Informational Meetings

The informational meeting for the 2009 Junior High/Middle School delegation to Australia will be Sunday, October 5, 2008, at 1:30 in the afternoon at the Landmark Convention Center at 47 St. Helens St. in Tacoma.

There are two High School meetings, both the same day, at the same location. The one at 3:30 is for an Australian adventure, and the one at 5:30 is for a Mediterranean program.

Reunion Update

We’ll have our reunion this Sunday, September 21, from 1:00 to 3:00 at Owen Beach at Pt. Defiance Park in Tacoma. Bring a small snack or dessert to share, and bring your extra pictures if you have any to share or display.

Not sure how to get to Owen Beach? Follow this link:
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=80

We're looking forward to seeing you then and there!

Reunion Date!

The last day of summer is Sunday, September 21. So, what better day to wrap up our summer adventure? Accordingly our reunion will be Sunday, September 21, in the early afternoon. We have a couple of locations planned, but we need to know how many people plan to attend. Please let us know if you will be there, where ever there is, and we'll let you know where there is based upon the numbers. Thanks, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Reunion

We're looking for a volunteer to plan our reunion party! Do you know of a location large enough for everyone? If so, please let us know.

Sunday afternoons seem to work best for everyone, but summer is soon to end. Open dates appear to be August 17, or September 7, 14, 21, or 28.

I also have this message from Robbie's mom, which she asked me to share with everyone:

Hello Delegate parents:
I am sending you this e-mail on behalf of my son Robbie Lee, who traveled with your child with People to People. Unfortunately Robbie's camera broke the second day of their trip, and we have no pictures of this fabulous trip. I need to ask a huge favor: Couldyou please please make a CD copy of your child's camera chip? I will gladly pay you for the disk and any additional cost involved. Maybe even e-mail copies of the pictures to me. Please let me know if this may be something you can do for Robbie, and me too. I'm sure you have enjoyed all the pictures your child has come home with. Thanking you in advance for anything you can do for us. Please let me know what your thoughts are.
Tracey Lee tlee@upsd.wednet.edu

Lufthansa

As I am writing this the delegates are enjoying a dance party here in Chartres. Some French students were invited, but I do not know if they will join in.

If you have heard about the strike by ground crews and flight attendants at Lufthansa and are worried if it will impact us. I am aware of the situation and we are monitoring it. The flight department at the People to People national office are also aware of the situation are confident it will not impact our flights. If that changes, we will let you know right away.

The delegates are not aware of this, and I do not think they need to be; they have had enough to worry about with faulty air conditioning on trains and buses, so I do not think they need this as well.

Otherwise, the program is going well, and everyone is having fun. Just wait until you see the pictures! See you all Saturday.

Update from the road

I finally have an opportunity to post, so here goes. Eveything is going fine. Delegates are having a lot of fun, and learning a lot. We had a great time in Athens, are heading today to Olympia (not the one south of you), and tonight we'll take our overnight ferry to Italy.

So far they've learned how to dance traditional Greek dances, played volleyball with Greek students, heard a private concert in a 2,300 year old theater (okay, it was Janet singing, but it was private), and climbed the Acropolis. A lot more, but breakfast now awaits us, and then our next full day.

Lufthansa

Parents: we'll use the phone tree to let you know of our arrival, but if you want to check with the airline on-line, here is a link:

http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/us/info_and_services/flightinfo/arrivals_departures?nodeid=1699706&l=en&cid=1000390

Just type in our flight number:

Seattle to Frankfurt 491
Frankfurt to Athens 3382

Return:
Paris to Frankfurt 4235
Frankfurt to Seattle 490

Airport Meeting Part 2

Bring your passport!

If for some reason you are delayed getting to the airport (major bridge collapse, alien attack from outer space, etc.), or if you can't find us there (very unlikely) I'll have my cell phone with me. 253-376-3537.

E-mail check

Please let me know you received my email, and more importantly have read the current postings, by emailing me at charleshall@yahoo.com with the subject line "Plato was from Greece". Thank you, and we'll see you Monday!

Parents: Phone cards

Recently, People to People emailed many of us regarding Cellhire, a for rent cell phone service. That is an option open to you, however it can be expensive, and it really isn't necessary. If you need to contact your delegate during the program, please call the delegate assistance team at 800-669-7882. They will know where we are 24/7, and can call me on my international cell phone if you need to speak with your son or daughter.

If you do send your child with an international cell phone, please keep in mind that just as when your child is in school there will be times when phones must be turned off, and when it would be innappropriate for a conversation.

