Day 17 Agenda - July 15, 2014; Rome, Italy

Day 17 agenda - July 15, 2014 Rome, Italy ACTIVITIES Some of Rome's most noteworthy highlights are waiting for you! Your guide will take you through the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. The city of Rome, with its antique monuments and religious sites, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Day 18 - Vatican City, Italy

ACTIVITIES Visit the center of the Catholic Church and the world's smallest country, the Vatican! Go in the Vatican Museums and admire the frescos of the Sistine Chapel. Time allowing, you may even get the opportunity to go inside St. Peter's Basilica. Continue your adventure with a City Quest including famous sights like Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. Refresh yourself with some delicious ice cream at Mariotti's. Some say they have the best ice cream in town! It’s pure and natural, without any artificial food coloring. ACCOMMODATION Clelia Palace

Thursday Return!

Hard to believe, but the fantastic journey is almost at an end.  I only have access to the flight details for the Madison-area group, so here is their schedule.  

If anyone from the California groups has the relevant information, I will post it here.  Please send to:  charles.sackett@gmail.com.

Remember that you may track the flights via FlightAware.

Day 16 - Perugia, Italy - Full On!

Tomorrow's Agenda Day 16 Monday, July 14, 2014 Perugia, Italy ACTIVITIES Your experience with Full On will be full of overcoming fears, building confidence, and strengthening personal development. The day involves indoor and outdoor challenges, adventure learning, and the opportunity to abseil off a castle wall!

Day 15 Agenda - Sunday, July 13, 2014

ACTIVITIES Today, you will have the unique privilege to speak to a monk or a priest, who will tell you more about life in a monastery! Participate in an emotionally rewarding service project with physically and mentally challenged children. This is a true People to People moment and a unique chance to contribute to the community at the same time!

Learn more about Assisi.

Day 14 Agenda - July 12, 2014 - Florence, Italy

Florence, Italy  A center of medieval European trade and finance and one of the wealthiest cities of the time Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. A turbulent political history includes periods of rule by the powerful Medici family, and numerous religious and republican revolutions. Today the historic center of Florence attracts millions of tourists each year. Due to Florence's artistic and architectural heritage, it has been ranked by Forbes as one of the most beautiful cities in the world and in 1982 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city also contains numerous museums and art galleries, such as the Uffizi Gallery and the Pitti Palace, amongst others, and still exerts an influence in the fields of art, culture and politics. ACTIVITIES Pay a visit to the Accademia Gallery, which houses Michelangelo's colossal statue, David. Now your guide will take you for a walk through the city of Florence, you'll pass by the Duomo and the bronze doors to the Baptistery, known as the Gate to Paradise. Take some time on your own to take in the flair of the city. Your parents and friends would certainly enjoy receiving a postcard from Florence! One of Italy's most famous products is leather! You will have the opportunity to learn about the production and processing of leather at the Leonardo Leather Works. Become acquainted with the local Tuscan cuisine during a special meeting at an Italian "fattoria" and watch a pizza-making demonstration. Afterwards, put your knowledge into practice and produce your own authentic Tuscan meal! Buon appetito!

Day 13 Agenda for Friday, July 11

DAY 13 - FRIDAY, JULY 11 

Montecatini, Italy 

ACTIVITIES:     Say goodbye ("Ciao!") to home stay families and rejoin the delegation! After the walk, relax with some refreshing cool wind on the boat (which may be canceled due to the weather and we may be going by train instead). Continue from Porto Venere to Monterosso! Be inspired by some of the best examples of Romanesque architecture in the Italian city of Pisa. See one of Europe's most iconic buildings, the Leaning Tower. After a guided city walk with your Delegation Manager, explore Pisa on your own.

Days 11 and 12

Homestays continue Delegates explore La Spezia, Porto Verne, and Cinque Terre with their homestay families.

Thanks, Charlie!

Just no time or opportunity to do both!

Day 10 - Monaco Agenda

P2P Day 10 - Monaco Enjoy a guided orientation of Monaco, famous for its royal family, the Grimaldis, and its Grand Prix racetrack. Did you know that Monaco occupies an area smaller than that of New York's Central Park? Enjoy a city walk with your Delegation Manager through Eze, a favorite retreat of the famous philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Attend an educational meeting at the L'Usine Laboratoire of Fragonard. Learn more about the production of "parfum". A challenge is waiting for you: find out if you can smell and identify the different essences! Meet your home stay family...During the upcoming days, you will experience the real Italian way of life with them! Nights for July 11-13 with Homestay Families in La Spezia, Italy.

