8th Grade Hershey Park Trip

What

8th Grade Hershey Park Trip

When

5/29/2026, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM

🍫Dear 8th grade parents,

We are this close to Hershey Park, and the kids are vibrating with excitement at a level only sugar, roller coasters, and the promise of not being in class can produce. Below are your friendly reminders for Friday’s big adventure. A map is attached so you know exactly where to collect your exhausted, sun‑kissed, possibly sticky child at the end of the night. Bus numbers will be given out Thursday—please ask your child, and prepare for the classic response: “I forget.” (Hint team 8-1 will be picked up at Memorial, team 8-2 will be picked up at Haines School and team 8-3 will be picked up at the Church in the parking lot). SEE MAP!!

We expect to return between 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. on Friday. Please remind your child to wear their class shirt. The trip is rain or shine, so feel free to start your sunshine rituals now. We’re looking forward to a fun day with our 8th graders before they officially become high schoolers and forget we exist.

Hershey Park: Friday, May 29th, 6:45 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

 • Buses leave at 7:00 a.m. sharp. Sharp sharp. Like, if you’re running up at 7:01 waving a breakfast sandwich, the bus will wave back and keep going. 

• Students board between 6:45–6:55 a.m. Please encourage them to go to bed early, even though we all know they won’t. 

• Students must remain in the park all day. We start with Chocolate World, because nothing says “supervision” like releasing 8th graders into a building made of candy. 

• Once inside the park, they may not leave to visit Chocolate World or Zoo America. We love them, but we cannot chase them through a zoo. (This will be my 16th year planning and coordinating this trip for 300+ students and adults. Sixteen years. Hundreds of kids. Thousands of roller‑coaster screams. And I’m proud to say we haven’t lost a single one — not even the runners. Please help us keep my streak alive!!)

• Students must follow Hershey Park rules and school rules. Misconduct may affect participation in other end‑of‑year events. Translation: please remind them to show that Panther Pride. 

• Shoes and shirts are required at all times. Sneakers recommended—there will be walking. A lot of walking. So much walking. 

• Return time is approximately 8:30 p.m. Pickup location is attached. The kids will be tired. Very tired. You’re welcome.

What to bring: 

• Students are responsible for their belongings. They may leave items on the bus, but they won’t have access during the day. So if they leave their lunch, phone, or will to live on the bus… it’s staying there. 

• Sunblock, sunglasses, hats, and comfortable footwear are recommended. We cannot stress the footwear enough. 

• Lockers may be available. Most students carry a small bag. Please discourage them from winning a six‑foot stuffed giraffe—it will not fit on the bus. 

• Students may carry inhalers and epi‑pens. All other medication goes to Nurse G, who will be running her own marathon that day - she will also be stationed at the Main Entrance near the Carousel all day, students were told this already . 

• Money for food. Outside food is not permitted. One meal is about $15. Students will be in the park from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., so they will absolutely need to eat. Also, it is physically impossible to go to Hershey Park and skip dessert. 

• HersheyPark is cashless. They accept major cards, gift cards, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, and probably telepathy at this point. Cash‑to‑Card kiosks are available for students who bring cash.

For more information, visit www.hersheypark.com.

May the odds be forever in our favor,Colleen Lash