Packing/Preparing for Summer Programs

Parent Cafe
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<p>I know the parents around this side of the forum are quite well versed in these types of preparations, so I’m curious of how yourselves, or your children for being away for long periods of time.</p>

<p>I’ve been checking out the college packing lists, but it seems like too much. I’m traveling alone, and flying across the country, so I’m checking 1 large bag and shipping 2 medium boxes. It was difficult to convince my parents to let me go alone, and on a connecting flight, but it’s WAY cheaper in the long run, so they eventually gave in, and I have flown alone before. Can anyone share any tips that they have for going away for a few weeks and also how you handled all of the accommodations for minors traveling alone with transportation and such?</p>

<p>Thanks,
Noelle</p>

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<p>I see that you are flying from Florida to Pittsburgh. Where is your connection? If it is Atlanta, that is a very busy and complex airport. The times that you have flown before, did your parents get you the unaccompanied minor service? At 15 it’s not required by any airline that I know of. It is useful to get familiar with the layout of the airport by googling it. For example: <a href=“http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Default.asp?url=sublevels/terminal/termmap.htm[/url]”>http://www.atlanta-airport.com/Default.asp?url=sublevels/terminal/termmap.htm&lt;/a&gt; gives you some idea, and if you find out ahead of time what terminal you are flying into, and out of, that would help. I hope that you do not have to change concourses as that can be hairy.</p>

<p>Last summer my 11-year-old had the service since her layover was in O’hare. If that makes you more comfortable, you should certainly avail of it. My 2 older kids have flown by themselves without the service and done just fine. You read signs, ask lots of questions at the airline counters, and check times and gate numbers repeatedly, as these can change.</p>

<p>Will the staff be picking you up at Pittsburgh airport? </p>

<p>As far as luggage for summer programs…my S went to CMU last summer and here were kids that arrived with 2 suitcases, and others that came with 8 boxes!!! All he took was clothes, swimsuit, sneakers, flipflops, toiletries, towels, sheets, IPod, cellphone, coins for laundry, Advil etc… I like to send the little detergent tablets as they are lightweight and simple. All meals are taken care of I believe, but you may like to have some spending money for going downtown, icecream etc. Hopefully your roomie will bring a fan.</p>

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<p>a HUGE tip is this, do not leave any counter, any check in area, any secuirty check in, the plane, the bus, the bathroom, without double checking that you have your boarding pass, ID, etc</p>

<p>my D left her packet, including passport on the plane, thank goodness is was the return flight</p>

<p>have a clear packet that includes all your information, etc so you can find it easily, keep a copy in a different place, including copies of ID</p>

<p>be sure family has copies of everything as well</p>

<p>don’t delete any emails having to do with trip, so if stuff is lost you can access it</p>

<p>be sure and check in with family at each change of plane, we will be worried otherwise, can’t help ourselves</p>

<p>what are you shipping in the boxes? and as it is summer, you don’t need as much as you think you need</p>

<p>what city are you going to and what kind of program</p>

<p>my Ds have done Wash DC, traditional camps, LA, England, so I have some experience</p>

<p>also, preprogram into your phone all the contact information for the program as well as printout the information, most give out a cell phone for pickup time</p>

<p>also know where the camp is and how to get there in case your flight is really late and you need to cab it or something</p>

<p>just stuff every travellor should plan on</p>

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<p>and double check the gates, the posting are not always accurate, and they may announce something on the plane about a gate for your flight, but as often as not that is inaccurate</p>

<p>go immediately to your connecting gate, make sure you are at the right place before getting a snack or whatever</p>

<p>I do all this and I am a growed up person</p>

<p>Take a carry-on with at least two changes of clothes, just in case luggage is late, so worth the hastle</p>

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<p>This is the “pack list” given to our son for his trip to Peru this summer (8 weeks). He cut a few things (binoculars; converter) and added some (soccer cleats; wet suit), but fit everything into one medium sized suitcase. One consideration was that his host family would be picking him up in Lima. With small cars, we were concerned that one of those mega suitcases might not fit in their car. </p>

<p>We were worried about his ability to change planes in Atlanta on his own (and he is 19). In addition, he needed to pick up his luggage in Miami in order to go through customs and find the International terminal. As luck would have it, I ended up being sent to Miami on the same day and therefore ended up on the same plane as far as Miami. (I swear this was completely unplanned and unsought.) I let him take the lead with checking the terminal maps, departure boards, etc. </p>

