Virginia Homeschool | Day at the Capitol

Join Us for Day at the Capitol

DAY AT THE CAPITOL
Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Yes, Day at the Capitol is on schedule for Tuesday, February 13!

Wear your warm coats and bring your umbrellas!

We look forward to an exciting Day at the Capitol with those who have preregistered for this special event. We've scheduled tour buses throughout the day to take you from the Marriott Hotel to the Capitol and back. Because some activities will be outside, please dress warmly.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Marriott Hotel and our morning program starts at 9:00 a.m. During the morning session, legislators and members of the executive branch will address us, "Patrick Henry" will share historical background to prepare us for the afternoon reenactment at St. John's Church, and we'll have an exciting Mock General Assembly!

Be sure to make an appointment to visit your senator and delegate and, if you'd like, bring a gift of appreciation--a valentine or home-made treat to present to your legislators and their staff. Your brief visit is very important for all homeschoolers: legislators who meet a homeschool family usually vote favorably on homeschool issues.

You can find more details about the day's events-directions, maps, food, schedule, etc.-on our website. And to prepare your students with fun learning activities, visit the Capitol Classroom.

May you have a safe trip!

Blessings,

Yvonne

YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS IT – REGISTER TODAY
First, join us for a morning filled with information and exciting activities at the Marriott Hotel at 500 East Broad Street. Then spend the afternoon observing the General Assembly, touring the Capitol grounds and Executive Mansion, and visiting your legislators. A fun scavenger hunt and special activities make this a day to remember.

Observing the legislative session first-hand, hearing political ideas debated, and watching bills succeed or fail provide an unforgettable experience. Both parents and students will come away with a new interest in state government!

YOUR STUDY OF VIRGINIA HISTORY & GOVERNMENT WILL COME ALIVE!
Day at the Capitol gives students a hands-on opportunity to learn about the political process and Virginia state government. You and your children will learn how our government works, and how you can make a significant impact on the Virginia General Assembly.

Learn "How a Bill Becomes a Law" and participate in a mock General Assembly.
Listen to "Patrick Henry" discuss his homeschool education and the events that shaped his life.
Find out how to become a page in the General Assembly.
Hear guest legislators and state officials address our group and respond to questions.
Hear HEAV's lobbyist discuss up-to-the-minute legislation and issues we are tracking.
Observe the General Assembly session for a firsthand look at how our laws are made.
Make an appointment to visit your legislators' offices and show your appreciation by bringing a homemade Valentine treat!

REGISTER NOW!
This HEAV-sponsored event is open to all homeschoolers and is great for support groups, as well as individual families – you won't want to miss it! Dads really enjoy this fieldtrip. The cost is only $20 per family. Due to limited seating, advance reservations and payment are required by calling HEAV at 804-278-9200.

TOUR THE CAPITOL
Tours of the Capitol grounds and the General Assembly Building provide a wonderful historical backdrop for learning how laws are made. Due to Capitol renovations, the Capitol building itself will not be open for tours until April, but HEAV has made special arrangements for Capitol grounds and Executive Mansion tours.

PARTICIPATE IN A MOCK GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Students and parents become senators, delegates, and lobbyists for a day. During our Mock General Assembly, participants and observers gain new insights into how a bill becomes a law.

VISIT YOUR LEGISLATOR
Make an appointment to visit your legislators and staff to thank them for their support of homeschooling. If you would like, you may show your appreciation by bringing home-made candy or cookies for Valentine's Day. For security reasons, please cover your food gifts in clear plastic wrap.