The best way for them to communicate with you is to have them take a phone card. The one I use is the MCI/Verizon card from Costco. It is very inexpensive, and the easiest to use. Trust me, I've had delegates take other phone cards, and end up using mine because they couldn't use their own. If you want to leave a message for your child, you may send one to the next hotel where we are staying and ask that the message be given to us at check-in.

Weather

The weather forecast for Athens, for the next few days, is for temperatures in the 90's under sunny skies. Rome this week is around 90 degrees, and Paris today and tomorrow should have rain and 73 degrees.

Why am I posting this? To remind you to check the suggested packing list in the "2008 Student Ambassador Protocol" handbook. It is not at all uncommon for us to experience light rain in Parisian summers, so a light jacket with a hood is a good idea. If you have everything on the list, you should be just fine.

One item not on that list, but one I strongly suggest you take, is a refillable water bottle. When you are walking a lot, and we will be walking a lot, in 90 degree weather, you'll need to drink lots of water, and you won't want to stop and buy bottles of it.

Schedule of Activities

Some of you have let me know you've not been able to find this information on the People to People website, so I've posted it here.

JULY 14 - AUGUST 2, 2008

MONDAY, JULY 14
Depart for Athens
Meet your delegation and board your international overnight flight to Europe.

TUESDAY, JULY 15
Athens, Greece
Welcome to Europe! After arrival at the airport your Delegation Manager and coach
driver will greet you!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
Athens, Greece
􀁺 Enjoy a guided city walk taking in such amazing sights as the majestic Acropolis as well
as the Parthenon which symbolizes the glory of ancient Greece.
􀁺 Take some time with your delegation Manager for a walk in the old part of Athens -
Plaka, and enjoy the flair on your own.
􀁺 Take some time to relax and refresh yourself.
􀁺 Learn the first steps of the most popular Greek dances at the public school of Ano
Liossia.
􀁺 Participate in a traditional folkloric dance show by professional dancers. Don't be shy!
You can also join the dance in the end!

THURSDAY, JULY 17
Athens, Greece
􀁺 Enjoy your day on the beach with swimming and sport activities!

FRIDAY, JULY 18
Peloponnesus, Greece
􀁺 Take part in a service project in Glyfada near Athens. The "Archelon Association" takes
care for the protection of sea turtles- Caretta Caretta, especially for the preservation of
their natural living space and the existing of their species.
􀁺 Join a guided visit of the famous theatre of Epidaurus! The theater is marveled for its
exceptional acoustics, which permit almost perfect intelligibility of unamplified spoken
word from the stage to all 15,000 spectators, regardless of their seating!

SATURDAY, JULY 19
Overnight ferry to Bari, Italy
􀁺 Guided visit of Olympia, where the Olympic Games first took place in 776 BC. At
ancient Olympia, you can see the ruins of the Temple of Zeus as well as a 3rd century
BC athletic stadium.
􀁺 Departure of your overnight ferry to Bari on the Italian mainland.

SUNDAY, JULY 20
Naples, Italy
􀁺 Visit the ancient city of Pompeii, Vesuvius' most famous victim. When the mountain
erupted in AD 79, it rained ash and stone and completely destroyed and buried the city.

MONDAY, JULY 21
Rome, Italy
􀁺 Take an excursion to Mount Vesuvius, one of Europe's few active volcanoes. Don't
worry, the last eruption was in 1944.

TUESDAY, JULY 22
Rome, Italy
􀁺 Today you will visit the capital of Catholicism and the world's smallest state, the
Vatican! Admire St. Peter’s cathedral, including Michelangelo's glorious Pieta and the
Sistine Chapel.
􀁺 Continue with a city exploration in the way of a Riddle Rally including Piazza Navona,
the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Bring some coins - tossing a
coin in the fountain will ensure your return to Rome!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 23
Assisi, Italy
􀁺 Some of Rome's most popular highlights are waiting for you: your guide will take you
through the Coliseum and the Roman Forum. The city of Rome with its antique
monuments and religious sites has been UNESCO World Heritage since 1980.
􀁺 Participate in an Educational Meeting at the monastery. You will have the privilege to
speak to a monk or a priest of the Franciscan Order who will tell you about life in the
monastery and its founder, Saint Francis who lived in Assisi in the 12th century

THURSDAY, JULY 24
Assisi, Italy
􀁺 Your day with Full On is a fear overcoming, confidence building and horizon expanding
personal development experience. The day involves indoor and outdoor challenges,
adventure and learning and the opportunity to abseil off an 800-year-old medieval
tower!

