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Safari Bill's
Immersion Excursion: 2010
A no-voice trip to Disneyland amusement park for a day of fun, interaction, and accelerated ASL learning.
Dates of event: March 29, 30, and 31, 2010
Days of event: Monday, Tuesday, and WednesdayDestination: Disneyland in Anaheim California
Mode of travel: 30 passenger bus
Modes of communication permitted: signing, writing, gesturing, miming, laughing, (Screaming is permitted on rides as long as you are not screaming intelligible words.)
Modes of communication NOT permitted: talking, whispering, exaggerated mouthing
Cost: $395.00
Who may participate: Students and community members whom have completed or are enrolled in "ASL 2" or equivalent.Includes: Two nights hotel accommodations, Disneyland ticket, transportation, and you may ask Dr. Bill an unlimited amount of ASL-related questions.
Accommodations: Hotel near Disneyland, average of 4 persons to a room.
Food: You are responsible for your own food. I'll provide some snacks in the van, and we will stop every couple hours at a fast food place / gas station for restroom and chow breaks. I recommend you bring some munchies for the trip down, and enough extra cash for meals throughout the trip.
Ticket: One all-day passport to Disneyland
Transportation: We will ride together in a large passenger van
Point of departure: Sacramento, California, at or near CSUS, (exact location to be announced later)
Time of departure: Monday morning 9 a.m., March 29th, 2010
Time of return: Sometime Wednesday. Generally before midnight. Best estimate is between 6 and 8 p.m.
College Credit: Sacramento State University students can earn up to 3 units of EDS 199. (Some internet study required.)
CEUs: If you are not a Sac State student Spring Semester, you can earn up to 4.5 CEUs from Lifeprint.com (One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is equal to ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction.)
Questions and answers:
Q: Can I drive myself and meet you there?
A: No. Much of the value of the immersion has to do with spending six or more hours each way on the bus chatting with the other participants. If you want to participate, fly to Sacramento and ride down with us.
Q: Do I have to share a room?
A: "Have to" is a strong phrase. No you don't have to, but in order to keep costs reasonable we generally sleep 4 to a room, that sometimes means two beds per 4 people. If you want a private room, (if there is a room available upon arrival at the hotel) you may get your own room. You pay the full amount of the extra room on your own by going down to the lobby and arranging it. If you want to arrange it ahead of time, you can pay the regular fee and then email me and ask to know the name of the hotel. Then I'll email you with the name of the hotel and you can contact them and get your own room for the two nights that we will be there.
Also, you are welcome to bring a "blow up mattress." Such mattresses work out really well so everyone can have their own sleeping space--whether on a bed or on a blow up mattress. We put the girls in one room and the guys in another room. Families of four or so are welcome to stay in the same room.
Q: Can I bring my hearing friend who doesn't know ASL and isn't an ASL student?
A: No.
Q: Can I bring my Deaf friend?
A: Yes, if he or she can keep his or her voice off.
Q: Can I bring my child?
A: If he or she is over 16, knows sign, and will keep his/her voice off the whole time--yes.
Q: Would you like help driving the van?
A: No. We have hired a professional bus driver. Licensed, certified, etc.
Q: When do you need to know by?
A: Positions in the bus are filled on a first come first served basis. If you want to go then PAY NOW because when the bus gets full "that's it." You can reserve your place by paying your share (
$495Now $395). I prefer you pay via Paypal, but if necessary you can make checks payable to "William Vicars."
Q: What are the chances of this trip being canceled?
A: This trip won't be cancelled unless I'm "laid out in a hospital bed." Actually it won't be canceled even then. I have half a dozen college professor friends who would love to replace me on this trip. I've got to watch my back. ;-)
Q: How do I submit my payment?
A: Go to lifeprint.com/disney/ and click on the payment link to pay via credit card. Local students may pay cash.
Q: What if I get sick at the last minute and can't go?
A: I'll give you back $395.00 and thank you for your $100 contribution.
