card with a pin number that you can cancel if lost or stolen
• write your name on your debit card with a Sharpie marker if it is not on it already
• don't flash cash around so others can see how much you have
• don't talk about how much money you have so others can hear

Know where your money is.

The truth is, money is rarely stolen on these programs. Students not paying attention can easily loose track of how much they have already spent, or where their money is. On last year's program, one of our delegates had his money around his waist in a fanny pack while on the plane to Ireland. Once we deplaned and went through Customs, he realized that he had left his fanny pack on the plane! We asked the airline to check his seat and bring the pack when they found it, but it was nowhere to be found. His $30 cash, debit card and phone card were gone, and our delegation was held up for 90 minutes while the search was on.

He was able to call home and have his parents cancel his debit card. He had only lost $30, and his parents were able to mail him a new debit card and phone card at our first accommodation.

Luckily he was able to replace his cards, but the process held up the entire group.

So what about those debit cards?

Talk first to your family bank and see what options they have for you. Ambassadors want a debit card with a major credit card logo on it. (Visa is most widely accepted.) The logo makes making purchases easier.

There are many different options for these debit cards depending on what kind you get. Some can be limited only to use a pre-determined amount of money each day. Some can have an over-all limit. Some can be connected to parent checking accounts so they are easily reloadable.

AAA offers Visa Travel Gift Cards ($5 members, $10 non members) with a minimum deposit of $250. They are reloadable, but the reload takes 7 days before this reloaded money is available.

Some of you may even find better options. Ask around and see.

Start Saving Now!

Ambassadors have been collecting and fundraising since last fall. Don't forget that you will want to make sure that you have spending money, too. Help around the house, and do an extra fundraiser that insures that you have that extra cash! Save, save, save so that you can bring a bit of Hawaii home with YOU!

Pack Smart!

You will have four packing "zones" on the program; your suitcase, your gear bag, your backpack, and yourself. Ultimately, you are responsible for all of the items listed on your packing lists on p. 6-8 of your Explore Guide. Practice packing these items in your bags and see how you can best fit everything in and still have room for souvenirs. Here are a few things you may want to consider when packing your belongings . . .

Zone #1: Yourself -

• Your money: have a way to keep your money on you where it is difficult to be "nabbed" by greedy fingers. Some sort of moneybelt or wallet that you wear around your neck and under your shirt is best. You don't want to leave your money in your backpack. In this "hidden wallet" should be your money/debit card, Rx perscriptions, phone card and emergency phone numbers. You will be assigned to one Delegation Leader at the Bon Voyage picnic. That leader will carry your State ID throughout the program. You will only carry it through security at the airport, then give it back to your leader.

Zone #2: Your backpack -

• This school-size backpack will be with you at all times. You will use it as a carry-on in the airplane, but can trade things out of it into your suitcase and use it as a day-pack on the rest of the program.
• Your backpack should have lots of pockets to keep you organized. When on the airplane, you should pack one extra outfit to wear in case your luggage is lost. This probably won't happen, but you want to be prepared. Put this outfit in a big ziplock bag in the bottom of your backpack. (Don't forget underwear!)
• One full water bottle. You'll get thirsty on the plane and this will help you from getting dehydrated in the air. (Pack your second bottle in your gear bag.)
• First aid kit and Rx prescription medicines in original containers (If Rx comes in a box, flatten the box and keep the boxes on the bottom of your kit bag.)
• If you take scissors for blister kits and mole skin, pack them separately in your suitcase, you can not have them in your carry-on on the plane.
• Hand sanitizer is a must. You can get mini bottles of this in keychain form and attach to the outside of your backpack.
• Insect repellant. (You can get this in wet-wipe form in the WalMart camping section. You don't have to worry about it leaking!)
• Camera and film: pack this all in one ziplock on the top of your backpack because you'll have to take it out and have it scanned by hand by airport security. Packing it like this will save time with TSA agents.)
• Journal and something to write with. You'll officially begin journaling on the plane.
• Bring something to pass the time: cards, books, snacks, etc.
• Flashlight
• Sharpie Marker (for labeling the unlabeled)
• Batteries for cameras

