SLEEPING WITH THE SHARKS
TENATIVE ITENERAY
As of April 12, 2013
Dear Students and Parents:
Our day is almost here; I am looking forward to the trip. A couple of reminders:
- If you plan for your child to ride home with someone other than you (as the driver), both the parent of the child and the driver of the vehicle that the child will be riding home with, must stop by the office by Thursday morning to sign a release form.
- NOTE: IF you are attending the trip (parent) your child will need to ride back to school with you, due to 1 bus returning to school.
- Students need to bring toothbrush, toothpaste, washcloth, soap, pajamas (must meet dress code), sleeping bag and pillow, a change of clothes. (ONLY 1 small bag) NO LARGE duffle bags!
- If your parents are going on the trip, they need to carry your luggage. If they are willing extra luggage can be sent with parents.
- If you are parking please see Mrs. Longworth for parking permit. (Only those sleeping in the aquarium.)
- Electronics may be taken on the trip. However, they will ALL be secured in a room at the aquarium. Students will not be able to keep them with them during the night.
- Parents (only due to spacing) may bring an air mattress.
Below is a general schedule of events: remember times are estimates
Wednesday, April 15, 2013
2:00Load the bus behind HHS.
2:30 Leave for Gatlinburg
4:00Stop at I 81 Rest stop
4:45Leave for Gatlinburg
6:00Stop at Golden Corral
7:30Arrive at aquarium (Unload Bus)
8:00Check In
8:15Begin Fun
9:00Doors locked at the aquarium (only students, parents and staff of the aquarium will be in the aquarium)
Activities include: squid dissection, scavenger hunt, jeopardy game, pizza snack (around 9:30-10:30)
11:30Bed time
Thursday April 16 , 2015
7:30Rise and Shine
8:00Breakfast
8:30 Load the bus
8:45Go back for a special “creature feature”
9:00-10:15Final tour and gift shop time
10:30 Leave for Home
11:00Stop at Golden Corral Sevierville
12:00Leave for home
Note: Restroom breaks will be taken as necessary on the way home.
3:00 pmArrive at HHS
Sleep With the Sharks Information Sheet
Chaperones
The campers are on their own during the scavenger hunt, chaperones must remain with the youth campers.
Please advise if chaperones will participate in the Fish Printing activity, otherwise activity preparations will be made for the youth campers only.
What to Bring
Sleeping bag, something warm to sleep in, pillow and toiletry items. The Shark Lagoon Tunnel is quite chilly at night, please be sure you bring warm pajamas.
Plain t-shirt or pillowcase for Fish Printing activity. Fish Printing involves fabric paint, we suggest campers wear clothes that can get messy.
Spending money for the gift shop.
Emergency numbers for all campers, sleepover confirmation and medical release information. Please inform your Sleep With the Sharks Educator(s) of anyone in your group with a medical condition or special need. Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies is not authorized to dispense medication of any kind to anyone in your group.
What Not to Bring
Flashlights, battery-powered/ electrical items such as CD players and hand-held video games are not permitted.
Anything of real personal value.
Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
Non-paying participants are not allowed.
Bedding Down
Evening activities end no earlier than 12:00 am. Camp is set up after the Aquarium closes. Please be courteous to other campers in and around your sleeping area by being quiet.
Your group will be sleeping on the floor, along the length of the Shark Lagoon Tunnel and spots may not be reserved. Please instruct those people suffering from back problems to bring an air mattress if they desire. Space is limited in the tunnel. As a result, air mattresses will enter the tunnel after all sleeping bags have been arranged in the tunnel.
Good Morning
Wake up is at 7:00 am. Once up, get ready for the day, pack up gear and bring back to storage area.
Sleep With the Sharks ends at 9:00 am. You are allowed to remain in the Aquarium as long as you want after the sleepover activities conclude. Sleepover fee includes Aquarium admission!
Parking is not included after 9:00 am. If your group plans to remain in the Aquarium after the program you will be asked to move all vehicles (except buses) to the city parking garage directly behind the Aquarium (there is a city fee, $6 per car/per day).