The Chapel Choir
36th Annual Spring Break Tour

March 24-March 31, 2007

What Tour is All About

Why do we tour? What is this week all about? There are several things we want to accomplish:

1. Share our faith in Jesus Christ through music, and witness to our faith through our music and actions while being good ambassadors for our church.
2. Grow in music skills through the rehearsal and performance schedule
3. Develop new relationships within our own group.
4. Deepen our fellowship and spirit.
5. Develop a faith that grows daily.
6. Receive educational benefits from traveling, meeting new people, and visiting other churches.

We are very excited about this year's Chapel Choir Tour and want to share some important details of the trip with you. It is a real joy and blessing to spend time with such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of young people.

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We expect this to be one of the largest tour choirs in the church’s history, so it is critically important for Intent forms and deposits to be turned in NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 7.

It also means that youth and parents may have to make difficult decisions regarding schedules and other outside activities because attendance at tour rehearsals will be expected and monitored.

The choir meets 21 times from January 14 through the end of February. That includes two weekly rehearsals (Sunday and Wednesday) and the Sunday worship service. Youth participating on tour will be expected to be present at least 14 of those opportunities. Participation in ALL choir activities is expected after March 1 (except in the case of illness or emergencies), unless advanced written notice of known conflicts is given to a chaperone no later than Wednesday, January 31. Leaving any rehearsal early is also STRONGLY DISCOURAGED

Please give any of us call if you have additional questions or concerns.

We want to thank you for your continued support, encouragement and commitment.

2007 Tour Chaperones:

• Belford & Vielza Hernandez: Director & Accompanist
• Rev. Nick Nicholas: Youth Minister
• Don & Devra Dunham: Adult Leaders & Tour Directors
• Raina Gallt : Adult Leader
• Rev. Denise & Eric Hage: Adult Leaders
• Mark & Kathy Kostelny: Adult Leaders
• Linda Main: Adult Leader
• Bruce Ritter: Adult Leader
• Don & Caryl Safford: Adult Leaders
• Rich Peck: Sound Engineer

Expectations and Guidelines

All youth and chaperones participating in choir and on tour have signed a covenant to accept responsibility for their own actions. They have pledged to act responsibly, to think about consequences, to represent the group in a positive light, to respect fellow choir members and the adult leaders, to endeavor to treat fellow choir members and adult leaders as they would like to be treated, and to do nothing that would reflect negatively on the fine tradition of this group, themselves as a Christian, their home and family, or the First United Methodist Church. They have promised not to use or have in their possession tobacco materials of any kind, any alcoholic beverages, or any illegal non-prescription drugs.

Prior to the tour, all participating youth will receive a list of guidelines regarding overall behavior while on the bus, in public, at host churches and families; acceptable dress; and daily routine.

Tour is the culmination of many hours of rehearsal and work and the highlight of the choir year. Memories of this week last a lifetime. For some of the youth, however, tour may be the first time they have traveled any place without family. The anticipation of leaving home for a week can be both exciting and a real source of anxiety. The chaperones have spent all year getting to know the youth and trying to establish trust relationships. We know, however, that teens go through many stressful and emotional times.

We ask that you be especially supportive and understanding in the coming weeks when there are might be times of doubt, frustration, and anxiety.

We also want to encourage youth who cannot go on tour due to the conflicts to come to rehearsal and learn the music so they can participate in the Pre-Tour and home concerts.

Tour Costs

The total cost of this year’s tour will exceed $60,000. That includes transportation, food, admission to sightseeing and entertainment venues in Wilmington, NC; tour music; sound; lights, and other miscellaneous expenses. A significant portion of these costs have been offset by proceeds from Heritage Fest parking and the food booth, car washes, tent rentals, Olduna Cow Works, ticket sales to the two Christmas concerts, and the sock/wallet fundraiser. The per person cost for the tour this year will be $350, but most participating youth will owe much less because of credit hours they earned working at the various fundraisers. Eric Hage will provide all participating families an accounting of the remaining balance for their child(ren). Financial assistance is available upon request. No child will ever be excluded from participating on tour for financial reasons.

Tour Itinerary

A typical day on Tour will be as follows:

• Youth will be fed breakfast by host family and then returned to church between 7:00-7:30 a.m.
• Departure time will be 8:00 a.m.
• Arrival time to new host church will be mid-afternoon
• Following set-up and a short rehearsal, host churches will provide dinner
• Concert time will be 7:00 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. depending on location; except 6:30 p.m. in Wilmington
• Departure for Host family will be approximately 9:00 p.m.