<p>I told myself I would not micromanage his packing, but that was probably a mistake. As we sat at the airport, he said, “You know what I forget?”. “No, what?” “That big packet of information they gave us at the mandatory meeting is still in my bedroom, but I don’t think it had anything too important.” Yikes. He was off to Peru with no idea where he was going, no maps, no contact name info. But, that is the style for this child. We got an email and he made it.</p>

<p>Amy’s packlist:</p>

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<p>Where r u going? for how long?</p>

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<p>Last year my daughter went away for 5 weeks, and took one large duffle-bag-on-wheels.</p>

<p>She didn’t have to take bedding - check to see whether or not it is provided.</p>

<p>Check also to see if it will be easy to make a run to the local WalMart or whatever for supplies - for example, hangers and a wastepaper basket, which are often not provided. Then you can take just the bare minimum of toiletries, and can restock and buy laundry detergent there – or use someone else’s. My daughter has never used the detergent I’ve sent with her.</p>

<p>If needed - quarters for laundry.</p>

<p>ATM card for cash.</p>

<p>Another thing she took was one of those iPod docking stations with speakers, so she could listen to music in her room.</p>

<p>Another suggestion is a beach towel.</p>

<p>Bathrobe or some kind of cover up to wear to the showers, flip flops to wear in shower.</p>

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<p>I believe that the OP is going to Pittsburgh for a CMU summer program.</p>

<p>Last year before the program started (or in the first week) the counsellors took the kids to the local Target where they bought cheap pillows, detergent etc. that they dumped at the end of the program.</p>

<p>Remember that if you ship stuff to Pittsburgh, you are going to have to pack it and ship it back by yourself at the end of the program. Can you just fit everything into 2 suitcases instead?</p>

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<p>Last summer my daughter went to the UCLA six week summer program. She took two large carryon size suitcases. While there she shopped online, and at stores, and left clothes and stuff she didn’t need, and packed up and shipped stuff she might want to see again. At the end she was heading to meet us on vacation in Hawaii, so she shipped home everything she did not need for Hawaii, and brought one carry-on to Hawaii. She shipped home way more than she showed up with.</p>

<p>As for packing lists, I’ve been giving my kids packing lists since they could read. Haven’t checked that they packed what’s on the list ever. Sometimes they have less choices of clothes when they get there than I would like, but that’s their choice And occasionally I needed to buy stuff on the trip, but I tend to anyway. Last time it was a jacket on our trip to NYU. (When her friend told her it was “warm” in New York in April she assumed she meant sundresses…) But all in all it’s worked out.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all of the help! The first poster was pretty much right about everything. I am flying from Fort Lauderdale to Pittsburgh with a 35 minute layover in Atlanta for CMU SAMS, where I’ll be for 6 weeks.</p>

<p>When I flew alone before (12), I did have the unaccompanied minor service, and we felt it was an overkill then, so I don’t see it being much help now at 16. I have flown twice this year with my robotics team, so I am pretty up to date on all of the recent travel procedures. My major concerns were with luggage and connections and such. I’m a little concerned with the short 35 minute connection, but from what I’ve seen on recent trips (same airline), they handle connections very well. I have flown to Atlanta this year already, and many many times before (lived there). Shipping and repacking the boxes shouldn’t be much of a problem for me since I’m into lists and that type of organizational stuff. </p>

<p>The documents that CMU sent me last week said that the staff would not be there to meet participants at the airport, so I’ll probably take a cab or public transportation. I did a bit of research and found out that there is a bus (28X Flyer?) that goes from the airport, around Pittsburgh, and ends at CMU for only $2.25, so I think I’ll go with that. Carrying my backpack, a laptop bag, and a medium sized rolling suitcase seemed like a lot on recent trips, which is why I am hesitant to bring two large rolling suitcases. I was also worried about overweight luggage when coming back, so I think shipping would be a little easier to deal with. </p>

<p>My mom has already begun to purchase some things when she sees them on sale, like sheets, towels, pillows etc., so we’ll probably ship those things, although I already planned on purchasing a fan down here and sticking it in one of the boxes to ship. The Target run during the first week seems quite convenient, I might rethink my packing/shipping/checking/shopping lists. I think 2 medium sized boxes should be enough. We are arranging for an ATM card for me to have so that I won’t have a bunch of loose cash, so I think we are safe in that area. Thanks for all the help again!</p>

