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STUDENTDISCIPLINE

4 Make It the Trip of a Lifetime

6 First Decisions:

Why, Where and When

8 Trip-Planning Timeline

10 Working With Tour Providers

SPECIAL SECTION12

Student Groups Love Branson, MO

17 Choosing a Tour Hotel

18 Food and Fun

20 Student Discipline on Tour

22 Choosing Chaperones

24 Why Students Need

Group Travel Insurance

26 Post-Tour Activities

28 State-by-State Directory Resources

34 National Directory Resources

G. W

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an fo

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Phila

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Inc.

studenttraveldirectory.com Student Travel Planning Guide 3

Vol. 2, No. 1 2011 EDITION

con t e n t s

ON THE COVER: the whole world is a classroom.

(photo courtesy of 2010 © evangelos thomaidis.

image from Bigstockphoto.com)

TOUR PROVIDERS

Article images courtesy of © 2010 JupiterimAges Corporation

6

20

10

FIRST DECISIONS

http://www.studenttraveldirectory.com/

Randy Mink

Think back to that first trip that youtook with classmates. Remember the

thrill of traveling to fun places withoutyour parents tagging along? It was probablya monumental event in your young life.

Whether the destination is London,New York City or Washington, D.C., aschool trip provides students their firsttrue taste of independence—a chance tobe away from family in a carefree setting.What an adventure!

The eye-opener for you might have beena high school band trip to Disney Worldor a choral group outing in Branson, Mo.For me, it was a summer German languageprogram in Austria—an experience thatstays with me decades later.

As a group leader and tour manager,I’ve had the privilege of seeing the worldthrough the eyes of young people. Oneyear I even led a group of teens on anAfrican safari that included a climb upMount Kilimanjaro.

Having worked in offices of studenttravel companies, I know that these ad-ventures do not just happen. They take alot of planning. For one educational tourcompany, I spent my days putting togetherminute-by-minute itineraries, arranginghotel pizza deliveries and ordering boxlunches for groups with airport layovers.

The second annual Student TravelPlanning Guide is designed to be a one-

stop resource for developing that perfecttrip. Written by educators for educators,our annual print directory mixes how-toadvice with listings of destinations, attrac-tions and hotels interested in hostingstudent groups. Built upon our expertisewith print and online directories, thisplanning tool will help guide your deci-sions throughout the year.

We have two products that complementthe Student Travel Planning Guide.

StudentTravelDirectory.com contains themost comprehensive directory resource forthe student travel market today. With list-ings and links to thousands of student/youth-friendly destinations and businesses,it’s designed to be the premier researchtool for the market. Additionally, InSiteon Student Travel is a monthly e-maga-zine that takes its cue from our company’spopular InSite on Leisure Group Travele-magazine, with regular doses of ideas,inspiration, best practices and destinationreports.

We hope this Planning Guide, combinedwith our online resources, will help youplan a trip to remember.

Happy traveling,

Randy MinkManaging Editor

Make it the Tripof a Lifetime

Let the Student Travel Planning Guideand our online resources help with the homework for your next educational tour

Vol. 2, No. 1, 2011 Edition

Editorial Office621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406

Willowbrook, IL 60527P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652

[email protected]

Publisher – Jeffrey [email protected]

Managing Editor – Randy [email protected]

Contributing WritersMike Streich

Tara Entwistle-ClarkJohn Martinen

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Advertising Sales OfficePhone: 630.794.0696

[email protected]

The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well asadvertising, but assumes no responsi bility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure theaccuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is notresponsible for the return of unsolicited photos or manuscripts.

Student Travel Planning Guide (ISSN 2154-4905) is publishedannually by Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc., 621 Plainfield Rd.,Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL 60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, ILand Lebanon Junction, KY. The magazine is distributed free toyouth group travel organizers and travel suppliers catering to

the market. Single copies for all others is $9.95.

Send Address Change to: Premier Tourism Marketing, Inc.

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A publication

4 Student Travel Planning Guide studenttraveldirectory.com


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For a teacher, it can be challenging to make the decision totravel with students. There are so many concerns, and there

are horror stories out there circulating on the web.However, the experience of student travel can be a reward-

ing one, for both students and adults alike. Although it is funand relaxing to travel with friends and family, traveling withstudents allows adults to see the world differently. Perhapsyou have already visited a locale, but when you see it throughthe eyes of a student who has not, you begin to appreciate theworld even more. You see things you likely missed in yourown travels. What is even more exciting is when you seethings that you teach about in your curriculum or talk aboutwith your club, and the students on tour make those connec-tions without prompting. There are no teachable momentsthat beat those experiences!

Of course, simply stating that you want to travel is not thesame as knowing how to go about doing it. For starters, wherewould you go? Why? Although there will be more even moredecisions along the way, they are secondary to choosing totravel and knowing why you are. If you are in student travelfor the wrong reasons (i.e. a free trip or to get out of the class-room), the experience will not be what it should for anyoneinvolved. The reality is that you will have a better time onyour own if you do not want to take students, so do not plana trip if you are not doing it for the kids!

At this point, let us assume that you definitely want totravel and that you are sure it is for the students, not for you.Where should you go? How can you relate it to your class or

club? There is a variety of options, but a lot will be determinedby your area of study.

History teachers can travel to Europe, to locations likeNormandy, France, or Berlin. They can also stay in the UnitedStates and visit Boston or areas in California that were part ofthe Gold Rush. English teachers have a vast array of destina-tions at their disposal, from England and Ireland to the North-east and even Faulkner’s Mississippi. Science teachers cantravel to study geology in Utah and Nevada or astronomy atone of the NASA space centers. Finally, coaches can travel toCooperstown, N.Y. for the Baseball Hall of Fame, or dramaclub directors can take kids to Hollywood or New York City.


First Decisions: Why, Where and When

The question you must ask yourself firstis what do you want students to takefrom this trip? From there, you canbegin to choose destinations that will fit that objective, and then you can narrow down those choices to fit withinyour budget and timeline.

?


If the goal is not educational but team building, there are

even more destinations appropriate to student travel. What

would beat a team building trip to Walt Disney World? Teams

and clubs will find that Disney even plans special events for per-

formers and teams, which increase the value of the experience.

How about a visit to New York City for sightseeing and a show?

There are even more rugged options, like whitewater rafting in

several areas on the East Coast or a visit to the Grand Canyon.

The question you must ask yourself first is what do you

want students to take from this trip?

From there, you can begin to choose

destinations that will fit that objective,

and then you can narrow down those

choices to fit within your budget and

timeline.

As for when to travel, the best

time obviously will be during vaca-

tions, so that students do not miss

too much time out of school. There

are four standard vacation periods,

not including holiday weekends. A

trip of three days will obviously be

much easier to plan than a week-long

trip, simply for the fact that there is a

greater range of date availability.

December:You will have far more

trouble recruiting because parents and

students would rather be home for

the holidays.

February: Some schools have a

winter break in February, but the

danger of traveling at this time is

weather. Depending on your city of

departure or your destination, you

could be facing major weather delays.

Do not forget, as well, that it is pos-

sible you may have a layover in a city

that will be affected by these delays.

Sure, if you are flying direct from

Los Angeles to Hawaii, chances are

you will have little concern about

weather. If, however, you are flying to

a place like Boston or Chicago, it is

advisable to consider weather as a

major factor in your trip planning.

April/May:This (and late March,

depending on when Easter falls) is

the most popular vacation time. The weather is more likely to

cooperate, and school is almost out!

Summer: Summer offers you the most flexibility. You will

need to consider, however, how many students want to be in-

volved in a school-related trip during summer. Many students

have summer jobs or have plans to travel with family. You are

likely to lose a few travelers, but depending on how open your

invite is, you may be able to pick up alumni who are now in

college to join you on the trip.



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Trip-Planning Timeline


Once a teacher, club leader or band director makes thedecision to travel, suddenly he or she is caught up in a

whirlwind of activity. Deadlines are fast approaching, andthere are a million questions to field from students and par-ents. Knowing what to tackle first, what decisions to put offand what support to ask for will be helpful in making theprocess as smooth as possible.

Up to one year before departure: Your main choices at thispoint will be where to travel, when to travel and with whomto book travel (if you are using an agency/tour operator). How-ever, you cannot make too many decisions about details be-cause airlines will not likely have a lot of information yet, andrestaurants have been known to disappear.

