The document summarizes an orientation meeting for an Australian adventure program. It provides details about upcoming events like community service cleaning trains in Ohio and orientations in May and June to prepare students. Information is given about homestays, travel expectations, money exchange, and paperwork like updating profiles and writing letters to be delivered during the trip.

2. Australian Adventure Orientation Meeting #3 March 19th, 2010 Parent Meeting starts at 12:00 Summer 2010 H 05365 Great Barrier Reef

3. M&M Game Pick one M&M…only one

4. Service Project and Official Visit Updates

5. Service Project and Official Visit Updates Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR) Service Project Saturday, April 16, 2011 Noon-4:30 p.m. Please bring a canister of disinfectant wipes and a roll of paper towels . 12 noon - Arrive at Fitzwater Maintenance Yard. Take a brief tour of the train yard and have lunch. Box lunches will be provided . Board trains for window washing, floor mopping, general maintenance. 1:45 pm – Board train for Scenic Excursion through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Listen to “Voices of the Valley” audio tour and learn history of Ohio Erie Canal or relax and view the Eagle’s nesting at Pinery Narrows in Brecksville. Feel free to visit the concession car for snacks and souvenirs . 4:30 pm – Arrive back at Fitzwater. Parents should be there for pick-up at this time.

6. Behavior Scenarios…It’s a Bummer When… Discuss handouts with your partners Be prepared to discuss the scenarios with the group

7. Project Fair How are you doing???

8. Cross Cultural Communication Keep your language simple and be specific Avoid slang words and contractions Speak slowly, but not loudly Avoid telling jokes…humor does not always translate to other cultures You have the accent…adapt to help express your ideas Gestures, pictures, body language

9. Food, Customs, and Daily Life Can you guess the answer???

10. Travel Journal Write in reflective style How do you feel about topic? What does it make you think? How are you affected? What are some alternate viewpoints? What are some questions you have? How has your thinking or feeling changed as you progress through the program? Let me know of difficulties

11. Travel Journal Make sure they are descriptive They are not for personal info I will read them! Let’s look at an example…

12. Journal Entry Example 7/8/08 Fraser Island, Australia Today we woke up very early on Fraser Island. First we went to breakfast then we went outside to wait for the coach. On the ferry on our way off of Fraser it was so windy! You could lean backwards and the wind would hold you up. When the ferry docked we got off and got into the coach. I was a little disappointed because it was cloudy and raining on and off all day when we were supposed to go surfing. We drove for about 2 hours and when we got to our hotel, it was huge! The rooms were also really big and really nice .

13. We went straight to meet the surf instructors. We met by this little playground/picnic area. All the instructors looked like the typical surfers with the long blonde hair. (Even the guys!) We had lunch then changed into our swimsuits. Then everyone got into a line to get fitted for our wet suits. They gave us all boards then we headed down to the beach. We all got in a big circle and they taught us how to ride on our stomachs. We went out into the water that would have been FREEZING if we weren’t wearing the wet suits. They helped us all ride a couple of waves then they brought us up to the shore where they taught us how to stand up. It took me a few trys to stand up without flipping over the front, but I was so excited when I did. Once I got used to standing I could ride them all the way into the shore!

14. It seemed like we barely got started when they called us in and told us it was time to go. We went back to the hotel and saw our huge rooms! We had a kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a washer and dryer!! Tomorrow we need to wake up early so I am going to get some sleep. 

15. USA Australia Rice crispies= rice bubbles Wal-mart = big W Chips = crisps Trash/ trash can= rubbish/rubbish bin

16. Parent Meeting

17. Phone Tree Please check to see if changes need to be made

18. Home Stay What to Expect Everyone will have their own bed Past years has been a church group Singles, doubles, possible more if family owns a farm. Keep an open mind…”It’s different not worse.”

19. Home Stay There will be a code word for emergencies You will have our phone number and the delegate manager’s number We will call you on the first night Expect: bed and no sharing room with person from opposite sex Food will be provided

20. Home Stay What to bring to share with home stay family Pictures of your family and friends Small gift to give them at the end with a thank you note. Think of something to represent where you are from. Spend no more than $5.00.

21. Money Exchange at Meeting 4 FirstMerit will come… they have been doing this for People to People groups for many years. Ability to open checking accounts for delegate with Debit Cards that can be used abroad as well as getting delegates a Credit Card with their name on it. Change American for Australian $

22. Community Service Update Cuyahoga Valley Railroad Time: 12:00-4:30 Place: 7600 Canal Road, Valley View, Ohio 44125 See handout in packet

23. General Information Program has lots of water activities so bring 2 swimsuits You will need to purchase a converter so you can charge electronics For electronics, music players, e-readers… no dvd players or video games Text messages cost more than phone calls and are expensive. Buy a phone card and make sure you get the international code for calls There will be computers available often throughout the program.

24. Paperwork Any previous assignments that need to be turned in Emergency Information Sheet Reminder: Update info on OnBoard site – this ensures latest medical info is known and allergies, food preferences, etc. will be taken into account

25. Paperwork Letters/Cards during travel Write two letters to your child. At the end of the first week and at the end of the second week we will distribute them to your children. Please write your child’s name on the outside of the envelope and seal it. Please write on the outside of the envelope whether the letter is for the end of week one or the end of week two.

26. Paperwork Email the following information to me: Amount of money you would like to exchange at fourth meeting

27. Parent Information Phone calls – see handout (Phone Communications Guidelines) OnBoard will be updated by Program Office throughout program, if needed Frequent flyer miles (enter your frequent flyer account number on the OnBoard Website) Work with student on: budgeting, laundry, administering own meds, walking several miles, waking up on own

28. Assignments Online quizzes Chapters 9-11 Explore Before you Go: Religion and Art Read “Budget” section in Student Ambassador Protocol Bring project fair materials and be ready to present Bring passport to May meeting!!!

29. Upcoming Events… Community Service April 16 th from 12:00-4:30 Location: 7600 Canal Road, Valley View, Ohio 44125 Orientation Meeting #4 May 21 st from 9:30-12:30 Bon Voyage Gathering At the Cambridge Village Pool & Rec. Area June 14 th at 5:00pm