Bahamas 2009

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The "Big Trip" for 2009 will be a sailing trip in the Bahamas. Always a great trip!

Remember that this is a Troop activity-- the Scouts will plan the menu and duty roster as on our regular trips. (Adults, realize that you will have to be ready to go with the flow on some things that you would have control over on a family vacation!)

Behavioral expectations. Both Scouts and adults will be expected to live by the Scout Oath and Law during the trip (among other things, working as a team, having a good attitude, not using alcohol or tobacco, etc.), and to follow the directives of the Captain and of the troop leaders. This includes a commitment not to bring or use tobacco, alcohol, firearms, junk food/drink, electronics, etc.

Dates: May 30 to June 6, 2009. We will leave the Atlanta Airport in the morning of Saturday, May 30, Delta flight 2029. The flight leaves at 8:30am. Meet at the Atlanta airport by the Delta check in counter by 6:30am wearing your "class A" uniforms. Adults without uniforms should wear their Bahamas t-shirts.

We will check in as a group (we have e-tickets). You are responsible for your own transportation to the airport. Many stay at the Red Roof Inn the night before a trip instead of driving to the airport that morning.

Before leaving Athens make sure you have your passport, uniform and your gear.

We take taxis to the Marina in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

Saturday night and Sunday morning we would cross the Gulf Stream and make our way into the Bahamas. We check in with customs & immigration in Alice Town, Bimini, Sunday morning. Then, for the rest of the week, we sail up and down the Bimini island chain.

Main activities: fishing (last year, we caught about a dozen mahi-mahi in the space of 40 minutes on the first day...); snorkeling in coral reefs and shipwrecks (you can easily see 40-50 feet down in the clear Bahamian water); sailing (Scouts and adults get to steer the boat, put up sails, pull up the anchor, and all the other "crew" work); plus other "enforced leisure" like napping, playing cards, sunbathing, etc.

Most of the islands are quite small but we do spend some time on land. We'll probably spend one full afternoon & overnight in Bimini/Alice Town for souvenir shopping, eating at a restaurant, etc.

Friday morning we sail back across to Florida, arriving (if there are no "issues") by late afternoon/early evening. We have to take taxis to check back in with US customs & immigration. Saturday morning we clean the boats, head to the airport, and return to Atlanta by Saturday afternoon/evening.

We will return on Delta flight 1976 at 6:18pm June 6. You are responsible for your own return transportation from the airport.

Some notes:

Because we're leaving and reentering the US it's my understanding that current regulations will require everyone to have a passport. This takes several weeks/months to get processed so if you don't have one you should start that process.
Participating youth need to be at least First Class in rank and have the Swimming merit badge. (We can provide opportunities to earn that between now and then for those who don't have it.)
Everyone will need to fill out the participant agreement (committing to the payment schedule, which will be revised, probably to $200/month); and will need Class III medical forms prior to the trip.
Parents are also welcome to sign up. They should also be able to pass the BSA swim test. Remember, too, that parents will need to follow all Scout policies on the trip-- this is a troop activity, not a family vacation!
We are estimating the budget at $900, which will include the airfare, boats, food, etc. (Participants will need to buy, borrow or rent snorkeling gear; and we'll want to take a couple sets of fishing gear per boat, too. You will not need a lot of "stuff" on this trip, though; see packing list below.

1. Emergency contact information:

The charter company is Fun in the Sun Yacht Charters, 940 NE 20th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale FL 33304. Owner, Scott Shaffer. Ph. 954-463-7911 or 800-327-0228. They would be able to contact our boats via the Coast Guard if needed.

Most cell phones will not have service in the Bahamas. However, adults may bring a phone in case of emergency. Youth may not bring cell phones. Please do not plan to call home during our time in the Bahamas (adults or youth), as that detracts from the experience for everyone.

Cindy R is our local contact person and will relay any significant information that needs to be shared.

We need up-to-date medical and permission forms for each participant.

2. Participants and boat assignments:

Cat Tales Captain: Gene	Labamba Captain: Chris
Aaron D Chris D Mohan I (Adult-medical) Nathan I Paul M (Lead adult) Bill N (Adult-water safety) Jesse N Jamie P (Lead Scout) Robert P Gene T (Captain) Brian Y (Adult-gearmaster) Hayden Y	Allen A (Adult-gearmaster) Chris A Lee D (Lead Scout) Will D (Lead adult-medical) Chris F (Captain) Kyle F Henry R Steve R (Adult) Cameron W Wesley W Seth W

3. Budget:

Our estimated cost is $900. Airfare cost variations may change this final amount.
$200 is due in January (or rolled over from the Chesapeake trip). The payments of $200 by the end of February and March with the remainder due by the end of April.

4. Menu:

We will be basing our menu off of last Bahamas trips menu, which was successful in terms of cost and good eating. Participants with special dietary needs, or those who would like to help with the menu planning and/or shopping, please let Paul know.

5. Packing list

Packing information. Note: We have very limited space, both traveling to Ft. L. and once we are on the boats. Please do not bring unnecessary gear! PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR THINGS!

NOTE: Please pack in no more than the one small duffel provided. We will not check any bags. Everything else will be shipped in advance by the gearmasters.

