Tour 2008

Daily Stuff!

The most recent update is at the top and
the basic schedule is below Day 1.

HOMECOMING - Pictures are finally online: Parent Prep    Arrival   Performance1   Performance2

Day 14. I have uploaded Mike's pictures here. They actually come from the last few days - I think the outdoor shots are mainly from Yellowstone. This will probably be the last update before Homecoming, but I'll add lots more pictures around the middle of next week of Homecoming.

Day 13 or so. Brandt continues to add lots of pictures as well as some descriptions of life on the road, be sure to go to The 'Written' Word. I will also be adding more of Mike's pictures ASAP.

Day 11. My timing is a bit off, but the Parent/Friend video is ready on Youtube. And after finally getting my video camera back today (Monday), I've edited and uploaded the video called "Proof of Life", even though it was taped only three days into the trip (the afternoon and evening of Mount Rushmore day), it still shows that the Singers (and sponsors!) are having a great time.

       And here's a bonus set of pictures from Michelle Wolfe (that I forgot to upload) taken on "send-off day".

Day 10. Still more great pictures from Mike, many of which prove why New G members who have been on this route before name this as their all-time favorite trip - the scenery is obviously breath-taking. Personally, I wish I could have seen the look on one of the younger member's face when he saw these mountains because he was impressed with how "tall" Mount Rushmore is, and he couldn't imagine how the Canadian Rockies could be bigger. I'll ask him Saturday.

Day 9. Mike Nelson continues to send back great pictures, so many in fact, we have Set A and Set B which include a lot of great scenery. I've kind of lost track of what he sent and when; and what I uploaded and when, so there may be some repeats, but here is Mike's description of the performance at Trinity Lutheran (Set A)...

"The photos in this email are from the Sunday morning service of Trinity Lutheran Church in Golden, BC. I sent pictures last night that were of the performance and the Hamburger Fry that the congregation and Pastor Ron prepared for the group. It was the one performance that I look for now that I have been on the road with this group for three years. Pastor Ron was visibly moved by the kids' performance last night (to the point of tears). The group certainly recharged his batteries. We are in Coeur d’ Alene tonight, leaving early in the am. The road home is all downhill now -- literally!"

Day 8. Hopefully we'll be hearing from New G as they re-enter the U.S. (the process of re-entry should have some of its own stories). In the meantime, keep checking Brandt's blog (The 'Written' Word) and as a bonus, here are pictures Mike Nelson (truck driver) was able to email.

Day 6/7. Like you, I haven't heard many updates from the road either, although Brandt (The 'Written' Word) is doing a great job getting pictures on his blog. Here are some of my pictures I have not used yet.

Day 4/5. I have a few pictures yet to post, but they're on a different computer than what I can use to update this page. In the meantime, the great news is that Brandt has uploaded dozens of GREAT pictures on his blog The 'Written' Word - it includes messages from several of the singers with stories about their experiences.

Day 3 - Pictures here. Monday started off with a typical breakfast stop at McDonalds on the way out of Mitchell, followed by a rest stop on a hill overlooking the Missouri river and then lunch at the famous Wall Drug Store in Wall, S.D. Why is Wall Drug Store famous? Because a brilliant marketer put up a LOT of signs along the highway! Good food (a little expensive) and TONS of souvenirs along a full block of stores make up this small town. Then on to Storm Mountain Methodist church camp, which was two miles off the main road and although well kept, it was also very close to nature -- in fact, the guys were VERY close to nature...no electricity, no plumbing (think out house) and a half-mile hike down the trail. Of course by the time they got back from Mount Rushmore, it was dark. So how do you unpack in the dark? You use your cell phone of course; and you may as well since it can't get any service anyway. But don't use it too much because there's no electricity to re-charge it. Showers and other information about local wildlife are all another story. (I'm betting this stop makes it into the Top 10 at Homecoming).

     Mount Rushmore is also everything it's billed to be -- a thrilling backdrop for the group's performance. As always, they did a great job and got a nice response from the audience. Then the lighting ceremony was a great way to cap off the evening. This will be one of those performances they talk about for years to come.

     So I'm back home with the rest of you. I have a few pictures from yesterday that I'll post later today, but it's a little hard to get information -- cell service truly is hit-and-miss along their route. I also have video from inside of both buses, but I forgot that camera on the bus when I left. I'll have it back early next week, so watch for the video then!

Day 2 - Pictures here and here. It was a very busy day - two morning performances in Yankton, load out, eat lunch, travel to Mitchell, visit the Corn Palace, set up, perform, catch a bat, wipe out a pizza buffet, load-out and then bed-down IN the church. The group is doing very well and putting out a great message. After a summer of sing-outs with varying numbers and combinations of singers, it's fun to see the tour version - which is the same at every stop - come together and raise the bar on quality and energy. And it's only day 2!

Day 1 - Pictures Here. The group had a great send-off with a nice message by New G alum Emily Auxier, communion from Pastor Gary and worship by members of New G. This update is a little late because I (Scott) left St. Joe a few hours AFTER the group to catch up with them Sunday morning in Yankton. I'll be traveling with them just through their performance at Mount Rushmore (I couldn't pass up that video opportunity). More updates coming later Sunday evening, I hope.

Blogspot: "The 'Written' Word" by Brandt Shields from the road.
 

The basic route! Click here for an image or here for the Mapquest link.

More stuff for tour:

YouTube video: "New G is..." by Josh Smith; a video introduction to New G.

YouTube video: "Episode 0: It's Coming!" by Josh Smith.

Previous information:

PARENT TOUR INFORMATION: The rule for all U.S. citizens being required to have a passport to return to the United States will NOT have gone into effect by our tour. U.S. citizens 19 years old and over will need an official birth certificate as well as a State or Federal PHOTO Identification card. (For example, a driver's license or non-driving drivers license would work.) Citizens 18 and younger only need the birth certificate (however, we recommend that to be on the safe side, it can't hurt to go ahead and get a photo ID.) Click Here for more official information.

Here is one place (www.vitalchek.com) to request birth certificates, other methods certainly exist, but be sure you are using an official agency.

Tour Introduction

Every year during the last week of July and the first week of August, The New Generation Singers take a road trip to a region of the United States. We perform a concert most nights and two concerts on Sundays. Tour is open to any member of The New Generation Singers who has successfully completed his or her fundraising goal or alternatives, and who has regularly attended rehearsals and sing-outs, and is proficient in the music in which we will be performing. In addition, Singers have the opportunity to sing solo or in a small ensemble or play an instrumental solo between songs during an informal part of our performances while on tour.

St. Joseph's Christian Singing Youth Group since 1970