Keys Trip FAQ (Questions & Answers -- updated 1/25/09)     [Hit Counter:  ]

Q: What's it all about?
A: This trip focuses on the ecology of a subtropical coastal region that offers a series of unique habitats found nowhere else in the world. Particular emphasis will be placed on coral reefs, turtle grass beds, mangrove islands, hardwood hammocks, sawgrass prairies, and the plant and animal species commonly found in these areas. Mr. Clauset has taken science students to "Sea Camp" every year since the spring of 1992.

Q: Why not go to the NC coast?
A:The Florida Keys offers an unusual clear-water tropical marine environment where students can snorkle to mangrove islands, coral reefs, sponge flats, and turtle grass communities.Newfound Harbor Marine Institute is an ideal base for students to explore these unusual marine habitats. In addition, the Institute offers SMALL GROUPS led by trained marine biologists and lab facilities with microscopes, specimen collections, and printed resources we would be unable to provide at the Outer Banks.
     The Everglades offers a unique ecosystem found nowhere else in the world. If global warming becomes a reality, it is likely that the Everglades, due to their low elevation, will disappear forever beneath the waters of the Gulf of Mexco
     The North Carolina UNC-Wilmington marine biology program cannot handle large school groups.In addition they have no microscopes, no labs, no boats of their own, and no regular sleeping or eating facilities. The director of the UNC-Wilmington program, when I talked to her about bringing our group of 70+ students down to the NC coast said, "Take them to Florida. Sea Camp has a better program."

Q: What about scholarships?
A: A Trip Scholarship Fund will be set up with two fund-raising activities scheduled before the trip. We can provide partial scholarships for up to 10 students since we typically raise about $2000. During January/February we will offer a personal fund-raiser in which individual students can participate. Profits during this personal fundraiser will be deducted from the February payment. Our goal is to take ALL students who want to go on the trip.

Q: What info will parents receive?
A: Medical forms, Parent permission for Sea Camp, Telephone tree listing, Two Florida Keys Newletters (to be mailed), Trip rules, Clothing & Equipment list

Q: Why is it so expensive?
A: Let's take a look at some of the basic costs. First, buses are VERY expensive -- in 2008 dollars they will cost about $8,500 each to rent for the week. Three buses will be needed for 105 students + 10 chaperones, so that totals nearly $25,500! We pay extra for driver lodging while we are at Sea Camp, relay drivers for Saturday, and fuel surcharges (now at 8% of the total bus cost). Sea Camp has increased their price over the years in order to upgrade their facilities and hire qualified instructors. And, their fuel costs for boat trips have escalated as well. For 2007 the cost for Sea Camp ran close to $580 per student for Sunday night through Wednesday lunch. Sea Camp's costs usually go up between 5% to 8% each year. Add in another $40 for a group rate ticket to Sea World and $25 for a motel room in Orlando and you can see that costs escalate quickly. We try to save  money by traveling Saturday and Thursday nights, and, having students pack a bag lunch for Saturday supper. In years past we have considered shortening our stay at Sea Camp to save money, but parents have encouraged us NOT to do this. So, we apologize for the cost of the trip. We know it's expensive. We do try to do things as cheaply as possible and still maintain a quality learning experience.

Q: What if I have questions?
A: The fastest and MOST RELIABLE way to get an answer to your questions is to send us an email. Please do not put notes in envelopes or packets that your child returns to school. These often get overlooked! So, email is the best solution.

Q: When was the first Keys Trip?
A: The spring of 1992.

Q: What's the August Meeting?
A: At the August meeting we lay out the whole trip for you -- why we think it is an excellent educational experience for students, how the schedule works, and what Sea Camp is like. A brief video about Sea Camp is shown and then parents can ask questions. We always end the meeting with a VOTE. And yes, if parents vote the trip down we cancel for the year. Due to scheduling requirements for large groups, if the trip gets voted down there will NOT be time to set up an alternative one that year.

