Balto source trip to alaska? and/or cleveland?

MayaHuskee · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2007 3:58 pm

HrryNrmn wrote:

Well, geez Maya, no need to be rude. I think he was probably refering to the logistics of getting several dozen (hundreds?) people from all over the country and world who've never met each other together at one place. We all live in very different places all around the US and the world and we're all of varying ages and economic statuses. I dunno, sounds like a planning and logistics nightmare to me. For example, where would we all stay, or would it be every man/woman/child for him/herself? We'd better make sure that wherever it is that we're going has the wherewithal to host us. What's transportation going to look like when we're there? You can't rent a car until you're 21. Add in working out travel dates, working it into everyone's schedule, building an itinerary that makes everyone happy, costs, housing, food, drink, security possibilities, permission and proper supervision of minors (because I don't care what anyone says, I wouldn't want to take charge of folks under the age of 18. That's an insurance nightmare just begging to happen. I know we're all mature and can handle ourselves, but in the eyes of the law you're not an adult until you're 18 ) and everything else and we're talking something that I expect could rival some well-financed and well-run conventions (Anthrocon, Star Wars conventions, tradeshows, etc.) or other type of large get-together. I know I wouldn't be up to the task of organizing. And by no means am I saying you're not up to the task MayaHuskee, for ought I know, you're a master planner and have it all figured out. But I would caution against anyone thinking that this is just going to be as simple as ordering some plane tickets or hopping on a Greyhound bus. I find it difficult enough to get through an international airport and get me and my family on a plane, let alone trying to make sure that dozens of people flying to and from every point on the globe all get to somewhere on time and meet up with the group.

Sorry to rain on people's parade, but I'm just trying to be realistic.

But hey, that's just me. I'd would, in spite of all I said, be interested in coming, even though it would cost me way more than I could ever spend right now to fly to Alaska. I could drive to Cleveland with no problems, so that might be fun. I'd be happy to have food, drink and fellowship with some folks on here.

Well, let me start out with this trip will not be til June-July of 2008. Not this year. I want to make that clear to EVERYONE. There is no way in heck that we could pull it off for the original date. So, everyone can look forward to it being next year.

And we will all be staying at the same hotel - I will be getting us a group deal. You will have to pay for it, at the LEAST, three months in advance. We will not be accepting any til six months before the trip. So, around December/January we will probably start taking in the fees. My mother, god bless her, is setting up an account just for all the money to go into. She will also help set up a paypal account, so that way everyone can simply pay for it using their own paypal.

Anyone 16 and over can go unaccompained. Those who are 15 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or gaurdian. There is no acceptions. We will also have a document, that will be looked over by a lawyer (or another person who would know what we need in the forms) to make sure it will work.

Planning is already being made. We know at the least this would cost around 5000$; thus why we have fees to help take care of this.

Also, we will have transportation. And really, is it hard to get a taxi cab to pick you up from the air port? We are going to attempt to keep the hotel, that we will ALL be staying at, close to the airport. I dont really like the idea of young people in a cab, so we may be picking up people from the air port. Everyone is going to have to look and find their own tickets or what not to get to Cleveland. I cannot arrage this. I am sure most parents will, and you can find tickets for a moderate price. How ever you get there is not actually my problem.

Many parents will be with us, as before I stated only 16 and over can be unaccompained. So this will help. I am also going to have chaperons to help out the staff. More info will be found on this once the site is done.

I am currently working on a site specifically to hold information on this trip. It will help everyone to put their minds at ease. And no, this will NOT be easy at all to organize. But I am very pleased to have the chance too. Another person I cannot stress enough how much help he has been, and will be - BaltoSeppala. Bless his soul. He will help me along the way to get everything done.

Please stand by for more information. The site will save your breath, and me from constantly repeating myself.

MayaHuskee · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:34 pm

Dingo wrote:

I don't get why so many people think that we would be trying to get every single member of the board to come to this meeting. We're only aiming for a small number of people to come, because we realize that only a handful of people will want to (not to mention be able to) come. I'd estimate that there would be about twenty members at the very most. So no, this is not a huge gathering of hundreds of people as some of you are making it out to be.

