The document provides 14 tips for students going on a school trip to Washington DC. The tips advise students to remain positive, stay with their group at all times, think and act safely, take care of themselves, respect adults and guides, be responsible for personal property, budget money appropriately, take pictures throughout the trip rather than all in one spot, follow airport security procedures, carry emergency contact information, and overall have a great time representing their community well. Safety, responsibility, and respect are emphasized throughout the tips.

1. Tips to a Great Trip to Washington DC Spring Hill Behavioral Expectations for our Summer Trip

2. Tip 1 : Always be Positive Things on trips do not always go as planned You will not find everything on our trip super interesting Some people may get on your nerves Tip : Always remain positive and remember that this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Your attitude will determine how you will remember this trip.

3. Tip 2: Be on Time Please bring a watch and be responsible for being at certain places at scheduled times Report to your chaperone for head counts Follow the lights out procedure Be on time for breakfast. Sorry…..no sleeping in Being late can cause the entire group to be late for the ENTIRE day Tip: Watch the Clock and check your schedule (when not sure check with your chaperone)!

4. Tip 3: Stay with your group Always stay with the group in all areas! Buddy up with some one even to go to the restroom! Never leave the floor of the hotel without a chaperone Do not talk with people outside of our tour. Use common sense Tip 3: There is safety in numbers. We are in this together so let’s stick together!

5. Tip 4: Think Safe and Act Safe There is no need to run, jump, climb anywhere on this trip Respect the monuments with dignity and pride. There will be some places that will require us to be quiet (as a mark of respect) The hotel rooms, bus, and planes are not personal jungle gyms Please be careful in the pool. Tip 4: If you think it is wrong or unsafe. Just don’t do it!

6. Tip 5: Please Eat and Get Your Rest! Please eat something at every meal (yes….even breakfast) Please bring a water bottle with you on sightseeing trips Do not overeat to the point you are going to make yourself sick Please get to bed by 11. The days will be long and we don’t want you dragging! Tip 5: Get plenty of food, water, and rest to make it through each day

7. Tip 6: Take Care of Yourself Please each day: Shower Brush Teeth Use deodorant Take medication that you might need Follow SHMS dress code Tip 6: Be a responsible young adult and have respect for the people around you

8. Tip 7: Respect the Adults Please listen to instructions from all Teachers, Chaperones, and Tour Guides When you have a question for a tour guide.. raise your hand and be patient Please do not talk when tour guides are telling the history of a monument or place Please respect the people who are trying very hard to make your trip enjoyable !

9. Tip 8: Be responsible for your Personal Property Keep an eye on your camera, money, and personal items. If you feel that you can’t do this…ask a chaperone to hold items for you Pack for a four day trip…not a two week trip Mark your personal items with some type of ID tape

10. Tip 9 Money Issues Do not spend all of your money in one place Create a daily budget with your parents. Once you spend your limit for the day…..STOP! A chaperone will be glad to hold money for you Travel Checks or Visa Gift Cards might be wise if you are poor with handling cash Keep your wallets in your front pockets and your purses safely secure to your body! How much money????? I recommend no less than $100 and no more than $250. It all depends on what type of a shopper you are.

11. Tip 10 Keep in Contact with Your Parents Please call home every night to let your parents know we had a safe day However, I strongly recommend you buy one with additional minutes for the trip. We will allow cell phones (TRAC Phones from Wal-Mart are great!). Ask a chaperone to use a phone if you are out of minutes. Take time to send a few postcards home during the trip

12. Tip 11 Picture Taking Don’t take all your pictures in one day and in one spot Please be aware of picture taking rules at certain locations Throwaway cameras are a lot easier then digital cameras to keep up with Bring a battery charger with you for digital cameras. Batteries are very expensive at tourist traps. So is film and throw away cameras. Mrs. Heffington and Mr. Manes will be taking LOTS of pictures on this trip. We will be putting them in a slide show that you can run on a computer. (We will charge a small fee to meet my costs.)

13. Tip 12 Airport Security and Other Security Do not mess with security!!! Do not crack jokes and do not complain about waits. Stay together and do what is asked of you by security These men and women are only trying to keep us safe. We will show them the respect they deserve!

14. Tip 13 In Case of an Emergency We will give each child a card with our cell phone numbers and the numbers of other chaperones in case (the unlikelihood) you get lost We want your parent contact numbers on this card These numbers will be placed in your ID badge provided by the company Please take the time to place id tags on all your bags. The company will provide us with id tags. But, a backup personal one will not hurt. I can be responsible for passing out medication if your parents feel more comfortable with me doing that.

15. Tip 14 Have a Blast Don’t worry…..be happy!!! Demonstrate to the nation what great students we have in Bentonville! You represent an entire community…Do it well! We hope you enjoy the trip!!!!!!!!

16. Contact Information Amy Heffington [email_address] Cell – 479-586-1414 Rick Manes [email_address] Cell- 479-621-3440