Q: Why no "integrated" unit?
A: The marine biology study unit for students prior to the trip takes approximately five weeks to complete. Due to its length and complexity there is simply not time to pull in social studies, math, and literature strands. In the 7th HG program we must try to protect the Algebra time slot in particular, because this is a high school course with much ground to cover. In elementary school and perhaps, even in 6th grade, there is more flexibility in putting together integrated units, but by 7th grade our time constraints with math limit our ability to do this.

Q: Why study so much?
A: The Florida Keys trip offers students a unique experience. Without extensive preparation for the trip students would simply be overwhelmed with the sheer volume of information during Sea Camp labs. By spending several weeks prior to the trip studying marine phyla and organisms, students gradually build up a foundation of marine biology knowledge that they can then use as a springboard for further learning at Sea Camp. Knowledge is power! By the time students get to Sea Camp they feel strong in their knowledge and they are prepared for the challenge. A common response from students in their trip evaluations is, "I felt smart! I knew the answer to the counselor's question!"

Q: Is there a packing list?
A: Yes, use this Packing List Link to view and print out the clothing, supplies and equipment needed by students for the trip.

Q: Is there a Payment Schedule?
A: Yes, check out the main Keys Trip web page for the correct payment due dates. The listing is located on the left hand side of the page.

Q: Are there payment reminders?
A: From our 2005 parent survey we learned that parents need a steady flow of reminders prior to the due dates for trip payments. We now have an email system in place that is capable of sending out payment reminders to parents. We'll let you know your account balance and the due date for each payment. NOTE: Please make sure that Mr. Clauset has a current and reliable email address so that you can receive payment reminders and trip notifications. The email system can handle multiple addresses for each student so that if BOTH parents want to receive notifications -- but at different email addresses, we can easily add another address for your child.

Q: How are chaperones picked?
A: At the August Keys Trip meeting we ask parents to sign up if they are interested in being a chaperone for the Keys Trip. If we never hear from you again or get a chance to know you after the August meeting then the likelihood that you will be selected as a parent chaperone is slim. We are understandably cautious. The Keys Trip requires a certain type of adult personality -- easy going, willing to go the extra mile, likes kids, not afraid to be a disciplinarian, good sense of humor, etc. We'd like to get to know you before we decide. Also, keep in mind that having one or two or three or even more older children go through the 7HAG program does not guarantee you a "slot" as a chaperone. So, volunteer to help out on other field trips and fund-raising efforts. Join in and get to know your child's teachers. If you miss the August sign-up, send Mr. Clauset an email expressing your interest. Follow this up occasionally to let us know you're still interested. We generally pick our doctor first and make the final decisions for additional chaperones in January. Sea Camp limits the number of chaperones we can take to one adult for every ten students. Take the current total number of students for the year and divide by 10. Now take this new number and subtract four teachers, subtract one slot for the doctor, and you will arrive at the number of parent chaperone "slots" available for that year.

Q: Why can't more parents go?
A: Unlike band trips or other grade level trips at Hanes, we are limited to a certain number of adults that we can take. This limit is imposed by Sea Camp. They just do not have the dorm facilities to house lots of parents who want to come along on the trip. Because of this we limit the number of chaperones to one adult for every 10-12 kids.

Q: What if I have more questions?
A: We know that you have lots of questions and don't worry about asking! Please email Mr. Clauset. This is the fastest and most reliable way to get answers to your questions.

Q: Personal Fund-raisers for kids?
A: We have tried running personal fund-raisers for students and have found that for the top sellers (1 - 5 students, typically), it's a great idea.  For the vast majority of other students, it really does not generate significant funds. You have to work really HARD in a fund-raiser of this limited type to earn even $50.00.  So, we've decided not to offer a personal fund-raiser for the trip. This trip probably takes close to 500 hours to put together and since Mr. Clauset has not yet figured out how to clone himself he just doesn't have the time or the energy to do everything else AND this project. So parents and students, you are on your own on  this one. Many parents work out programs where their children can contribute upwards of $150 - $300 of their own money towards the cost of the trip. Cut back on Christmas. Start an odd-job business. Do baby-sitting. Be creative.  

