Colt Cadets May Weekend Rehearsal Details

May 3, 2018

The May weekend rehearsal for the 2018 Colt Cadets will be held May 18 - 20 at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Dubuque, Iowa. If using a GPS, it is recommended to use this address: 2525 Viola St, Dubuque, IA 52001. You can also click here for a Google Map to the school. Turn-by-turn directions are also available on the Directions page.

This event is set up as a zero-pressure, no strings attached way for students to check out the drum corps activity. All equipment will be provided! Whether you have previously attended a Colt Cadets rehearsal this year or not, ALL students are welcome! On Sunday, we will do a performance around 12:00 p.m. to recap everything we worked on over the weekend! Parents are encouraged to attend to see their student perform as a part of the Colt Cadets. Schedules will be available at the check in table with exact times and locations for everything going on throughout the weekend. To learn more about the Colt Cadets, you can click here.

You can register for the weekend ahead of time here. This allows us to make sure we have enough supplies for the weekend. The weekend rehearsal costs $25 for all students to help cover the cost of food, housing, and instruction. You can pay when you arrive or you can pay early on the Colts Mall. This fee does not apply to summer fees.

Registration and unloading will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Rehearsal begins at 7:30 p.m., and will conclude by 1:00 p.m. on Sunday. Plan on arriving at 6:30 p.m. to check in and unload equipment. Always check colts.org within a few hours of leaving for camp for any last-minute updates! If you need help finding a ride to camp, email Colt Cadets Director David Alford at david@colts.org.

NOTICE: The Colt Cadets Member Handbook and car wash information will be distributed soon. An email went out this week to all students with information on car wash. If you did not receive this email, please let us know! The member handbook will answer most of your questions about what to pack, what to bring, logistics and the like, especially for new members and new parents. We will email the information to all members and parents. Everyone needs to read the handbook in its entirety! The information will also be printable online on the Member Documents web page. All members will be asked to submit a signed acknowledgment of the member handbook.


TRAVEL PLANS
We provide ground transportation anytime to and from the Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) for camps. We can also accommodate flights into surrounding airports (Quad Cities, Madison, Rockford, or Cedar Rapids) but you MUST notify us prior to booking. MLI (Moline) and CID (Cedar Rapids) are close to Davenport and reasonable in fare. ORD (O'Hare) travel MUST land prior to 3:00 p.m. on Friday and depart no earlier than 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Midway (MDW) travel MUST land prior to 2:00 p.m. on Friday and depart no earlier than 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. If you plan on using either of these airports, please let david@colts.org know prior to booking flights.

If you need help finding a ride to camp, or to arrange rides from an airport or bus station, please notify us ASAP by email at david@colts.org. You can also help fellow members by offering a ride in your vehicle. You can let us know if you have extra room or if you need a ride on your RSVP. All flight details should also be listed on your RSVP.


PARKING AND SCHOOL ENTRANCE
Parking is available at the school for the full weekend. Students and parents should enter through the doors on the west side of the school. If you get lost, just look for our big, red trailer!


CAMP PAPERWORK
If the weekend is your first rehearsal with the Colt Cadets, fill out a Member Application online and print and complete your Parent Consent Form prior to rehearsal. This helps save time at check in! All students under the age of 18 must have a signed parent consent form to participate. Students only need to submit one member application for the sesaon, unless your information changes.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure to bring your signed membership agreement! Also remember remaining paperwork needed. You can also access the Colts Medical History Form and Physical Examination Form online on our Member Documents Page. Please email david@colts.org if you have any questions regarding any of our forms. The medical forms only need to be submitted once per year unless information changes. The RSVP should be submitted by all students.


WHAT TO BRING
Students will stay overnight in the gym on the floor, like they do all summer. Bring changes of clothes (we recommend layered athletic clothing), shower supplies, towel, comfortable clothes for rehearsal (no jeans), tennis shoes (no high tops), and a water bottle. Many students will bring an inflatable mattress with a battery-powered air pump. Bring a binder with plastic sleeves for your music and any hand-outs. Depending on the weather, we plan to spend some time outside! Be prepared for anything! This means t-shirt, shorts, wind or sweat pants, sweatshirt, and light jacket. Tennis shoes are a must! Bring a hat for the sun.

Brass: Bring your own mouthpiece, music stand, and binder for music, if you are able. We will have extra mouthpieces and stands at the camp if you don't have your own. We will provide all instruments for the weekend. You may bring your own marching instrument if you would like.