Q: What if I have other questions?
A: See me in person, or email me. BillVicars@aol.com
Q: Can I earn college credit for participating in this event?
A: Matriculated California State University Sacramento students can earn 3 units of EDS 199 credit. To register for this credit you will need to fill out the EDS Special Problems Petition and turn it into the Department Office (Eureka 316) after obtaining Dr. Vicars' signature. Students who are not matriculated at CSUS should not register for EDS 199. Rather they should check with their local college to see if they will grant "independent study" credit for participation in this program. Upon successful completion of this event Dr. Vicars can supply you with documentation of participation and CEUs from Lifeprint.com which may or may not be accepted at your local university.
Q: Do I have to do anything to earn the CEU's or College Credit (if I'm qualified)?
A: You will need to complete some online ASL vocabulary study and testing. This will not be excessive and will likely be quite enjoyable.
Regarding the Disneyland trip:
Question: What is the total cost?
Answer: The cost is$495. UPDATE: We've had enough registrants that I am able to lower the cost to $395.00!
Question: What exactly does that cover?
Answer: It includes transportation on the Amador Stage Lines "Executive Coach" - which is a tour bus complete with comfortable padded seating, video, stereo, air conditioning, and a restroom. The seating has been specially chosen because it allows groups 8 participants (signers) to sit in an arrangement with tables where they can face and see each other - which means there will be a lot of signing interaction going on all the way there and all the way back. It includes accommodations at a hotel suite near Disneyland (within walking distance and/or with a shuttle). It also includes your entrance into Disneyland (all day pass). Plus it will include a DVD "study disk" and access to me for the three days to ask any and all ASL related questions you might care to ask.
Question: Does that include the cost of units?
Answer: No. Remember, the units are for Sac State Students. If you are a Sac State Student remember that since this event is taking place during Spring Semester the units are state funded along with the rest of your Spring Semester credits. (If you take EDS 199 during January or Summer it costs about $750 for 3 units, but if you take EDS 199 during Spring it is part of your normal semester credits.)
Question: How many units will I get for going?
Answer: 3 Units.
Question: What is the schedule like? When will we leave?
Answer: We will leave Monday morning at 9 a.m., March 29th.
Question: When are we coming back?
Answer: We will leave Anaheim Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. We should be back by early Wednesday evening. (While I can't say for sure what time we will arrive back, I can say that it will certainly in time to get a good night's sleep prior to Thursday.)
Question: When do I have to send you the EDS 199 Special Petition?
Answer: There is no "deadline" on the EDS 199 Petition if there is space on the bus you can turn in the petition right up until
February 5th, 2010. The REAL determinant of participation is "payment." After the bus is full of paying participants I won't take any more EDS 199 applications. So, you can turn in your application at your convenience, but it is first come first serve for seats on the bus (by qualified participants). If we run out of seats, and you haven't paid, then I will need to drop you from EDS 199. (Note: before doing so I would certainly try to help you transition into a teacher's aide or some other solution since I know that some students are depending on the units to meet their unit requirements and it is important to me that such students are taken care of.)
Question: When will I know if I can go?
Answer: If you have taken ASL 2 (and passed it) and you have paid the fee you can plan on going.
Question: What if money is an issue?
Answer: Borrow it from your parents or put it on a credit card. Or don't go.
Question: How many people are going?
Answer: Up to 30 participants.
Question: If we get enough people, will the price drop?
Answer: That is a STRONG possibility. But no promises.
Question: Is this trip mainly for Seniors?
Answer: No. I expect to have a wide variety of people on this trip. I just got an email from an Interpreter Training Program student in Canada who is asking about participating.
Question: I was wondering if the 3 units for Disneyland will be considered upper division units that can be used for graduation or if they are lower division?
Answer: The course number is "199" and at CSUS anything 100 to 199 is considered upper division.
(Source: http://aaweb.csus.edu/catalog/current/First%20100%20Pages/baccalaureaterequirements.html)