What You Need for

VERY IMPORTANT!!

Only bring with you what you can carry.  Pillow, carry-on bag, blanket for the bus (it can sometimes get a little cool), hanging bag (for your Concert Attire), and suitcase.  All of these items together are YOUR responsibility to carry. It is important that you do not bring extra bags or other things to carry unless you can carry them yourself.

Carry On Items

• Folder with your music (we rehearse on the bus)

• Bible

• Bus things to do (Playing cards and electronic games - quiet ones!)

• Pen and paper. Crayons and coloring books.

• Books or magazines to read.

• Snacks as appropriate (sharing usually takes place) -- Drinks must be in re-sealable containers!

• CD player WITH headphones (spare batteries)

• Pillow & light blanket

• Contact/glasses case

• Hat & sunglasses

• Camera & film (bring film or buy at Wal-Mart - Gift shop film is pricey!)

• Digital Cameras are great, we can upload your pics to the website~!

Concert Attire

Packed in your hanging bag!

• Cross & Flame Polo-style shirt (Red, Dark Blue, or both)

• Undershirt(s) (suggested) to wear under Cross & Flame shirt

• Dark shoes for concerts (NOT tennis shoes) 'Doc Martin' style sandals are fine.

• Dark or khaki socks for concerts (NOT white socks)

• Khaki pants (guys or girls) or Khaki skirt (girls) NO "Mini" skirts

• Belt (if your pants/skirt has belt loops)

Other General Items to Pack

• Testament T-shirt(s)

• Light jacket or sweater

• Alarm clock

• If you are cold natured  you may want to pack a pair of jeans and a long sleeve T-shirt

• Swim suit & swim towel

• Flip-Flops

• Watch

• 2 Plastic bags for wet clothes/towels & Dirty clothes

• Sunglasses & hat/visor

• Toothbrush and toothpaste

• Brush/Comb

• Hairdryer

• Shampoo

• Soap (for shower)

• Prescriptions - (Adults need to know if you have any)

• Tylenol/Aspirin/Advil

• Deodorant (LOTS!)

• Sun block (LOTS!)

Wear comfortable clothes, we are on the road most of the day. We will change into concert attire for our concert in Springfield

Wear concert attire but pack some comfortable clothes in your garment bag. We will change clothes at the retirement center before going to lunch at Gino's east and then on to the Navy Pier and the jetboat trip.

Wear  bus clothes we will be on the road most of the day.

Wear comfortable clothes/Swim suits, we will be spending the day at Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor. Our tickets let you go back and forth between the two parks.

Wear concert attire, we will be worshipping at Willow Creek and then going to a concert after lunch. We will then change into comfortable clothes for an evening at the Water Tower Mall.

Wear comfortable clothes, we are on the road most of the day, but will change into concert attire for our concert in Memphis.

Wear Mission Work Clothes we will be working in mission for part of the day. We will then go back to UIC and clean up before wearing our new BLUE Testament shirts to the Cubs game at Wrigley.

Wear comfortable clothes we will be on the bus all day.

Wear you concert attire, we have two concerts today. One in the morning and one after lunch. We will then go back to UIC to change into comfortable clothes for our excursion to the top of the Sears Tower.

Souvenirs Suggested amount: $40-$100

• College bookstores (It's a tradition! We will be staying at three Universities.) T-shirts run $10-$20

• Four days we will have the opportunity to get souvenirs with our activities and sightseeing. T-shirts and other items $5-$20

• Expect a few Wal-Mart stops Additional snacks $10-$15

 Need to pay for dinner

Breakfast (Home - eat before you come to church)

Lunch (Sirloin Stockade, Okmulgee, OK - Provided)

Dinner (Fast Food after the concert in Springfield) $5

  Need to pay for part of dinner

Breakfast (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (Gino's East Pizza - provided)

Dinner (Navy Pier - we give you $5) $5

  Need to pay for lunch

Breakfast (MSU Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (on the road, St Charles, MO – fast food) $5

