EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MTCA
JUNIORS
Medical info
All medicines, down to simple cough drops, are to be reported to staff via the form we will provide closer to the trip. Many medications can and should stay with your child while others will be handled by the adults responsible for them for everyone’s safety.
MEDICINE THAT YOUR CHILD KEEPS WITH THEM
Life-saving medication such as epipens and inhalers and insulin should be kept with the child at all times but must be shown to the chaperone (JRs) or Maile (Teens) and the bag containing it will be given a special pink polka dot ribbon so it can be found quickly in an emergency.
Medicine that you are in no way concerned about being abused (Tylenol for example) can stay with the student but please let teh chaperone (JRs) or Maile (Teens) know about it.
MEDICINE CHECKED IN WITH STAFF/CHAPERONE
Any medicine that you are even remotely concerned could be stolen or abused by another child should be checked in through us. To do this you put the medicine in a ziplock. On a notecard inside the ziplock include the following info: Child’s name, medication name and dosage, what the medication is for and when it is to be given. Then the ziplock will be given directly to your child’s chaperone (JRS) or to Staff member: Maile (Teens)
FOOD ORDERS
We provide the following meals food ordered via link below once it goes live (link is not live yet):
(simple breakfast items will be available every day but chaperones will work with their groups to provide more options each morning)
Dinner Thursday
Lunch and Dinner Friday
Lunch and Dinner Saturday
All breakfasts
You pack and/or purchase at airports and theme parks the following meals
LOTS OF SNACKS
Lunch Thursday
Lunch and Dinner Sunday
NOTE: This link is now live!
BIG DETAILS:
Hotel: Homewood Suites, 2010 South Harbor Blvd, Anaheim CA 92802 (714) 750 - 2010
Competition Location: Hilton Anaheim, 777 Convention Way, Anaheim CA 92802 (714) 750-4321
Dropoff Airport/Flights OAK to SNA Thursday
11:00 - 11:15 AM Thursday Dropoff at Oakland airport Southwest Departures Terminal. Don’t be late
OAK to SNA Thursday 2/6 (Southwest Flight WN175)
Takeoff 1:15 PM OAK
Lands at 2:45PM SNA
Pick Up (JRs)
Sunday Pick up Oakland airport at the Southwest baggage carousels at 9:55PM
SNA to OAK Sunday 2/9 (Southwest Flight WN4955)
Takeoff at 8:15 SNA
Lands at 9:45 OAK
IMPORTANT INFO:
No checked baggage, bring empty water bottles, pack lots of nut-free snacks, travel size liquids only
You MUST have a backpack every day (we will even color code them)
Medicines checked in with chaperones/staff on arrival
Don’t forget your costumes, props and Jazz shoes!
Clean clothes and deodorant every day are not optional,
Showering every day is not optional
Team jacket is not optional (no other jackets are necessary)
COMMUNICATION WHILE AT COMP
We will have one group chat that is all the Teens and Staff and one that is all the chaperones
You must be responsive to your group chat unless you are performing or watching a performance
WHAT’S IN YOUR BACKPACK
Refillable water bottle
Nut free snacks
Makeup and hair supplies for touch ups
Jazz shoes
Costume if required that day.
Money to purchase merch or extra snacks or food at amusement parks (Knotts is cashless! Bring card!)
Starlight Jacket (if it’s not on your body)
Schedule
HOW CHAPERONES WORK
Your performer has been sorted into a chaperone group (see emergency contact page), that Chaperone and the backup chaperone for that team, have committed to make sure your child is safe at all times. Every minute of the competition and Knotts Berry Farm your child will either be directly supervised by their chaperone or in the bathroom (in pairs) or in their hotel room with their group with a chaperone in the room next door. That chaperone will stay in contact with you, creating a group chat with the parents of their kids and occasionally texting you updates and details and pics. The chaperone will facilitate nightly parent calls and texts. If your child needs to talk to you the chaperone WILL call you. On rare occasions (for example two students in the same group have solos at the same time at opposite ends of the building or one child is terrified of roller coasters while the rest of their group desperately wants to go on a ride) another chaperone or staff member may step in to supervise your child and get them where they need to be.
Chaperones will wear color coded shirts with their names on them the first day so kids get comfortable with identifying them easily. The students will have their backpacks (with them at all times) with matching color coded ribbons on them.
HOW PHONES WORK
Kids will not be allowed to have their phones with them during the day, they can leave them in their rooms or with the chaperone who will keep them on off in a backpack. At night in their rooms they will have their phones to reach out to parents. If at any time a parent needs to get ahold of a child or a child wants to call their parent then the chaperone will be there with their own phone.
No one, not staff, chaperone or student should ever have their phones out during a performance unless it is to video our kids.
HOW FOLLOWING OUR EVERY MOVE AND WATCHING THE SHOW WORKS
Your chaperone will be texting you updates and details and pics. For the majority of the updates and pics though, follow our posts on instagram and in the band app. We will also be livestreaming the group numbers on our instagram so you can watch us in real time.