Zone #3: Your suitcase -

• Zip-off pants are the best because they are so versatile.
• At Brigham Young U. the dress code allows shorts at mid-thigh and no shoulders revealed. Keep this in mind as you pack appropriate attire.
• Pajamas must be modest
• Cheap shower-shoes (flip flops) for the campground showers
• Sandals must have heal strap of some sort (You may wear these in the shower instead of flip flops.)
• If you are taking a beach towel consider: bring a thin one that takes up little space, bring an old one you can throw away before returning home to leave more space in your suitcase, you'll have towels in the hotels, but not camping. You may want to bring a mini camping towel or use your beach towel on those days. Bring 1-2 wash cloths.
• Have a packable mesh bag to keep all of your toiletries in so you can carry them easily to the bathroom.
• All "leakables" kept in ziplock bags. They will explode! Photo: Ambassadors wait in line with all their gear to check in at the airport.

Zone #4: Gear bag -

• This is a small duffel that fits "Camping Only" items. This is not an overflow bag from the suitcase. The gear bags will be left on the bus when not camping and you will not have access to this bag until camping days at Volcano Nat. Park.
• Mattress pad
• Sleeping bag
• Small pillow
• extra ziplocks
• mess kit and cutlery
• Second water bottle
• THAT'S IT!

Things you Don't Need -

• Laundry detergent: will be provided, but you will need to pay for the machines.
• Cell phone
• Electronic games: There are Gameboys on the TV systems in the airplane as well as movies and radio stations.

Adventures Cross Country is the company People to People has hired to serve as our Field Instructors in Hawaii. Last week, Laurie, from ACC called to share some specific information to share with the delegation about our program. Photo: A Happy Face Spider found on Oahu is found in the rainforest and is one of few spiders to take care of their young.

Here are some fun details . . .

• Expect the field instructors to have a high level of knowledge in outdoor education! You'll be learning lots about the local flora and fauna and the history of the islands and their people.
• The most important advice is to pack light. There will be many opportunities to do laundry, and we will stay at 5 different accommodations throughout the program, so there will be lots of packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, and lugging your bags! Make it easy on yourself.
• Expect lots of swimming! Ladies' bathing suits may be two-piece as long as bellies are covered. Be prepared with waterproof sunblock and shades!

Where will we stay?

1. Oahu: Brigham Young University. The Polynesian Cultural Center is across the street, and we will spend lots of time there.
2. Wakiki Beach. Need I say more?
3. Hilo: the "Green Side" of the Big Island. Expect one hour of rain daily in the afternoon.
4. Volcano National Park, 2 nights. Tents for all, or sleep under the stars! Be sure to have a sleeping pad!
5. Kona Seaside Hotel: warm, dry and sunny!

• Field Instructors and Delegation Leaders will all have walkie talkies for communication.
• There will be guided journal entries and freewriting journaling
• The Polynesian Cultural Center offers an opportunity for a professional photo with the performers in formal dress

Early in the morning . . .

We'll be staying in tents, cabins and economy hotels during our program in July. Photo: Ambassadors listen to the day's itinerary after breakfast during the "morning meeting". We will have a meeting each morning and evening to prepare for and review the day's activities!

Our accommodations . . .

Photo: This is a "dorm" style building Ambassadors camped in on a trip to California. The first night of the program, students are placed in rooms by gender, in alphabetical order. After that, Delegation Leaders are able to create rooming lists for the rest of the overnight stays. Sometimes Leaders allow students with exceptional behavior choose their roommate. Expect a different set of roommates at each place we stay so that everyone gets a chance to meet you!

How about manners?

When we travel in such a large group, we are observed by more people than you think. You will be expected to use appropriate table manners. Please use utensils appropriately, try new foods, chew with your mouth closed, and use a napkin. Remember, THIS IS THE MOMENT YOUR PARENTS HAVE TAUGHT YOU ABOUT YOUR WHOLE LIFE!! Ambassadors always use their best manners in public. Photo: Ambassadors make a toast with hot tea in San Francisco's Chinatown.

Take time to enjoy the details.

If you travel only with your feet, but forget to use your ears, eyes, and nose, you'll miss the details, and this can be the best part of the entire program. Ask questions, take your time, appreciate the nature around you and leave the place better than you found it. "Take only pictures. Leave only footprints." Photo below: Tree ferns of the New Zealand rainforest.