Travel Itinerary

BCHSIMP Goes to NY!

See the New York trip information below to learn all you need to know to as you and your student make the decision to attend the BCHSIMP trip in March 2024.

We are excited to be able to offer this travel experience and see your student perform on the USS Intrepid in NYC as well as tour and experience all the iconic spots the city has to offer, including a Broadway show, harbor dinner cruise, NY Philharmonic concert and more.

The Bear Creek Instrumental Program is going to New York City for spring break 2024, March 16-20.

We're so excited to be planning a trip to New York City with the Bear Creek High School Instrumental Music program. This page was created to give you all the information you might need while making your decision on sending your student on this exciting opportunity.

The tour group that we're partnering with to plan this event is American National Travel and have been in the travel business since 1967. Take a look at their website to learn more about their extensive experience in taking students from the Lakewood area on many fabulous trips over the years.

Volunteers will be needed on this trip, as we look to have a ratio of one parent volunteer to 10 students. As you go through the registration process, you'll see the option to sign up as a volunteer.

After reading through this information, if you still have questions, feel free to reach out to Tammy or Kirstin for additional information. If you would like to contact the travel company directly, you can reach Dough Dalton at 303-874-7137 or aitraveltours1@gmail.com.

Itinerary

Saturday, March 16

Morning: Depart on scheduled carrier from DIA
Afternoon: Arrive and motorcoach transfer to mid-Manhattan hotel
Evening: Walking tour of Times Square by night, Empire State Building or Top of The Rock Visit

Sunday, March 17

Morning: BCHS performance on the USS Intrepid (TBD)
Afternoon: Visit to Chelsea, Little Italy, China Town
Evening: Dinner at Stardust Diner and Musical (TBD)

Monday, March 18

Morning, Afternoon: NBC Studios Tour and Rockefeller Plaza visit, 911 Memorial visit
Evening: Dinner at Hard Rock Café, attend the New York Philharmonic concert

Tuesday, March 19

Morning: Admission to Metropolitan Museum of Art
Afternoon: Central Park visit
Evening: Harbor dinner cruise with DJ

Wednesday, March 20

Morning: Battery Park, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island
Afternoon: Motorcoach transfer to airport
Late afternoon: Depart on scheduled carrier
Evening: Arrive DIA

Price

Price: $2,029 per person

This price is based on rates and tariffs in effect on April 7, 2022, with a minimum of 40 paid participants, quad hotel occupancy and is subject to change. Supplements will be charged for other than quad hotel occupancy.

Price includes:

Roundtrip airfare from DIA on scheduled carrier
One piece of checked luggage per participant
Oversize-overweight instruments and rentals if needed
Roundtrip airport and hotel motorcoach transfers in New York City
Four nights lodging (quad occupancy) in a mid-Manhattan hotel
Transfers, participation and performance on the USS Intrepid
Admission to USS Intrepid
Admission to the observation deck of the Empire State Building or Top of The Rock
MetroCard for transportation on subway and bus
Admission to NBC Studios Tour or 911 Museum
New York Philharmonic concert admission
Hard Rock Café dinner
Stardust Diner dinner
Musical
Harbor cruise with dinner and DJ
Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island Visit
Services of a professional tour escort throughout the itinerary
All taxes and fees

Price does not include items of a personal nature; breakfast and lunches are the participant’s responsibility. The tour provider estimates that students should bring approximately $150 for additional spending money for shopping, additional treats (such as Starbucks) and potential souvenirs.

Payment Options and Payment Schedule

Payment schedule

May 1, 2023 – $200
June 1, 2023 – $200
July 1, 2023 – $200
Aug. 1, 2023 – $200
Sept. 1, 2023 – $250
Oct. 1, 2023 – $250
Nov. 1, 2023 – $250
Dec. 1, 2023 – $300
Jan. 1, 2024 Final Payment Due

All payments should be made to American International Travel by mailed check or online by credit card. Invoicing will be made directly with the participant after they have registered through the travel website.

Payments by check should be sent to American International Travel and Tours as indicated below. The school and boosters will only be responsible for transferring any fundraising monies to American Intl. Travel and they will apply them to the designated student’s account.

Participants can elect to pay by credit card (VISA, Mastercard, Discover and American Express) by going to americaninternationaltravel.net and paying directly on our secure site.

In order to use student funds for this trip, the student has to have paid all outstanding program fees first. You may request funds to be moved into your account.

Fundraising Opportunities

Want to earn money for the trip, concert attire or next year’s season?

Did you know you could earn money into your student’s account by spending on everyday purchases? One family has already raised $1,000 using this program! A percentage of the money you would spend on everyday purchases is credited your students’ account. Program details and instructions can be found in the Raise Right section in Fundraising.