FRIDAY, JULY 25
Montecatini, Italy
􀁺 Now your guide will take you for a walk through the city of Florence, passing by the
Duomo and the bronze doors to the Baptistery, known as the Gate to Paradise.
􀁺 Pay a visit to the Accademia Gallery, which houses Michelangelo's colossal statue,
David.
􀁺 Get to know Pisa, while your DM will show you around. Use the free time for visiting the
Duomo and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

SATURDAY, JULY 26
Vicenza, Italy
􀁺 Enjoy an official welcome by an employee of the American Battle Monuments
Commission who will also guide you through the American Cemetery Florence, where
over 4.000 American soldiers, which were killed during the capture of Rome in June
1944, are buried.
􀁺 Enjoy a warm and official welcome to Brescello by a member of the town hall, or the
Director of the "Museum Peppone e don Camillo!"
􀁺 Visit the Museum Peppone e don Camillo and see some of the film sets throughout the
town.

SUNDAY, JULY 27
Overnight train, Italy - France
􀁺 Enjoy one of life's greatest pleasures and take a ride in a gondola. Passing "Canale
Grande" and narrow channels you will see the famous Guggenheim Museum, the
"Fenice Theater" and Mozart's Venice Residence.
􀁺 During a guided orientation you will explore the bustling alleys, quaint bridges and
narrow canals of Venice. See the Basilica San Marco and the Bridge of Sigh.
􀁺 Take part in an informative presentation about the making of glass in Murano. You will
learn about the singular steps leading from the composition to the polish of glass. A
demonstration of each of the working steps will underline the speech.
􀁺 Say good-bye to Venice and depart with the overnight train for the magical city of Paris!

MONDAY, JULY 28
Guesthouse, France
􀁺 Today you will learn how to express yourself in French! Attend a French language
lesson where you can learn a few phrases in preparation for your Home Stay/Guest
House.
􀁺 Enjoy a guided exploration of one of the most important art collections in the world, the
famous Musee du Louvre. You will visit the principal parts of the museum - including a
look at Leonardo's masterpiece, Mona Lisa.

TUESDAY, JULY 29
Guesthouse, France
􀁺 Enjoy an exciting day at the guesthouse and spend your time with different activities!

WEDNESDAY, JULY 30
Guesthouse, France
􀁺 Enjoy your last full day at the guesthouse!

THURSDAY, JULY 31
Paris, France
􀁺 Say good bye to your guesthouse and head for Paris!
􀁺 Voila Paris! A French guide will now join you for an orientation of the city Ernest
Hemingway called "a moveable feast".
􀁺 Visit the historic Montmartre area, a haven for artists and writers before WWI. Marvel at
the white Basilique du Sacre Coeur, which is the second highest point in Paris. Take
some time to discover this area's treasures in small groups.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1
Paris, France
􀁺 Admire a dazzling view of Paris! There's only one place to go: take the elevator up to
the top of the Eiffel Tower (899 feet) which was built for the 1889 World's Fair to
commemorate the French Revolution.
􀁺 Explore the magnificent Chateau de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on
your own. Built during the reign of Louis XIV, the Sun King, it was the seat of the royal
court from 1682 to 1789, when the French Revolution put an end to the monarchy.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 2
Depart from Paris for the United States
􀁺 Say goodbye to Europe! Have a nice flight back home!

Important Preparatory Information:
􀁺 Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
􀁺 A water bottle is highly recommended
􀁺 Climate can vary greatly during the program, be prepared for very warm and cool
weather

PLEASE NOTE: This itinerary may change at any time without notice. Updated
Schedule of Activities will be posted on your student’s OnBoard Web Site

Airport Meeting

Bring your passport!

Seriously, if you don't bring your passport, you won't go with us! We'll meet at the southern end of the ticket counter area, at the overlook of the historic airplanes display. Parents, remember delegates are checked in and out by their passport. I'll know they've arrived when I have their passport, and upon our return August 2nd I'll know you've picked them up when you've collected their passport. Delegates, your passport is the most important possession you'll take with you on this trip.

Our flight, Lufthansa 491, is scheduled to depart at 2:25 P.M. Monday, July 14th. This is an international flight, so we should plan on being there 3 (three) hours before departure. That means we should be there at 11:25 A.M. Monday morning. Yes, I know that is early, and yes, I know we'll probably spend some time waiting before we depart. However, we are not travelling as individuals, or even as a small family group. There will be 31 of us checking in, and frequently the airline won't let us even START checking in until EVERYONE has arrived. So please don't be late! If arriving at the airport before 11:25 A.M. Monday is an inconvenience, please let me know and I'll help you make alternative arrangements.

