Gathering - Wednesday Free Day Options (7/22)

The following is from the Metro St. Louis Coalition - Youth letter of March 2009.  Each youth should indicate their choice -- and we'll see how many groups we might have to split into:

Each group will have an opportunity of participating in 1 of 3 activities on Wednesday, July 22.  A group of youth leaders was able to investigate these 3 options during the ELCA Extravaganza in January!  We believe your group will have a fabulous time at any of these locations!  Your group does not have to go to an option as a whole, but each group of students MUST HAVE at least one adult with them.  We ask that you make your final free day decision NO LATER THAN April 26 with payment due at that time!  In this packet, you will find a registration form for these options.

OPTION 1 - MARDI GRAS WORLD

See the world's largest fleet of Carnival floats and the artists who create them!  See mardigrasworld.com for details.  The bus will leave the Hampton Inn at 10:30 am.  Your group can take their time enjoying the 2nd oldest neighborhood in the New Orleans Parish before taking a leisurely ride back on the FREE ferry boat across the Mississippi River.  Feel free to find a unique lunch location for your group.  Cost is $8/person.

OPTION 2 - INSTA-GATOR RANCH & HATCHERY

Do you love alligators?!?  Learn about the the Louisiana alligator industry through an interactive guided tour.  You will have the chance to see, touch, hold, feed, and get your picture taken with the alligators!  See http://www.insta-gatorranch.com/ for details.  The bus will leave the Hampton Inn at 9:30 am and return around 2:30 pm.  Bus will also stop for lunch, or feel free to bring along a picnic lunch.  Cost is $25/person including additional bus fare and ticket to ranch.

OPTION 3 - THE BEACH IN MISSISSIPPI

Enjoy a relaxing day at Long Beach, MS.  wim in the Gulf, walk along the sandy beach and simply enjoy this big of God's creation.  During your drive you will be able to see some areas of devastation from Hurricane Katrina and how the area has or has not recovered since 2005.  The bus will be leaving the Hampton Inn at 9 am and return to the hotel around 3 pm.  There are fast food options within walking distance of the beach, or feel free to bring along a picnic lunch. Cost is $15/person for bus fare.