Travel Policies

• Travel/medical forms for trips will be sent home; they must be filled out and promptly returned. No form, no trip. These forms make it possible for us to obtain emergency treatment for your child. Medicines and instructions should be given to the Director at least 24 hours before the trip, if you prefer that they be adult-administered.

• On many tours, we stay in host homes (girls are in pairs or trios, never alone). Hosts are hand-picked by the host organization contact, and tend to be people this person has known for years. One criterion we emphasize is that this person should be comfortable placing his/her own child in each home overnight alone. Please be aware that agencies and organizations are very aware of liability, and are extremely careful in their choices. Other criteria include: no single male hosts (unless an adult chaperone is staying with the girls), all children must sleep in beds or couches off the floor, stated bedtimes must be observed, and an adult must be on premises at all times. We prefer host housing to hotels not only because it saves expense, but also because it is safer, more structured and allows the girls to make new friends and experience new cultures.

• Finding host families is not always easy. Potential hosts often are quite concerned about what kind of children might be coming into their homes, and many must rearrange schedules and make special plans to accommodate us. For this reason, all allergy and special diet information must be given to the Director when trip participation is confirmed, to allow adequate time for communication of needs and host assignments. We owe our hosts this courtesy. Contacts also try to match girls to hosts with children of similar age, or those who have special interest in music. Often a doctor-on-call has been arranged for, too.

• We limit packing to one bag per person. A packing list is sent home shortly before the trip. Please do not send along toys, games or large pillows. Walkmans, GameBoys and CD players are OK, but the Choir is not responsible for loss or theft, and any such item left in the van must be stowed out of sight. Label all clothes! Have young girls practice packing. Please be aware that all girls will be expected to write thank-you notes.

• Our departure times must be strictly observed; we can't plan to make up time on the road. If packing a bag lunch is specified, do not expect that we will pick up fast food for someone or that others will share their own lunches. Be aware that we have a strict no-candy rule (by the girls' own request after a few experiences). Considerate behavior is expected in the vehicles, and the adult in charge has the right to move riders to different seats. Anyone deliberately making the trip unpleasant for others may lose the opportunity to sing solos or perform. If a child's behavior becomes intolerable, the director may send her home early at her parents' expense.

• We average one chaperone to 6 or 7 girls on trips. Proctors (chaperones) are selected by the director. We recognize that it is difficult for parents to get time off from work and family commitments, so first preference goes to (female) staff. These individuals' expenses are paid by the Choir. Adult (female) supporters of the Choir well known to the director — Board members, Friends of AGC — are next; they pay their expenses. Parents are asked last; criteria include proven ability to follow directions cheerfully and promptly, ability to handle the task at hand (such as experience driving a 15-seater van, or willingness to drive a luggage van), and a friendly relationship with the director, girls and other parents.

Parents pay the same expenses as the girls, and stay in the housing arranged for by the Choir. We do not house parents with their own children nor have them proctor their children's groups. This avoids concerns about favoritism and avoids acting up on the child's part! All proctors must attend an orientation session before each trip.

• Parents, relatives and friends are welcome to "tag along" on trips. However, they must arrange their own transportation, lodging and food. Proctors will supervise only our choristers. From departure to return, the girls must stay in their assigned groups under the supervision of designated adults; they may not be removed for side trips, nor may their schedules be interrupted. We want the girls to enjoy these special times together, and we need to stick tightly to our itinerary in order to avoid stress.

• Ice cream or frozen yogurt is not permitted till after the final performance of the day; the purpose is to avoid clogging voices. We also avoid carbonated beverages.

• Sometimes girls need to check in. Brief collect or calling card calls may be made before bedtime; please furnish your child with clear directions. If you are expecting her call, please make sure your phone line is clear, and pick up —if the answering machine comes on, the operator will not put the call through. Help her avoid homesickness by concentrating on the fun things she and her friends did all day, not weeping (!), and letting her know what evenings you'll be at home if she wants to call.

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