PASSPORT!
Scout Uniform (wear while traveling; will store at charter company while on boats)
Bathing suit (1 or 2)
Shorts (1 or 2)
1 week supply of underwear and socks if desired
Deck shoes or sandals (pref. not dark soles), plus old sneakers or water shoes if desired
Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins) (may also want socks to protect feet from fin straps)
4-7 shirts or t-shirts, including troop-issued Bahamas shirt
Personal toiletries (NOTE: Any prescription medication must be in original, labeled bottles)
Sunglasses with strap
Wide-brimmed Hat with strap
Beach towel (charter company provides a bath towel)
Light jacket or poncho
Lightweight long-sleeve shirt/pants for sun protection
Clothes pins, so your stuff stays put while it dries
Sea-sickness medication (Bonine or the patch)
Sunscreen (high SPF, ideally non-greasy), Lip balm
Camera & film (may want a disposable underwater camera)
Deck of cards &/or book to read
Optional: Salt-water fishing gear and tackle (we will consolidate transporting them)
If you are under 90 lbs. you need to bring your own life jacket
water bottle
Spending money. This depends on your spending habits but should include enough to buy souvenirs and to pay for one meal in Bimini, and meals on both Saturdays, as well as misc. expenses.
non-metallic whistle
The boats probably have CD players. The Lead Scout is responsible for covering the music selections - appropriate and a relatively limited number.
Optional: dive gloves, inflatable dive vest
Lead adult on each boat should bring first aid kit and will keep up with documents

Do NOT bring: (You know the list!) Electronics (including CD players, GameBoys, cell phones, etc.); unScoutlike stuff; junk food; too much gear. (This goes for adults, too.)

Note: We have very limited space, both traveling to Ft. L. and once we’re on the boats. Please don’t bring unnecessary gear! PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR THINGS! Please pack in no more than the one duffel (we are providing). This will be a “carry-on” bag, as checked luggage costs $15/bag. Fishing gear and snorkeling gear, plus anything not allowed to carry on, must be pre-packed with our troop gear to be mailed in advance.

6. Remember you will need:

Scouts must have completed First Class rank and the Swimming Merit Badge must be completed to go on this trip.
Passport for entry into the Bahamas (and back into the US!). Make sure ahead of time you have these!
Up-to-date copy of Class III Medical Forms (like what we use for Philmont/high adventure).
You will also want to have (buy or rent) mask, snorkel and fins; and possibly fishing gear.

7. We need some assistance with:

Making airplane reservations
Hosting a pre-departure pool party to test snorkeling
Safe boating/swimming/snorkeling procedures/gear
Setting up training as needed for adults
Designing and purchasing T-Shirts
National Tour Permit

8. More information:

February newsletter
May newsletter

We have scheduled our Snorkeling BSA training for Thursday, May 21st, at 6:30 p.m. at the Georgia Aquatic Center pool, which is an indoor (heated) pool. http://www.georgiaaquaticcenter.com/

This will be more comfortable for extended instruction than the outdoor pool, though you are welcome to also practice at the S' this Sunday, May 17.

Please plan to bring your snorkeling gear, and eat before you come Thursday-- we will be focused specifically on the training esp. since we already have our two other pool "parties" in the coming weeks!

(1) Everyone (adults and youth) going on the trip needs to complete this level of training for us to be in compliance with our safety regulations.

(2) If you are NOT going to be able to attend on the 21st, I will do your training at the S' party this Sunday afternoon. If you are in that situation, please let me know so I can be prepared for that, time-wise. You will also need to read the BSA snorkeling safety document, which is at http://old.scouting.org/pubs/19-176.pdf, which covers a lot of what we will talk about.

9. Bahamas Sailing Trip 2009 Cancellation Policy:

Due to the cost of this event, once a deposit is made the participant is responsible for the entire payment, estimated to be $900. Payment schedule: $200 due by end of January, $200 by end of February, $200 by end of March, remainder due by end of April. (Previous payments made by Chesapeake participants will be credited to these.)
If a participant drops out and can find a replacement for his/her slot, then the replacement can pay the participant for the amount already paid. Replacements must be approved by the Sailing Planning Committee.
A participant who drops out and cannot find a replacement is responsible for the entire payment unless a refund can be obtained without increasing the cost to other members of the contingent.
If a participant who drops out and is unable to get a replacement desires to appeal this refund policy, it may be appealed to the Troop Committee. The Troop Committee may vote to allow a person to drop out of the group and receive a full or partial refund, but the Troop Committee will have to fund any refund out of Troop funds and not the Sailing Trip funds.

10. SAILING 2009 PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT:

Copy you can print, sign & turn in (PDF file)
As an intended participant or parent of an intended participant in the Troop 149 Sailing trip scheduled for May 30-June 6, 2009, I hereby agree as follows:

I understand and agree to meet all policies and requirements for participation. For youth members, this includes completing First Class Rank or above and having the Swimming Merit Badge and completing Snorkeling BSA training (opportunities will be provided for these trainings). If I am an adult participant, I understand that I must have gone through the Troop 149 orientation training, and that I must obtain Youth Protection Training and Safety Afloat/Safe Swim Defense Training as well as Snorkeling BSA in order to participate in the Sailing trip. All participants will also be required to provide a valid Class 3 Physical. All participants will need to confirm entry/exit document requirements; we recommend everyone have a valid passport for travel to the Bahamas.
I understand that this is a Troop trip, not family camping, and agree to follow all Troop, council and BSA policies and procedures. I understand that both youth and adult members will be expected to follow the Scout Oath and Law at all times on this trip. I understand that use of tobacco and alcohol will not be permitted on this trip.
I understand and agree that, due to the significant financial cost of this activity, each participant must support his/her share of this cost. Therefore, I understand and agree that by making the first payment and signing this agreement, I fully commit to paying the entire predetermined cost of $900 per person by the monthly payment schedule.
I understand that if I cannot participate after signing the agreement, but can find a replacement that is acceptable to the Troop 149 Sailing Trip Committee, I will not be held responsible for the payment. I also understand that if I cannot participate after signing the agreement, and feel that I have special circumstances, the payment policy can be appealed before the Troop Committee of Troop 149. I agree to comply with their decision.

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Signature Date