One major task you can focus on is recruiting students foryour trip. Working out payments over a year is far better, so itis not a bad idea to plan this far in advance. Be forewarned,though, that once the decision is made, the trip is booked andstudents are registered, you will see a lot of down time. Tokeep student interest up, have regular trip meetings, perhapswith food from the destination.

3-11 months before departure: Airfare and/or motor-coach arrangements, as well as hotel accommodations andmeal reservations, will need to be made. If you are leaving thecountry, you will need to start focusing on getting passportsand visas. You also want to check in with the kids, as theirlives may change. For example, a student had signed up for atrip who then had to move across the country. With time, theteacher was able to determine if she preferred to fly from hernew home or depart with the group.

Three months before departure: The students will needto finish paying you or the travel agency/tour operator. If you

need airport transfers, you will need to get those detailsworked out. At this point, you also need to check that stu-dents have passports and other documentation, and that theirnames are spelled correctly. It would be terrible to arrive atthe airport only to find that they forgot to update a passportor that the ticket was made out to the wrong person. Finally,you may need to have students choose roommates for hotels.

One month before departure: It is question time! Do youhave emergency contact info for each traveler? Have you hada meeting to confirm trip details and gather any last info youneed? Is everyone paid in full? Do students have the itemsthey need, such as luggage, cell phones (with internationalSIM cards if you are leaving the country), chargers andadapters for electronics? Do students have spending moneyin the proper currency? Do any students have special dietaryrestrictions? Do you have medical and allergy information?Do parents have your emergency contact information? If youcan answer all the questions thrown at you, you are in thehome stretch!

2

Deadlines are fast approaching, andthere are a million questions to fieldfrom students and parents. Knowingwhat to tackle first, what decisions toput off and what support to ask for willbe helpful in making the process assmooth as possible.


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Working with tour providers regularly,with bi-weekly communication, willenable the teacher group leader to diffuse potential problems, clarifyquestions and ensure a successful experience for all participants.

Working With Tour Providers


�

The most important aspect of working effectively with tourproviders is regular communication, either by telephone or

through e-mail. Most student tour providers offer excellentwebsites that allow participants to enroll and make paymentsonline, answer basic questions, provide helpful downloads suchas city guides, and detail every aspect of the itinerary.

Specific Requests

After contracting with a tour provider, teacher groupleaders should let the provider know their most importantconsiderations regarding the tour. Examples include:• Specific flight patterns (longer or shorter layovers, etc.)• Location of hotels (within the cities or outside of urban areas)• Meal upgrades (may increase the per-person price of the tour)• Participants with “stay-behind” requests• Participants traveling from gateways other than the group

Paperwork and Student/Parent Information

It is important to keep up-to-date with all paperwork requested by the tour provider by the given deadlines.These include:• Any liability contracts or agreements to act as a group leader• Gathering of student information such as passport data• Creation of an emergency calling tree• Reminding participants and guardian of payment schedules• Providing information on trip insurances• Enrolling participants on optional tour excursions• Matching passport names with names on the trip rosterThis final point is highly critical. The tour provider issues

flight tickets in the name of the participant as enrolled. Therecan be no difference between the name on the provider’s rosterand the name in the passport. Correcting this in the days beforedeparture can cost hundreds of dollars.

Feedback

Group leaders will not be able to contact tour providerconsultants while on tour unless there is a case of an on-touremergency. Thus, feedback is very important:• Complete all feedback, evaluation forms thoroughly• Make comments when necessary

• Call the provider upon returning and summarize the experience• Detail what was really effective• Detail anything that was disappointing

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Music directors from around thecountry are always on the lookout forthe ultimate student-performance traveldestinations for their choir, orchestraand instrumental groups. They need tolook no farther than Branson,Missourito strike the perfect chord.

Branson is a bursting hub of live en-tertainment nestled in the premier lake-resort region of theMissouri Ozarks andoffers up an exceptionally well-roundedensemble of performance, educationaland recreational travel experiences formusical youth.

No need for music directors tospend hours browsing the web or do alot of time-consuming site inspectionsto familiarize themselves with Branson.

Directors interested in the venuecan simply request an application nowto participate in Branson’s yearly Music

Director FAMTour – a complimentaryannual event hosted by the Bran-son/Lakes Area Convention and Visi-tors Bureau.

Sporting a 3-day packed itinerary(with ongoing visits to shows, diningspots, attractions and lodging plus per-sonal intros to the business community)the FAM tour provides music directors,along with one selected travel compan-ion of their choice, a steady on-site, up-close-and-personal stream of whatBranson has to offer in the way of a su-perior student performance destination.

“It was a great time,” says StevenTyndall, music director at Rising StarrMiddle School in Peach Tree City,Georgia – one of the 23 music directorsfrom around the U.S. who were guestsat the 4th Annual Branson Music Di-rectors FAM tour, July 6-9, 2010.

Tyndall, who says that he is sold onBranson as a result of this year’s FAMtour and plans to lock in a student-per-formance trip there for his musicaltroupe in the school year 2011-2012,credits FAM tour producer LenniNeimeyer for the rewarding and suc-cessful experience.

“I was impressed with the way Lenniput it all together in one package.Everystep of the way, we were able to meetpeople and learn about all the opportu-nities for our kids that Branson has tooffer,”Tyndall says.

Neimeyer, Director of LeisureGroup Sales for the Branson/LakesArea Convention & Visitors Bureau,says, “I love to promote Branson be-cause it is truly an amazing destination.And I enjoy the rewarding challenge ofdeveloping a FAM tour that meets the

st u d e n t GRo u p s lov e BR a n s o n, Mi s s o u R i

Offering more than 100 live

shows, Branson is the

entertainment capital of Mid-America

and a favorite of young travelers from

around the country. Student perform-

ance groups—bands, choirs, dance

troupes—find Branson especially

engaging. They revel in the chance to

strut their stuff on the stages of state-

of-the-art theaters that showcase

Branson’s biggest and brightest stars.

Branson, the fastest-growing stu-

dent performance destination in

America, provides groups with plenty

of diversions away from the theaters.

It abounds with theme parks, go-kart

tracks, arcades and other amuse-

ments. Ozarks history and the area’s

natural beauty also captivate student

groups.

Famous for hospitality, Branson

takes pride in its family-friendly ambi-

ence and safe environment. Centrally

located in the heart of America, this

small vacation town in Southern

Missouri is the perfect place for

a student trip!

Student Performance Group in Branson

Branson Hosts

4tH annual Music

Director FaMBy Gail Reynolds

A D V E R T O R I A L


specific interest of my attendees. Butit’s always so easy because Branson hassomething to offer people of all, anyand every age group.”

While Neimeyer admits she is de-lighted with the positive results of theBranson Music Director FAM tourconcept she developed over four yearsago, she shies away from taking overallcredit for the event’s over-the-top suc-cess record.

In fact, Neimeyer—a CertifiedTravel Industry Specialist (CTIS)and soon to be designated a Cer-tified Student Travel Professional(CSTP)—hands over the majorrecognition to the Branson busi-ness community for the financialsupport and full involvementwhich makes the yearly expense-

free trip possible for music directorsplus one traveling companion.

This year’s itinerary included a non-stop tour of many student-friendlysights and sounds of Branson. Plus, thefinal morning of the FAM, all attendeeswere treated to a presentation by a spe-cial guest speaker, Kirk Troen, presidentof the Student Youth Travel Associa-tion, and a Speed-Dating Marketplacebusiness session during which music di-rectors were seated for over two hourswhile having a slate every 4 minutes ofone-on-one meetings with variousBranson business leaders and group

sales representatives sharing informa-tion on youth-oriented lodging, the-aters, attractions, dining and more.

“I had a fantastic time,” says AudreyMurphy, director of the Middle Schoolband in Milton, Georgia and partici-pant in July’s FAM event, who is tar-geting spring 2012 for her group’sperformance visit to Branson. “Wedidn’t just go to shows, but also the

parks and amusements, attractions anddining places. I think my kids willenjoy Branson and my chaperones willenjoy it, not just because of the studentperformance opportunities that Bran-son offers, but because there are somany educational opportunities fromthe Titanic museum to the music clin-ics offered to our students by the pro-fessional entertainers there.”