Invite family and friends to join as well. Every little bit helps!

750+ merchants from across all the US
Take advantage of offered bonuses that will increase your earnings
All the small amounts will add up and make a BIG difference!

Questions about fundraising? Email Sarah Robbins, vice president of fundraising, at bchsimp.fundraising@gmail.com to learn more.

Registration Information

Cancellation Schedule

Travel Insurance

Insurance will be offered for individuals to purchase and is not included in the trip cost but is highly recommended! It must be paid separately. Coverages are below.

Payment of the trip insurance must be made on or before you make your final trip payment (not necessarily the final trip payment date – if you make you final payment earlier, that would be the final trip payment).

Travel Insured: deluxe group benefits in brief

Trip cancellation 100% of tour cost* – *Maximum limit of $10,000.00
Trip interruption 150% of tour cost* – *Maximum limit of $10,000.00
Trip Delay $750 (delayed six or more hours – 150 per day)
Missed connection $500 (flight delayed three or more hours)
Baggage and personal effects $1500 ($250 per article limit/$500 combined articles limit)
Baggage delay $300 (delayed 24 hours or more)
Emergency accident and sickness medical expense $25,000
Emergency evacuation and repatriation $100,000
Emergency evacuation assistance services included
Pre-existing conditions waived
Covered reasons for trip or flight cancellation and trip interruption
- Sickness (includes family)
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Bankruptcy or default
- Injury (includes family)
- Death (includes family)

‘Cancel for any reason’ feature

In addition to the above-specified coverages, your policy will pay 75% of the nonrefundable trip costs for any reason for cancellation (change in plans, parent decision, director decision, poor grades, etc.) other than the typical named perils (see the schedule of coverages on the website). Notice of cancellation must be received by tour operator at least 48 hours prior to trip departure. Covid cancellation is considered by insurance companies as a “cancel for any reason” at 75%.

Individual cost: $102

You must register for the insurance online at americaninternationaltravel.net on the Registration & Insurance Forms page.

FAQs

Here are some questions that were asked at the information meeting. If you have more, definitely reach out to Tammy Ahmed.

Question: Are the dates finalized?
Answer: The dates may shift slightly based on details and performance schedules that are being worked out, but travel will be during spring break 2024.

Question: What is the latest date that I can decide if my student will attend the trip?
Answer: Aug. 31, 2023

Question: What if I register my student, but do not pay my deposit or monthly fees?
Answer: Students will be dropped from the trip if payments are not made. Tickets, airfare and other items will be purchased early on in the process. In the event that you need additional time to make a payment, please contact American International Travel. They will work with you.

Question: I play a large instrument (tuba, string bass, cello, etc). How do I transport my instrument?
Answer: We will be renting some large instruments. All oversized baggage fees will be accounted for in the trip costs and not the responsibility of individual students.

Question: I am a parent – can I travel with the group and participate in the itinerary?
Answer: Yes! You can either participate as a chaperone or as a parent who participates in the events only.

Question: I am a parent and would like to do an a la carte menu of travel. I would like to attend the New York Philharmonic concert and the Broadway musical, but I am not interested in the other events. Is this an option?
Answer: No – there are no a la carte options available for this trip, but parents and families are welcome to sign on for the entirety of the trip and participate in all events and activities.

Question: I have younger children that I would like to travel with, may I bring them?
Answer: Yes, but they will be the complete responsibility of parents. BCHS music takes no responsibility.

Question: I have a friend who would like to go on the trip with us. Can they attend?
Answer: This trip is open only to students who are registered for the full year of band, orchestra or color guard during the 2023-24 school year.

Question: How many students will be sharing a room?
Answer: Four to a room

Question: How many adults per room?
Answer: Two – there will be an additional $200 per trip added for adults to cover the additional hotel cost.

Question: Should I purchase the trip insurance?
Answer: It is highly advised. This would cover weather cancellations, pandemic, etc. Trip insurance will be billed separately.

Question: What happens if the airline damages my student’s instrument?
Answer: We are flying Southwest. They have previously covered all damage on past trips. If you have a nice instrument, please add the instrument to your homeowner’s insurance policy.

Question: Will there be time to shop?
Answer: Yes.

Question: How do I raise funds for my trip with no extra money out of pocket?
Answer: Check out our Raise Right program under Fundraising, below! Contact Sarah Robbins, bchsimp.fundraising@gmail.com for more information or if you have additional questions after reading the material on our website.

Question: What other fundraisers are available to help raise funds for my trip?
Answer: Mattress sale cash given to students if a customer comes in the door and purchases a mattress (can be used for a trip), peach fundraiser (August), Butter Braids and holiday wreaths (November), King Soopers, and more. Learn more about fundraising.