Statue of Liberty Trip Details

This coming Saturday, after the Quiz Meet in Cresskill on Matthew 1-7, we will be traveling to see the Statue of Liberty!  Here are the key details:

Meet at the Church:  7:00 AM
Cost:  $17 for the Ferry (We'll be taking it from the NJ side.)
Lunch:  Bring your own bag lunch to eat in the van or on the Ferry
Pickup Time Back at the Church:  TBD.  It will depend on the Ferry Schedule and Traffic.  We recommend teens call from the van when we cross the Tappan Zee Bridge.

Other details:

• We'll pass thru a metal detector to get on the Ferry.  Leave pocket knives, etc. at home! (Cameras and cell phones are fine.)
• It is very windy on the Ferry, please bring a jacket even if it is warm inland.
• We'll be taking a Ranger Tour once we get onto the island.

If you have any additional questions, please be sure to bring them tonight to practice! 

Midwinter is coming, Midwinter is coming!

What is "Midwinter"? Midwinter Quiz is one two major quiz meets that our program takes part in. It is a weekend of quizzing in Lancaster, PA against all of the teams in the Easter District of the EFCA.

When is it? We'll be leaving the evening of Friday, January 22. We'll quiz all day on Saturday, January 23. We'll attend LEFC on Sunday, January 24 and then return home.

What does it cost? There is a $15 registration fee that covers materials costs plus lunch for both Midwinter and Districts (No, there is no refund if you only attend one of the meets.) Add to that Friday dinner, Saturday dinner, and Sunday lunch (at least $6 each) plus any souvenir money you may wish to bring. And gas money will be collected (amount TBD).

What about housing? Housing will be with quizzing/church families in the Lancaster area. Plan to bring a pillow and sleeping bag.

What chapters does Midwinter cover? All of 1 Corinthians, plus 2 Corinthians 1-2

Is there anything I should be sure to pack? Be sure to only pack a sleeping bag, a pillow, a crushable suitcase, and a carry-on that can fit onto your lap. We don't have much room in the vans. Within those, be sure to bring your quizzing book/Bible and questions, your quiz team uniform for Saturday (or a blue shirt, if you do not have one), a set of church clothes for Sunday service (no jeans! you will be allowed to change for the drive home), and WARM clothes (it isn't called Midwinter for nothing).

Can our families attend? Parents and siblings are welcome to come and watch. However, all costs - meals, house, etc. - will be yours to cover. We will let you know if you can "buy into" the Saturday meal. Families will have to transport themselves there and back as well.

UPDATE: Ellis Island Trip

We wanted to remind teens and parents that we need a definite number of teens going to the quiz meet on Saturday by Wednesday night, at practice. Please be ready to say "Yes" or "No". Or drop Coach Jim an e-mail with your decision today.

To reiterate the details:

Times:
- Departing: 7:00 AM from church on Saturday, 9/27
- Arriving: 8:30 AM Essex Fells Church to quiz
- Departing for Ellis Island: 12:30 PM from Essex Fells Church
- Return to Church: 8:00 PM

Costs:
- $6 for gas
- $12 for the Ferry to Ellis Island
- $0 for the Ellis Island Museum (It's free!)
- Bring a bag lunch
- Bring a bag dinner, or bring some cash for a Wendy's dinner
- Bring extra if you want souvenirs or snacks

ANNOUNCEMENT: Ellis Island after Quiz Meet

We have been teasing it for a few weeks, but it is now official. After the Quiz Meet, next Saturday (Sept 27) we will be traveling to Ellis Island for the afternoon! This historic site was the gateway to America for Immigrants for decades and holds thousands of stories of the American Dream. There will be NO Pizza Lunch this time around, but teens should plan to bring their own bag lunch instead. We will be taking the Ferry, so expect to go through security (NO pocket knives!) and to take a brief boat ride.

Costs: $6 for gas + $12 for the Ferry = $18. You may wish to bring some extra for souvenirs or snacks.

What to Bring: (In addition to your Luke scripture portion.) A BAG LUNCH (no large coolers will be allowed past Ferry security), a jacket (it is windy and cold on the ferry)

Cameras are also welcome for the trip, but the usual papparazi will be along to cover most of it.

First Quiz Meet is TODAY!

Today is the FIRST Quiz Meet of the year in Essex Fells, NJ. The planned schedule will be:

• 6:45 AM: Arrive at church to load up vans
• 7:00 AM: Leave church parking lot
• 9:00 AM: Quiz Meet begins with a devotional.
• 9:30 AM: Quizzing begins in Essex Fells, NJ
• 11:30 AM: Quizzing ends. Pizza lunch.
• 1:00 PM: Depart for NYC Trip
• 2:00 PM: Sightseeing in NYC (World Trade Center Site and South Street Seaport)
• 5:00 PM: Dinner in NYC
• 6:00 PM: Return on train, depart for home
• 8:00 PM: Return to church and go home

Again, the coaches will ask the kids to call their parents when we cross over into CT. They should have a good idea at that point what time they will be arriving at the church.