“This tour was very good for musicdirectors in two regards,” guest speakerTroen reflects. “Number one, the direc-tors got to experience Branson in a waythat allowed them to see all of the as-

pects and opportunities their studentswould enjoy beforehand –without hav-ing to be chaperone to them.”

Secondly, Troen pointed out, Bran-son FAM tour guests were presentedinformation relating to how the bene-fits of utilizing an organized, reputablestudent-tour liaison outweighed theoption of directors trying to create theirown trip.

“For a small city, Branson hasmore student-performance op-portunities than most big cities,”Troen says. “There are so manymusicians within so many the-aters. Music students not only getto perform, they get to see othermusicians perform.”

Neimeyer (who has scheduledthe 2011 and 2012 Music Direc-

tor Branson FAM tours and is alreadylooking forward to those upcomingevents) sums up her enthusiasm: “I loveto introduce people to our destinationand my favorite thing is to see that lightcome on, during their visit, when theyrealize all that Branson has to offer. It’smagical.”


Lenni Neimeyer, CTIS

Director of Leisure Group Sales

Branson/Lakes Area Convention

& Visitors Bureau

[email protected]

ExploreBranson.com

800-214-3661

St u d e n t Gro u p S Lov e Br a n S o n, Mi S S o u r i


For more information contact:


http://www.explorebranson.com/

3 pristine lakes

19,000+ guest rooms

50 theatres

100+ live shows

Award-winningtheme parks

300+ retail shops220,000 sq. ft. convention center

200 holes of golf

240+ restaurants

Attention, Music Directors: Come see for yourself why Branson should be your next student performance destination!

5th Annual Music Director FAM - July 12-15, 2011

6th Annual Music Director FAM - July 10-13, 2012

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the fastest-growing student performance destination in America!

Showboat Branson Belle

Butterfly Palace

Acrobats of China

Dolly Parton’sDixie Stampede

Premier Performance OpportunitiesIn Branson, student groups can perform in one of our state-of-the-art theaters for a once in a lifetime experience! Your student groups can be the pre-show entertainment performing on the same stages as some of Branson’s biggest and brightest stars! In addition, our award-winning theme parks and exciting attrac-tions afford exceptional performance settings as well. Branson offers this unique opportunity to draw on real-life performance experiences at a highly profes-sional level.

Competitions and FestivalsInteractive musical competition experiences through nationally-recognized band, choral, and orchestra festival companies abound in Branson! For an updated list of competitions and festivals scheduled, contact Director of Leisure Group Sales, Lenni Neimeyer at the Branson/Lakes Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Learning about the Entertainment IndustryYour student groups are able to benefit from the enormous variety and accessi-bility to the Branson entertainment industry through educational workshops, mas-ter classes and behind-the-scenes-programs with theater professionals.

More than 100 live shows featuring world-class entertainment personalities, multi-talented performing families, specialty acts, impersonators, illusionists, comedians and spectacular large cast production shows make Branson the most entertaining place on earth to learn.

Exploring the History of the AreaThe rich history of the Ozarks and Branson is reflected in the diversity of its busi-nesses, attractions, museums, historical landmarks, craftsmanship, geology, land-scapes, wildlife and military contributions. All serve to move students beyond the four walls of the classroom, expanding their educational horizons.

Exceeding Your ExpectationsBranson is famous for its time-honored Ozarks hospitality and safe environment. It’s a place where age is honored, youth is celebrated, and service to God and country is revered. Centrally located in the heart of America, we are less than a day's drive from one-third of the nation's population. For those groups who want to fly to Branson, the Branson Airport is open and located just 10 miles south of downtown - Everyday low fares have come to Branson!

Branson/Lakes AreaConvention & Visitors BureauP.O. Box 1897 • Branson, MO 65615 • 800-214-3661417-334-4084 • Fax 417-348-0649 • www.explorebranson.com

Contact: Lenni Neimeyer, CTIS, Director of Leisure Group SalesEmail: [email protected]

The Official Website of Branson, Missouri

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Besides music shows, Branson brimswith fun things for student groups to seeand do.Here is just a sampling of somefavorite Branson attractions:

Branson’s iMaX

entertainMent coMpleX

There’s no better way for studentgroups to learn about Ozarks heritagethan to witness it on the giant moviescreen at Branson’s IMAX Entertain-ment Complex.The immersive, visuallystunning film Ozarks Legacy & Legendtells the story of the intriguing moun-tain culture, presenting dramatic aerialviews of the area as it follows the Mc-Farlain family from 1824 to the 1950s.

“Of the 150 IMAX theaters aroundthe world, this is the only one in theworld where you can see this movie,”said Jon Rasmussen, group sales man-ager of Branson’s IMAX complex,whichproduced the 48-minute film. Studentsgain insight into the Civil War, vigilan-tism during the Baldknobber era andProhibition.For a combo rate, student groups can

catch the movie and dine at McFarlainsFamily Restaurant, with its Ozarks-in-spired atmosphere and home cooking.The decor includes props from themovie.And a novelty are the five “risingtables” that slowly, imperceptibly rise

during the meal—until they get to chinlevel.The IMAX Food Court is anotheroption.Branson’s IMAX Entertainment

Complex also includes Elite III Cinema,three state-of-the-art theaters showingcurrent Hollywood movies; Little OpryTheatre, which has a rotating scheduleof live musical shows; and an enclosedshopping mall. During the holidays, stu-dent groups can perform in the mall.

Contact: Jon Rasmussen, 800-419-4832, ext. 122, [email protected];bransonimax.com.

silver dollar city

Celebrating its 50th year, Silver Dol-lar City keeps students engaged withrides, music and comedy shows, anddemonstrations of Ozarks crafts. Therealso are tours of Marvel Cave, aroundwhich the theme park was built.The newest ride is Tom & Huck’s

RiverBlast, a water battle raft ridethemed around the mischief-making ofTom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.Armed with water soakers, riders sprayeach other, douse spectators and hitother targets along the river channel.Other water rides are American Plungeand Lost River of the Ozarks. Popularrollercoasters include WildFire, Pow-derKeg and Thunderation.Educational programs at Silver Dol-

lar City range from cave ecology andlocal history to the physics of roller-coasters and making of lye soap. Lessonplans and curriculum guides are avail-able for school groups. Student per-formance groups can entertain guests atopen-air venues including opening cer-emonies at the Gazebo Stage.More op-portunities are available at thecompany’sWhiteWater water park andBranson Belle Steamboat at WhiteRiver Landing.

Contact:CindyThomas, group salesmanager, 417-338-3913, [email protected]; silverdollarcity.com.


Ozarks history comes alive on the

Branson IMAX screen.


Br a n s o n at t r ac t i o n s ap p e a l to st u d e n t s


http://www.bransonimax.com/

Teachers can get a good overview ofassigned hotels by looking over thehotel webpage and reading reviewsof the hotel by other patrons. It is alsohelpful to ask the tour provider to pro-vide the names of other group leaderswho stayed in that particular hotel.

Choosing a Tour Hotel


:

The quality of hotels varies considerably. Tour providers willuse hundreds of different properties, obtaining the best

possible price in line with the overall cost of the student tour. Students are lodged three or four to a room; adults are

placed two to a room. Each room has a private bath andshower. Most hotels used on student tours will be two- orthree-star properties, although it is not uncommon to belodged in a four-star hotel. Group leaders with specific re-quests should make those known to tour providers monthsbefore departure.

Questions regarding hotels should include:• If the hotel is in the city, is the neighborhood safe• If not in the city, how far from the central city is the hotel• If rural, is the hotel on the city transportation grid• Has this particular hotel been used by the tour provider before• If breakfast is included, is it continental style, buffet, or a full, hot breakfast• Is there Internet access• Does the hotel have indoor corridors• Does the hotel maintain independent security• Are the rooms furnished with mini-bars

Mini-Bars and Alcohol Access

Groups with alcohol policies must advise the tourproviders and on-site tour directors to avoid student use ofmini-bars. Even if no alcoholic beverages are in these refrig-erators, the prices on everything from sparkling water to softdrinks are highly inflated. Some mini-bars can be locked byhotel staff. Those that cannot be locked must be manually di-vested of alcohol. This may entail an additional room charge.