Photos from Facebook

Group Photo!

I've finally got some breathing room after the holiday weekend; but, I realized that copying and pasting all of the updates on the Facebook page would be an overwhelming task. 

I did save many of the photos from the past few days in an album, which I have stored in my Dropbox.  You can access these photos by clicking here, or on the photo, and you may view all of the images.  My apologies that they may not be in a chronological order and are without explanation.  Going forward, I hope to have the time to re-post the Leader updates from Facebook to the blog for those of you who do not have Facebook.

Thank you!

Charlie

Day 9 Agenda - Nice, France; July 7, 2014

Day 9 Agenda - July 7, 2014 Discover the beautiful French Riviera during a guided orientation of Cannes, famous for its film festival. Nice is the largest resort town on the Mediterranean coast. Enjoy our picnic Dinner at the Chocolate Factory Tour. Then have fun in the lovely Tourettes sur Loup. Get a good night's sleep as we leave early for Monaco the next morning!

Pictures coming!

For those of you who follow the blog and do not use Facebook, as soon as my day slows down, I will try to re-post the photos and descriptions that leaders have posted on Facebook (in order).  Thanks for your patience!

Charlie

In the meantime, enjoy this completely unrelated photo of an adorable baby hedgehog.

Day 8 Agenda - Cannes, France; July 6, 2014

Day 8 Agenda - Cannes, France Be welcomed by officials of the town of Draguignan. Visit the Rhone American Cemetery, the last resting place of 861 soldiers who were killed in 1944 during the surprise landing in southern France. We will have an Official Welcome from the director of the cemetery. Relax on the beaches of the beautiful Cote d'Azur (Blue Coast) or have some free time in the city of the famous Cannes film festival. Time to have some fun together! Let's go bowling

Day 7 - Avignon, France

Discover this old medieval town while having a guided orientation through the narrow streets. The movie "Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves" (1991) was filmed in Carcassonne. Since 1997 this Historic City has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the Papal Palace, recognized as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO. The Papal Palace is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe (15,000 m2 of floor space, which is the equivalent of 4 Gothic cathedrals). Enjoy some time on your own in the beautiful city of Avignon.

Happy 4th of July from Perpignan, France!

Sadly, we did leave Spain this morning  - but happily, we arrived in France. After traveling for a few hours through some beautiful countryside, we arrived at our destination Tautavel. This is the very, very old archeological dig site. I think they said about 400,000 years old and they have been excavating for 50 years. Only a small portion is revealed, so this is a very long project. The climb to the site was a bit daunting. Many of us made it, not only to see the cave, but also the amazing view below and only imagine what it looked like when the cave was home to some of the first humans.After exploring the cave a lot of the students swam in the small lake below. A very refreshing way to spend the 4th of July a long way from home.

I think I can report that all of the students have made some great new friends and seen some amazing things already. The leaders can hardly remember who is from Wisconsin and who is from California! On to Avignon!

Day 6 - Travel Day to Perpignan, France

Happy 4th of July! Today, you will travel back in time. The Tautavel Man Cave (The Caune of Arago) is one of the biggest prehistoric sites of the world. You will have the chance to learn about the work of archeologists at this site. Once we have left Spain and traveled via bus for a few hours, we will arrive in France for lunch and the activity listed above. Check out the pictures on our Facebook account.

Day 5 - Barcelona, Spain - July 3, 2024

Today's Agenda: Today the delegates will Work in small groups and learn how to cook the most typical Spanish dish, "paella." This rice dish originated in Valencia, where it is traditionally eaten on Sundays and during the fall season. Be introduced to the work of Antonio Gaudi, Spain's most famous architect. First you'll admire one of the most interesting buildings ever conceived: La Sagrada Familia. Next, explore Gaudi's Parc Guell, a fantasy-like blend of architecture and nature. During your dinner experience the passion of the dance with a Flamenco show. in small groups and learn how to cook the most typical Spanish dish, "paella." This rice dish originated in Valencia, where it is traditionally eaten on Sundays and during the fall season. Be introduced to the work of Antonio Gaudi, Spain's most famous architect. First you'll admire one of the most interesting buildings ever conceived: La Sagrada Familia. Next, explore Gaudi's Parc Guell, a fantasy-like blend of architecture and nature. During your dinner experience the passion of the dance with a Flamenco show.