HOW TO PREPARE THE WEEK BEFORE
* Pack early so it’s done and triple checked
* Go over your music and choreo in your head EVERY NIGHT as you fall asleep.
* SELF CARE! Sleep well, eat well, make healthy choices in the week leading up to comp, avoid injuries and big crowded events. DO NOT GET COVID!!!
* Practice Makeup/Hair
WHAT TO EXPECT
WHAT TO EXPECT: EACH MORNING
* Chaperones will decide on a wake up time with their group based on that group’s needs for the next morning. The 2 chaperones for that team will knock on the door and come in to help with getting ready. This gives our kids a 1 chaperone to 2 kids ratio. The kids will provide their own hair and makeup supplies but the chaperones will be there to keep them moving fast, assist with hair and makeup, double check that everyone has what they need in their bags and get them downstairs to breakfast on time. Jaimee will also open up her room to help with makeup the morning of the Junior Comp Piece.
WHAT TO EXPECT: AT THE AIRPORT
* Expect hardcore strict rules, we keep you in our sight every second, chaperone groups stay together. Teens must always be in pairs. You must wear only your Starlight shirt and Starlight Jacket. We move together through the security check and together to our gate. Then and only then can we break off into chaperone groups (or pairs for teens) to grab food and come back to the gate to eat, use restroom etc before we board. When we board Chelsea and Shelby will get on first to count everyone as we get on, chaperones will board with their groups, Kevin and Lead Chaperone will get on and off last to make sure everyone boards/deboards. You can sit with any friends you want to as long as chaperones make sure their entire group gets on and off the plane. Each time we pause to regroup Lead Chaperone will call out each color for the Juniors. ONLY THE CHAPERONE will respond that that entire color group is present.
WHAT TO EXPECT: AT THE COMPETITION
* Organized chaos! You will have a crazy schedule. Everything happens inside the hotel we are staying at, we never leave except to sit outside and eat.
* At any given time there will be a room running performances for ensembles, a room running performances for showstoppers (called showtunes) a room running Freshman vocal solos etc etc etc. Plus there will be workshops you can sign up for throughout the day. Teens will have the freedom to move from activity to activity as they please. They cannot leave the building for any reason, cannot go to their rooms without staff permission and cannot go anywhere without a buddy. JRs must stay with their chaperone in their groups at all times. The chaperones will decide which activities and rooms to bring each group to.
* When you are about to do your solo/duet etc, find a quiet spot with a buddy (teens) or with your group (jrs) to warm up together and run your piece in front of your team.
* We will have scheduled rehearsals and warmups for our big numbers.
WHAT TO EXPECT: AT KNOTTSBERRY FARM
* In the morning we will arrive, rush around to try to ride one ride then meet in the back for the awards
* Prepare your hearts now, this is NOT dance competition, we will not ALL win everything, its ok
* When it’s time to go that leaving time is FIRM. I do not care if you have to step out of line or abandon a purchase, DO NOT make the team wait for you.
* Have fun! Stay with your group! If your Chaperone group wants to go on a ride and one kid does not, the chaperones have the right, at their discreton, to switch up kids in groups but MUST let parents know this is happening.
PACKING LIST
FOR THE COMP
Costumes for the Junior Comp Piece. (we will go over exactly what in detail in January)
Costumes for Showstopper if you are in it (we will go over exactly what in detail in January)
Costume for Solo/duet/etc
Any props you are responsible for
If you are doing Design don’t forget to bring your work
Jazz Shoes
CLOTHING
(NOTE: YOU MUST TRAVEL IN STARLIGHT CLOTHING ONLY, at airport I ONLY want to see Starlight jackets and your purple Starlight shirt going down/Junior Comp shirt coming back)
Purple Starlight shirt for Thursday (will be provided for you in January)
Comfortable shirt for Friday when not performing
Comfortable shirt for Saturday when not performing
Dressy/sparkly outfit for dance party Saturday Night
Junior Comp shirt for Sunday at theme park and airport (will be provided for you in January)
Comfortable shoes you can walk in a LOT (Not crocs or flip flops) sneakers are good
Comfortable bottoms (clean new ones for every day)
Starlight Team Jacket (Required)
Clean socks and undergarments (clean new ones for every day)
Swimsuit
PJ’s
BAGGAGE
Carry on suitcase (NOTHING WILL BE CHECKED)
Backpack to carry everything in daily around the comp and park (NOT OPTIONAL)
Helpful tip: Get large ziplocks, prepack and label each one by day or competition number
Helpful tip: Once you have emptied one, use it for dirty clothes
Helpful tip: Label easy to lose clothing items with your name/number. All Jazz shoes look alike
OTHER (do NOT bring any jewelry or valuables of any kind!)
Deodorant (NOT OPTIONAL)
Sunscreen
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Stage Makeup
Hair Products/styling tools
Medication (if necessary) * please be ready to pull this out at airport
Water Bottle (without water!)