Checking In

• Prepare rooming lists ahead of arrival• Give each student a hotel business card in the event they get lost while in the city• Look over the neighborhood before allowing students to leave the hotel during free time• Let students know where breakfast will be served• The on-site tour director will post the daily itinerary inthe hotel lobby; students should know where this is• Hold a brief meeting that reemphasizes hotel behavior• Advise against using in-room telephone service

Common Hotel Problems

• Students congregating in the hotel halls and disturbingother guests• Slamming of room doors• Excessive noise from student rooms after curfew• Students missing breakfast and wanting to eat on the coach• Taking food from the breakfast room to use for lunch• Leaving rooms in disarray and failing to dispose of garbage properly• Access to adult channels (should be turned off )

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T here are two on-tour essentials that you’ll naturally wantto work out in advance: what to eat and what to do for fun.

Mealtime Options

Many tour companies plan meals for students, either byincluding a scheduled meal at an assigned location or givingstudents meal vouchers to be used within a certain area. How-ever, not all tours include food, and even those that do maynot cover all meals.

When planning for food choices, step one is to compile alist of food allergies and dietary restrictions for students. Plan-ning a meal at a steakhouse with a group that includes eightvegetarians may not be a great move unless you can confirmin advance that there will be a hearty meatless option as well.

After you are sure you have the students’ needs in mind,the plan is to find restaurants that can accommodate a largegroup. Some cities are full of small cafes, but when you aretraveling with over 50 people, those cute cafes lose a lot oftheir charm. No one wants to be forced to eat in shifts! In ad-dition, consider the layout of the restaurants. Sure, they canfit your whole group, but are you spread out all over therestaurant? That can be a challenge because one waiter maymove much slower than another, and suddenly half yourgroup is ready to leave while the other half is just finishingtheir salads!

Also keep in mind the ambience. Fifty teens in one areaare going to be loud. Is the restaurant a good choice for a loudgroup? Will you have to shush them constantly after gettingangry stares from other patrons? Are there private rooms thatcan accommodate your group?

Another key decision to keep in mind is whether or notthere are local delicacies at your destination. It is hard to visit

Maine without having lobster (or, at the very least, seafood).You cannot visit Britain without trying fish and chips. Eachlocation has its prime foods, and it only makes sense that stu-dents would immerse themselves fully in the culture.

One caveat is that some destinations, especially in othercountries, will include alcohol in their local delicacies. If youare bringing students to France or Germany, you must decideearly on what your policy is on drinking. You do not want toget there only to be surprised that kids will do everything theycan to get hold of beer or wine. Be clear with students fromthe outset what your policy is and what the penalties are forbreaking it. The best way is to put it in writing and requirethat students sign it, along with their parents. Even if you areallowing them to drink, get it in writing and make sure it isclear how much you are planning to tolerate!

Entertainment

As with food, each area has certain forms of entertainmentthat are more popular than others. For starters, look at whatyour trip includes. If a Broadway show is incorporated intothe price, it makes no sense to spend money and free timeseeing another (unless that is the main focus of your trip).

When there is free time, students are going to have diverse


Food and Fun

They may want to go back to the hotel to sleep and hang out after

dinner, but when they are 30, they will not remember that nap or that

conversation they had.

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interests. If you have multiple chaperones, you may want togive students a choice of itineraries for each evening, wherethey can pick one of two or three choices for their entertain-ment. Maybe one group will attend a sporting event, anotherwill visit a museum and a third will go shopping.

Sporting events are fun, but it makes sense to bring studentsto one that will be applicable to the trip. If you are a footballcoach, you may want to take kids to a football game. However,if you are a teacher, you may want to consider taking studentsto see a sport not popular in the area where you come from.

For the theater, New York,Chicago and London are greatdestinations for plays and mu-sicals. Ballet is really popular insome areas.

Shopping will be a draw incertain locations. Plan time forstudents to shop, especially instores they do not see at home.Although it may not be yourpreference to spend time onRodeo Drive while students buytrinkets, understand that thethrill of saying you shopped inBeverly Hills can be a highlightof the tour for some.

Finally, sightseeing andmuseum visits are definitelyencouraged and expected on aneducational trip. Visiting Wash-ington, D.C., almost assumesyou will see at least one of theSmithsonian museums, Arling-ton National Cemetery and themonuments along the Mall.Without the Coliseum and Vat-ican, a trip to Rome will be lack-ing. Know the highlights ofyour destination and make surestudents see them.

Some cities have great walk-ing tours. Boston has wonderfulDuck Tours, San Francisco is agreat destination for trolley toursand Edinburgh offers fantasticghost tours.

Keep in mind that studentswill get tired, and you do not

want to push them too hard, but do not let temporary exhaus-tion limit their experiences. They are young, and they may notappreciate nor understand what they are doing at the time, butthey will in the long run. Remember, standing in front of theEiffel Tower is fun, but going to the top is a life-changing mo-ment. They paid to go to Paris. They may want to go back tothe hotel to sleep and hang out after dinner, but when theyare 30, they will not remember that nap or that conversationthey had. If you push them to stay out and do all they can, theywill remember their Eiffel Tower visit for years to come.



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For more serious infractions, parentscan be called or emailed to elicit theirsupport in talking to the student. Youshould never ban a student from anexcursion on the tour itinerary or anyoptional activities that have been paidfor. This can result in unnecessary liabilities with parents.

Student Discipline on Tour


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On tour discipline begins with the first trip meeting. Stu-dents must be given all of the disciplinary-related expec-

tations before they enroll on the trip. Extra care should be takenin considering interested students who have a clear history ofdisciplinary problems. Some teacher group leaders interviewprospective tour participants in a meeting with their parents inorder to detail expectations.

General tour expectations should include:• Following all group leader, tour director and chaperone instructions

• Being on time for every event• Abiding by set nightly curfews• Never leaving the group without obtaining permission• Maintaining rules set by hotels and coach providers• Agreeing to follow any alcohol and drug policies established for touring students

• Treating all persons on the tour with respect, especially in situations with consolidated groups

• If the trip is school-sponsored, following all published behavior expectations

Most Common Disciplinary Violations

• Going off alone during free time• Leaving the hotel after curfew or bed checks• Disrupting others on the coach with loud talking• Arriving late at established meeting spots• Drinking alcoholic beverages if an alcohol policy forbids this

• Visiting out-of-bounds places such as “red light” districtsMuch can be said about adolescent alcohol policies and it is

frequently a subject of discussion at conferences of teacher groupleaders. Regardless of what the policy might be, group leadersand chaperones need to be aware that alcohol is readily availablein bars and hotels. Most European countries adhere to a drink-ing age of 18, but this varies by country. In Greece, for example,the drinking age is 16.

Enforcing Discipline on Tour

Sending a student home for a disciplinary infraction isusually frowned upon by tour providers anxious to avoid legaldifficulties with parents and guardians. This threat shouldnever be used unless it can be enforced. Such last resort ac-tions must be pre-arranged with parents and guardians andput into writing.

For students who do not follow rules, consequencesmight include:•Cleaning the interior of the coach at the end of a travel day• Being confined to the hotel between dinner and curfew• Loss of free time privileges• Spending any free time in the company of a chaperone• Helping to load baggage onto the coach


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R egardless of group size, obtaining an appropriate numberof chaperones will ensure a successful tour experience.

Most student tour providers offer “free spots” that are basedon the number of paying participants. This ratio is usually1-6 but can vary depending on the tour provider. This makeschaperoning a student tour attractive. Chaperones should re-alize, however, that this is not a free vacation.