Farm at Zaragoza, Spain

Learning how to make butter and how to make lotion at the farm in Zaragoza, Spain.

Day 4 - Travel to Barcelona, Spain - July 2, 2014

With your Delegation Manager walk from the Maremagnum to the Gothic Quarter. Here, the Roman era remains alive alongside medieval buildings bringing Barcelona's colorful past to life. Shopping in Barcelona. Salmon for lunch and swordfish for dinner.

Educational Tour: at a company that makes tech software programs for the dissabled

Check out the Facebook page

P2P Mediterranean Traditions - Europe 2014

Learning about technology in Spain

Day 3 Agenda - Zaragoza, Spain - July 1 , 2014

Agenda for today: P2P Day 3: Zaragoza, Spain Take part in a Social Service Project. It will give students the opportunity to interact with people with disabilities doing sports. The delegates will see how the different rules and materials are used; have been adapted to allow them to enjoy sport. Enjoy your stay at a real European farm. Here you can experience the unique traditional way of life in the countryside. Take part in different activities like making cheese, candles, or fresh yogurt.

Mediterranean Traditions Itinerary

If any of you are lacking the itinerary for Mediterranean Traditions, you can download, or view by clicking here.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tg2gxbl4cnaka4r/Itinerary.pdf

Hello from beautiful Madrid!

We arrived safe and sound, met by our super delegation manager, Karin. After lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, we are enjoying a tour of the Museo del Prado. We still have a city tour of Madrid before we can (finally) check into our hotel. Are we tired? To say the least! Pictures tonight!

Lunch in Madrid!

Visiting the Hard Rock Cafe in Madrid. Delegates had some free time to explore the Independence Park. After lunch, we are heading to a museum. Our delegation manager is Karin, and she is taking excellent care of us! The blended delegations are getting along well. More to come.

Leaving for Madrid

We are on board and ready for takeoff! First count-offs in Atlanta! We are now a blended delegation. Taking off a little later than scheduled, so we may be delayed getting to Madrid.

Atlanta airport

Here we are in Atlanta waiting to board the airplane. We met the delegates snd leaders from CA. Hasta pronto familias!

June 29, 1:36pm

We've landed in Atlanta!

Waiting at gate 8, Dane Co airport!

Here we go!

Final Preparations!

Are you ready?  Any questions?  Don't forget the TSA 3-1-1 requirements when packing your carry-on bag!  

Please see this handy PDF file if you have questions.
http://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/assets/pdf/311_brochure.pdf

Want to follow the flights?  You can do so with FlightAware or Flightwise online tracking.  FlightAware has a smartphone app also, and Flightwise uses 3D tracking if you have Google Earth on your computer.

Using the language. . .

When traveling, particularly in countries where English is not the predominant language, it's always fun (and polite) to do your best to attempt to use the language of the host nation. Please, never assume that everyone understands English. Speak slowly, ask if each person understands English and greet people in their own language whenever possible. Many students in your delegation have studied French, Italian or Spanish, so learn some words and phrases from them that you can use when traveling these next few weeks. Saying "hello", "goodbye", "good morning". . .and especially "please" or "thank you" in Spanish, French or Italian will certainly be appreciated by the people you encounter.

Several years ago, I created "language cards" for students in a delegation before we traveled to France and Italy.  I printed them out on business cards (8 1/2" x 11" form sheets that you can purchase at Target, Walmart, Office Max, etc.) and students carried these cards with them, learned and used the words and phrases when they could. I didn't get around to printing them out this year, but thought I would share in case any of you wish to print out your own.  Please download from this link to my Dropbox.  If you have any difficulties and need me to send you the file, just let me know.

Molte grazie!  Merci beaucoup!

Charlie

French Phrase card link.

Italian phrase card link.

Ways to say "thank you" in Italian.

Ways to "thank you" in French.

