Sixth Grade Parents,
We are about a few weeks away before your son departs for an exciting and unforgettable educational journey to New York City and Boston.
We are including a few updates and reminders for you below. Please carefully read all the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please take time to review the most frequently asked questions about the trip.
Trip Leaders and Groups:
Brad Sewell, Tony Rudzena, Palmer Albertine, Mark Fruit, Paul Warner, Alice Ball, and Jenny Stenberg.
Each faculty member will serve as the equivalent to a camp counselor while traveling to and from NYC and Boston. Each faculty member will be assigned a few boys to their group. PDS will send a list of groups and assigned faculty members in our next communication.
If you have any questions, please email or contact your group leader once groups are released.
Permission Form and Waivers
Please complete the online trip permission form by March 22th.
Packing List
Boys will follow the PDS dress code while traveling. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt for a couple of group pictures.
Each student is to have one suitcase and one backpack. The average temperatures in NYC for early April are: 64°F (High) and 45°F (Low). For Boston: 57°F (High) and 41°F (Low). Please be mindful of the temperatures as you pack for the trip.
- Backpack
- Raincoat / poncho (no umbrellas)
- We will take two group photos while on the trip in PDS attire. We will notify the boys of the days they are to wear PDS attire. We ask that each boy bring a PDS hoodie or long sleeve PDS shirt.
- Each day of the trip will follow PDS dress code.
- 1 pair comfortable walking shoes
- Sleeping attire
- Spending money (small bills if possible) / secure wallet
- Toiletry items (toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, brush/comb).
- Camera
- Medication (if needed) in ziploc bag labeled
THINGS NOT TO BRING
- Pillows
- Blankets
- Sleeping bags
- Phones / tablet / computers
NYC/BOS Questions Drop-in Meeting
While most questions regarding the trip are outlined in the FAQ, we will hold a brief drop-in time with trip leaders for clarity about any questions on Wednesday, April 3rd at 7:45am in the Hussey Commons.
There will not be a presentation but a time to drop by and ask specific questions you may have that were not covered in prior communications.
Flights
Arrive at Memphis International Airport at 5:00AM for check-in on Sunday, April 7th. Once group leaders have checked-in each boy, they will pass through security together. In order to not overcrowd the Airport Check-In Area, we ask all parents to say goodbye to their son right after their son is checked in with their chaperone.
Flight Departure – Southwest
- WN0549 7 April 2024
- MEM 7:05AM (Depart) to ATL 09:25AM (Arrive)
- WN2177 7 April 2024
- ATL 10:50AM (Depart) to LGA 1:00PM (Arrive)
Flight Return – Southwest
- WN5577 12 April 2024.
- BOS 7:55AM (Depart) to STL 9:50AM (Arrive)
- WN2796 12 April 2024.
- STL 10:40AM (Depart) to LIT 11:50AM (Arrive)
We will take a Charter Bus from Little Rock Airport for lunch then head back to Memphis. We should be back at PDS around 3:30 / 4:00pm on Friday, April 12. Check the Remind app that day for more updated ETA.
Hotels
AC Hotel by Marriott New York Downtown
151 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038
Cambridge Marriott
50 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02142
Remind App
Pictures of the boys’ experiences in NYC and Boston will be sent via the Remind app. Please text 81010 with message: @pdsnyc24 or click this link.
IDs for the Flight
PDS will provide a school ID for each boy’s air travel. These will be given to each boy once they arrive at the airport and check-in with their group and designated faculty member.
Food Costs
The cost of breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be each boy’s responsibility. We typically will eat at food courts. We suggest that each person budget $60 daily for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks ($10 for breakfast, and $20 for lunch and $20 for dinner, $10 for snacks).
You may wish to send cash with your son (if so, please place it in an envelope). His group leader will help him keep track of his meals and budget.
This is an excellent opportunity to foster independence in our boys. If you are concerned about your son keeping up with his money, you may give this to his group leader at the airport. They will distribute his money as needed.
If you prefer to send him with a credit card, please let your group leader know. We highly suggest using a Greenlight card. Boys have been having trouble with Gift Cards at many food venues in the past few trips, so we will strongly encourage you to NOT use a gift card.
