Chaperone - am I crazy?

[Sunshine2U]

I'm chaperoning my daughter's choir to WDW next week. Anything for a trip back to WDW - right? . Great thing with WDW is it's safe to let them roam about in a park! Anyway, we'll be in the Galaxy Palace Theater in MK on Saturday, July 16 at 4:00 - come say hi (I'll be the one with the camera) and enjoy the show. They do a great performance so should be a nice afternoon break if you're looking for one.
Leslie

 

[AJKMOM]

Depending on the kids, you could be certified as crazy. My sister chaperoned a robotics group a few years ago, and there were a few kids whose parents were along, and they were the worst, because the parents told them it was OK to "cut loose". They were on "vacation" and didn't have to listen to the people in charge, didn't show up on time for the competition, etc. My sister was so disgusted, she quit.

Another friend went with a band group, and same thing. One parent told his kids and their friends they didn't have to listen, because my friend who was running the show was "too strict". The kids got on the bus 45 minutes late and laughed at the others , calling them "goody 2 shoes" and saying how much more they got to ride because they didn't listen. Good luck.

 

[Sunshine2U]

Yikes! I'll make sure to enjoy my time in the parks so if there's any fallout I will be in a happy mood. This is a good buch of kids so I am not expecting deliberate variance from the rules... just normal "I was supposed to do WHAT, WHEN?" stuff.

 

[Tiggerkeeper]

Sunshine2U have a great time!

I have chaperoned the Dorman Chorus from Spartanburg three times and it was a blast every time! DD graduated this year and I hate that this part of our fun is coming to an end. One year we had a few people from SC in the audience (I asked where they were from) who shagged to a couple of the songs. It was fun to watch.

And yes, it is great that you can "turn them loose" in the parks and not worry "too much" about their safety.

Good luck eith the performance! And enjoy your trip!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Have a wonderful time! Unfortunately, I won't be there at that time, otherwise I'd be sure to be there. DS went to perform at MK with his band several years ago. Since then, I have to go watch every group that comes to perform. And it always makes me get teary eyed thinking what a great experience it is for them. They'll remember this forever.

 

[LoriB]

I was a senior class advisor for at the high school where I used to teach. We took the kids to WDW for grad night twice. Never had a problem. We did the precautionary stuff (checking bags and securing the night before, doing the off time checks throughout the night, etc.) We planned so much that those kids were so darn tired that they had no energy to get into trouble when we got to our rooms! If you plan appropriately you'll be okay. We also had rules about who could go. Kids who were suspended or had multiple detentions could not attend. We also made parents sign an agreement that if their child broke the rules they would be sent back to school at the parents cost. Those last minute plane tickets aren't cheap!

LoriB

 

[CarolA]

Depending on the kids, you could be certified as crazy. My sister chaperoned a robotics group a few years ago, and there were a few kids whose parents were along, and they were the worst, because the parents told them it was OK to "cut loose". They were on "vacation" and didn't have to listen to the people in charge, didn't show up on time for the competition, etc. My sister was so disgusted, she quit.

Another friend went with a band group, and same thing. One parent told his kids and their friends they didn't have to listen, because my friend who was running the show was "too strict". The kids got on the bus 45 minutes late and laughed at the others , calling them "goody 2 shoes" and saying how much more they got to ride because they didn't listen. Good luck.

I have run groups and I make EVERYONE involved sign a contract. Contract says that if you do this kind of stupid stuff you go HOME at your parent's expense. I have sent folks home. (I have also informed parents that they were no longer partcipating and sent them home!)

 

[minkydog]

I just go back from New Orleans where I chaperoned a bunch of middle schoolers on a chorus trip. It was great! We didn't have any problems at all, mainly because we laid down the rules before hand. I hope you have a blast!

 

[indigoxtreme]

I agree with the poster about the contracts. Set the rules up front and any variance in those rules will be delt with in accordnance to the contract. LEt you chaperones know that just because they are there, their children are not expections to the rules, the must treat their children the same as all. If they deviate then they will have to leave the group and go home as well at their expense. By the way I have chaperoned many a group. We had a meeting outlining the rules and only 1 time out of 5 years did we have to send someone home. We had over 125 kids.

 

[CarolB]

I was one of many chaperones for my son's HS swing chorus/band/orchestra trip from PA to WDW last May (2004). We had 4 charter buses of Kids and Chaperones and we had a great time. Stayed at the ASMu....the kids were basically allowed to do their thing in the parks during the day (all had to appear at each others performances, so that assured check-ins with kids at least once each day). We had security at the resorts, so they had to be in the rooms at a preset time....and that was enforced. Chaperone's held all tickets....we were there for 4 days, so only the last day did they get to "hold" their tickets....that way they couldn't leave the parks on their own or lose them. Our band director is very organized...and they make trips regularly, so it really was a piece of cake. The hardest part was 24 hours on the buses (we drove straight through both ways).....we drive straight through ourselves when we drive, but it takes much longer when there are 150 plus people eating, bathrooming, whatever whenever you stop.
I hope you have a great time like we did....we chaperoned a group of 8 teenage boys....and no problems!
We had done the same thing 2 years earlier with DD trip to Williamsburg Virginia with the same groups....also a great experience.

 

[aunties]

I worked with a HS band for 13 years as twirling and flag instructor and assisting the rest of the group as well. I chaperoned five trips to WDW, several to NYC, one to Canada, and many day trips. The kids and parents all had to sign contracts about behavior and the consequences of not following the rules. We never had to send anyone home ahead of time. In fact, in my 13 years and 100s of kids, I can count on one hand, with fingers left over, the number of kids I would never want to deal with again. I always had a blast. I still run into many of these "kids" who now have their own kids and I still get thank yous and hugs for the times we shared! People thought I was crazy to do it. I'd rather think that I was privileged to share such great times with such great kids.

 

[Ishy]

I hate to bring up such a negative thing, but my little brother (he is 30 now) went when he was 16 on a band trip to WDW - my step mom gave him more then enough money and it was stolen day 1. His locker at wet-n-wild was broken open. It was all cash and all they could do was take a report. Since this was his food money, he had to grub money from the other kids. His chaperones told him to do that. He paid it all back and he was a popular kid and didnt have that much trouble getting money - but a shy, quiet kid would probably starve quietly.

My kid thinks I am nuts when I take all her money and put in in different places when she travels - I also give her a check for emergencys and a credit card. She is doing the fall college program and I am soooooooo worried about theft.

 

[CarolB]

She is doing the fall college program and I am soooooooo worried about theft.

Congrats to your dd.
Both my dds did the College Program....in fact, DD1 did it 3 times during school, did an advanced internship after graduation and is now a Manager in MK....and she graduated from HS in 2000.....Her experiences were in MK (Food Beverage Surveyor), AK (FP attractions host - at that time the FP crew rotated among the rides) and Tapestry of Dreams Puppeteer. DD2 did a Spring Advantage program (there from Jan - Aug) in MK at the HM - she loved it too. We had no housing/roommate issues at all for any of the experiences (not to say they loved all their roommates, but my oldest daughter and one of her original roommates continued to room together in experience 2 and 3 and are great friends today.)