It takes a lot of dedicated volunteers to help get the Oakton HS Marching Cougars on the road to their weekly competitions. As a "Cougar Mover" (i.e. chaperone or equipment mover) you'll be asked to help with the following tasks.

Before Leaving - truck loading/unloading:

• All volunteers help load equipment and instruments onto the truck – please follow the directions of the Pit Leader
• All volunteers help unload the truck at the competition and upon return to school
• Assist the Head Chaperone as needed

At the competition:

• Pit volunteers, if you drive on your own (not on bus with students), look for the “pit parking” signs and tell the parking attendants you’re with the Oakton pit crew. They typically let you proceed to the pit staging area. Sometimes they instruct you to park in general parking and walk to the pit area. Either way, you’ll meet the rest of the pit crew at Oakton’s staging area – look for the Penske truck.
• Chaperones stay with students until they dress and depart for warm-up areas with instructors. Only the instructors, students and nurse will stay with the band during warm-ups. All other chaperones should proceed to the pit staging area to help unload the truck. (The busses and the pit area are not always in close proximity).
• Only “pit” parents, including those handling the drum major stands, will be allowed on the field during the performance. Chaperones not moving pit equipment should proceed to the stands to watch the show once the pit is staged at the field entrance.
• Pit crew assists students putting equipment in place on the field then move next to the fenced area as far back from the band as possible.
• After the performance, move equipment quickly off the field and return directly to the pit truck to load.
• Pit volunteers not riding the buses are free to go – or can return to watch the rest of the show and the awards ceremony – meet back at OHS to unload the truck and store pit equipment.

Back at Oakton

•  All volunteers help unload trucks – pit volunteers should help store the pit equipment back in the pit shed on the practice field.

Bus Chaperone Instructions

Pre-boarding

• Make sure you have a radio and medical kit for your bus
• Confirm head chaperone has your cell phone number
• Place bus number in the front window of your bus

Boarding

• Ms. Newton will release students for boarding-students cannot board before that time
• Confirm with student that they have their instrument or know where their instrument has been loaded (bus or truck) and have all pieces of their uniform
• Take role letting head chaperone know of any discrepancies

While Traveling

• Students are to respect the driver and the bus – do not trash bus
• Do “hand checks” - students are to keep hands to themselves
• No inappropriate behavior or PDA (public display of affection)
• Uniforms should be hung in garment bag on window of bus
• Chaperones should walk to back of bus every 10-15 minutes
• PG rated movies only
• Students should keep talking volume down and respect that some students may use the time to read or study