Recruiting Chaperones

All chaperones should have some experience with stu-dents either as teachers, school administrators or someother educational, professional venue. Initial recruitingshould include the following:• Experience in working with adolescents• Willingness to help plan and facilitate• Ability to attend all pre-tour meetings• Assist with documentation such as obtaining passports and visas

• Prepared to spend money on items not covered in the free spot such as lunches or beverages

• Ability to chaperone small groups of students on flights if the departure and/or return flights are split

• Following all tour guidelines in respect to student expectations such as an alcohol policy

Avoiding Certain Groups as Chaperones

• Family members of the teacher group-leader• Unqualified parents of student participants• Spouses of qualified chaperones• Older students who may be school alumni

On Tour Responsibilities

Any adults involved in leading or chaperoning a studenttour must be prepared to be on call at any hour. If there area number of chaperones, it is helpful to divide responsibil-ities and give each chaperone at least one night off duringthe tour. On tour chaperone responsibilities will include:• Responsibility for small student groups throughout the tour

• Assisting with student discipline• Helping to facilitate curfews and room-checks at night• Staying behind if a student is too ill to participate in theactivities on any particular day

• Accompanying a student home if severe illness or disciplinary problems warrant such last resort actions

• Making sure all students wake up at the proper time andare prepared for the day’s activities

• Monitoring students during “free time”• Willingness to accompany students on free day excursions

• Taking over the group if the lead teacher or group leadercannot complete the tour

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Skilled chaperones help make a student tour successful. They ensure the reputation of the group while assisting the group leader in daily operations. Chaperone compensationis the free trip, which they can thor-oughly enjoy within the parameters of their responsibilities.

Choosing Chaperones


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Students and their parents often believe that youth meansthere won’t be problems that require insurance. Even if

there is a problem, the student traveler will probably be cov-ered by the insurance of a family member. This thoughtprocess generally, but not always, relates to medical problems– and many people think medical problems occur only as oneages, not with young adults.

Listed below are a few examples of claims paid duringthe past two years to students who were lucky enough tohave purchased travel insurance:

• Tonsillitis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,300

• Grandfather passed away. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,600

• Broken left hand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,100

• Mental health (hospitalized). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6,800

• Mononucleosis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8,200

• Severe separation anxiety (hospitalized) . . . . $5,900

• Dislocated knee. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,300

• Fall - minor brain injury, severe mouth trauma . . $5,500

Organizers of student travel can provide examples where stu-dents experienced a problem, but had not purchased travel in-surance. Those students often thought they were covered underthe insurance plan of a family member. Only after realizing theneed for insurance did the student and his family find there wasno coverage because the student was not living at home, wastraveling out of the geographic range covered by the family in-surance plan or for another reason spelled out in the family pol-icy. It is most important that the student or the student’s familynot assume there is medical coverage for the traveling student.

Trip Cancellation Benefit

Even if there is medical insurance coverage, there are otherproblems that result in financial cost to the student traveler andhis family. After the trip has been paid in full, the student mayhave to cancel for a reason that is covered by the travel insur-ance trip cancellation benefit. Without travel insurance, thestudent could lose part or all of the amount paid for the trip.If the student has started the trip and then must cancel, he/she loses whatever has been invested in the balance of thetrip and must pay to return home – generally a lot of moneybecause the travel arrangements are made at the last minute.

An example of this type of trip interruption is the $11,600 payment (see chart) where the grandfather passed away andthe student had to immediately return home.

In addition, there are two invaluable insurance benefitsyour student travelers need: financial insolvency protectionand the ability to cancel for any reason. These benefits shouldbe purchased through you, not tour providers. Why? Touroperators and cruise lines can’t insure against their own financial demise – so you won’t get protection against thetravel provider’s insolvency if you purchase travel insurancedirectly from them. When travelers “cancel for any reason,”travel provider plans generally issue a voucher good for future travel only with them – not cash. Your students usuallywant cash, not a voucher.

Why Your Student TravelersNeed Group Travel Insurance

Protect your student traveler’s investment by offering

student group travel insurance.


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First Period: Natural History Second Period: Presidential History Third Period: Up Periscope

Bring your classroom to life with student tours around Arkansas. The Natural State offers many exciting and unique subjects to educate and entertain – from a submarine that fought in World War II to America’s fi rst presidential library of the 21st century and many more fascinating museums.

Find out more by visiting our website or calling the toll-free number for itinerary ideas.

tours around Arkansas. The Natural State offers many exciting and unique subjects to educate

William J. Clinton Presidential Center, Little Rock > USS Razorback, North Little Rock

William J. Clinton Presidential Center, Little Rock >

Delta Rivers Nature Center, Pine Bluff

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When developing student and youth tours, there is a lot to think about, but it all comes down to the reason for travel – education that’s fun! And few places capture the imagination quite like Louisiana. Experience the history hands-on, through interactive demonstrations and tours which engage and excite students.It’s all here, just minutes from New Orleans, awaiting your discovery.

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Post -Tour Activities


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M aintaining momentum is only one aspect of post-touractivities. All post-tour events and activities help to

spark interest in future trips, encourage returning participantsand interest future participants who may have never traveledbefore. Activities can include:

• School or church bulletin boards featuring trip pictures• Participant testimonials in the school newspaper• Hosting a school-wide assembly focused on the tour• Devoting yearbook space to both the prior tour and thenewly proposed tour

• Creating a T-shirt participants can wear that lists their names and the tour destinations

• Creating an online web page of tour pictures and participant comments, linked to the school website

• Summarizing the tour superlatives in PTA and other parent-oriented school literature and correspondence

• Hosting a tour party where all participants bring food related to the cultures visited and their pictures for sharing

Long-Term Activities

Trip group leaders and moderators may wish to establish aschool travel club that is led by students who have been onpast tours. Club activities can include:• Watching video of the prior trip (assuming a participant taped the tour activities)

• Watching brief travel DVDs and videos relevant to future trip destinations

• Celebrating holidays that tie to foreign cultures (example: Christmas in Germany or Scandinavia; a Dickens Christmas)

• Inviting foreign exchange students to share their experiences

• Displaying picture collages and tour information at school club fair events or PTA gatherings

• Submitting students’ personal tour accounts and experiences to local newspapers or other media

• Engaging in fundraising activities to raise money for future trips

Seasonal Trip Meetings

Teacher group leaders can keep the trip momentum goingby scheduling seasonal trip meetings. These meetings bridgepast tours while instilling interest in future tours. Parents and

students should be invited. Parents of former student tourparticipants are the best available reference for those withquestions about tour operations.

Activities at trip meetings can include:• Sharing portfolios created from recent trip experiences• Discussing what new destinations potential participantsmight be interested in

• Making available all trip essentials such as spending money, insurances and trip expectations

If the same tour provider is used, it is also helpful to schedulesuch meetings to coincide with visits by regional representativesof the provider.

Bridging the prior tour with future trips is essential because participants need time to pay for the trip. Thus, immediate post-tour activities play acrucial role while ongoing activities,like a school travel club, will build on that momentum.


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ATTRACTION��

Bellingrath Gardens and Home 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd.Theodore, AL 36582800-247-8420 [email protected] beside the Fowl River, this 65-acreestate garden blooms in color every day of theyear. Open daily 8 AM to 5 PM.

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Huntsville/Madison County CVBHuntsville, AL [email protected] are a comprehensive, full-service convention& visitors bureau. We offer site inspections,FAM tours, customized itineraries, contact infor-mation and marketing materials. We offer aunique greeting upon arrival...Space Napping.

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Sitka Convention and Visitor BureauSitka, AK [email protected] Alaska—More than you imagine, closerthan you think! Explore this remote island todiscover an array of activities, attractions, history, festivals and more!

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Arizona Renaissance Festival12601 E. U.S. Hwy. 60Apache Junction, AZ 85218800-773-0715 [email protected] www.renfestinfo.com The Arizona Renaissance Festival is a medievalamusement park, a 12-stage theater, a 30-acrecircus, an arts and crafts fair, a jousting tourna-ment and a feast -- all rolled into one non-stop,day-long, group friendly adventure!

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Mesa Arizona CVBMesa, AZ [email protected] activities and attractions, museums,arts and culture, entertainment and group-friendly accommodations. Travel planning service, itinerary assistance, online brochurefiles and FAM trip assistance.

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Arkansas Department of Parks & TourismLittle Rock, AR800-872-1259grouptravel@arkansas.comwww.arkansasgrouptravel.comTo learn more about the exciting and uniqueactivities and attractions a student tour aroundArkansas includes, visit our website or call thetoll-free number.

Fort Smith CVBFort Smith, [email protected] • www.fortsmith.orgExperience America’s historic frontier! Tour MissLaura’s Visitor Center & Judge Isaac Parker’sCourtroom, ride the train into the beautifulOzark Mountains, the electric streetcar throughdowntown, or a 1935 ferris wheel in our retroPark at West End. FORT SMITH…..future homeof the U. S. Marshals Museum!

