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 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 disagree. If it were my child going on this trip (she’ll be going on her eighth grade trip in 2020), I would definitely go digital. I would not give her our $600 digital SLR camera with the $250 18-200mm lens, but I would certainly give her a digital point-and-shoot.
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 on my blog at http://trippolito.blogspot.com. 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 can be both an amazing tool and an incredible distraction. For teenagers, cell phones are 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 at night with literally a million people all around us with your child text messaging their friends back home as we cross 42nd 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 some of our nation’s most honored places: Independence Hall, Arlington National Cemetery, Ford’s Theater, Gettysburg National Cemetery. It’s just not right to be texting your friends as we pass by the final resting place of our country’s heroes. Finally, when we’re touring through a city or town, our tour guide will be sharing valuable information with all of us, either about the amazing sites right outside the window, or perhaps information about a meeting time, a meeting place, or lunch arrangements. This is important information you might miss if you’re busy talking or texting. 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 have them hang out at the mall for the week.
For all these reasons, we restrict cell phone use. Cell phones may 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 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 topic: medication and staying healthy. Have a great week!
Cheers,
Mr. Ippolito