Medications

• Linda Main and Caryl Safford are licensed nurses and will be in charge of all medical needs. Youth will be instructed not to take to any prescription or non-prescription drugs without checking with one of them first. They will maintain a supply of over-the-counter medications.
• A Medical Information & Release Form that has been signed by a parent is required of each participating youth. Any changes in insurance coverage or health issues should be provided prior to tour.
• There can be no purchase of over-the-counter medications by a youth without permission from Linda or Caryl.
• All youth will carry an Emergency I.D. card at all times with cell numbers of chaperones.
• They will all have the telephone number of the Adult Leaders lodging each night for emergency use.

Things To Bring

Luggage size and weight will be limited, so please pack responsibly. Guidelines will be provided.

• A pillow for the bus
• A blanket or afghan for the bus (it is often cool on the bus)
• A winter coat and a light jacket (you never know what the weather will be like!)
• Snacks and goodies to share
• Travel alarm
• One (1) suitcase
• One (1) small "carry-on" case that will fit under the bus seat (usually a backpack)
• Performance Clothes. - Youth will share a garment bag with their roommate for performance clothes. The "carry-on" case and garment bag should include everything needed for the performance. There is no room to open suitcases at host churches.
• Camera and film. Make sure the youth's name is on your camera, disposable or not. In fact, LABEL EVERYTHING, including clothes, bags, and accessories.
• A sleeping bag (in a cover or pillowcase with name highly visible on both sleeping bag and cover. Plastic trash bags are not acceptable sleeping bag covers.)
• Towel, wash cloth and soap (for our last morning)
• Portable radios/CD player/iPod/Personal DVD (used only with earphones)

Suggested Packing List for Lady's Carry-on Bag

• Make up
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Washcloth in plastic bag
• Curling Iron
• Small mirror
• Comb/Brush/Hair Spray
• Snacks
• Sanitary napkins and/or tampons

Suggested Packing List for Men's Carry-on Bag

• Deodorant
• Washcloth in plastic bag
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Snacks
• Comb/Brush
• Mirror
• Shaving Kit

Things Not To Bring

• Youth should not bring anything that they or you would hate to lose. This includes computers and related electronics, jewelry or other possessions of either great sentimental or monetary value.
• They should not wear any clothing or bring music or DVDs that contain vulgar or profane language. (Adult leaders will have final say on what is acceptable.) "Boom boxes" or portable speakers are not allowed, only devices with earphones.
• Cell phones are strongly discouraged. Chaperones can be contacted in case of emergencies. Youth who want to call home during the tour should use a pre-paid calling card, call collect, or ask to use a chaperone's phone. We want youth to enjoy their tour experience and not focus on "keeping in touch" with friends and family back home.

Monies/Valuables/Secret Pal

• Final payment is due Wednesday, March 14th.
• Everyone will receive lunch money daily.
• Youth will only need spending money for secret pal gifts, souvenirs, and admission to certain optional tourist venues in Wilmington, NC if they choose (maximum $15-$20). They should not bring excessive amounts of cash.

Overnight Housing

• All participating youth will select roommates.
• After our performance each night, we will gather together to be introduced to host families.
• No youth can change or modify his/her housing arrangement without approval from a chaperone.
• Although there have been no incidents with hosts in the years the Chapel Choir has been touring, we realize we trust our host churches to provide appropriate, safe, accommodations for our youth. To help ensure the comfort and safety of all youth, they are pre-assigned to homes by pairs or groups. We will not allow individuals to go to a host home alone.
• In addition, all youth will be told that if they feel unsafe or ill, they should immediately call one of the adult leaders.
• Youth are expected to remain at their host's home during their stay, unless a special activity is arranged for the youth by the host, they are accompanied by a member of the host family, and a chaperone has been contacted. This includes running and other athletic activities.

Tour Traditions

Secret Pals

All youth and adult chaperones are included in this tradition. Prior to tour everyone completes a brief information sheet about themselves. Assignments of Secret Pals are not revealed until the morning of departure, although everyone will know the gender a week in advance. Then, throughout the tour, everyone is encouraged to anonymously do something nice or leave something for their Secret Pal. Daily Secret Pal gifts (candy, chips, crayons, stickers, hugs, etc.) should be limited to about $1/day. Often folks spend more for the final gift (no more than about $10-$15). The identity of the Secret Pal is revealed the final evening.