Ways to say "thank you" in Spanish.

Monday in Madrid!

The countdown is winding down! In about 72 hours I'll see you at the airport! It is possible that we might have a chance to change clothes when we land in Madrid.Maybe that extra set of clothes in your backpack should include a pair of shorts and a cool shirt. The forecast high for Madrid on Monday is 86! Oh, and did we remind you to pack an umbrella or rain jacket? Just in case.

Thank you, Straubhaars!

Thank you, Straubhaar family, for hosting our Bon Voyage picnic yesterday! What a beautiful location, great food and lots of excitement in the air. See you at the airport!

Directions for the Bon Voyage Picnic

From Madison:

• Take Hwy 18 - 151 south to the Dodgeville exit
• After the Iowa County sign, take the first left (East Brigham Road)
• Bon Voyage is at the first house!

Delegates, do not forget to bring your packed suitcase for an activity that we'll be doing!

Lisa (608) 575-9625

Emily (608) 516-8535

Important Reminder about the Bon Voyage party

Hi Madison Students AND Parents:

I just wanted to give you a friendly reminder to bring EVERYTHING you need to hand in to the picnic on Sunday. I won't be able to accept anything at the airport since my bags will be  packed and ready to go to Spain! If you have any questions on what you still need to hand in please contact me through phone or email. Also, don't forget to make any updates needed to the health form.

Thanks, Kathy

Updated list of what everyone is bringing to the party.

Important Email

Please check your email for a very important message and attachment of the Phone Tree.  If there are any errors on the Phone Tree, let Jean Harrison know as soon as possible. (bowpro@merr.com)

If you have not yet responded to Juli Olson re: the Bon Voyage Party, please do so as soon as possible and copy me on your response.  (charles.sackett@gmail.com)

Thank you!

Bon Voyage Party, Sunday, June 22nd

Hello everyone. . .just one last gathering to go before departing on the 29th! We will gather on Sunday, June 22nd from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. for our Bon Voyage Party! Sorry for this short notice, but it is very urgent that you reply, as soon as possible, to Juli Olson (jolson118@charter.net). Please let Juli know how many people from your family will be attending, and what you will be bringing.

A current list of items can be seen here.

More information:

BON VOYAGE POT LUCK 

SUNDAY, JUNE 22, 3-5:30pm. 

4017 East Brigham Rd.

Blue Mounds, WI 53517 

Lisa Straubhaar's Cell (608)575-9625

Please RSVP to Juli Olson at jolson118@charter.net by Tuesday, June 17 with what you will be bringing and how many are planning to come.

Make sure to bring your PACKED SUITCASE. Kathy will be doing something with them to make sure everyone has what they need, and will be there to answer any final questions.

Lisa says the pool may be open by next Sunday, so make sure to bring your suits! 

Bon Voyage picnic

Sunday,  June 22, 2014
3-5:30 pm
4017 East Bingham Rd.
Blue Mounds, Wi 53517
Lisa's phone 608-575-9625

RSVP BY JUNE 17TH TO: jolson118@charter.net

Students please bring your packed suitcase and backpack

Parents please bring your dish to pass,  $5 for delegation manager gift and cards

Best smartphone apps for travel

If you are bringing along a smartphone, or a tablet computer, there are many applications which can help you capture your memories or stay in touch back home.  Please remember to talk to your wireless provider to arrange for any necessary calling/texting/data plans while in Europe and thoroughly understand what charges you will incur.  Even with an international calling plan, you may still end up paying as much as $1 per minute for phone calls home.  Sending and receiving text messages could be 50¢ per message and your phone is constantly downloading data, even while in your pocket.  If you do not turn off your data roaming feature, you will run up a very, very large bill.  Speak with a customer service representative for your company to understand what you need to do.

Also. . .do NOT forget to notify your bank that you will be using your credit/debit card out of the country.  Let them know specific dates and countries so that they do not shut down your account for suspicious activity.

Skype is one of the best smartphone apps to download for your smartphone or tablet. Only $5 to $10 will cover you for phone calls home, usually at 2¢ per minute, when you are able to connect to a wi-fi network (at your hotels, for instance).

Here are some other suggested apps for the traveler's smartphone.