Q: Special info. for girls?
A: For the 2007 Florida Keys Trip we changed our girls swim suit rule (in place since 1991). Girls are now allowed to bring two-piece bathing suits for the trip -- just be reasonable. [Note to girls: a "bikini" in not considered "reasonable."] It can get cold coming back from a snorkeling trip and so we also recommend a nylon jacket. (It keeps the cold spray off of wet skin on the way back into the harbor from snorkeling expeditions.)

Q: About 2 piece bathing suits
A: For the 2007 Florida Keys Trip we allowed girls to wear two-piece bathing suits. Many parents have shared with us the difficulty in locating one-piece bathing suits that fit their girls. Selection is limited and prices are high. So, we are chaning the rule for this year. We'll see how it goes. Let's consider this an experiment. Girls,  be reasonable about this and don't bring a bikini.

Q: Why no flip-flops?
A: Sea Camp uses a type of "gravel" on its paths and walkways called "marl." In 2006 three students wearing flip-flops slipped and fell on this "marl." One student ended up cutting her knee rather severely, requiring five stitches to patch up the injury. Under her recommendation we have now adopted "Catherine's Rule:  No Flip Flops."  Therefore, no flip flops will be allowed on future trips in an effort to enhance student safety and avoid injuries.

Q: Special info. for boys?
A: For boys we have just a few requests: no knives, no lighters, no TVs or DVD players. Label everything with the student's name. Boys tend to loose the most items on every trip! It can get cold coming back from a snorkeling trip and so we also recommend a nylon jacket. (It keeps the cold spray off of wet skin on the way back into the harbor from snorkeling expeditions.)

Q: Explain student groups.
A: Three or four weeks before the trip we'll have students put down their choices for science groups, Sea Camp dorm roommates, and Orlando motel roommates. The teachers then begin a long and careful process of trying to fill up the groups with compatible students. We do not divulge the names in groups until we are in Florida.

Q: Explain roommate choices.
A: Students can list several "buddies" they would like to have for roommates. We do not let students know the final choices until they are on the trip.

Q: Why leave from Hanes?
A: We leave on a Saturday afternoon. The Hanes bus parking lot is just the right size for two or three buses and there is parking for parents as well. Leaving from a major mall or shopping center parking lot in the afternoon on a Saturday would NOT work well due to parking lot congestion, traffic, and random cars parked in the bus slots.

Q: Why no movies on the bus?
A: Showing a movie on a bus crowded with 40-50 active 7th graders is a disaster waiting to happen. Half the kids don't want to see it and so talk through all the scenes. The ones who DO want to see it are always asking adults to adjust the volume up or down. It's simply a headache that 7th grade teachers prefer to avoid. Some parents look at the long bus ride and immediately begin worrying about how their children can possibly amuse themselves for hours on end. Trust us. They have NO problem with this task! They have each other, and music, and books, and games, and music, and each other -- and.... you get the idea.

Q: Isn't the bus ride too long?
A: We start off from Winston-Salem at 2:30 pm. We stop every 2.5 hours for a rest stop & bathroom break. The time flies by and the kids don't even notice it.They are SO EXCITED about finally being on the bus and heading for Sea Camp that the hours just fly by. Soon it's 6 pm or so and we are stopping for dinner. Then after about 8 pm the sun light begins to fade and on come the overhead lights inside the bus. They are still having a great time. By 11pm they're all asleep and the next thing they know it, we are pulling into the restaurant parking lot in Florida City, Florida at 7:00 am, not more than 5 miles from the Everglades.

Q: What about bus drivers' hours?
A: Winston-Salem to Big Pine Key is too long for a bus driver to legally  be "on duty." So, we use 'shuttle' drivers to take us about 1/2 of the way (change drivers in Jacksonville, FL or Daytona Beach, FL). The drivers who will be with us  for the whole trip drive down to Florida a day  or two ahead. We pick them up early Sunday morning and they stay with us for the rest of the trip. Our bus drivers are professional drivers who follow all the rules and regulations of commercial, long-distance travel.