Crews

Each youth is a member of a crew with specific roles and responsibilities. Crews this year include:

• Ambassadors - visit with audience and share information about the choir; monitor bathrooms
• Furniture - move sanctuary furniture out and back onto performance area
• Hospitality - keep buses clean and stocked with water, snacks and arranging fun activities
• Load & Lights - load and unload sound, lights and performance equipment on/off bus; they will also set-up lights
• Luggage - load and unload personal gear to/from buses
• Room Delivery - take luggage to designated room at host churches
• Sound - setup and breakdown sound system & lights, including cords & microphones
• Search & Rescue - make sure host churches are left clean, collect any left behind or "lost" items that will be "auctioned" off when we return

Last Night (Friday PM)

The last night is very special on tour. It is a time for sharing, reflecting, laughing and crying. We "camp out" at the host church for an extended time of fellowship. This year, we will be at Lawrenceburg (KY) United Methodist Church. Following the performance, we have pizza and then circle time when Secret Pals are revealed and all youths and adults have a chance to share their thoughts about the tour and choir year. Once everyone has had a chance to talk, we will load up the buses and leave for home. We expect to return to Downers Grove around 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, but check the choir information line that morning for updated information.

Free Day

There is one day on tour the choir does not have a performance. This year, it will be Tuesday, March 27th in Wilmington, NC, when we will enjoy a dinner cruise on a paddlewheel riverboat. Those planning to walk along the beach and possibly swim in the Atlantic Ocean should remember to pack a suit.  Alternative arrangements at an indoor water park will be made in case of inclement weather.

Shopping Opportunities

In addition to our time in Wilmington, there will other chances to do some shopping,including at the University of North Carolina Student Union and Bookstore on Monday. We will stop ever day for lunch and whenever time allows, the stops will be at malls so everyone can stretch their legs and shop for Secret Pal gifts and other items.

Pre-Tour Show

Plainfield UMC will host our pre-tour performance on Sunday, March 18 at 7:00 p.m. We will need parents to help provide transportation and want to encourage your attendance. We will meet at 1:30 p.m. to rehearse and start leaving at 2:00 p.m.

|Driving Directions|

Night Before/Day of Departure

To expedite the process and minimize the chaos on departure morning, we request that all luggage and sleeping bags be brought to the church parlor between 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday evening, March 23. Carry-on luggage and pillows can be brought the next morning. We will have a long bus ride the first day and need to leave the church by 6:30 a.m. on March 24. The hospitality, luggage and load crews should arrive by 4:45 a.m. Everyone else should be at church by 5:15 a.m.

Bus and seat selection will take place once both bus partners have checked in.

Tour Locations

	Host Churches	Chaperone Housing
Saturday March 24	St. Luke UMC 2351 Alumni Drive Lexington, KY 40517 859-269-4687	Hampton Inn 3060 Lake Circle Court Lexington, KY 40509 859-223-0088
Sunday March 25	Asbury UMC 201 S. Main Street Greeneville, TN 37743 423-798-1050	Jameson Inn 3160 East Andrew Johnson Highway Greeneville, TN 37745 423-638-7511
Monday March 26	University UMC 150 E. Franklin Street Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-929-7191	Hampton Inn 1740 Fordham Blvd Chapel Hill, NC 27514 919-968-3000
Tuesday March 27 & Wednesday March 28	Pine Valley UMC 3788 Shipyard Boulevard Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-0353	Holiday Inn 5032 Market Street Wilmington, NC 28405 919-392-1101
Thursday March 29	First UMC 115 S. Church Street Marion, VA 24354 276-783-5194	Best Western 1424 North Main Street Marion, VA 24354 276-783-3193
Friday March 30	Lawrenceburg UMC 535 Carlton Drive Lawrenceburg, KY 40342 502-839-3971	at the church

Day of Return

We arrive home by 2pm on Saturday, March 31. Call the Chapel Choir Information Line (968-7120, ext. 201) in the morning to find out the anticipated time of arrival.

Home Performances

Home performances will be held on Sunday, April 1, at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. Dinner will be provided for the choir between performances.