What you can expect on Arrival Day!
This week concludes our #TravelTipTuesday blog series, which covered topics to prepare families for the Summit experience. If you missed any posts in the series, you can read them all by clicking here.
We’ve covered what to pack, how to navigate an airport, and how to make the most of the Summit. Today, we’re reviewing what you can expect on Arrival Day if you’re planning to drop-off your student in person.
First, some logistics. Arrival Day check-in begins at 2 pm and runs until 5 pm. Each Summit’s check-in location can be found in the driving and parking directions document on your Summit Prep Portal or here — Harvard, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, Yale.
TIP: If you’re driving to the Summit, pay special attention to the parking details in this document. Especially at Harvard, parking is extremely limited, and ride-shares, taxis or public transportation are better options for getting to campus.
Once you’ve arrived to the check-in location for your Summit, be on the lookout for Ambassador Leaders personnel in dark blue shirts and bright green lanyards. We’ll have greeters posted near the check-in location to welcome you and help point you in the right direction.
With the exception of Harvard, Arrival Day check-ins take place outdoors. Please plan according to that day’s weather by wearing sunscreen and comfortable clothing and by bringing water with you.
During the check-in process, each student and family will visit multiple stations: for instance, one for Ambassador Leaders gear, one to collect any missing forms, one with dorm information, etc. Our goal is to warmly welcome all students and share the information they’ll need to start their Summit off on the right foot. Plan to spend at least an hour getting checked in to the Summit. If there is a line, please plan on more time than that.
NOTE: Be sure to have your lanyard ready to hand to the Ambassador Leaders helper at the first station. We’ll use your lanyard throughout the check-in process, so it’s important you have it!
Now that we’ve covered the logistics, it’s time for much-anticipated goodbyes. After students and parents have moved through the last station, it’ll be time to part ways. We know that this can be a tough moment as both students and parents prepare for being apart.
Rest assured, you can take your time to bid your farewells. Once families have given their final hugs and kisses, an Ambassador Leaders staff member will be on-hand to escort students to the dorms to drop off their luggage and then on to an orientation with other students. For the safety, security, and privacy of all students, parents are not permitted to accompany their student to the dorms.
Instead, after saying goodbye to their students, parents are invited to attend an optional orientation session of their own. This orientation, led by an Ambassador Leaders’ staff member, typically runs about 30 minutes long and is a chance for parents to hear about the Summit’s highlights and ask any final questions.
The rest of the Arrival Day for students will be abuzz with exciting moments like meeting their group mates and teacher leaders, attending an all-Summit Welcome Address, and gearing up for team-building activities the next day. Jitters disappear as students form new bonds and realize their group mates and Ambassador Leaders experienced leaders and staff will be there to offer support every step of the way on their journey into leadership.
As always, feel free to call 509.396.5551 or e-mail info@ambassadorleaders.com with any questions related to your student’s Summit experience. We’re here to help!
By Corie Bales
Corie is the Academic Affairs Manager of Ambassador Leaders. As a lifelong educator and avid traveler, she believes in empowering students and teachers to learn and lead through experiential education.