Q. Why are students not allowed to buy snacks from rest stop vending machines?
A: If we allowed students to buy snacks or drinks at every rest stop along the interstate highways we take on our way down to Florida and back we would encounter the following problems: 1) Difficulty supervising students; 2) Excessive trash build-up on the bus; and 3) More students desperately needing to use the bathroom between normal travel breaks. We provide snacks (both drink and crackers, etc.) at appropriate times during the trip. Students do not need to hit Interstate highway rest stop vending machines to fill up on additional caffeine drinks and junk food.

Q: Why not use the bus  bathrooms?
A: Years ago we were alerted to this problem by our drivers. There are NO bus maintenance facilities down on the islands that make up the Florida Keys where bus septic tanks can be emptied. So if you want to use the bathroom on the bus going to Florida, then all of that solid and liquid waste will have to sit in the tank and essentially "cook" from Saturday to Thursday when we reach Orlando. To eliminate this odor problem we decided years ago to not allow students to use the bus bathrooms until we were heading back to Winston-Salem from Orlando. We stop at Interstate rest areas about every 2.5 hours. This is really no different than traveling by  car. It's worked well in the past and we will continue this policy.

Q: Why no cell phones?
A: Our trip policy is that students are NOT allowed to call home and can NOT bring cell phones. Parents who make this an issue are only making it more difficult for their child. If you don't hear from us, everything is just fine. If your child calls you during the trip it will only increase the negative effects of homesickness. You may feel "wanted" but the teachers have to deal with the consequences. Trust us, it's better this way. When they get home they can tell you all about their adventures!

Q: Why stop in Orlando?
A: Bus drivers are required by law to have a certain number of hours "off duty." Also, they cannot drive for too many hours in one stretch. A non-stop trip from Big Pine Key to Winston-Salem would put us far into the "illegal" territory, or require a more expensive change of drivers. So, we stop overnight in Orlando to give our drivers a break.

Q: Why require Journals?
A: Some students and parents incorrectly assume that this is a pleasure trip -- a bonus, a "pay off" for studying marine biology for several weeks in class. No, this is NOT a pleasure trip. We are merely transporting our classroom from piedmont North Carolina to the Florida Keys. Working on the Journal does take a considerable amount of time at Sea Camp. We make no apologies for this. Completing the Journal with the required number of pages of text and illustrations cements the knowledge students have learned in class and at Sea Camp in the labs. Having to complete two pages of text in lab write-ups for Monday and Tuesday guarantees that students will focus and pay attention when Sea Camp counselors are giving mini-lectures. This focus has become legendary for our group. The Sea Camp director and counselors say every year that the Hanes 7th grade students are one of the best-prepared and smartest groups they have ever seen. And, they pay the closest attention! Students have complained for years about the Journal (while they are working on it, of course) -- but, they are PROUD of the finished product. So, when we hear them complain about how much work it is, we just smile because we know that the Journal is the glue that cements the knowledge they have gained. It is a key component in the educational design of the marine biology study unit and trip. So parents, don't be fooled by your youngster who goes on and on about the excruciating pain of having to do a Journal and how it ruined his or her trip and how stressed out they got over it. Be a savy parent here and remember that true learning does not come without effort!

Q: Why is Sea Camp so "rustic?"
A: As a father with three boys I used to head out tent-camping, and then car-camping every summer. I loved spending weeks on the road with my boys exploring National Parks all over the country. For me "rustic" meant putting up a tent and cooking meals for a small crowd myself. "Rustic" for other families means staying in a motel not quite as fancy as the Hilton. Please understand that Sea Camp has small dorm rooms packed with bunk beds. Students are outside all during the day and only use the room for sleep -- from 10 pm until 7 am each day.  They simply don't NEED huge dorm rooms with lots of unused floor space -- and, in the Florida Keys, space is at a premium. After all, Sea Camp is located on an ISLAND!  I tell students that the dorms, bathrooms, and bath houses are NOT what's important at Sea Camp -- it's the incredible environment and series of activities. When you hear students whine about how small the dorm rooms are and how they didn't have their own private bathroom, be a savy parent and just ignore them!

