Hello Barrington Business families! We are really excited to showcase all the hard work we’ve done over the past 2 years at the VE (Virtual Enterprises) Southern Region Competition and Exhibition. I made this FAQ style page to provide information about the trip.
What is this event? ❓
It is the culminating event of all the work we’ve done over the last 2 school years in our business program. This event gives us the opportunity to showcase our hard work through an elevator pitch competition and an in-person trade show! The in-person trade show is an amazing opportunity for our firms to get a huge boost in sales, and it helps them prepare for the national trade show competition in New York City later on this year.
How much does it cost for my child to attend this event? 💲
I am very happy to announce that there will be no cost for students or chaperones to attend this trip.
Where is the event? 📍
Nova Southeastern University
The Rick Case Arena at the Don Taft University Center
Click here for the location on Google Maps
Who can go to this event? 🙋🏻
At the very least, I am able to fit 6 students with me in my minivan for this trip. If parents are willing to chaperone and drive, I will be able to take up to 12 students (more details about chaperoning and driving in later sections of this webpage). CEOs will have top priority, Vice Presidents of each department will have 2nd priority, and associates will have 3rd priority. In order to qualify, students must also submit their completed field trip forms. Please keep in mind that since this is an overnight field trip, THE FIELD TRIP FORMS MUST BE NOTARIZED.
When is the event? 🕰️
February 5 & 6, 2026
Students attending this trip will leave straight from Barrington at the end of the school day on Thursday February 5. We will return to school the following day (Friday February 6) between 6-8pm depending on traffic.
Just to reiterate, students will only have to miss one day of school (Friday February 6) to attend this trip. And as with every other field trip for this class, the absence will be counted as excused for school business.
What hotel will everyone be staying at for this overnight field trip? 🏨
Renaissance Fort Lauderdale West Hotel
1230 S Pine Island Rd, Plantation, FL 33324
Click here for the location on Google Maps
How will the sleeping situation work? 🛏️
The most cost-effective way to meet district requirements for sleeping arrangements is to book hotel rooms with 2 queen size beds. Here are the details:
- Male students can only room with other male students.
- Female students can only room with other female students.
- Maximum of 4 students per room which means each student will likely share a bed with another student.
- If female students choose to go on this trip (and I hope they will!), I must have at least 1 female chaperone.
- Chaperones are not allowed to sleep in a room with students.
- Male chaperones can only room with other male chaperones.
- Female chaperones can only room with other female chaperones.
- Maximum of 2 chaperones per room so you’ll have your own bed, but depending on numbers you might have to share your room with another chaperone.
These sleeping arrangements are all in accordance with district policy for overnight field trips.
Here are the policies students must follow during this overnight trip:
- Students are not allowed to leave the hotel without a chaperone.
- There is a strict curfew from 10:00 pm – 6:00am where students must be in their designated hotel room.
- This means that students are not allowed to leave their designated hotel room between the hours of 10:00pm and 6:00am (unless there is a fire or another similar type of emergency).
When I booked the hotel rooms, I informed the staff that this was for a field trip with middle school-aged students. As such I insisted these rooms must, at the very least, be on the same floor and ideally, next to each other. The staff assured me this would be the case. I have been burned in the past by hotels that were not able to deliver on these accommodations, but at the very least wanted you to know that I have done everything in my power to make it happen. I will also call on a weekly basis leading up to the event to ensure these rooms are all together.
How does transportation work? 🚐
We’ll be driving there and back in Mr. Waraksa’s Toyota Sienna Minivan (it is on the approved vehicle list for Hillsborough County Schools).
If any other parents with vehicles on the approved list volunteer to drive, some students may drive with them in their vehicles.
Is it possible to be a chaperone on this trip? 👓
Yes! I can accept up to 2 male chaperones and up to 2 female chaperones. Due to limited seating, I can only accept chaperones that are willing to drive and have a vehicle on the approved vehicle list. Click here to see the list of approved vehicles.
An additional stipulation to be a chaperone on this trip is that you must be a LEVEL 2 approved volunteer with the school district. The reason why you must get this higher level of clearance is because this is an overnight field trip. Getting approval for LEVEL 2 status may involve getting fingerprinted so if you are interested in being a chaperone for this trip I would encourage you to get the process started as soon as possible (can take up to 6-8 weeks). Here’s how to get LEVEL 2 volunteer status:
- In order to get LEVEL 2 approval, you must first get LEVEL 1 approval if you have not gotten it already.
- Active Level 1 volunteers wishing to request a Level 2 function (Level 2, Overnight Chaperone; Level 2 Tutor/Mentor; Level 2 Music/Band Instructor), should email request to: visitor.management@hcps.net
- Please include first name, last name, date of birth, that you want clearance to be a Level 2 Overnight Chaperone, and that you are from Barrington Middle School.
- Click here if you need to start a volunteer application
- Click here if you need to check your volunteer status
- Call (813) 272-4446 if you have any other questions about volunteering
If you are interested in chaperoning for this trip please call or text me as soon as possible :).
How will food work during this trip? 🍔
Overview
- Make sure your child has a refillable water bottle.
- Pack 2-3 snacks.
- Bring $30-$40 total to buy dinner on Thursday and Friday.
- We’ll eat breakfast at the hotel on Friday morning.
- Lunch on Friday will be provided during the event.
What should I pack for my child on this trip? 🧳
I would recommend a typical packing list for a one-night trip at a hotel.
- Keep in mind that the hotel will have shampoo, bodywash, towels, and bedding so you don’t need to pack any of those.
- Please make sure their outfit for the tradeshow is packed. This year each group has matching polos and they’ve all agreed on the color slacks they are wearing. Also please make sure they have a belt and dress shoes.
- Students have my class 1st period so they can drop off their packed bags in my room at that time so they don’t have to carry them around all day.
My child said it was ok for them to bring an electronic device on this trip, is that true? 🕹️
Yes, it is. We will be in the car for over 3 hours and 30 minutes each way. Students are encouraged to bring something to help occupy their time.
Acceptable electronic devices include:
- Phones
- Tablets
- Handheld gaming consoles (e.g., Nintendo Switch)
Headphones are required for any student wanting to listen to sound while they watch/play.
- Students may not play sound through their device’s speakers.
- If they do not bring headphones, their device must remain on silent or muted.
Students are also encouraged to bring a portable charger and charging cable to ensure their device stays powered during the trip.
What’s the procedure for picking up my child when the field trip is done? 🏁
Students need to be picked up from the front of Barrington on Friday night (February 6th). We plan on leaving Fort Lauderdale between 2:00-3:00pm which means we should be back to Barrington between 6:00-8:00pm depending on traffic. Students will text or call parents when we leave Fort Lauderdale with an estimated ETA at Barrington and will provide updates to arrival time as needed along the way.
I’m curious about what the kids will actually be doing at the event. Do you have any more detailed information about the event itself? 📝
Click here for to view the PDF that provides all the information about the event itself.
Just keep in mind that since we are a middle school, we will only be competing in the VE-JV events. Some events are reserved for high schools only.
What if I have more questions about this trip that weren’t answered on this page?
You all have my phone number. Don’t hesitate to call or text if you have any additional questions 🙂