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Palm Springs Aerial TramwayOne Tram WayPalm Springs, CA [email protected]'s largest rotating tramcars take visitors up8,516 feet. At the top enjoy spectacular views,dining, museum, gift shop, hiking and more.Group tram ride, tram ride and lunch or dinnerpackages available.

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Sacramento Convention & Visitors BureauSacramento, [email protected]/studentsCome to Sacramento for a little “Gold-Ology”!That’s the study of finding student-friendlytreasure in California’s capital city. Educationalexperiences, performance venues andunmatched services.

Santa ClaraSanta Clara, CA [email protected] Santa Clara is Northern California's premier stu-dent group tour location. It's easy to see why stu-dents love visiting the Santa Clara area. With anexciting theme park, technological wonders, anda year-round beautiful climate, stay, play & learn!

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Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center110 Pequot TrailMashantucket, CT [email protected]

The award-winning Pequot Museum brings to lifethe Native American and natural history of NewEngland through interactive exhibits. Unique giftshop, outstanding restaurant & group rates.

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Flamingo Gardens3750 S. Flamingo Rd.Davie, FL 33330954-473-2955 X [email protected] this 60-acre, not-for-profit botanical garden& wildlife sanctuary. Visit our Everglades wildlifesanctuary, historic Wray Home Museum & rideour narrated tram tour. Gift & garden shops,Tropical Marketplace. Group rates available.

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Florida's Gulf IslandsP.O. Box 1000Bradenton, FL 34206941-729-9177info@floridasgulfislands.comwww.flagulfislands.comEco Nature Tours, Student Youth Tours,Historical Tours, Heritage Tours, Cultural ArtsTours. The Bradenton Area Convention andVisitors Bureau can customize an itinerary foryour groups’ likes.

Georgia Department of Economic DevelopmentAtlanta, GA [email protected]’s wide diversity of group destinations,from the mountains to the coast, from its southern rivers to its historic heartland to metroAtlanta, guarantees every visitor an unforget-table experience.

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Navy Pier 600 E. Grand Ave.Chicago, IL [email protected] a little overboard at Navy Pier, theMidwest's top visited attraction! Experience 50 acres of rides and attractions, including a15-story Ferris wheel, IMAX theater, restaurants,shops, sightseeing and dining cruises, freeentertainment and more!

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Chicago Southland CVBLansing, IL 888-895-8233tours@visitchicagosouthland.comwww.tourchicagosouthland.comExperience true Midwestern hospitality on yournext motorcoach tour. The Chicago Southlandfeatures Chicago’s 62 south/southwest suburbs,only minutes from downtown Chicago.

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GEORGIA

ILLINOIS


studenttraveldirectory.com

McHenry County Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau McHenry, IL [email protected] www.visitmchenrycounty.com Located in the northwest region ofChicagoland, McHenry County is an exciting,diverse and beautiful region. Follow the countyroads through McHenry County.

St. Charles Convention and Visitors BureauSt. Charles, IL [email protected] The Civil War at 150 Years: A Cultural ArtsRetrospective. Join us for four years of concerts,exhibits, re-enactments and other activitiesrelated to this anniversary!

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Drury Lane Theatre100 Drury LaneOakbrook Terrace, IL 60181630-570-7272group1drurylane@msn.comwww.drurylaneoakbrook.comOffers a warm, inviting environment for anentertaining visit, presenting Broadway-qualitymusicals and comedies that are suitable forgroups, social outings and benefit events.

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Fair Oaks FarmsI-65 exit 220, State Rd. 14Fair Oaks, IN 47943877-536-1194 ext. [email protected] 75 minutes from downtown Chicago, Fair Oaks Farms is a world apart, and the DairyAdventure is a unique, real world group tourevent, a high-impact shared experience not to bemissed, producing memories not to be forgotten.

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Southshore CVAHammond, IN [email protected] www.alllake.org Just minutes from downtown Chicago! Liveentertainment, candy factory, dairy farm tourand more.

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Waterloo Convention & Visitors BureauWaterloo, IA [email protected] www.travelwaterloo.com Hands-on Science Center at the Imaginarium;Phelps Youth Pavilion with 40 interactiveexhibits / workshops; Iowa’s largest outdoorLost Island Water Park; Hartman Reserve Nature Center.

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New Orleans Plantation CountryLaPlace, LA 985-359-2783kimmie@neworleansplantationcountry.comwww.neworleansplantationcountry.com In New Orleans Plantation Country, your groupcan embark on a swamp tour, enjoy Louisianacuisine, and visit history at one of eight majesticplantations.

Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist BureauShreveport, LA 318-222-9391ehoward@sbctb.orgwww.shreveport-bossier.orgShreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side is

where Cajun meets cowboy. Come experiencehot gaming action, riverfront entertainment,shopping, year-round festivals, events, plusmuch more. 888-45-VISIT.

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National Aquarium501 E. Pratt St., Pier 3Baltimore, MD [email protected] • www.aqua.orgVisit the National Aquarium in Baltimore and take an unforgettable journey into the mysteries of waterand the beauty of the natural world, featuring16,000 aquatic inhabitants and daily dolphin shows.Immerse yourself into our new 4-D experience!

For group reservations, call 410-576-3833.

DISCOVER DOLPHINS.

Come face-to-rostrumwith Beau.

Also, ask about reservations for our Washington, DC venue. Introduce your group to America’s Aquatic TreasuresTM, just steps from the National Mall.

INDIANA

IOWA

LOUISIANA

MARYLAND

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http://santaclara.org/StudentTours

http://www.aqua.org/

US Naval Academy-Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center52 King George St.Annapolis, MD [email protected] college of the U.S. Navy. Wewelcome tour groups for historical, educational& military reunion tours, tour & tea programavailable. Free film, exhibits and official NavalAcademy gift shop.

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Ocean City Dept. of Tourism/CVBOcean City, MD800-626-2326 [email protected] City, Maryland's award-winning beachresort, boasts a family-friendly reputation. With10 miles of clean beach and an exciting 3-mileBoardwalk, our environmental and heritagelearning opportunities are all wrapped in fun!

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Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Baltimore & ColumbiaP.O. Box 1003Columbia, MD 21044410-730-8311 [email protected] www.tobysdinnertheatre.com

We feature 8 Broadway-style shows a weekwith a 7 main entree buffet, salad bar, dessertand a make-your-own ice cream sundae bar.

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Berkshire Historical Society at Herman Melville's Arrowhead 780 Holmes Rd.Pittsfield, MA 01201413-442-1793 ext. [email protected] your next group to historic Arrowhead,home of Herman Melville when he wrote hismasterpiece "Moby Dick." The farmhouse, builtin 1783, features period furnishings, inspiringviews, nature trail, gift shop and informativeguided tours.

Peabody Essex MuseumEast India SquareSalem, MA [email protected] an unrivaled spectrum of NewEngland decorative art, architecture and mar-itime art, plus outstanding Asian, Asian Export,Native American, Oceanic and Photographycollections.

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Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival358 George Carter Rd.Becket, MA 01223413-243-9919info@jacobspillow.orgwww.jacobspillow.orgInternational Dance Festival, National HistoricLandmark, and beloved cultural destination,Jacob’s Pillow offers groups 300+ free and tick-eted performances, talks, exhibits, and tours.Group discounts and dining available.

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Charles H. Wright Museum of AfricanAmerican History315 E. Warren Ave.Detroit, MI 48201313-494-5808tours@chwmuseum.orgwww.charleshwrightmuseum.orgThe museum provides learning opportunities,exhibitions, programs and events based oncollections and research that explore diversehistory and culture of African Americans.

Tulip Time Festival238 S. River Ave.Holland, MI [email protected] to one of the best small town festivals in

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MASSACHUSETTS

MICHIGAN

MARYLAND continued


http://www.adventureaquarium.com/

the country with main events like 3 excitingparades, Dutch dancing, big name entertain-ment, outdoor concerts, music and varietyshows, Dutch market, trolley tours, children’sevents, fireworks and more.

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Mall of America60 E. BroadwayBloomington, MN 55415-5550800-879-3555mphilipp@mallofamerica.comwww.mallofamerica.comThe nation's largest retail and entertainment com-plex under one roof offers the ultimate shoppingexperience. Boasting more than 520 stores and50 restaurants, the world's largest indoor amuse-ment park and a world-class aquarium.