TSA Travel Tips

Please visit the TSA website at the following link to review their most current information on security checkpoint screening, as well as their restrictions for both carry-on and checked luggage. Preparing for screening before arrival at the airport will allow us to move more quickly and efficiently through the security process! Here is the link:

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/2007/press_release_05242007b.shtm

Please take the time to follow their various links on the page.

Credit and Debit cards

Apparantly many credit and debit card companies have added some hefty charges for using these cards overseas. In addition to selecting the exchange rate most favorable to the company, they are also tacking on "exchange" fees that can be as much as $5.00 per transaction. So before we leave you might want to call your financial institution and find out what their fees are. Then have a discussion with your delegate about how they should spend their money. Perhaps they should get more cash at an ATM and use the card less frequently?

You did remember to call the financial institution and let them know the card would be used overseas, and the dates of travel, didn't you?

During our program

Should you have any questions during our trip, the Delegate Assistance Team is always ready and available to assist you and get your questions answered! You may call them at 1 (800) 669-7882. The team is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during our trip. If necessary, they will even be able to call me on my cell phone.

Full On Experience Disclosure of Risk

Images of delegates enjoying the Full On Experience in Wales last summer!

This will be the third year our delegates will have the opportunity to participate in the Full On Experience. Each time, it has been one of the highlights of the trip for all involved!

If you can't read it above, here is a reconstructed version:

During the Full On 'self awareness and personal development day', participants will have the opportunity to personally challenge themselves by participating in adventure and educational based activities.

In Assisi, Italy the main activity is rapelling down the side of a restored tower.

Participating in these activivites can be dangerous, risky and result in serious consequences if undertaken by inexpereienced and/or unqualified people. However when underaken by trained professionals using industry approved equipment, the anmount of actual risk is very minimal and manageable, while the "perceived" risk (the risk we think there is) remains high.

One of the great things about 'Adventure Learning' is this perceived risk and the feelings and emotions it evokes can create a very powerful and meaningful learning opportunity, which is why is is included in the Full On Experience.

The staff and management pf Full On have taken all practicable steps to indentfy ana minimise potential dangers. For example some of the things we do include:

• Conducting site specific Risk Assessments for all activities


• Following comprehensive Safety Management Plans


• Using competent and trained instructors


• Conducting pre season training and assessment for all instructors to ensure competence with site specific activities and safety procedures


• Conducting Psychological Risk training


• Regularly reviewing all aspects of our Safety Management Plan


• Inviting external safety auditors on site to assess 'in operation'


• Using only industry checked and approved safety equipment

All participants must follow opur instructions and use the provided safety equipment. We reserve the right to withdraw any person who in our opinion is likely to endanger themselves or others. e also reserve the right to cancel activities on the 'Full On Experience' if we become concerned for any reason for your safety or that of any other person.

Whilst we cannot guarantee the absolute safety of participants, we can guarantee that:

• We will have done all we can to be prepared for any possible accident or emergency


• We have in place and follow best practice operational and safety systems and procedures


• We will use only trained, assessed and competent outdoor instructors and guides

Yours faithfully

Paul Nicholson, Operations Director, Full On New Zealand Limited

One last note: for this activity, please bring comfortable, worn-in athletic shoes

Service Project

We've only heard, so far, from the Humane Society, but they were very appreciative of the donations all of you made to their cause. Kudos to all who donated!

Phone tree

Tracie Norman (Brittani's mom) has volunteered to put our phone tree together. She'll be emailing everyone soon, but we could help her out by emailing to her the following information at: tracie.norman@comcast.net

Delegate's name
Parent's/Guardian's name
Daytime phone number
Evening phone number
Cell phone number

Thank you!

Cameras

As a general rule, delegates should not take anything with them they would be sorry to lose. In other words, no valuables! An exception would be their camera.

There will be so many photo opportunities, delegates will want to take a large number of pictures. Disposable cameras just wouldn't work, because they would need so many of them. The problem with film cameras is they require a lot of film, which can be damaged by airport screening machines. Also, traditional film cameras don't allow you to see the shot you just took until you get home and get it developed.

Digital cameras solve all of these problems. However, as Mrs. Makfinsky pointed out in our meeting Sunday, make sure you have a large storage card, or more than one card. Costco sells 2 GB cards (enough for over 1000 pictures) for about $25. You'll pay up to three times that at a souvenir shop in Europe.