Dinner (Old Country Buffet, Joliet IL - Provided)

Need to pay for part of lunch & dinner

Breakfast (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor - we give you $5) $5

Dinner (Six Flags/Hurricane Harbor - we give you $5) $5

  Need to pay for lunch

Breakfast (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (after worship - Barrington Woods, IL - fast food) $5

Dinner (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Need to pay for lunch

Breakfast (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (on the road MT. Vernon, IL – fast food) $5

Dinner (Ryan's Buffet and Grill, Memphis, TN - Provided)

 Need to pay for lunch & part of dinner

Breakfast (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (Mission Work area - fast food ) $5

Dinner (Wrigley Field - Concession Stands - we give you $5) $5

  Need to pay for lunch

Breakfast (UM Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (Hope, AK – we give you $5)

Dinner (Sulphur Springs, TX - fast food) $5

  Need to pay for lunch

Breakfast (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Lunch (after Concert - fast food) $5

Dinner (UIC Cafeteria - provided)

Rules and Information to Help Make the Trip More Enjoyable

• Every time you board the bus, circle only your number.  This helps us keep from leaving anyone.  Failure to do so will place you on bus clean-up.

• No smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, tobacco chewing, or using illegal drugs! (We have to say this even though there should be no problem.) IF YOU ARE CAUGHT WITH ANY OF THESE THINGS, YOU WILL BE SENT HOME AT YOUR PARENTS’ EXPENSE!

• Our bus driver has a big responsibility in handling the big rig, so talk to him and let him know that you appreciate his driving us around, but don’t do it while he’s driving.

• Make sure you are appreciative and courteous to the sponsors who have taken time off to join us.  We couldn’t go on a trip like this one without them.

• Every time we eat in a restaurant with servers, you must tip.  Standard tip is 15% of your bill.  Even if you just by a soda or a cup of coffee and someone brings it to you, leave a tip.

• Budget your money wisely.  You have already been given an idea of how may meals you must pay for, so make sure you leave yourself with some money to use near the end of the trip.

• Please do not ask the director or the bus driver how much longer or how much farther.  If our time schedules are off, we will announce adjustments.

• One of the things that wears out a voice quicker than anything is yelling, screaming, and talking too loudly on the bus.  The noise level of the engine is already so high that normal talking is sometimes a strain.

• DO NOT order any take out or delivery food from the dorm rooms. This causes problems with security and is not really fair to the other members of our group.

• When we stop for meals on the road you must go as groups to the restaurants. If the directors say we all will eat at the same place, then we all eat at the same place, NO EXCEPTIONS!

Other Things to Keep in Mind

• Quiet hours will be called on the bus during which people will be able to sleep, read, and play cards (WITHOUT TALKING).  This time is often a period of refreshment and renewal.  Please respect this time during our trip.

• If you bring some sort of stereo device, you MUST have headphones so that others around you will not be disturbed.

• Label your CD player, CD's or electronic games with your name or initials. It helps us get them back to the right person if they are left on the bus.

• Our conduct on tour will be the lasting witness we make, not the concert itself.  Strangers may not understand nor appreciate our practical jokes and snide remarks. Church members expect Christian young people to respect their church, both in terms of conduct and in the manner in which the facilities are used.

• Performances demand reverent enthusiasm and disciplined spontaneity.  Give your most intense attention; give your finest musicianship.  Give Yourself!

• Please do not discuss performance weaknesses, bad attitudes, or personality conflicts when around other people.

• Be sure to thank the people at the various places we eat, sing, and sleep.  They went to a great deal of trouble for us; so be courteous.

• Please be prompt!  The bus moves according to the times listed in the itinerary unless otherwise changed by the Director.

• It is important to meet the bus at the time specified to load luggage, board the bus, and make last-minute checks.  Because there are several very tight traveling schedules, DO NOT plan to arrive at the bus at departure time.

• Upon arrival at the various destinations, please remain on the bus until all instructions are made regarding unloading, rooms assigned for dressing, place and time for meals, etc.