The Chapel Choir
37th Annual Spring Break Tour
Walking with Jesus!

March 22-March 29, 2008

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.
7. Be rewarded for hard work and dedication to the choir and church.

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.

We expect this to be the largest tour choir in history, so it is critically important for Intent to Participate forms, Covenants and $100 deposits to be turned in NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, JANUARY 20.

It also means that youth and parents may have to make difficult decisions regarding work schedules and other outside activities because attendance at tour rehearsals will be expected and closely monitored. Participating on tour is a privilege that must be earned!! Failure to meet the following attendance requirements may result in your child(ren) losing that privilege.

The choir meets 19 times from January 16 through the end of February, including two weekly rehearsals (Sunday and Wednesday) and the Sunday worship service. Youth participating on tour will be expected to participate in least 16 of these occasions. Participation in ALL choir activities is expected after March 1, unless advanced written notice of known conflicts is given to an Adult Leader or discussed with Belford no later than Wednesday, February 27. Illness or emergencies will not count as an absence. Arriving late or leaving any rehearsal early is also STRONGLY DISCOURAGED and may be considered as an absence unless approved by an Adult Leader.

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.

2008 Adult Leaders:

• Belford Hernandez
• Rev. Nick Nicholas
• Don & Devra Dunham
• Raina Gallt
• Linda Main
• Jen DiSessa
• Bruce Ritter
• Don & Caryl Safford

Expectations and Guidelines

All youth and Adult Leaders 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 engage in any form of gambling, 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 will 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 Adult Leaders 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 $70,000. That includes bus transportation; daily lunch money; admission to the Hershey (PA) Chocolate Factory; dinner, subway transit and Broadway show tickets in New York City; tour music; sound; lights, tour shirt (additional shirts may be ordered for $10), motel lodging of adult leaders, and other miscellaneous expenses. A 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 Carrabba’s Restaurant fundraiser. The per person cost for the tour this year will be $475, but most participating youth will owe less because of credit hours they earned working at the various events. We will provide all participating families an accounting of the remaining balance for their child(ren). Financial assistance is available upon request from Don & Devra Dunham, Tour Directors. No child will ever be excluded from participating on tour for financial reasons.

Tour Itinerary

With the exception of the two days in New York City when everyone will stay at a youth hostel, a typical day on Tour will be as follows:

• Youth will be fed breakfast by host families and returned to church between 7:00-7:30 a.m.
• Departure time will be between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.
• Arrival time to each host church will be approximately 3:30 p.m.
• Following set-up and a short rehearsal, host churches will provide dinner
• Concert time will be either 7:00 or 7:30 p.m. depending on preference of the host church
• Departure for host families will be approximately 9:00 p.m.

Medications

• Linda Main and Caryl Safford are registered 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 and they will also 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) reasonably sized suitcase (Approximately the size of  airline carry-on luggage.)
• 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 (Make sure it’s labeled).  In fact, LABEL EVERYTHING, including clothes, bags, and accessories.
• A Sleeping bag (in a cloth cover or pillowcase with name "highly" visible on both sleeping bag and cover, preferably a cover with a draw string or zipper.  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
• Feminine hygiene items

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 contains 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 ear phones.
• Cell phones are strongly discouraged, but if they are brought, usage will be limited.  We want youth to enjoy their tour experience and not focus on “keeping in touch” with friends and family back home.  Adult Leaders can be contacted in case of emergencies.  Youth who want to call home during the tour can bring a pre-paid calling card, call collect, or ask to use an Adult Leader’s phone. 

Monies/Valuables/Secret Pal

• Final payment is due Wednesday, March 12th.
• 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 New York if they choose (maximum $30-$35). 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 and be introduced to host families, except in New York where we stay at a Youth Hostel in dormitory-style accommodations.
• No youth can change or modify his/her housing arrangement without approval from an Adult Leader.
• Although there have been not been negative incidents with hosts in the years the Chapel Choir has been touring, we expect and trust host churches to provide appropriate and safe accommodations for our youth.  To help ensure the comfort and safety of all youth, they are pre-assigned to homes in pairs or groups.  We never allow individual youth to go to a host home alone.
• In addition, all youth will be told to immediately call one of the Adult Leaders if they feel unsafe or get ill and need medical attention.
• 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 Leaders 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 include:

• Ambassadors/Information Technology Reporters – visit with audience and share information about the choir; monitor bathrooms; gather photos and submit daily report while on tour for the church web site.
• Furniture & Sound - move sanctuary furniture out and back onto performance area; setup and breakdown sound system, including cords & microphones
• Hospitality - keep buses clean and stocked with water, snacks and arranging fun activities.  In advance of the tour they will help rearrange chairs and pick up trash following rehearsals.
• Load & Lights– load and unload sound, lights and performance equipment on/off bus; will also set-up lights
• Luggage & Room Delivery - load and unload personal gear to/from buses
• Room Delivery – take luggage to designated room at host churches
• 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 Boardman United Methodist Church in Boardman, OH.  Following the performance, we have pizza, prepare and present class skits, 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 our choir year.  Once everyone has had a chance to talk, we will load up the buses and leave for home.  We expect to return home around 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, but the choir information line will contain updated information that morning.

Free Day

There is one day on tour the choir does not have an evening performance.  This year, it will be Tuesday, March 25 in New York, when we will enjoy sightseeing, shopping, dinner and a Broadway play.  Because we will be staying at a youth hostel and not hosted by a church, there will be an additional day of sightseeing and shopping on Wednesday, March 26, although there will be a performance at Bloomfield (NJ) Presbyterian Church on the Green that night.

Shopping Opportunities

In addition to our time in New York, there will other chances to do some shopping, including at Penn State University and the Hershey Chocolate Factory on Monday.  We will stop every 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.  Admission to the Hershey facility is included in the tour fee.

Pre-Tour Show

The United Methodist Church of Geneva will host our pre-tour performance on Sunday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m.  We will need parents to help provide transportation and want to encourage attendance from family members and friends.  We will meet at 2:00 p.m. to pack lights and sound and leave at 3:00 p.m. (subject to change).

|Driving Directions|

Night Before/Day of Departure

To expedite the process and minimize the chaos on departure morning, we request that all luggage, sleeping bags and garment bags be brought to the church parlor between 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, March 21.  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 no later than 6:30 a.m. on March 22.  The hospitality, luggage and load crews should arrive by 4:30 a.m.  Everyone else should be at church by 5:00 a.m.  Loading of carry-on items and seat selection will take place once both bus partners have checked in.

Tour Locations

Saturday, March 29

We should arrive home by 1:00 p.m.  Call the Chapel Choir Information Line (968-7120, ext. 20) in the morning to find out the anticipated time of arrival.

Home Performances

Home performances will be held on Sunday, April 6, at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. Dinner will be provided for the choir between performances.