Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule/Itinerary 

• Where do we eat breakfast? Are there other choices available?

  • We eat breakfast at Golden Corral. There are no other choices available. Students may eat breakfast at home if they wish, but they will still attend Golden Corral with the rest of the band. 

• Do we have to pay for our own breakfast? How much is it?

  • Yes. Generally, the cost for the buffet is $10.00. 

• Are we allowed to sit wherever we want on the bus?

  • Yes and no. You must sit with your group, but where you sit within the group is up to you.

• Are we allowed to have electronics on the bus?

  • Yes, you are allowed to have electronics (this includes cell phones) on the bus. We encourage you to bring your cell phone just in case of emergencies or a change in schedule.

• How much time do we get in the park?

  • It depends on our performance time, but genereally anywhere from 5-8 hours.

• Is there any "wiggle room" in the itinerary?

  • Some. There is some loose time built into the schedule; however, this time is usually taken up by unexpected traffic or any other unforseen situations.

Chaperones/Groups

• Do we have to stay with our chaperone the whole time?

  • YES! This is extremely important. You MUST be in your chaperone's sight at ALL times. The only exception is the restroom. Your chaperone and group will wait for you outside of the facilities.

• Can I travel with different groups throughout the day?

  • ​No, no, no! We are VERY strict about staying with your chaperone and the rest of the students in your group. There is no splitting up, even if you want to quickly go get some lemonade and then come back to your group. We trust you, but we do not trust everyone in the park. Your safety comes first!

• Do we get to choose our own groups?

  • ​Yes and no. You get to choose your group on a "first come, first serve" basis. This means that all students will sign up for groups in the exact order that they turned in their final permission slip. So, yes you get to choose your own group, but it may not be the group that you originally wanted.

• Can we change our groups?

  • ​No. You may not change groups once you pick your group.

• When do we choose our groups?

  • At the after school rehearsal 1 week prior to the trip.

• How many people are in a group?

  • It depends on the chaperone to student ratio, but generally, anywhere from 4-6. Never anymore than 6, rarely any less than 4. 

• How do I know if my mom/dad/grandma/grandpa is chaperoning?

  • ​If your mom/dad/grandma/grandpa is chaperoning, I will contact them shortly after the first payment due date. If your mom/dad/grandpa/grandma has not heard from me, it means that they were not chosen to chaperone.

• How do you choose chaperones?

  • ​I choose chaperones on a first come first serve basis. If your parents want to chaperone, have them note as such on the registration form! Whichever students turn in their forms first is the order in which I choose chaperones.

Payments/Money

• Can I pay everything that I owe at one time?

  • Yes! I encourage "paying in full" if at all possible. 

• My mom/dad is chaperoning and they have a season pass. How much do they owe?

  • Nothing! They get to go for free.

• My mom/dad is chaperoning and they do not have a season pass. When do they pay their fee?

  • ​I collect chaperone payments a week before the trip. They do not have to abide by the payment dates.

• What if I give my payment after the first payment date? Can I still go?

  • ​No. Payment deadlines are for a reason! Money must be paid in advance (or in this instance, by the deadline) in order to pay up-front costs for the trip.

• How should I turn my payment in?

  • ​Payments must be in a CLOSED envelope with the student's name on it. This cuts down on confusion.

• Why am I paying to go on this trip?

  • Multiple reasons. 1- cover the cost of entrance to the park (non season pastt holders). 2- cover the cost of transportation. 3- cover the cost of festival (performance) fee. 4- Cover the cost of trip t-shirts.

Eligibility

• What if I receive OSS or ISS after I have already paid my first payment? Do I get my money back?

  • ​You may NOT go on the trip. You will get your money back as long as the due date for the SECOND paymet has not passed.

• What if I received OSS or ISS before winter break?

  • ​This does not disqualify you from the trip. The eligibility rules only start after the date as stated (first week back from winter break). 

• Do I have to have a "B" average and above in every class, or just band?

  • ​Just band. It is great to have a "B" average in every class, though! =)

• What if I am a "good kid" and I accidentally get in trouble?

  • ​There is NO negotiating or wiggle room when it comes to the eligibility requirements. If you receive OSS, ISS, or a bus suspension, it disqualifies you from the trip instantly, no negotiating. Think before you act!

• What does "situations as deemed by Mr. Patterson and/or administration on a case by case basis" mean?

  • ​If you have give reason for the teacher or administration to question your ability to adhere to directions, we reserve the right to deny you permission to attend this trip.

• What if my child misses one of the required rehearsals prior to the trip?

  • Your child will no longer be eligible for the trip, as the rehearsals are mandatory. I realize that there are situations that may prevent a student from attending rehearsal (he or she is extremely sick, family emergency, etc.), and I am more than willing to work with students on these. Reasons that would not be excused: did not have a ride, missed half a day of school, forgot, etc.

Miscallaneous 

• What do we wear for the performance?

  • Mr. Patterson will design t-shirts specifically for this trip. T-Shirt fees are included in the costs of the trip, as outlined above. Along with the trip t-shirts, we will wear khaki or jean shorts and tennis shoes.

• How much money should I bring?

  • ​Breakfast- $10.00; Lunch- $10.00; Dinner- $10.00; souvenier or snacks- $10.00= $40.00 total. Plan ahead!

• When do we get our results from our performance?

  • ​Shortly after we perform!

• Can parents who are not chaperones attend this trip? What about siblings?

  • ​Absolutely! Any siblings and parents may attend this trip; however, they must provide their own transportation as the busses are for performing students and chaperones only.

• Is this a grade?

  • ​No it is not; however, it is way too much fun to pass this trip up!

• Can I take my child home directly from the park instead of having them ride the bus home?

  • Yes; however, Spotsylvania County Public Schools mandates that the following takes place: 1- parent must provide a signed, hand-written note to teacher prior to the trip, and 2- teacher must see student physically leave with the parent.

• What happens if my student gets in trouble during the trip?

  • If any student causes trouble for a chaperone, that student will travel for the rest of the day with Mr. Patterson and/or Mrs. Krenzer. If the misbehavior continues, Mr. Patterson and/or Mrs. Krenzer will further discipline the student, which may include consenquences back at school.

• What should my child bring on this trip?

  • I would recommend the following: Cell phone, change of clothes (in case of rain), snacks, money (breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks), and sunscreen.

• Which rules are in place during this trip?

  • The student code of conduct applies at ALL TIMES during this trip.