Cameras, cell phones, and iPods, oh my!

Kids these days are surrounded by technology, and it seems like teenagers and gadgets are inseparable.  This can be good, especially when it comes to taking lots of photos of our big East Coast adventure.  This can also be a challenge, as I do place several restrictions on the use of certain types of technology.  These restrictions are put in place primarily for the safety of your child, but also so we can be polite and respectful of the people and places we visit.

Cameras – Since we began doing our trip in 2006, USA Educational Adventures has been suggesting that students bring disposable cameras.  I love our tour company, but I would disagree.  If it were my child going on this trip (she'll be in eighth grade in eleven short years), I would definitely go digital.  I would not give her our $600 digital SLR camera, but I would certainly give her our digital point-and-shoot (around $225).

But that's me, and every family is different.  When thinking about what camera to send along with your child, you must consider your budget, your child's ability to keep track of and take care of a camera, and how much of a picture-taker your child is.  You may feel a bit bamboozled if your child begs for an $800 camera only to find they come home with 20 photos.  If you're still unsure, check out my camera comparison chart here:  http://www.rionorteyearbook.com/eastcoast/cameras.pdf.  Finally, students will not be able to use the camera feature on their cell phones.  Here's why . . .

Cell phones – As we see in the world around us, cell phones are a distraction.  For teenagers, cell phones can be even more of a distraction.  On top of that, these teenagers will be with friends, during spring break, in a strange new place away from home.  I can't have us walking through Times Square on a Saturday night with a million (literally) people all around us with your child text messaging their friends back home as we cross 42^nd Street and –slam!—they become a hood ornament on a taxi cab.  That's the most important reason for restricting cell phone use on our trip:  the safety of your child.  The other big reason is just simple courtesy.  We are visiting our nation's most honored places:  Independence Hall, Arlington National Cemetery, Ford's Theater, Gettysburg National Cemetery.  It's just not right to be chatting on the phone with your friends as we pass by the final resting place of our country's heroes.  Here's the bottom line:  if your child wanted to spend all of spring break texting or chatting with their friends, you could have saved a lot of money and just had sitting on the couch at home.

For all these reasons, we restrict cell phone use.  Cell phones may only be used (1) in the mornings or evenings while we are in our hotel, or (2) while we are "in transit" from one major city to the next.  The rest of the time, students are to keep their cell phones silent and put away.  If we find your child using his or her cell phone, I will take it away and keep it for the duration of the trip.  The only permitted use at that point would be to call home once each evening, and your child would do so in the presence of a chaperone.  No fun!  Finally, please make sure your child has a wristwatch, as the cell phone may not be used as a time-keeping device.

iPods and other devices – You child may bring an iPod or other MP3 player.  The rules for iPod use are the same as those for cell phone use:  only in the hotel or "in transit."  We cannot be responsible for any lost electronic devices, so please allow your child to bring only what you trust they will take care of.  Laptop computers (I actually had one child ask me if she could bring hers last year!) are not allowed.

This e-mail had lots of information in it, so please feel free to e-mail if you have any questions.  Next weekend's topic:  medication and staying healthy.  Have a great weekend!

Cheers,
Mr. Ippolito