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Corinth Area CVBCorinth, MS [email protected], Mississippi...With a spirit of fire andstrength of steel, Corinth is most recognized forits significance during the Civil War, but historyis only half our story. Great attractions, uniqueshopping, quaint restaurants abound. Let usshow you the rest!

Holly Springs Tourism and Recreation BureauHolly Springs, MS [email protected] true antebellum encyclopedia nestled lessthan an hour driving distance from Memphis,Tupelo and Tunica. Daily home tours, museumsand nature activities for all ages!

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Branson/Lakes Area Convention and Visitors BureauBranson, [email protected] offers youth groups 2 theme parks, 3 pristine lakes, 12 museums, 52 theaters, 100 +live shows, 207 lodging properties, 268 restau-rants, 329 retail shops and more.

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Branson's IMAX Entertainment Complex3562 Shepherd of the Hills ExpresswayBranson, MO 65616417-335-3533 Ext. [email protected] www.bransonimax.com BIG Screens! BIG Shopping! BIG Food! BIG LiveShows! We offer full-service meals, boxedlunch and pizza parties from the IMAX FoodCourt, live shows inside the Little Opry Theatreand Giant-Screen IMAX Adventures.

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Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center201 S. Canyon, P.O. Box 996West Yellowstone, MT 59758800-257-2570info@grizzlydiscoveryctr.comwww.grizzlydiscoveryctr.orgSee LIVE bears & wolves! Enjoy: Keeper Kid's, aKarelian Bear Dog, Bird-of-Prey, Wolf Enrichment,Safety in Bear Country, Ranger Talks, a World-Class Exhibit & presentations. 1 block fromYellowstone Park. Open 365 days (GWDC bearsDO NOT hibernate).

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Adventure Aquarium1 Riverside Dr.Camden, NJ [email protected] www.adventureaquarium.com The Adventure Aquarium experiences includes7 hands-on TOUCH opportunities includingsharks, jellies and more and NOW, touch andfeed the graceful residents of the all newStingray Beach Club!

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2010 –11

REPERTORY SEASON

September 14 – October 10

January 18 – February 27

May 3 – June 12

George Balanchine’s

THE NUTCRACKER™

November 26 – January 2

nycballet.com Group Sales 212-870-4071 [email protected] H. Koch Theater at Lincoln CenterSébastien Marcovici Photo by Henry Leutwyler © 2010

Call today for group discounts, priority seating, behind-the-scenes programs, meet-the-artist and much more!

MINNESOTA

MISSISSIPPI

MISSOURI

MONTANA

NEW JERSEY


http://www.jalc.org/groups

http://nycballet.com

http://nyphil.org/

Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center1501 Glasstown Rd.Millville, NJ [email protected] Home of the Museum of American Glass, hotglass, ceramic, flameworking and woodworkingstudios (artist demonstrations), Down JerseyFolklife Center and museum stores. Picnic areaand train ride. Full-service restaurant and hoteladjacent to property.

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Rio Rancho CVBRio Rancho, NM [email protected] Rancho's high-desert beauty offers a uniquecultural tapestry, scenic sights and affordableaccommodations centrally located betweenAlbuquerque and Santa Fe.

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Harbor Experience Companies89 South St.New York, NY 10038212-742-1969 ext. [email protected], FUN outings at Water Taxi Beaches withawesome views and GREAT food. Charter aNew York Water Taxi double-decker catamaranfor a Statue of Liberty cruise or Circle LineDowntown’s Zephyr sailing yacht, or a thrill rideon the Shark!

Madame Tussauds234 W. 42nd St.New York, NY 10036888-923-0334Llisel.vidals@madametussaudsny.comwww.nycwax.comGo on tour with Miley Cyrus, play ball with Derek Jeter and David Wright. Mix and minglewith A-list celebrities in our Opening Night Party.Visit themed environments filled with an excep-tional showcase of incredibly life-like wax figures.

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum 25 Main St.Cooperstown, NY 13326 888-425-5633 ext. 4 [email protected] www.baseballhall.org Visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame andMuseum, where we continue to preserve base-ball's rich history, honor the game's greatestplayers and their achievements and connectgenerations of fans every day.

Top of the Rock30 Rockefeller PlazaEntrance on 50th St. between 5th and 6th.New York, NY [email protected] www.topoftherocknyc.com

Top of the Rock Observation Deck offers majestic,360-degree views from our magnificent open-airterraces. Breathtaking in any language! Open 365days a year from 8:00 a.m. until midnight.

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Billy Elliot the MusicalImperial Theater249 W. 45th St.New York, NY 10036212-239-6262www.billyelliotgroups.comBILLY ELLIOT is the spectacular show with theheart, humor and passion to be namedBroadway’s 2009 Tony®-winning Best Musicaland TIME Magazine’s “Best Musical of theDecade!” Set during the historic 1980s miners’strike in Great Britain, the story follows Billy ashe stumbles out of the boxing ring and into aballet class, discovering a surprising talent thatinspires his family and his whole community,and changes his life forever. Featuring music byElton John, BILLY ELLIOT is the joyous celebra-tion of a boy who learns to embrace his indi-viduality and make his own dreams come true.

Broadway.com/GroupsTheatre Direct729 Seventh Ave., 6th FloorNew York City, NY [email protected]/groupsBroadway.com/Groups offers unmatched cus-tomer service, terrific rates for all New York the-aters, customizable student workshops for allages, and much more

Jazz at Lincoln CenterBroadway at 60th St.New York City, NY [email protected]/groupsJazz at Lincoln Center is a world-renownedcultural institution dedicated to inspiring andgrowing audiences for jazz. Under the leader-ship of Wynton Marsalis, JALC produces con-certs, recordings, radio programs, children'smusic classes, and more.

New York City BalletDavid H. Koch Theater20 Lincoln CenterNew York City, NY 10023212-870-4071groupsales@nycballet.comwww.nycballet.comCustomized Group Adventures Programs: Meetwith dancers, musicians or costume directorabout the performance and their professions,and classes for ballet students with a companydancer. Groups discounts for repertory per-formances; Sept-Oct; Jan-Feb; May-Jun.

New York PhilharmonicAvery Fisher Hall10 Lincoln Center Plz.New York, NY 10023-6970212-875-5672 [email protected] a memorable event. Bring your group tothe world-renowned New York Philharmonic. Weoffer substantial group discounts and providepersonal service designed to meet your needs.

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Rowan County CVBSalisbury, NC 800-332-2343meacham@visitasalisburync.comwww.visitsalisburync.comAuthentic North Carolina! Discover the South'slargest transportation museum, old-fashionedMain Street shopping, beautiful historic districts,antique and art galleries, self-guided tours andmore!

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Holmes County Chamber of CommerceMillersburg, OH330-674-3975shasta@holmescountychamber.comwww.holmescountychamber.comExplore the unique culture of the Amish with avacation in central Ohio, home of the world’slargest Amish community. Enjoy beautifulscenery, visit an Amish farm, savor homemadefoods and listen for the clip-clop of a buggy.

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Pocono Mountains Convention & Visitors BureauStroudsburg, PA [email protected]/tour/With year-round scenic beauty, charming towns,resorts, entertainment, shopping and fabulousoutdoor recreation, the Pocono Mountains regionis an ideal motorcoach destination.

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Newport, Rhode Island CVBNewport, RI [email protected] is the perfect destination for your nextgroup trip. We offer miles of scenic coastline,tours of opulent mansions, rich Colonial history,interesting museums, a number of walkingtours, harbor tours, unique shops, galleries andso much more!

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Hilton Head Island-Bluffton COC & VCBHilton Head Island, SC 800-523-3373 [email protected] Head Island was recently named one ofthe top ten family beaches in the country. As anintimate getaway for two or an idyllic backdropfor a family reunion, the Island extends a varietyof outdoor and indoor recreational activities.

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NEW MEXICO

NEW YORK

NORTH CAROLINA

PENNSYLVANIA

OHIO

RHODE ISLAND

SOUTH CAROLINA

NEW JERSEY continued


Myrtle Beach Area CVBMyrtle Beach, [email protected] your next group trip to Myrtle Beach & TheGrand Strand. Exciting attractions, theater andgreat hotel values. Request your free guide tothe Myrtle Beach area and start planning yournext group getaway - to Myrtle Beach!