Percussion: Bring your own sticks or mallets and practice pads, if you are able. We will provide all instruments for the weekend.

Color Guard: We will provide all flags, rifle, and sabres, but you can bring your own if you would like. Bring lightweight, workout clothing for rehearsals (no jeans).


HINTS FOR MAY REHEARSAL

  • Bring clothes for any weather (snow, rain or heat wave). You may be outside for much of the weekend, working on drill and music. Don’t forget cold weather gear. You just never know. Right now there is no rain scheduled, but Iowa weather can change at the last minute.
  • Two pairs of comfortable tennis shoes (no high tops). One pair is for wet and mud that will be taken off before entering the school if it rains or is wet outdoors.
  • Athletic braces for any previous injuries or weaknesses. You will be on your feet a lot this weekend, so protect yourself against injury.
  • Other helpful items: extra socks, sunscreen, lip protection (DCT) with sunscreen, hat or bandanna, sunglasses, a smile, backpack (field bag) and water bottle or jug.

PARENTS
An informational meeting will be held Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. in a location to be announced. Bring all of your questions! Schedules will be available at the check in table with locations for everything going on throughout the weekend

Parents are strongly encouraged to attend the weekend. Parental support is what makes the Colt Cadets successful, and you are needed to give the kids the incredible Colt Cadets experience we are known for. Also, this is the best way for you to find out about our program, meet the other parents, and get comfortable with what this is all about. You will find a very welcoming and exciting opportunity here. Parents will cook and serve the meals throughout the weekend, coordinate sewing projects, and assist with some repair work. We always have things to do for anyone willing to lend a hand. The Colt Cadets staff will also be available throughout the weekend to answer any questions you may have about the drum corps experience, what we do, and how we do it.

Parents are welcome to bring a sleeping bag and sleep in a classroom at the school or stay in a hotel. For all events, we recommend the Hampton Inn for your stay in Dubuque. Please call the hotel directly at 563.690.2005, select the front desk, and ask for the Colts Drum Corps rate. Students are expected to stay with the group overnight in the arena. As always, email or call us with any questions you may have.

Parents are encouraged to sign onto the email distribution list to receive Colts information via email.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
A snack before bed will be provided on Friday night after rehearsal. Four meals will be provided on Saturday, and a breakfast and sack lunch will be provided on Sunday. We will eat off of the Colt Cadets food truck (affectionately called the "Chuck Wagon") just like we do on tour!

For a sample schedule for the weekend, you can click here. A full schedule will be available at the check in table with exact times and locations for everything going on throughout the weekend. If you are unable to attend the whole weekend, you are definitely still able to participate! Attending part of the weekend is better than not attending at all. If you have schedule conflicts, reach out to David Alford at david@colts.org.

PERSONAL UNIFORM PARTS
These parts have been added to your bill and will be emailed with your statement. The parts will be handed out after car wash. Each brass and battery member receives a plume, member shirt, and marching shoes (brass, cymbals, and DM also receive gloves). Prices for brass, percussion, and DM will be $50. Guard members pay $75 for personal uniform parts that will be supplied, including shoes, under uniform garments, and other necessary personal items.


SOUVENIRS
Throughout the weekend, many items in the Colts Mall will be available for sale! Anyone is able to purchase souvenirs - students, parents, friends, family, etc. The souvenir racks will be set up by the check in table, and you can purchase your items there.


SUNDAY AFTERNOON PERFORMANCE
A performance including all participants of the weekend will be held Sunday afternoon at approximately 12:00 p.m. in the main gym. You will be amazed at the progress we make in just one weekend!


MOVE IN DETAILS
Be on the lookout for a post about details related to move ins soon! Information included will be flight information for Spring Training and August, car wash, personal uniform parts, and the member handbook.


SUMMER TOUR HELP
We are scheduling summer volunteers now! Check your schedules and let us know. Remember, we can be very creative in getting you in and out of tour. Cooks, drivers, and those who sew can email david@colts.org to sign up to volunteer.


EMAIL AND WEBSITE
Join our Facebook groups for your area of interest! These pages will help you meet other members prior to auditions and answer questions you may have. Parents are encouraged to join as well!
General Interest Group
Percussion Interest Group
Brass Interest Group
Guard Interest Group
Make sure you have signed onto the email distribution list with your current email address, and check your email frequently! Encourage your parents to sign up for the membership emailings too.

Welcome! We are excited to have you as a part of the Colt Cadets family!

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