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/larkslist/2013/dec/16/top-ten-smartphone-travel-apps-2013/

http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/phones-tech/apps-for-travelers

Please remember that this is the adventure of a lifetime and you should not spend this adventure texting friends back home or engrossed in a video game on your smartphone. Friends and games will be there when you get back. You may never come this way again. . .make the MOST of this opportunity, always.

Assignments and Quizzes

Time is winding down!  If you have any assignments to turn in, you may send them to Kathy at kmmadison665@gmail.com.  Do not forget to complete your online quizzes (there are 6 of them) as well!  If you have questions, please get in touch:

Kathy - kmmadison665@gmail.com
Carolyn - csclausius@hotmail.com
Charlie - charles.sackett@gmail.com

New Leader and Delegate!

Please welcome Delegate Azalea Roberts (Tomah, WI) and Leader Tania Gomez Anderson (Sparta, WI).  They have been blended to our Madison, WI, group and will be traveling with you!  In addition to Kathy, Tania will be a 2nd Leader departing from the airport here in Madison and you will meet up with the California delegations in Atlanta on the afternoon of the 29th.  Together, everyone will fly on to Europe for the 3 week adventure.  You should be able to locate Azalea's contact information via OnBoard and we hope that our Ambassadors will reach out to her and welcome her with open arms.  Introduce yourselves and make a new friend. . .thank you!

Make sure you have comfy shoes!!!

http://www.pinterest.com/peopletopeople/travel-tips-for-teens/

More on travel photography!

I'm providing a link to a short PowerPoint presentation that I have used when speaking to photography clubs.  It highlights some of the things that I have found helpful and important while traveling the world.  

Hopefully you'll get some ideas of how you can take more interesting photos on your adventure.

(If you download the PPT, then you can see the notes that I added with specific slides to further explain what is seen in the slide.  I think this would be helpful.  The notes are not visible when you simply view the PPT by clicking on the link. Please do not pass this PPT on to other parties, thanks.)

Charlie

Link:  https://www.dropbox.com/s/as3ftn51i8jju9s/Travel.pptx

Twenty-five!

Don't just take pictures...

...take MEMORIES!  Evolve beyond the standard snapshot during your travels.  Here is an interesting article, linked to an article about a National Geographic photographer documenting his travels with a smartphone.  Get to know the photographic capabilities of your smartphone, if you intend to use one.  Touch the screen in light or dark areas to adjust your light metering.  Understand the rule-of-thirds for better photo composition.  See the video at this link and click on the highlighted text in the article for more information.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/05/30/travel-photography-tips-stephen-alvarez_n_5405606.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000036&ir=Travel


Click on the image for more. . .

Itinerary and Accommodations schedule now OnBoard!

Your final itinerary and accommodations are now available OnBoard in the "Travel Center" tab.  Click on the "Activities and Accommodations" link in the lower left to find it.  There appears to be difficulty when using Google Chrome or Firefox browsers.  If you cannot access the itinerary and accommodations with these browsers, use Apple Safari or Internet Explorer.  Or, you can view the itinerary via my Dropbox folder by clicking here.

Please note that your home stay is not actually going to be in Spain, as we had previously thought.  It will be taking place later in the trip in the area near La Spezia, Italy.  This is pretty awesome, because La Spezia is located right at the southern end of the gorgeous and scenic Cinque Terre, and not far from the seaside village of Manarola (the photo at the top of our blog).  Your views of the Ligurian Sea will be stunning.  Get those cameras ready!

Who is excited? (Orientation Meeting #4 information)

Keep an eye on the "Travel Center" tab (OnBoard) for the final itinerary and accommodations listing, which should be posted any day now!

Don't forget to keep up on things via the Facebook page also:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/mediterraneantraditions2014/

Reminders for Orientation Meeting #4 on Sunday:

1) Bring your completed Project Fair display/presentation and be ready to set it up at the very beginning.

2) We will be collecting passports on Sunday and at the Bon Voyage Party on June 22nd.  (There is a sign-off sheet to indicate your passport has been collected by leaders.)

3) You may turn in any of your assignments, or the forms which indicate you are completing assignments for credit, or the assignments not for credit.  All assignments must be submitted via hard copy or digitally 3 weeks prior to travel.