<p>-Noelle</p>

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<p>Noelle, you should be fine. You definitely sound like you can handle this without the escorted service. Are you flying the same airline all the way? You should check with them about the 35 minute layover, because a slight delay in Flight 1 would cause you to miss Flight 2. Also, if your suitcase does not make it to Flight 2, you need to ask them if they would deliver it or would you need to return to the airport?</p>

<p>Call the Office of Student Life at CMU and ask about making local purchases, and whether they still take kids to do that.</p>

<p>Just FYI on the first day of move-in, there are tables registering people for weekend trips (for a small payment), and some of those trips fill up fast. Ask CMU about that too, and also whether you need cash to pay.</p>

<p>Have a blast!! It’s a fun campus and city.</p>

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<p>Noelle:</p>

<p>My S carries his laptop in his backpack. You may wish to do the same. There is less chance of its being dropped in case things get too heavy or burdensome. If you will be using accessories, these can go into your luggage, but the laptop is safest in your backpack. A small laptop case will fit comfortably in it.
Since you are traveling within the US, you don’t need to worry about having a change of clothes, but you may want to bring something to read on the flight, some snacks, and, if you need, them, your medicine, in your backpack.
Your luggage should be checked through to Pittsburgh, so you won’t have to worry about dragging it along in Atlanta while trying to get your connection. I do worry about having only 35 minutes to go from one terminal to the other, as planes are not always on time, and one can get lost in large terminals.</p>

<p>I agree with CGM that you need to have all your information with you all the time. Also make sure that your family has the information about your flight, phone, ID, etc… At the other end, your camp director or counselor should also have the information about your flight even if you’re not going to be picked up. They should know when to expect you to arrive (and to inform your family if you miss your plane and don’t arrive at the expected time).</p>

<p>Have fun!</p>

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<p>Taxi to CMU costs $30-40 so as long as you have time, I’d take the bus. I think you should make sure you don’t have more than what will fit in backpack, rolling suitcase and laptop. I’m not convinced you need to ship boxes. Just be prepared to do laundry once a week. There’s a good chance your luggage won’t make the connection. (Voice of experience here, so make sure you have stuff for overnight in a carry-on.) Have fun!</p>

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<p>Is it just a stop, and not a flight change? Maybe you won’t even get off the plane? That would be best!</p>

<p>If you have to change planes, then while you are in flight from FL to Atlanta, stop a flight attendant and tell them you are concerned about making your connection. He/she can find out what gate you need to go to, and might even help you get off the plane faster. (Because it can easily take 20 minutes just to get off!) The Atlanta airport is huge – if you are flying the same airline for the second leg, then you should be in the right terminal. </p>

<p>But they can’t help you if you don’t ask for help!</p>

<p>My other suggestion would be to pack a couple important things in your carry on – toothbrush, change of clothing, what you need to survive a day or two. Just in case your luggage gets lost or delayed.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all the help again!</p>

<p>I am pretty sure that I am changing planes in Atlanta, but I looked up information about all of the airports and terminals, and both flights should be in the same terminal (a slight chance in it being in D instead of C). It’s the same airline, Airtran. We’ve had great service thus far and on previous trips. From what I saw in ATL last month, they have representatives for each connecting flight at the gate to meet connecting passengers. I’ve planned in the overnight stuff to put in my carry on now too.</p>

<p>I like the idea of carrying my laptop in my backpack. One less bag to carry since I’ll have my phone glued to my ear ensuring my mother that I am safe. I guess I didn’t think of it originally because I like to ensure maximum protection for my computer (I’ve wrapped it in several T-Shirts when I had to put it in a bag without the case…it is my best friend). I’ll probably order a smaller case for it later this week or next week and pack the real bag in my suitcase or ship it or something. </p>

<p>I made my final packing list today and I realized that I will definitely need to ship at least 2 medium boxes. Does anyone have any good shipping techniques/advice, or any opinions on UPS vs FedEx?</p>

<p>Thanks again for all the help!</p>

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<p>Techno
I have shipped large boxes via the US Post Office, found it to be far less expensive than other options.
You can go online & check prices.</p>