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Black Hills Badlands & Lakes AssociationRapid City, SD 605-355-3600noreen@blackhillsbadlands.comwww.blackhillsbadlands.travelSix National Park areas including Mt. RushmoreNational Memorial, over 130 attractions, 101miles of National Scenic Byways, plus Old Westlandmarks like Deadwood and Wounded Knee.

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Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum222 Fifth Ave. SouthNashville, TN 37203800-852-6437info@countrymusichalloffame.comwww.countrymusichalloffame.comCall 1-800-852-6437 for information on ourunique group packages that keep groups com-ing back again and again.

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Gatlinburg Department of Tourism &Convention CenterGatlinburg, TN 800-343-1475davidp@ci.gatlinburg.tn.uswww.gatlinburg-tn.comGatlinburg, Tennessee is a four-season destina-tion! With the unique setting as the gateway tothe Great Smoky Mountains National Park and thediversity of shopping, dining and entertainmentoptions - Gatlinburg has something for everyone!

Pigeon Forge Dept. of TourismPigeon Forge, TN [email protected] Pigeon Forge is home to dozens of attractionsand three distinct “playgrounds”...Great SmokyMountains National Park; Dollywood themepark; and WonderWorks, an amusement park forthe mind.

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Frisco CVBFrisco, TX [email protected], Texas, just 20 minutes north of Dallas, isone of the fastest growing cities in America andis Texas' Rising Star for sports, shopping, art,and affordable fine accommodations.

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Vermont Tourism NetworkBurlington, VT 802-863-1122vtourism@together.netwww.vermonttourismnetwork.travelVisit us to find descriptions of lodging proper-ties, virtually all of Vermont's popular attrac-tions, activities in the great outdoors, culturalheritage events and opportunities, farm tours,entertainment, festivals, events, shopping andrestaurants.

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Fredericksburg Regional Tourism PartnershipFredericksburg, VA 540-372-1216 [email protected] Walk in the footsteps of presidents while dis-covering George Washington’s hometown andgenerals in the Civil War battlefields. Leechesand lancets await you at the apothecary shop.

VisitNorfolkNorfolk, VA • 800-368-3097mhopper@norfolkcvb.comwww.visitnorfolktoday.comNorfolk, VA is the ideal destination for action-packed and affordable, educational tours. An abun-dance of outdoor activities, historical and culturalattractions offers exciting choices for new learning.

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE

TEXAS

VERMONT VIRGINIA

Call 866 868-7774 (866 Tours SI) or visit www.si.edu/group_tours

can help plan your next

on Demand!

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studenttraveldirectory.com


http://www.si.edu/group_tours

Richmond Metropolitan CVBRichmond, VA [email protected] www.visitrichmondva.com/studentsFrom Patrick Henry’s call for liberty and the CivilWar’s emancipation of slavery, the HistoricRichmond Region’s story unfolds unforgettablehistory for 400+ years.

Virginia Beach CVB2101 Parks Ave., Suite 500Virginia Beach, VA [email protected] between the Atlantic Ocean and theChesapeake Bay, our little corner of the worldspecializes in spirit-lifting. Like exploring milesof beach and boardwalk, nature and adventure.The joy of shopping or reveling at an outdoorcrab feast.

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City of Lynnwood, Washington Lynnwood, WA 425-670-5040 [email protected] www.lynnwoodtourism.com 15 miles north of Seattle, visit Alderwood, adestination retail center, historic Heritage Park,100+ diverse restaurants. Hotels 40% belowdowntown. Discover all Lynnwood has tooffer!

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Madame Tussauds1025 F St. NW at 10th St.Washington, DC 20460888-923-0334groupsales@madametussaudsdc.comwww.madame-tussauds.comNew figures will be unveiled throughout theyear and put on display at Madame TussaudsD.C. until all 44 U.S. presidents are ready to beinstalled in the new gallery this fall.

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Smithsonian TheatersNational Air and Space Museum Sixth St. and Independence Ave. SW,Washington, DC 20560National Museum of Natural History 10th St. and Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20560National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center 14390 Air and Space Museum ParkwayChantilly, VA 20151866-868-7774 [email protected]/group_toursDiscounts available for groups of ten or onIMAX films and Planetarium shows, the liveButterfly Pavilion and simulators. Dining pack-ages available for groups of 20 or more.

Ford’s Theatre Society511 10th St. NWWashington, DC [email protected] site of the April 1865 assassination ofAbraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre is a working the-atre, historical monument and world-class muse-um. The theatre produces plays reflective ofAmerican life and is also open for daytime visits.

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Convention & Visitors Bureau of Marion County White Hall, WV [email protected] students will love our mystery dinner the-aters, country music shows, heritage attractions,fairs and festivals. Explore historic sites, indulgein unique shopping and dining, ride the rail trailor simply take in the beautiful countryside.

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La Crosse Area CVBLa Crosse, WI [email protected] Crosse is a dynamic destination, born of a richriver history. Pristine natural beauty, unique attrac-tions, affordable lodging is what you will find inLa Crosse. Free tour planning, step-on guides,escort notes and personalized pre-tour FAMs.

DINING��

Buca di Beppo866-941-2822www.bucadibeppo.comAt Buca di Beppo, groups of all sizes and agesstep into Little Italy and enjoy a variety of groupmenus to satisfy everyone’s palate and budget.For group rates or to book your reservation, callour National Sales Team.

Buffets, [email protected] your group the best value in dining and thebest variety at Old Country Buffet, Ryan's GrillBuffet and Bakery, HomeTown Buffet, FireMountain Grill and Country Buffet. With morethan 500 locations nationwide, we're always onyour way.

STUDENT TOUR OPERATORS��

Music Festivals To [email protected] www.musicfestivalstoyou.comWe offer a wide range of festivals for all agesand types of performing groups. Whether it'sone-day festivals at a theme park, cruise per-formance in the Caribbean, or a competitivefestival in a world-class city.

Peak Performance Tours800-220-0165 [email protected] www.peakperformancetours.comPeak Performance Tours plans customized student tours, including: music tours,dance/cheer trips, class trips, and senior classtrips. Our student tours blend fun, educationand ease all within your budget.

Student DiscoveriesPowered by Globus888-258-0012studentdiscoveries@globusfamily.comwww.globusfamily.comFor more than 80 years the Globus Family ofBrands has been telling the stories behind theworld’s most extraordinary destinations. Andnow through Student Discoveries, we bring thisexperience to life for student groups.

Travel Adventures800-828-8220tours@traveladventures.comwww.traveladventures.comWorking with educators to create “A BiggerWorld for Every Student” Our staff has the expe-rience to help you provide your students withthe immeasurable benefits of educational travel.

U.S. [email protected]. Tours sells “Travel that’s Fun.” We producecustom tours of America. Eco-tourism, HistoricalTours, or Music & Theater themes; we build tripsthat keep your kids engaged and safe.

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WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON D.C

WEST VIRGINIA

WISCONSIN

VIRGINIA continued N A T I O N A L

D I R E C T O R Y L I S T I N G


http://www.fords.org/

Free meals for your driver and group leader• Ample free motor coach parking • All-inclusive nationwide pricing • Food that’s ready for a quick, hassle-free stop

• A wide variety of foods to accommodate specific diet choicesServing breakfast, lunch and dinner

© 2010 Buffets, Inc.

Service, Value, Variety

Reservations made easy. Visit www.buffet.com/leisuregroupemail: [email protected] or call 866-840-6654

Over 500 Locations

http://www.buffet.com/leisuregroup

Chicago’s top visited year-round attraction featuring 50 acres of rides, special events, attractions, restaurants,

shops, sightseeing and dining cruises. Don’t miss our 15-story Ferris Wheel, the IMAX® Theatre, Chicago Children’s Museum,

Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, free entertainment and so much more.

School and community performance groups and marching bands are invited to participate as part of Navy Pier’s year-round, free public programming.

Visit the entertainment page of navypier.com for more information.

http://www.navypier.com/

student travel planning guide

Documents

ny buca

ny jazz

ny santa clara cvb

ny new york philharmonic

student travel insurancelet

student travel planning

fun20 student discipline

better student trips