Q: What are activities Sun - Wed?
A: We are unable to publish in advance an EXACT description of all activities at Sea Camp from Sunday evening through Wednesday because our 7-9 groups rotate in and out of a series of activities throughout our stay. The week before we leave Mr. Clauset and the Sea Camp program director develop a list of labs for the trip. Lab and activity choices vary from year to year based on the resources of Sea Camp and, in particular, the available program options based on recent hurricane activity in the area. For the 2006 trip, for instance, we had to skip a favorite algae lab because hurricanes had decimated all of the algae beds. Typically we have three boat trips: two trips to the coral heads and one trip to a shallow bay. Our night labs involve echinoderms, a night wade, and a plankton tow. Additional daytime labs involve coastal ecology, sharks, jellyfish, and hermit crabs. During free time students are free to investigate the shore line, the docks, the specimen library, the "touchy feely" tanks, and, of course, work on their Trip Journals. While a small basketball court is available before and after program activities, students are asked to limit the amount of time they spend here so that they do not get too far behind on their Journals.

Q: What about an Itinerary?
A: We give this out at the August meeting. In addition you can find a link on the Keys Trip web page for an updated itinerary.

Q: Departure time? Pick-up time?
A: Departure time is 2:30 pm on Saturday at the Hanes Middle School bus parking lot. Pick up time is 8-9 pm at Hanes.

Q: How does the telephone tree work?
A: We try to find one parent who can call a core group of 6-8 other parents. When we want to activate the telephone tree, we call the one parent at the top of the list. That person in turn calls his or her core group. Each of the core group parents in turn will call their group.

Q: What about medical coverage?
A: We will have a fully stocked first aid kit along on each bus. Sea Camp employs its own on-call medical staff available 24 hours a day. One of our parent chaperones will be a medical doctor. We have a proven, established routine for handling all medical concerns, medications, and emergencies.

Q: Can I go if I can't swim?
A: Yes! We have taken non-swimmers to the Florida Keys every year. When it comes time for the swim test, just tell your counselor that you can't swim. They will issue you a ski jacket type of life preserver that makes it impossible for you to sink. You'll have a great time. You'll love being in the water because it will feel safe!

Q: Can I bring my snorkel gear?
A: Yes, you can bring your own mask, fins, and snorkel if you have them -- but we rent gear from Sea Camp for each adult and each student; so, you don't really need to bring your own unless you already have some of the equipment and you'd just prefer to bring your own. We pre-pay for the rental. DO NOT go out and buy gear just for this trip! If you have never snorkeled before you are in for a treat. It's tricky at first, but soon you will get the hang of it and be an expert.

Q: How much spending money?
A: We will send home a paper telling you how much to allow for meals and spending money. Your Tuesday money envelope is for the Camp Store. T-Shirts at Sea Camp are $12 - $15 and students often buy ice cream, post cards, or other small items from the camp store. How much money you include for the camp store that opens up only on Tuesday is, however, entirely up to you. Thursday is Sea World and you can easily drop $15 on lunch and another $15 on dinner. Add additional funds for souvenirs and the occasional drink on a hot day and your Sea World total could exceed $45.  Sunday and Wednesday's funds go into the group "pot" to pay for meals and last-minute trip expenses while we are "on the road." There is also a "Spending Money" Link on the Florida Keys web page.

Q: What about roommate choices?
A: You get to decide who you would like to room with. Here is a HINT: Get together with your buddies and all of you put down each other's names. Four people to a room in Orlando, eight people to a room at Sea Camp. Then when teachers are trying to figure out groups, you will have already done it for them. Bingo!

Q: Why can't I take a cell phone?
A: It's against our trip rules. You can tell your mom and dad all about the trip when you get back!

Q: Why so much Journal work?
A: Working on the Journal helps you remember what you have learned. Also, it forces you to pay attention when Sea Camp counselors are talking to you about marine environments and specimens. It's intended to be part of the learning process. Remember that even at Sea Camp you are still in school. Completing the Journal is part of your school work while on the trip.

