Suggestions for 18 hour bus trip

[lukevanoort]

I don't know about Dave's baked beans suggestion... I imagine its great for peace and quiet but team unity? Unless you happen to be a team of skunks... As for entertainment, I'd suggest handing out cutouts of Dave, Woodie, Dean, Andy Baker, and so on's heads as well as a few magazines and glue sticks. The winner makes the funniest "photoedit."

[VEN]

here's an idea, everyone bring a laptop, download track mania nations onto it (free 260mb racing game) and that should keep us occupied you'd be amazed how fun that game is considering its free

i think my team is traveling with 1305 Ice Cubed

[RoboMom]

My 16 year old just returned last night from a band trip to Chicago. 15 hours. Each way. He recommends "Dodgeball" and "Anchorman." (Personally I would second the "Apollo 13" recommendation) (I remember being on a trip where the team was reduced to watching Ashley and Mary Kate movies due to the lack of advance planning...) I sent him with a warehouse box of prezels in bags. He actually returned with most of them saying "they didn't like prezels." His pillow and blanket were in great demand. He had a blast and promised that he would write the teacher an apology note for....
oh never mind.

[VEN]

I got a laugh out of full metal jacket but that's around 2000 swear words too much...it's one of those movies you watch once and yeah...dodgeball was a fun movie

[kaszeta]

Originally Posted by Greg Perkins

To whomever said, give respect, get respect...I couldn't agree more. To the NEM's and parents who run teams, if you find bus trips or whatnot to be intolerable because of attitudes or emotions, try giving your kids some freedom, you'd be suprised how well it works.

If at all possible, I think this is the way to go.

Since I've had to also be a chaperone (in addition to being a mentor) several times for Team 95. I explain that I have exactly two rules, and they have served me well:

• Don't be stupid
• Be nice to each other

Yeah, I've had a few times where I've had to point out that the students were breaking one of these, but in general it works out fine, and the students don't feel like anyone is locking them up.

Between this, and relying on the fact that the students have just as much time invested in the robot and success as the teachers/parents/mentors and don't want to screw it up, this has worked out quite well.

[Koko Ed]

C'mon you guys you're all inventors. You guys should be making a portable cryogenic sleep chambers for those long bus trips! You got two weeks before you have to go. Get cracking!

[Not2B]

I have only had to endure a few bus rides... But movies help out alot.

Just remember, If you put in "The Right Stuff" and the 80's band "The New Kids on the Block" show up, you got the wrong one.

By the way, the students on my team decided, on their own free will, to watch all 6 star wars movies in a row when Episode III came out. Yes... after school on Friday they went to someone's house and watched I and II, then went the the theater and watched III, came back to the person's house and watched IV, V, and VI, then had waffles for breakfast.

IF you do watch all 6, the recommended order, according to most of 862, is to watch 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 6. Why?
4 - Oh nice. A space movie.
5 - Wow... this is also nic.... WHAT!?! DARTH VADER IS LUKE'S FATHER - WHAT ARE YOU DOING, LUCAS? HOW DID THAT HAPPEN??? TELL ME NOW!
1 - It's a kid.
2- Uh oh... I see where this is going
3 - Dude! Anikan just flipped out. OK, I see how it happened. That stupid old dude is mean. Thanks for explaining, Lucas.
6 - Yeah - Stupid Old Sith guy is going to get his. HA! It's all full circle. And Ewoks. They would make a good Christmas special...

Also, not very proud of this, but our bus is split male/female like this. Males anywhere on the bus. Female section is where the 2 of them sit.

[sanddrag]

I think karaeoke on the bus would be a grand idea.

[VEN]

lol true that...except I won't be putting anyone to sleep with MY voice

[Kim Masi]

Originally Posted by ScottM

It doesn't look like it's been mentioned yet, I'd highly recommend "Apollo 13".

Scott

best. movie. ever.

its all about the tom hanks.

[JamesBrown]

Originally Posted by kaszeta

If at all possible, I think this is the way to go.

Since I've had to also be a chaperone (in addition to being a mentor) several times for Team 95. I explain that I have exactly two rules, and they have served me well:

• Don't be stupid
• Be nice to each other

Yeah, I've had a few times where I've had to point out that the students were breaking one of these, but in general it works out fine, and the students don't feel like anyone is locking them up.

Between this, and relying on the fact that the students have just as much time invested in the robot and success as the teachers/parents/mentors and don't want to screw it up, this has worked out quite well.

I also agree with you. There are alot of things that can happen on a bus (or any other time on a trip) that would cause much more trouble then they are worth. I understand the reasoning behind separating team members. However I have always supported the idea of giving every one some freedom. 99% of the people who share seats on the way to Atlanta wont even think about doing anything in appropriate. It would be quite unfortunate if the other 1 percent ruined it for every one else. My advice would be to allow students to choose any seat the want. Mentors and Parents should be aware of what is going on, if a problem comes up then address it privately. I know on my team many of the girls are closer to the guys then they are to the other girls, this is typical of HS age kids, I would say that segregation is not necessary and may be detrimental, however this should be addressed on a team by team basis and it will come down to the maturity level of the students and will reflect the trust that they have earned.

[Drawman]

Just watch Forrest Gump like...6 times

=)

[Greg Marra]

Originally Posted by Drawman

Just watch Forrest Gump like...6 times

=)

At least once. That is the classic long-bus-ride movie.

[KenWittlief]

get the video kids to take all of Tom Hanks other movies (besides Gump) and paste them all together, with a voice over: instant Forrest Gump part 2.

[Gump]: since I was a gazzillionaire, and a war hero, wouldnt you know it, I got to go to the moon on apollo 13. But not Leutenant Dan, he went to MARS!

that should be good for about 12 hours!

[vic burg]

I am a student but, I hope this can help. We, Team 108, shared a bus ride up to the Palmetto Regional with Team 1251 both ways. Us students pretty much just completely had fun. A lot of people slept, since it was 13 hours on the way up, and it was basically, an all day thing. And yes, gameboys, iPods, CD Players and the such were technically an essential. I really don't think that same gender seating is necessary because normally, the students are too bored to be thinking of doing anything. Even if anyone did/does, they will hear about it from the other students and teachers/coaches/mentors since the bus is only so big and whatever happens, virtually everyone knows about. Robotics students tend to have high maturity levels so, Andrew, you really needn't worry much. Yes, spread out the chaperone's and you should be set. But, find out, before the trip is 3 hours into it, if the VHS/DVD player works. Otherwise, things may be a bit crazy. (Ours didn't and we all complained but, we got over it, and even bought the supplies to fix it. ) Having gone on multiple school trips via bus, whether only a few or many hours, on the way back, if you are driving overnight, or if either way is overnight, you can basically be guaranteed that all students at any given point (maybe 1 or 2 won't), will be asleep. Hope you have a good, fun, and safe trip!!!!