FOR THE BENEFIT OF ROTARY EXCHANGE STUDENTS

The 31^st annual bus trip around the USA will leave June 26, 2007 and return July 26, 2007. This trip is made available to Rotary Exchange students who have the means and desire to see the USA. It is not meant to be a burden on the host Rotary Club.

ITINERARY: The buses pick up students in Albany, Binghamton, Oneonta, Syracuse, Rochester, Horseheads, Clark Summit and Philadelphia in PA. With drop off points on the return in Albany, Binghamton, Syracuse, and Rochester and Niagara Falls. No other pickup or drop-off can be made. Accommodations for the night before or after the trip can be made in Binghamton NY, by contacting Mike Wilcox. The trip covers about 8,300 statute miles (so students should be prepared for long rides), includes 24 states, 31 days visiting the most beautiful natural and man made points of interest in the USA. The tour will visit some of the most scenic National Parks in America as well as other areas of interest. We will be going from the East Coast, to the West Coast (Pacific Ocean in Southern California) and back to New York. We will see places such as Niagara Falls, National Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, Chicago (Rotary International HQ) Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, Salt Lake City, Reno, San Francisco, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Disneyland, Universal Studios, The Golden Gate Bridge, Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, Houston Space Center, San Antonio, New Orleans, Graceland in Memphis, Tenn. Dollywood Park, Myrtle Beach, Washington D.C and much more. A complete detailed itinerary, including all motels and emergency contacts will be mailed to registered participants approximately 30 days prior to departure.

COST: $1,875 Per person for transportation, lodging, and sightseeing. Travel will be via deluxe air-conditioned motor coach. Lodging will be in hotels and motels.

COST of FOOD: $600. This $600 is a recommended amount, some students have spent less and some have spent MUCH more. This money is to be handled and budgeted by the student. Cost of Souvenirs, camera supplies and other extras are the direct responsibility of each student and must be in addition to the food money. The funds should be Travelers checks or Debit/Credit cards (make sure it works, and notify the credit company that you will be traveling across the USA so they don’t suspend the card). Since the trip is 31 days the $600 will mean a little less than $20 per day. Use this as a guide so that you will not be out of money before the trip ends. If you have the funds you certainly may take more than $600 but you will still have to budget to determine what you can spend each day for the entire 31 days.

CHAPERONES: Four (4) Adults per bus

TYPE of DRESS: Casual wash and wear clothing is recommended. Pack light, Laundry Stops provided. No clothing with offensive logos or phrases will be allowed.

BAGGAGE: One (1) large and one (1) small carry-on bag per person. Remember if you pack it, you have to carry it so make sure your bag is not too heavy for you to carry! Also a small pillow and lap blanket is strongly recommended. (All baggage is subject to search at any time)

RULES: The Exchange Student 4 D’s will be strictly enforced, No Drinking, Drugs, Driving, or Dating (meaning public or private displays of affection). No exchanging room or bus assignments. Members of the opposite sex are to meet in the lobby or other public areas, NO MALES IN FEMALES ROOMS OR FEMALES IN MALES ROOMS. All curfews and departure times will be enforced. This is an educational, scenic trip. It is NOT a night-life review. Infractions of any rules could result in being sent home at the expense of the student.

RESERVATIONS: Strictly a first come first serve basis by mail. Seats fill up quickly as over 14 Rotary Districts participate. NO PHONE ORDERS or incomplete applications will be accepted. Mail completed applications to Michael R. Wilcox, 29R West Main Street, Bainbridge, NY 13733. Make checks (only checks drawn on USA banks are acceptable) payable to DISCOVER AMERICA BUS TRIP. Your Host Rotary Club Chairperson AND Natural Parents MUST sign the application. A copy of your Insurance Card and FULL payment must accompany each application. If possible one of your exchange student cards with picture and name would be appreciated but not mandatory. Applications must be printed, completed, and readable, if we cannot read the application it will be returned and you will not be on the trip until it is resubmitted.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: We understand that $1,875 is a lot of money but a trip such as this at commercial rates would cost over $4,000 plus meals. Careful planning and 31 years of experience by Rotary volunteers have reduced the rate to the lowest possible amount. Despite careful planning there may be some inconveniences. We hope these are very few and that you will have an enjoyable, interesting and long remembered trip across the USA.

LIMITS of RESPONSIBILITY: Rotary International, Rotary District 7170 and all other Rotary Districts and their officers/trip chairpersons in arranging travel accommodations or in rendering other services in connection therewith, do so as agents of the individual desiring such travel accommodations upon the express condition and agreement that it shall not be liable for any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay, irregularity, or expense arising from the use of any travel facilities, accommodations, or services provided in connection with such individual’s travel plan, nor any injury, loss, damage, accident, delay irregularity, or expense arising from strikes, war, weather, quarantines, sickness, government restrictions, or from any act or omission of any individual firm or corporation furnishing transportation, sightseeing, hotel accommodations, or any services in connection with such travel plan, or any other cause beyond its own control. The right is reserved to amend the advertised itinerary whenever advisable. Rotary International, Rotary District 7170 and all other Rotary Districts and their officers/trip chairpersons are not responsible for refunds, which might be due tour members from transportation companies, and for unused travel facilities, accommodations, and service. All such claims for refunds must be made by the individual for whom the travel plan is prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of such transportation companies or company, firm or corporation furnishing such travel, facility, accommodation, or service. Baggage and articles carried by individual during the tour are "at own risk". All costs, rates, tariffs, and other charges are subject to adjustment at any time without prior notice. The passage contract in use by the bus company concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the purchaser of these tours and/or passenger. The acceptance of any travel plan or other service by any individual shall deem to constitute an acceptance of this limitation or responsibility