Q: Type of food at Sea Camp?
A: It's good! But, like any camp food, there will be some days when you like the choices and other days when you're not so fond of them. Stay flexible and go with the flow.

Q: Why do we eat at Golden Coral?
A: We eat at Golden Coral twice because they can serve 100+ people quickly and we can be on our way. If we used a slower but fancier eating establishment, we'd have to chop off going to the Everglades or chop off swimming at Sombrero Beach on Sunday. The buffet-style eating at Golden Corral offers students a wide choice of entrees and side dishes.

Q: I get homesick. Can I call home?
A: No, you can't call home. Everybody gets homesick occasionally, but we've found that calling home only makes it worse. So, be brave and you'll do just fine. The busier you are, the less you'll think about it. And, at Sea Camp you are VERY busy!

Q: Can I practice for track?
A: No. Sea Camp has strict rules about students going off property. So, you can run in place, but you can't go off property. You can run on the property either because there is no soft grass to catch you when you fall -- only hard limestone rocks called marl. So, there is a camp rule against running.

Q: Are there assigned bus seats?
A: No. You can sit wherever you like and even move seats.

Q: Are there unit study guides?
A: Yes! Check out the STUDY GUIDES web page.

Q: Why ask students?
A: Every year since we started offering this trip in 1992 we have asked students to evaluate the trip. We like to hear about what went well and we like to know if there were problems. We're especially interested in hearing about the quality of the learning experience. We use student comments to fine tune the program for the following year.

Q: Why ask parents?
A: By asking parents for feedback we ensure that we stay tuned in to parent concerns and issues. We use parent comments to fine tune trip details for the following year. As questions and concerns arise through the evaluations, we also add to this FAQ each year. We welcome positive and negative feedback and learn from both. Our goal is to make the trip more successful each year. By listening to students and parents and responding to their concerns, we improve the trip and polish our strategies.

Q: Has the trip changed over the years?
A: Yes, somewhat. We used to go to the Everglades AFTER Sea Camp, but found that because the Everglades is a more subtle environment than the waters around Sea Camp, we needed to move it to the beginning of the trip. This change has worked well. At the end of our trip we used to drive to Vero Beach and stay overnight there and then drive on to Orlando Thursday morning. Two of our best bus drivers convinced us to try another strategy -- driving straight to Orlando Wednesday afternoon. We've done this for several years now and it's working well. We've tried a number of different labs at Sea Camp over the years. Now we have settled on a select group that we think work well with this age student. For 2005 we introduced a new component to the labs -- hermit crab races! This was great fun and we hope to include this in future trips. So, basically the trip is very similar to the first one we took in 1992 -- with some modifications over the years.

Q: When was this FAQ started?
A: May, 2005

Q: Why was this FAQ started?
A: In 2005 we ran two surveys for parents -- an on-line survey before the trip that focused on teacher-parent communication about trip details and a printed questionnaire mailed out after we returned that focused on the quality of the learning experience for students. In addition, students filled out an evaluation page in their trip journals. After looking back over these evaluations, it became apparent that a small number of students and parents did not fully understand a few key components of the trip as well as some of the operating details. It was felt that an extensive FAQ might help clear up these misunderstandings and be of use to both students and parents as they searched through the science web site looking for more information about the trip and answers to their questions.

Q: Where is trip pick up?
A: Hanes Middle School bus parking lot.

Q: Do kids attend school Friday?
A: Yes, Friday is a regular school day at Hanes Middle School.

Q: When is the Journal due?
A: The Trip Journal is due the Tuesday after we return. Students have the weekend and Monday night to finish up their lab write-ups and sketches.

Q: What about lost & found?
A: All lost and found items will be taken to school. One of the team teachers will have them available to return to students if identification markers can be located on the items.

Q: What about trip pictures?
A: Over the years we have produced slide shows, sharing sessions, and even photo CDs. Currently, we collect pictures the week following the trip and then post them on the web in a series of on-line photo galleries. Students, parents, friends, and relatives are then free to browse through the collected images at their own leisure.