Travel Tips and Advice – and a few “MUSTS” (by Ruth Cobb)

Each year, the Choir School works with parents to plan and carry out travel arrangements for 36 boys in grades three through eight. Students travel with comfort, confidence and safety when details are made in advance. The Choir School needs to have information from parents, in writing, that outline your plans.

Many older girls who have attended the course before will be comfortable taking a cab alone or with their traveling companion. In this case, we ask that the student have a cell phone and the cell phone numbers of our staff to notify us when their plane has arrived and when they board a cab.

Many girls need to be escorted from terminals or stations. We have limited staff available for pick ups at area airports and so we must try to coordinate the arrivals and departures of groups of girls. Parents are responsible for the cost of staff to travel to the airport as well as their daughter’s travel expense. A faculty member may determine that is in the best interest of the course to take a cab rather than public transport, especially if arrival is late and all staff members are needed to carry out their duties with the course.

LaGuardia is the closest airport, followed by JFK. Newark is much farther and less convenient public transport. Cab fares to LaGuardia may be approximately $45 and escalate to nearly twice that at Newark, depending on traffic.

Amtrak arrives at Penn Station and regional rail at either Penn or Grand Central. Both stations are easy subway rides.

Tips for traveling:

• In the week prior to the course, you will be informed which faculty member will be your escort and exchange cell phone numbers.
• Please make sure the cell phone is charged!
• Carry the address and telephone number of the Choir School. Should you need assistance en route, call the school and identify yourself as a traveling course member and the school receptionist will find a staff person to assist.
• Have cash on hand for meals and ground transportation.
• Girls meeting to take a cab should have each other’s phone numbers and take a cab from the queue at the terminal. Private cars may solicit rides and are safe, but usually more expensive.
• Don’t bring more luggage than you can carry - on escalators, up subway stairs, etc. Your escort may have several girls to assist.
• Remember, getting there is half the fun!