mackinac - May 2023
Senior Orchestra students only

By the time they leave the orchestra program at Athens High School, every child will have had the opportunity to go on 2 trips. Due to the pandemic, the class of 2023 will have only gone to Disney World. Therefore, we are offering a seniors-only trip opportunity to go to Mackinac in Spring of 2023. Non-seniors are not permitted to attend the trip. 

information sent home with students on october 20, 2022

Greetings Senior Orchestra Families!
The dream is coming to reality! We are able to make a 3-day, 2-night trip happen for our class of 2023 orchestra students. We will be traveling to Mackinac Island, the Upper Peninsula, and Mackinaw City on May 25, 26, 27, 2023 (respectively). They will be done with school the prior Wednesday, so they are not missing any classes. Traditionally, there have been no commencement/honors events/activities the days leading up to Memorial Day weekend. We are keeping with that same schedule that the school has followed for years. The itinerary includes a carriage tour on the island, most meals, Tahquamenon falls, Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Jackpine Lumberjack show, and plenty of free time on both the island and Mackinaw City. Detailed itinerary is on the back of this page with all inclusions listed. We will not be performing or playing our instruments on this trip. 
The trip will be chaperoned by myself, my wife, and a couple Athens Orchestra senior parents. It was more cost effective for us to rent three 12-passenger vans than to hire a busing company. Depending on the amount of students who sign up for the trip, we may ask for another 1 or 2 parent volunteers to drive the third van. If you are interested in driving the third van, please reach out to me so we can discuss logistics: [email protected].
The trip will cost $500 per child. Payment will be in three installments. There are a few payment options: 

• Pay by check (made out to AOPA). You can pay in the three installments or pay the $500 in full. 
• Pay by credit card online using our secure website and PayPal. A service fee will be assessed for each online payment to cover PayPal fees. $100 becomes $110, $150 becomes $160 or you can pay in full for $520.
• You are always welcome to pay more than the installments or pay in full at any time.

We are not using a travel company for this trip. That means we cannot offer travel insurance, and up until the month prior (any time after first payment to April 27, 2023), we can only reimburse half of cost you have paid should your child decide not to go on the trip. Once we are less than 4 weeks away from departure (after April 27, 2023), we cannot reimburse any amount of the trip should you decide to cancel. This is because of the cancelation policy of the hotel, car rental, and the events we are attending. 
The payment schedule will be as follows:

• By NOVEMBER 17 – First installment / Sign up: $100 
• By JANUARY 4 – Second installment: $150
• By MARCH 22 – Final installment: $250
• Cancelation between November 17 and April 27: Reimbursement of half amount paid
• Cancelation after April 27: no reimbursement

“Alright Mr. Quinn, I’m ready! How do I sign up?” Simply send in the first payment. Attached is an envelope to get you started. If you decide to pay online, please also fill out and return the envelope after that first payment so we know to look for your payment. All receipts are emailed to us, and we will write you to confirm it has been received. If we receive an envelope saying you paid online and we do not get an emailed receipt from PayPal, we will reach out to you personally. There is no additional paperwork to be done after the initial deposit, but we must receive both your envelope and $100 by November 17 to be considered registered.
***We are unable to take late registrations for this trip. We must receive your $100 and your registration envelope by November 17 to book our hotel. You are welcome to register prior to 11/17. 
 
All the best,
Mr. Quinn

MACKINAC 2023 ITINERARY
 
THURSDAY, MAY 25 || 2 MEALS INCLUDED: D
4:30 AM STUDENTS ARRIVE AT ATHENS TO LOAD VANS
4:45 AM Leave TROY ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL via 12 passenger vans driven by parent volunteers
-4½ hours drive time with ½ hour added for a rest stop. 
-Breakfast to be eaten at home or brought. 
10:00 AM Arrive at the STARLINE FERRY dock 
10:30 AM The STARLINE FERRY departs Mackinaw City 
10:50 AM The STARLINE FERRY arrives at Mackinac Island 
***BRING A PACKED LUNCH OR PURCHASE LUNCH ON THE ISLAND ON YOUR OWN
12:00 PM The CARRIAGE TOUR departs from the Lakeview Hotel 
1:45 PM Enjoy some free time in the downtown area of Mackinac Island 
6:30 PM Everyone meets back at the STARLINE FERRY dock 
7:00 PM The STARLINE FERRY departs for Mackinaw City 
7:20 PM The STARLINE FERRY arrives in Mackinaw City 
7:30 PM Arrive at NONNA LISA’S for dinner 
9:00 PM Arrive at the MACKINAW BEACH AND BAY INN & SUITES for check-in 
929 South Huron Avenue Mackinaw City, MI 49701 Phone: 231-436-8621 
 
FRIDAY, MAY 26 || 3 MEALS INCLUDED: B,L,D
6:00 AM BREAKFAST at the hotel 
7:00 AM Board vans and transfer to TAHQUAMENON FALLS 
8:30 AM Arrive at the TAHQUAMENON FALLS (Upper Falls) 
8:33 AM Board barrels and go over the Tahquamenon Falls
10:00 AM Board vans and transfer to the GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM 
10:30 AM Arrive at the GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM 
LUNCH PICNIC AT GREAT LAKES SHIPWRECK MUSEUM : JIMMY JOHN’S 
2:00 PM Board vans and transfer to Hotel 
3:15 PM Free time in hotel – pool & beach time
6:00 PM Dinner from B.C. PIZZA
7:10 PM Board coaches and transfer to the JACK PINE LUMBERJACK SHOW 
10510 US 23 Mackinaw City, MI 
7:20 PM Arrive at the JACK PINE LUMBERJACK SHOW 
7:30 PM The JACK PINE LUMBERJACK SHOW begins 
8:45 PM Board vans and transfer to the hotel 
9:00 PM Arrive back at the hotel for the evening
 
SATURDAY, MAY 27 || 1 MEAL INCLUDED: BREAKFAST
8:30 AM BREAKFAST at the hotel 
9:30 AM Check out of hotel and luggage on vans
10:00 AM Walk to Mackinaw City
10:15 AM Arrive at the Mackinaw City for free time
Lunch on your own in Mack City
1:30 PM Board vans and transfer back home 
6:00 PM ARRIVE AT TROY ATHENS HIGH SCHOOL