Indeed, Dingo. And I'd also like to mention that not only the members will be there - parents and others will be here amoung the trip too. Soon, I will have to be asking who thinks they can come (not those who think they CANT)... so that way we can figure out a more soild number.

Lonewulf · **Joined:** Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:55 pm **Posts:** 578

Thank you Maya for posting all that.XD My dad was wondering how it would work and I made him read that and well, yeah, he said I can go (Yay!) if I use my own money.|D But I'll be collecting and saving money, so..I'll be coming for sure!^_^

MayaHuskee · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2007 7:59 pm

Lonewulf wrote:

Thank you Maya for posting all that.XD My dad was wondering how it would work and I made him read that and well, yeah, he said I can go (Yay!) if I use my own money.|D But I'll be collecting and saving money, so..I'll be coming for sure!^_^

Joy!! ^^ Happy you can go! And once the site is up, you can let your dad (or mom, or whoever) check it out. It even will have a parents page, and parent FAQ. ^^ So, as long as you can pay to go, I will see you there. ;D <3

UKthewhitewolf · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:40 am

Well explained Sepp, I can't say too much to be honest, this thing is kinda Maya's now but almost everything you said is knda what will be happening anyway (even better if you're "working" with Maya to help get this thing to work), only thing would be the under 18 thing, under 16 rule was only suggested because how many 17-18 year olds do you know that would want to have their parents tag along with them?

MayaHuskee · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:19 pm

BaltoSeppala wrote:

And I understand your feelings (and every teen's feelings) on the question of one or of their parents accompanying them (or a related adult). But "want" is not the question. Law is the question, don't you think? And safety. No matter how street-wise, well-informed and adept each 17 year old thinks he or she is, it is HIGHLY unlikely that he or she could overpower or free him or herself from a determined pedophile (of course, that's a WORST-CASE scenario). Let alone the fact that the law doesn't really care how a teenager feels about this. They will hold US accountable (and the parents of the minor as well) if something happens (whether TO that minor, or because OF that minor).

The thing should be changed to read "any minor under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian".

Eighteen-year olds are coming on their own recognizance, should their parents allow it. Still, because they are adults under the terms of U.S. law (except for being able to drink alcoholic beverages), they assume full responsibility for themselves, and their behavior. In every respect. I want to make that clear, and note that it WILL be spelled out in any event paperwork. The event committee and staff will assume NO responsibility for either adults (18 and older) or minors (who must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian anyway). In other words, if you run afoul of the law, you're on your own. Totally. However, if there is a medical emergency, we will do everything we can to help secure medical assistance, given what resources are available within the city. We'll also try to provide emergency numbers in advance too.

Yes, I do agree but I also disagree. I do not want young people tramping around Cleveland and then get hurt or something - and we would never know. But I also agree with UK about the poor kids tramping around with their parents or such. I think I'll sleep on it, and look up somethings before changing it.

UK wrote:

Well explained Sepp, I can't say too much to be honest, this thing is kinda Maya's now but almost everything you said is knda what will be happening anyway

UK, your input is still always welcome! ^^ Because with out you, this would not be possible. :] <3

EDIT : For legal reasons, the age has been risen back to 18 years of age. Thanks.

Tibbeh · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:35 pm

Like I had said when this first arose, I think it's a very good idea.

Getting even a small-ish group of people who all have an interest in Balto just sounds very amazing.

MayaHuskee · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 3:43 pm

tibb_wolf wrote:

Like I had said when this first arose, I think it's a very good idea.

Getting even a small-ish group of people who all have an interest in Balto just sounds very amazing.

I really hope to have it to be a bigger turn out that just.. persay, 20 people. But less people means less worry for everyone. But as the date nears, I believe more people will get interested.

(deleted user) · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 9:50 pm

yupik wrote:

i have great news, i get to go

YAY! You get to go. I don't. *cries*

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Balto source trip to alaska? and/or cleveland?