Charleston FAQ for parents

What time will I need to have my child at the school?
We encourage students to arrive between 5 – 5:30 so that we can check them in and check luggage. We will leave the school promptly at 6:00
What are the sleeping arrangements?
We have 38 parents attending along with 11 teachers. There are 38 rooms that will have one chaperone and 3 children and there are 31 rooms with 4 students. The rooms with chaperones have been strategically placed in between the rooms without chaperone, to ensure a chaperone nearby at all times.
What hotel are they staying at?
Holiday Inn Mount Pleasant, 250 Johnnie Dodds Blvd, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843-884-6000
What should I pack?
Due to the nature of the activities we will be participating in, all students are required to wear closed toe shoes. We suggest students bring a “back up pair.” Please pack weather appropriate clothing, we will be outside for the majority of the activities and we want to make sure students are warm enough. Each student is limited to 1 piece of luggage and 1 personal item to have on the bus with them (purse or sling back pack). These items will be checked by school personnel before they board the bus.
How much money should I send?
This is a personal choice; the only money that will be needed is for dinner on our way back on Thursday. We will stop near a fast food restaurant (i.e. McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A or something similar) and allow the students to order their own meal and they will pay with their own money. We are suggesting at least $5-10 for this depending on your students eating preferences. Additional money for souvenirs is up to your discretion and is not mandatory.
What happens if there is an emergency and I need to contact my child?
If during school hours, please contact the front office, they will have Ms. Skipper’s cell phone number and will be able to contact her. If after school hours, please contact the above hotel and they will be able to put you in touch with Ms. Skipper.
Are they allowed to bring snacks?
We are asking students to pack a mid-morning snack for the day of departure. We will have a rest stop in Orangeburg, SC, where they will have the opportunity to have their snack.
What is your electronics policy?
To ensure the safety of all students, and to adhere to CMS policy, we will follow a strict routine involving collection and redistribution of cell phones. Cell phones will be checked in with the teacher assigned to your child’s bus. They will return the phone when we get to Charleston and before bed to allow students to call home. During the day phones will be with the teacher to ensure not only their safety but also the undivided attention of the students during their activity. Students will be allowed to call Thursday morning as well if they wish, phones will be collected again until we are approximately an hour away from home, at which time we will encourage students to call home and give an estimated arrival time.
What about other electronics?
We discourage any other electronic devices to be used during the trip. If they are lost, stolen or damaged, neither Crestdale Middle nor Mann travel is responsible. If a student is using an electronic device inappropriate, staff members have the right to confiscate the device until we return to school.
What about security at the hotel?
We will have a security guard assigned to the hotel from 10:30 pm to 6 am. The security will patrol halls to ensure the safety of all students.
Will they have access to phones in the hotel rooms?
Phones will be present in the hotel room, however we will encourage students to use the allotted cell phone time to call home. We are not expecting students to use hotel phones to call home.
Are there any scheduled Breaks or downtime?
Students will be participating a variety of activities at a constant rate throughout the trip. “Down time” will be during bus travel back and forth to locations.
What will they be eating?
While on the barrier Island tour, they will have a cook out lunch. During the aquarium portion of the trip they will have a Chic-Fil-A boxed lunch. They will have a pizza and salad dinner on the dinner cruise. Students will also have a continental breakfast Thursday morning served by the hotel.
When will they return?
We will return approximately 7-8 pm on Thursday evening. Students will call parents when we are within an hour of arrival for a more precise time.
Identification of Items held by teachers
Please make sure you label your luggage and cell phone with your name for easy distribution. Masking tape will work great for this.

Charleston Tour

January 23-24, 2013

Group I (Bus 1, 2 & 3)

Day One: Wednesday, January 23

  • Depart School at 6AM
  • Rest Stop in Orangeburg (students can bring bagged breakfast)
  • Arrive in Isle of Palms for Barrier Island Eco Tour 10:30AM
  • Have lunch on the Barrier Island with Hamburger/Hotdog cookout and continue the nature tour
  • Visit Fort Moultrie to see Introductory film and tour the Fort (1:30PM/2:30PM)
  • Check into your Hotel- Holiday Inn at Patriot’s Point
  • Entire Group will have Dinnercruise aboard Spiritline Cruise (Spirit of the Lowcountry) 2 1/2hrs from 6:30PM-9:00PM with DJ around the Charleston Harbor (menu: Pizza Buffet)
  • Return to the hotel for the evening 10:30PM Observe quiet time and in rooms
  • Security Guard on duty from 10:30PM-6AM

Day Two - Thursday, January 24

  • Breakfast at the hotel in the Conference Room 7:15AM-8:15AM
  • Check out of the hotel and board coaches by 8:30AM
  • 9AM Old South Carriage Ride/tour in downtown Charleston
  • After carriage tour spend time at the Marketplace in small groups
  • Boxed Lunch with Chick Fil A at SC Aquarium Pavillion 1:30PM
  • Visit the SC Aquarium 2:00PM Enjoy the 4D Experience
  • Depart for home by 3:30pm
  • Fast Food Stop enroute
  • Arrive back at school at approx. 8:00PM

Charleston Tour

January 23-24, 2013

Group II (Bus 4 & 5)

Day One: Wednesday, Jan 23

Depart School at 6AM

  • Rest Stop in Orangeburg10:30AM Old South Carriage/Tour and afterwards explore the Marketplace in downtown Charleston
  • Lunch with Chick Fil A on the grounds of aquarium 1PM
  • Visit the South Carolina Aquarium 2PM Enjoy the 4D Experience
  • Check into hotel Holiday Inn at Patriot’s Point at 5:00PM
  • Entire Group will have Dinnercruise aboard Spiritline Cruises (Spirit of the Lowcountry) 2 ½ hour
  • Cruise with DJ from 6:30PM-9:00pm around the Charleston Harbor (Menu: Italian Buffet, unlimited soft drinks)
  • Return to the hotel for the evening 10:30PM Quiet and in rooms-Security Guard on duty from 10:30PM-6AM
Day Two – Thursday, January 24
  • Load coaches with luggage from 7:30AM-8:00AM
  • Breakfast at the hotel in the Conference Room 8:00-9:00AM
  • Check out of the hotel and board coaches by 9:05AM
  • 9:30AM Barrier Island Eco-tour at the Isle of Palms
  • Tour lasts from 9:30AM-2PM including cook out lunch
  • Visit Fort Moultrie (1:30/2:30PM) to see Introductory film and tour fort
  • Depart for home by 3:30PM
  • Fast Food Stop enroute
  • Arrival by at school at approx 8pm