TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS 2021
Hotel
We will know in which hotel we are staying, by December after close up has finished scheduling with local hotels and vendors.
Identification
Make sure that you have a picture ID with you, preferably a driver’s license or passport. You will need this at the airport and may need it at a few locations in DC.
Weather
The average high is 42 degrees and the average low is 27 degrees in DC in January. I lived in DC for three years and I can tell you first hand that the temperature can range from 0 to about 40 degrees with wind and about 1/3 of the time snow. (It makes the monuments look really pretty but it's not fun to walk in without the right clothes)
Rules
All Close Up policies and rules are to be followed. If your child does not follow the Close Up rules they will be sent home that day. It is then the parent’s responsibility to pay for the ticket home which is very expensive. Alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited.
Money
How much you send with your child is totally up to you. There are almost always ATM machines in all of the hotels. You can always check the hotel website for information. Your child will need money for baggage fees (I will collect these at or before the parent meeting in December), souvenirs, and any extra food or snacks they will want over and above the supplied meals. If we happen to fly in really early or depart really late coming back, they may need the cost of an extra meal and maybe an extra $20 for the subway if we have time to go see some sights on our own.
Luggage
Students are allowed to bring 1 checked bag (under 50 pounds), one carry-on bag, and one personal item such as a purse, backpack, or laptop. If checked bag weighs over 50 pounds then their will be additional baggage fees at the airport. Have students carry their coats on the plane as not to take up space in their luggage. Weigh your bag the night before if you have a scale at home.
Toiletries
Check the airline restrictions on what can be brought on board in your carry on. If you have large items put them in your checked luggage. Also make toiletries in your carry-on are in zip lock bags. If your child knows who they will rooming with then maybe they can split who bring certain items such as toothpaste, shampoo, curling/flat iron, etc. Most hotels have hair dryers and clothes irons in the room, again check hotel website. Make sure and bring some sort of lip balm (chap stick) and use lotion while we are there. The cold air dries you out quickly.
Medical
Students are allowed to self-medicate, but please make sure all medications are in the original container. There will be a medical form for you and your parents to fill out so that I and the Close Up representatives will be aware of what medication you should have on you and in what doses it is to be taken in for an emergency. (even things like Tylenol and Advil should go on the form) There will be a nurse on call in our hotel and Georgetown University Hospital is also on call at all times. Make sure you have enough supply of what you need for the week. All students should make sure and drink plenty of water while on the trip. It is easy to get dehydrated in the cold weather.
Security
There will be monitors on all floors of the hotel all night. All students are required to be in their rooms each night at 11. Students are not allowed to leave the hotel without Close Up personnel or a chaperoning teacher. If you have relative in the area they can visit you at the hotel some evenings but you are not allowed to leave with them. This could cause you to be sent home. There will be a room check each night.
Electronics
I will give you the chaperoning teacher’s cell phone numbers as well as we will collect the cell numbers of the students and their parents. Make sure you bring your cell phone charger. I-pods and other personal electronic items are great for the plane and during your free time. Please tell your child not to take I-pods or listen to music on their phones during the day while on program. Cameras are fine for photos but there are some places in DC that do not allow you to take pictures. If you have extra pictures I would appreciate a copy to use them to promote the trip in the future. Also remind them to not text while on close up activities. This is very rude and is embarrassing for me and the school.
School Work
Close up does not count against your child for absences or exemptions. Every student is responsible for making up the work missed for the four school days we will be gone before we leave OR the week after we get back. Please have your child check with their teachers a week or so ahead of time to get the work they will miss. I will also send out a list of all students going to all of the teachers. There will not be much time in DC to do school work. Bring novels to read on the plane, but textbooks will take up a lot of room and be heavy.
CLOTHING:
Shoes
Warm, closed toe, comfortable shoes are a must. Do not expect to wear flip-flops or sandals around the city it will be way too cold and possibly slippery. Tennis shoes or hiking boots are fine for everyday activities. There is a dance on the last night so girls may want to wear heels.
Clothing – Guys
Dressing in layers is the key. Jeans, long sleeves, sweaters, and warm socks are the norm. Do not expect to get away with wearing cargo shorts, it’s too cold. You may want to dress up for the dance and the so bring something a little nicer such as dockers.
Clothing – Girls
Dressing in layers is the key. Jeans, long sleeves, sweaters, and warm socks are the norm. If you want to dress up for the dance and then bring something for that. Some girls will dress in cocktail type dresses for the dance. Do not expect to walk around DC in heels or light thin long sleeve shirts. It’s way too cold and DC is a walking city, you will be outside a lot.
Outerwear
Something to cover your head and ears such as a stocking cap and scarf, and gloves are a must. Please bring a heavy, warm jacket (wear it on the plane so it does not take up luggage room). Warm and comfortable shoes. Long johns are a good idea and are light to pack. Optional – purchase some disposable hand warmers from Walmart, Academy, Bass Pro Shops, or a store like this.
