Booster Event Information

Parent volunteers are needed for many events, including football games, competitions, pre-camp, and after school rehearsals. These pages explain the parent support needed at each event.

Football Games

Committees involved: Uniforms, Field Operations, Pit Crew, Prop Committee, Transportation Committee, Parent Support Committee.

For dates of the football games, click here.

Early Arrival

Pit instruments and supplies are loaded onto bus or trailer.
Igloo coolers are filled with ice and water and loaded on bus or trailer.
Rope off band section of stands at stadium.
Transport marching band props to the field, if necessary.

Before Game

Help uniform committee with student uniform needs and insert plumes in hats.
March with band to field.
Wipe rain off bleachers if necessary.
After the band performs the National Anthem, parents hand band students a cup of water as they come into the stands.

Halftime Performance

Help unload pit instruments and transport them onto the field.
Help move props onto the field.
After performance, all instruments and props need to be off the field and reloaded onto bus or trailer.

After Game

Help clean up bleachers where band was sitting. (Band students should pick up after themselves).
March back with the band.
Transport via bus or trailer; instruments, props and supplies to band room or proper place.
Help with collecting and putting plumes away.

Competitions

Committees involved: Uniforms, Field Operations, Pit Crew, Prop Committee, Transportation Committee, Parent Support Committee.

For dates of the competitions, click here.

Preparation

Fill coolers and igloos.
Bring trailer to school parking lot.
Position all equipment, pit instruments, uniform racks and supplies to load on the bus or trailer and load when ready.
Assist uniform committee with uniforms.
Act as chaperones on bus utilizing any available seat.

At the Competition

Give each band member at least one cup of water, or more, if it is extremely hot before performance.
Unload equipment, instruments, and props to bring to staging area.
Make sure props get on and off field for performance.
Insert plumes and collect them when performance is over.
Help students change back into street clothes, unless we are near the end of the competition. Those accepting awards will stay in uniform.
Dispense drinks and snacks after competition.
Reload equipment, instruments, coolers, and props when performance is over.
Do a final check of restrooms.
Check to see if buses/equipment are secure.
When all students are ready, escort them back into the stadium.
Students board buses after awards and band captain takes a head count.

Back at the School

Unload equipment, instruments, and props from trailer or bus.
Students are responsible for their hats, uniforms, and instruments returned to their proper place.
Make sure band room is clean and every student has a ride home.
Band room/school is locked after all students have left.

Pre-Camp

Committees involved: Uniforms, Field Operations, Pit Crew, Parent Support Committee.

The practice field needs to be mowed and marked for practice, usually the Saturday before pre-camp.
Students are required to learn their drills before band camp. They will meet from 6:30 - 10:00pm Monday through Thursday. Students primarily practice in the parking lot, but may go to the field for a short time. Igloos need to be filled with water and ice, and brought, with cups, to the band room and the parking lot.
Uniform Committee prepares uniforms and assigns a uniform to most of the returning marching band students. Freshmen are helped with the fitting process after band camp.

After School Rehearsals

Committees involved: Field Operations (keeps practice field mowed and marked), Parent Support Committee.

Parent Volunteers

A parent volunteer is needed at all practices to assist in various ways. For example, they need to fill cups with ice water for breaks, assist with minor injuries, or possibly transport a band student to the bathroom. Members of the Parent Volunteer Committee will assist with the practices, although any parent is welcome to volunteer.

Practices for the marching band are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 to 5:30 and Wednesdays from 3:00 to 5:00 at the practice field. The color guard practice is normally on the practice field, but at other times (especially early in the season or on days other than T, W, or Th.) may be in the lower gym. Guard practice times vary from year to year. The drum line and pit practice times and locations may also
vary. As we progress through the season, the director often has the marching band, drum line, pit and color guard practice together.

The parent volunteer should meet the band at the practice field at 3:00 PM, or if sitting with the color guard or percussion, at those respective times and practice areas. The student field crew will put up the tents, deliver igloos with ice water, put supplies on the bus and unload the bus at the field. They are a terrific group of
students and if the parent volunteer has questions, the students can usually help. For your use, bring a chair, sunscreen and insect repellent.

Expectations of the parent volunteer:

Pour water into cups from coolers just before the students break. They break about every 30-45 minutes depending on the temperature. Keeping hydrated is a top priority.
Some students may not have eaten enough during the day and may need a few crackers. They will be on the bus.
Provide transportation to and from band room for students, if needed, for bathroom breaks and emergencies.
Take care of medical needs. The field crew should have the medical kit with a list of allergies and parent phone numbers on the bus. It is helpful for volunteers to have a cell phone for emergencies.
Extra sunscreen and bug repellent is usually on the bus if a student needs it. On particularly hot days, give out cold, wet washcloths for students to cool down quickly. These washcloths need to be washed for the next day. If the parent volunteer cannot wash them that night and return them to school the next day, they should contact the committee chairperson.
Tie garbage bags to the tent poles or Igloo coolers at the ends of the tables so it is easy for students to dispose of their cups. Keeping the practice field clean is the responsibility of all students. At the end of practice, pack up garbage and cups, empty igloos, and put used washcloths in a separate bag to take home and wash for the next day.
If possible, help load the bus. Dr. Markoch will drive the band bus to and from the practice field.

The students are very appreciative of help on the field. They know parent volunteers help them accomplish a lot during their practices.