Personal Device if you need to bring one
Charger for your personal Device if you have one
Hand sanitizer
Mask just in case
Money for meals and spending at pop-ups and in Knotts
Snacks! Lots of them! MUST BE NUT FREE!!
Retainer, contacts, contact solution, orthodontal case etc if applicable
Squishmallow/Stuffy if needed and there’s room
Anything you need to protect your voice if it gets weary (Singers Saving Grace etc)
Optional: Gum (for plane ONLY)
Optional: Earplugs or sound canceling headphones or fidget toys
Optional: Something to flavor your water like eEmergen-C or mio, we will provide not be providing drinks
JRS WHAT TO WEAR/PACK EACH DAY
Thursday (Wear): Navy Starlight shirt, Starlight Jacket
Thursday (Pack): Bright clothing for Cattle Call Audition if you are doing Cattle Call
Friday (Wear): Any shirt you want, Costumes for Friday pieces (we don’t know yet), Starlight Jacket
Friday (Pack): Any Costumes or props needed for Friday, Lipstick, Water, Snacks, Schedule, Jazz Shoes, Hand sanitizer
Sat (Wear): Comfortable shirt, Costumes for Saturday pieces, (we don’t know yet), Starlight Jacket
Sat (Pack): Any Costumes or props needed for Saturday, Lipstick, Water, Snacks, Schedule, Jazz Shoes, Hand sanitizer
Sunday (Wear): Theatre Team Shirt, (will be provided for you in January), Starlight Jacket
Sunday (Pack) : Water, Snacks, Schedule, Hand sanitizer, $$ Card (Knotts is cashless)
Every Day: Comfortable shoes you can walk in a LOT (Not crocs or flip flops) sneakers are good, Comfortable bottoms (clean new ones for every day), Clean socks and undergarments
ROUGH SCHEDULE
Day 1, Thursday 2/6
All (staff, chaperones, Jrs, and teens) meet at OAK airport and fly down to SNA
All take private shuttles from SNA to the Hilton Anaheim (hotel) and check in/get settled
Cattle Call audition (Teens required, JRs optional )
Day 2, Friday 2/7
All attend opening ceremony
All spend full day at competition at the hotel (includes performance, solos, duets, workshops, etc.)
Those who were selected in open Cattle Call attend rehearsals
Day 3, Saturday 2/8
All spend full day at competition at the hotel (includes performance, solos, duets, workshops, etc.)
Those who were selected in open Cattle Call attend rehearsals
All attend concert
All attend MTCA dance party or have downtime
Day 4, Sunday 2/9
All are transported from the hotel to Knotts Berry Farms for awards ceremony
Jrs and Chaperones stay at Knotts for tons of fun
Jrs and Chaperones are transported from Knotts to the hotel to grab their bags and then to SNA
Jrs and Chaperones fly home and are picked up by parents at OAK
THE RULES
Stay together. Don’t lose us and we won’t lose you! No leaving Park or hotel without STAFF. You must have at least 1 person with you at all times
RESPECT RESPECT RESPECT - yourself, directors, other students and those around you and the spaces you are in. Students must respond appropriately to directions given by Starlight staff, Chaperones, Festival staff and theme park staff.
No abusing drugs (prescription or other) and NO alcohol
No smoking or vaping anything. This includes vaping with or without nicotine. It doesn’t matter if you are old enough, you are not old enough here
All medications must be checked in with Staff/Chaperones upon arrival at the airport.
No sexual activity.
No one is allowed in anyone’s room except their own. Stay in your room after curfew.
Take personal responsibility. Appropriate behavior is expected at all times.
Never be undressed outside of the bathroom of your hotel room. Your designated chaperone or staff member may enter (when appropriate or in case of emergency) and they need to know they can safely enter without seeing an undressed minor for your safety and their’s.
When you are scheduled to be somewhere whether it’s a rehearsal or a meetup to leave a park, you are there ON TIME no matter what ride you miss or shopping you abandon.
All students who are over the age of 18 agree to being governed by the same rules set forth for their peers, regardless of age
Any violation of these rules, or if the Starlight staff feels that any student poses a threat to themselves, or to others, or in the case of illness…
Starlight has the right to decide at any time and for any reason that the student needs to be sent home at parents’ expense or quarantined in their own hotel room.
Should this happen, Starlight staff will decide how to proceed whether that be to send the child home on a flight with 1 -2 chaperones or by insisting that a parent or trusted adult come to pick the child up within 8 hours of our call.
By signing the contract you will be provided at the meeting parents are agreeing to these terms and to covering all incurred costs of additional flights and transportation to airport for student and chaperone(s) and/or additional hotel fees. Students sent home from competition for anything other than illness will receive a lifetime ban from Starlight.
Likewise, we reserve the right to relieve chaperones of their duties and ask them to book their own hotel room at their own expense if they cause drama for staff/students/other chaperones
EMERGENCY CONTACT SHEET WITH ALL STAFF AND CHAPERONES WILL BE ADDED HERE CLOSER TO COMP