4) The meeting will take place at Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School, from noon to 3 pm.  (Same location as meeting #3.)  All details and directions are available OnBoard.

5) Complete your online quizzes as soon as possible!

6) Don't forget gifts for your homestay family.  Don't spend too much, but choose something representative of where you are from.  Photo books showing your life, family, school, hometown, etc., are great ideas.  Create one on Snapfish or Shutterfly and you can add captions.

7) Keep checking back here in case I think of other important things!

Project Fair -- due at Meeting #4 on Sunday!

Please do not forget, as discussed over the last several months and at each meeting, your Project Fair displays are due at the meeting this Sunday.  We will begin the meeting by having your projects displayed on tables, or on the laptop computers that you bring (if you have a presentation) and will ask each of you to say a few words about what you've done.  Then we'll all take some time to enjoy the projects, and learn a bit about the countries you will be visiting this summer.  Be sure to get in touch asap if you have any questions.

Kathy (kmmadison665@hotmail.com)

Charlie (charles.sackett@gmail.com)

Carolyn (csclausius@hotmail.com)

Track flights while in the air!

Family and friends, if you'd like to keep track of our flights as we travel on this summer's amazing adventure, visit the FlightAware web site, and enter the relevant airline + flight number.  You can also download the FlightAware application for your iPhone or Android device.

People to People. . .Tips for Travel

Tips for helping your travel go smoothly.  

Luggage Restrictions

Per the guidelines for Delta Airlines, please visit this site for the luggage restrictions for carry-on and checked baggage:

To avoid extra charges for oversized or overweight baggage, your checked bag must:

• weigh 50 pounds (23kg) or less
• not exceed 62 inches (157 cm) when you total length + width + height

Link:  http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/baggage/before-your-trip/checked.html

TSA security restrictions for carry-on:

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/3-1-1-carry-ons

OnBoard is Updated for Meeting #4

Please be sure to check OnBoard for important information regarding our LAST orientation meeting, on May 18th!  (Last....that means our travel is FAST approaching!)

Important things to remember include: location (Upper Cardinal Heights MS), Project Fair (bring your completed project), passports (we will collect passports at meeting #4 and the Bon Voyage Party on June 22nd), all outstanding paperwork.  Also, finish up those online quizzes asap!

For questions, as always, contact Charlie (charles.sackett@gmail.com), Kathy (kmmadison665@gmail.com or Carolyn (csclausius@hotmail.com).

See you on the 18th!

Getting Excited?

Nothing like a drive along the Mediterranean.

Final Orientation Meeting (May 18th)

Carolyn has been able to reserve the library at her school once again, so we will meet on Sunday, May 18th, from noon to 3 pm at the same location 

Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School

220 Kroncke Drive

Sun Prairie, WI  53590

Please stay in touch with the blog for further details, a recap of meeting #3 and expectations for our final orientation meeting.  (Project Fair projects will be displayed that day, delegates!)

As a reminder, the Bon Voyage Party will be happening one week prior to departure, on June 22nd.  (Details to follow.)

Air Itinerary

Many of you may have noticed that the air itinerary is now available OnBoard.  It looks like this:

10:55 a.m. is not a bad departure time.  :)

I do not yet have confirmation, but I expect that the California groups would meet us in Atlanta and we will travel together to Spain.  As you can see, this adventure is going to begin in Madrid and head eastward, ending in Italy!

If you are not already a member of Delta Skymiles, you may consider joining so that you can take advantage of the miles on this journey.

https://www.delta.com/profile/enrolllanding.action

Quiz Report, Sunday Meeting, Community Service. . .

Only 81 days to go!!!

It's a busy time of the year, as we wind down toward our summer adventure.  Please be sure to read the e-mail that we sent out tonight with reminders about our meeting on Sunday.  Particularly, make sure that you are going to the correct location. . .mentioned below in a previous posting.  (Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School in Sun Prairie)

The latest Delegate Quiz Report shows that we have:

SIX students who have completed all six of their online quizzes.  (Thank you Amber, Philip, Kayla, Amara, Erin and Ethan!)

Five others have taken a few of the quizzes, but not quite all of them yet, and everyone else has not started.  Please get a start as soon as possible and refer to the previous post with information from Erin to help guide you toward the quizzes.  Let us know if you have questions!