We will know in which hotel we are staying, by December after close up has finished scheduling with local hotels and vendors.
Identification
Make sure that you have a picture ID with you, preferably a driver’s license or passport. You will need this at the airport and may need it at a few locations in DC.
Weather
The average high is 42 degrees and the average low is 27 degrees in DC in January. I lived in DC for three years and I can tell you first hand that the temperature can range from 0 to about 40 degrees with wind and about 1/3 of the time snow. (It makes the monuments look really pretty but it's not fun to walk in without the right clothes)
Rules
All Close Up policies and rules are to be followed. If your child does not follow the Close Up rules they will be sent home that day. It is then the parent’s responsibility to pay for the ticket home which is very expensive. Alcohol and tobacco are strictly prohibited.
Money
How much you send with your child is totally up to you. There are almost always ATM machines in all of the hotels. You can always check the hotel website for information. Your child will need money for baggage fees (I will collect these at or before the parent meeting in December), souvenirs, and any extra food or snacks they will want over and above the supplied meals. If we happen to fly in really early or depart really late coming back, they may need the cost of an extra meal and maybe an extra $20 for the subway if we have time to go see some sights on our own.
Luggage
Students are allowed to bring 1 checked bag (under 50 pounds), one carry-on bag, and one personal item such as a purse, backpack, or laptop. If checked bag weighs over 50 pounds then their will be additional baggage fees at the airport. Have students carry their coats on the plane as not to take up space in their luggage. Weigh your bag the night before if you have a scale at home.
Toiletries
Check the airline restrictions on what can be brought on board in your carry on. If you have large items put them in your checked luggage. Also make toiletries in your carry-on are in zip lock bags. If your child knows who they will rooming with then maybe they can split who bring certain items such as toothpaste, shampoo, curling/flat iron, etc. Most hotels have hair dryers and clothes irons in the room, again check hotel website. Make sure and bring some sort of lip balm (chap stick) and use lotion while we are there. The cold air dries you out quickly.
Medical
Students are allowed to self-medicate, but please make sure all medications are in the original container. There will be a medical form for you and your parents to fill out so that I and the Close Up representatives will be aware of what medication you should have on you and in what doses it is to be taken in for an emergency. (even things like Tylenol and Advil should go on the form) There will be a nurse on call in our hotel and Georgetown University Hospital is also on call at all times. Make sure you have enough supply of what you need for the week. All students should make sure and drink plenty of water while on the trip. It is easy to get dehydrated in the cold weather.
Security
There will be monitors on all floors of the hotel all night. All students are required to be in their rooms each night at 11. Students are not allowed to leave the hotel without Close Up personnel or a chaperoning teacher. If you have relative in the area they can visit you at the hotel some evenings but you are not allowed to leave with them. This could cause you to be sent home. There will be a room check each night.
Electronics
I will give you the chaperoning teacher’s cell phone numbers as well as we will collect the cell numbers of the students and their parents. Make sure you bring your cell phone charger. I-pods and other personal electronic items are great for the plane and during your free time. Please tell your child not to take I-pods or listen to music on their phones during the day while on program. Cameras are fine for photos but there are some places in DC that do not allow you to take pictures. If you have extra pictures I would appreciate a copy to use them to promote the trip in the future. Also remind them to not text while on close up activities. This is very rude and is embarrassing for me and the school.
School Work
Close up does not count against your child for absences or exemptions. Every student is responsible for making up the work missed for the four school days we will be gone before we leave OR the week after we get back. Please have your child check with their teachers a week or so ahead of time to get the work they will miss. I will also send out a list of all students going to all of the teachers. There will not be much time in DC to do school work. Bring novels to read on the plane, but textbooks will take up a lot of room and be heavy.
CLOTHING:
Shoes
Warm, closed toe, comfortable shoes are a must. Do not expect to wear flip-flops or sandals around the city it will be way too cold and possibly slippery. Tennis shoes or hiking boots are fine for everyday activities. There is a dance on the last night so girls may want to wear heels.
Clothing – Guys
Dressing in layers is the key. Jeans, long sleeves, sweaters, and warm socks are the norm. Do not expect to get away with wearing cargo shorts, it’s too cold. You may want to dress up for the dance and the so bring something a little nicer such as dockers.
Clothing – Girls
Dressing in layers is the key. Jeans, long sleeves, sweaters, and warm socks are the norm. If you want to dress up for the dance and then bring something for that. Some girls will dress in cocktail type dresses for the dance. Do not expect to walk around DC in heels or light thin long sleeve shirts. It’s way too cold and DC is a walking city, you will be outside a lot.
Outerwear
Something to cover your head and ears such as a stocking cap and scarf, and gloves are a must. Please bring a heavy, warm jacket (wear it on the plane so it does not take up luggage room). Warm and comfortable shoes. Long johns are a good idea and are light to pack. Optional – purchase some disposable hand warmers from Walmart, Academy, Bass Pro Shops, or a store like this.