Be sure to bring $10 to help defray the cost of materials for our tie-blanket project on Sunday.  Also, bring all sharp scissors or other cutting tools to help cut the fleece to proper sizes.

We will be collecting new or gently-used books for all ages, to donate to a local book drive.  Further information on both projects is in a previous posting.

See you Sunday!

Orientation Meeting #3 - location change

Due to a policy stating that groups cannot reserve meeting rooms more than twice within a 90-day period, we are unable to have our April 13th meeting at the Fitchburg Public Library.  Unfortunately, the Middleton Public Library was also unavailable for this day.  So we take the show to the east side for Orientation Meeting #3.  Many thanks to Carolyn for setting us up with a meeting space at her school:

Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School

220 Kroncke Drive
Sun Prairie, WI  53590

Please keep an eye on the blog for further information about this meeting; and, please remember that we will be taking part in our community service project.  (Information for this is in a previous posting.)

Pre-Travel Assignment Checklists (due 3 weeks prior to travel)

As discussed at Orientation Meeting #2, all Ambassadors will need to print out, complete and turn in one of the two assignment checklists:

Pre-Travel Ambassador Assignment Checklist (for elementary school delegates or delegates opting out of the academic credit option) -- a shorter list of assignments due prior to travel which you choose with the understanding that you will not receive credit from the Washington School of World Studies upon completion of travel.

or

Pre-Travel Ambassador assignment checklist -- assignments you need to complete in order to obtain credit from the Washington School of World Studies

You may download the checklists via Dropbox by clicking on the links above; or, follow the instructions in these images to download and print from your OnBoard site (click the images for a larger version).  Please let us know if you have questions!

Thank you.

Win $500 tuition credit! (Enter by March 26th)

You can win a $500 credit on your 2014 tuition by entering this contest...but get on it soon!  Deadline is March 26th!

(Click on the image to be redirected to the contest page.)

Meeting #3: Community Service Project

As discussed at meeting #2, we will be taking part in our community service project at our April 13th meeting.  The project will be a dual effort of creating fleece tie blankets to be donated to a local nursing home, as well as a book drive. Please bring any new or gently used books that you can spare or gather in the next few weeks, which we will bundle together for donation.  Fleece material is being purchased/gathered by Kelly Weigel (Carson) and Sherry Schad (Ethan). You do not need to purchase material on your own. In return, a contribution of  $10 per family, to cover the cost of blanket supplies, would be appreciated.  (Please bring $10 to meeting #3.)  Please DO bring sharp scissors or other tools meant for cutting fabric, as we will certainly need enough for each delegate/family. Parents, we hope you will take part in the project as well, so that we can all spend time together for a terrific cause!

If you have questions or feedback, please contact Kelly Weigel (kweigel2@charter.net) or Sherry Schad (toddschad@usa.net).

About those online quizzes...

Thanks, again, to Erin for helping show and explain the online quizzes that you'll find OnBoard.  As a reminder, here are some instructions from Erin to help you remember where to go for the 6 quizzes that are required for our itinerary.  As always, please contact me with any questions or difficulties!

1. On the left hand side of the menu bar, there should be a "Destination Certificate" -- click on it. This will bring up all of the People To People itineraries. 
2. Scroll down to "Mediterranean Traditions" (the programs are listed in alphabetical order), and click on the picture. The subsection should open up on the screen with the directions listed. 
3. There is either a video or PDF option to get the information, and then the 6 quizzes as links.
4. Link to the videos:  http://www.peopletopeople.com/micro/wsws/index.html?europe&_ga=1.230801565.304347924.1381771755 

Erin included some jpegs for reference.

Four delegates from our group have already completed all six quizzes and many more of you have gotten a start.  Thank you!

A video tour of our itinerary!

Tuition/Scholarship contest deadlines approaching!

There are two contests currently open with deadlines in March:

Why I Love Travel contest: 

Students should write a love letter to travel, or to a country, explaining why wanderlust is just the bee’s knees. Winner gets a $500 tuition credit. The deadline is 3/13/14.

http://www.peopletopeople.com/micro/travelletter_contest/index.html

Alumni Creative Challenge: 

Alumni students should submit a 30 second video commercial for People to People or their best photos from their travel program. Photo winners can earn a $500 up to $2,500 tuition credit and the video winner can earn a $6000 tuition credit. The deadline is 3/9/14.

http://www.peopletopeople.com/micro/creativechallenge-2014/default.html

Orientation Meeting #2 - This Sunday!

There really IS less than one month to go before Spring OFFICIALLY arrives.  Let's hope that it literally arrives as well!

Orientation Meeting #2 is upon us and we hope that all of you can make it to Fitchburg Public Library.  Once again, we will meet as a group for the first part of the meeting, discussing important information for our adventure, including clothing expectations, online academic requirements, fundraising opportunities and all of that VERY important paperwork that we need to collect!  Please keep an eye on this blog for updates about the meeting as well as other important information for our group.  Remember that this will be the place to visit for communications which you can refer back to instead of digging through your Inbox.  

Information will also continue to be posted to our Facebook group page, if you are a member.  The students and families from California will also be joining this Facebook group, so please be sure to make some new friends!

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/mediterraneantraditions2014/

Orientation Meeting #2:

Fitchburg Public Library

5530 Lacy Road

Fitchburg, WI

Start time:  12:00 noon

End time:  Approximately 3:00 pm

* We do have a committee of parents to assist with setup and cleanup of the tables and chairs for our meetings.  They may be in contact with you to request your assistance.  If you are able to help, please send me a note at charles.sackett@gmail.com and I'll let you know.  (Setup time = 11:15 to 11:30 am)

Important items to bring (if you have not already done so):

Health Form copies (2)

Success Contract (in your Student Protocol booklet)

Extra passport photos (2 photos that are the same)

Passport copies (4)

Completed Civics Assignment worksheet (first page only)

Completed Project Fair presentation proposal

Your questions - as always

If you have not already, please do the following ASAP:

Enter passport information (OnBoard)
Enter shirt size (OnBoard)

Submit Health Form (OnBoard)

- Delegates, our parent committee for our Community Service Project will be meeting with you briefly to discuss their ideas for a service project at meeting #3.  If you have some great ideas, please bring them with you.



Charlie
charles.sackett@gmail.com
608-381-4210

Greater Midwest Fundraising - 2nd Opportunity!

In November, Tim Shiels from Greater Midwest Fundraising met with some of you prior to the bowling social event.  I've had a few inquiries about doing a 2nd fundraiser with Tim's group and I've asked if he can send us materials to do a second round of fundraising.  Please drop me a note at charles.sackett@gmail.com as soon as you can if you are interested in taking part in this fundraiser so that I can make sure to have enough materials for you.

Thanks!


Web site:  http://www.gmfundraise.com/

Fundraising Opportunities

Carolyn and I had discussed a few fundraising opportunities at meeting #1.  Here are links for you to check out these resources for further information.

If anyone has ideas, or a desire to organize a group fundraising effort, please feel free to send us the information and I can post it on the blog or e-mail the entire group.

CharityMania:  

http://www.charitymania.com/Documents/CharityMania-INFOPKT.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/user/charitymania?feature=watch


Pay Your Way Winter Fundraising Ideas:

http://www.peopletopeople.com/blog/2014/01/pay-your-way-winter-fundraising-ideas

http://p2ppayyourway.com/


GoFundMe.com: 

http://www.gofundme.com/


Qdoba restaurants - Fundraising Nights: 

http://qdobamadison.com/content/fundraising-night-request

Orientation Meeting #1 - Wrap-up and video links

Orientation Meeting #1

Thank you to all of you who were able to attend Orientation Meeting #1.  We hope that you had a lot of questions answered and began to make some new friends.  I am posting links to the two videos that we watched at the meeting, as well as a video regarding the Health Form for those of you who have not yet completed it. I will be adding a few more things as I begin to evolve this year's version of the travel blog.  Please be sure to check back here often as a source for important information regarding our group.  And, as always, please let us know if you have questions or feedback.

Health Form

Orientation Meeting #2 will be held on Sunday, March 2nd at the Fitchburg Public Library, beginning at 12:00.  If you are unable to make this meeting, please be sure to let us know as soon as you can.  I will update this post, or create another, with reminders for items due at Meeting #2.  Please sign-up to follow this blog so that you will receive e-mail notifications when the blog is updated.

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