DATC Schedule
Morning Schedule:
8:30-9:00 a.m.	Registration at the Marriott Hotel
9:00-11:30 a.m.	Morning Teaching Session: -"Patrick Henry" presentation -Explanation of important bills -Guest speakers: legislators, Attorney General, Lt. Gov. -Mock General Assembly
Afternoon Schedule:
11:30 – 4:00 p.m.	-Lunch on your own -General Assembly session on closed-circuit TV -Capitol grounds scavenger hunt -Legislator visits -Capitol grounds tours* -Executive Mansion tours* -City Hall Observation Deck (beside Library of Va.) Free
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.	-Reenactment at St. John's Church** 2401 E. Broad St. at 24th Seating begins at 2:45 p.m.
Tour Information	Capitol grounds and Executive Mansion tour tickets will be available at the HEAV registration table in the Marriott Hotel. Because of limited space in each time slot, free tickets will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. *St. John's Church reenactment is limited to the first 350 guests. Seating will begin at 2:45 p.m. You must provide your own transportation to the church. Free parking is available.

OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION

Weather:
In the event of severely inclement weather (snow, ice, etc.), please check our website, or call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200, to learn the status of the event.

Babies:
While we love babies, this event is not appropriate for babies and toddlers. Business will be taking place in committee rooms and the halls of the General Assembly. The tall marble hallways amplify even happy sounds.

Dress:
Dress in business or Sunday attire. No jeans, please.

Directions:
Richmond Marriott Hotel
500 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804)-643-3400

Directions to Richmond Marriott Hotel
From Washington, D.C. and all Points North of Richmond/ I-95 Southbound:
From I-95 South take exit 74-C, which will read Broad St. (250 West). The Richmond Marriott will be nine blocks from exit 74C, on the right hand side on the corner of Broad St. and 5th St. To valet park and for directions to the surrounding parking decks, please see the directions below for all points north, south and west of Richmond.

From Charlottesville and All Points West of Richmond/I 64 Eastbound:
64 East will converge with I-95 South take exit 74C, which will read Broad St. (250 West). The Richmond Marriott will be nine blocks from exit 74C, on the right hand side on the corner of Broad St. and 5^th St. To valet park and for directions to the surrounding parking decks, please see the directions below for all points north, south and west of Richmond.

From Williamsburg and All Points East of Richmond/I 64 Westbound:
From I-64 West take exit 190, which will read 5^th Street/Coliseum exit. You will be on 5^th St. Proceed 1/3 mile and the hotel will be on the left-hand side on the corner of 5^th St. and Broad St. To valet park and for directions to the surrounding parking decks, please see the direction below for all points east of Richmond. From Petersburg and All Points South of Richmond/95 Northbound:
From North on I-95 take exit 74-C, which will read Broad St (250 West). The Richmond Marriott will be nine blocks from 74C, on the right hand side on the corner of Broad St. and 5^th St. To valet park and for directions to the surrounding parking decks, please see the directions below for all points north, south and west of Richmond.

Direction to Valet Park and Surrounding Parking Decks
For All Points North, South and West of Richmond:
For valet parking from Broad St., pull into the Marriott Entrance, which will be on the right before 5^th St. For self-parking in the parking deck, pull through the valet circle and left onto 5^th St. Turn right onto Broad Street. Go one block and turn right onto 3^rd Street. Continue on 3^rd Street one block until you get to Marshall Street and turn right. Continue up Marshall Street until you see the Parking Garage Entrance, which is on the left. From the 3^rd level of the parking deck you can access the skywalk attached to the hotel. If this deck is full, proceed down 5^th St., turn left on Marshall St. and turn right on to 6^th Street. The parking deck will be on the left hand side. Take the elevator located on the north side of the parking deck, select the 6^th St. button. Once in the lobby go right and walk down the hall and exit the building onto Marshall St. Walk down Marshall to 5^th Street and turn left. The hotel is on the left.

For All Points East of Richmond:
For valet parking from 5^th St., pull into the valet circle from the Marriott Entrance located on the left. For self-parking in the parking deck, pull through the valet circle and left onto 5^th St. Turn right onto Broad Street. Go one block and turn right onto 3^rd Street. Continue on 3^rd Street one block until you get to Marshall Street and turn right. Continue up Marshall Street until you see the Parking Garage Entrance, which is on the left. From the 3^rd level of the parking deck you can access the skywalk attached to the hotel. If this deck is full, proceed down 5^th St., turn left on Marshall St. and turn right on to 6^th Street. The parking deck will be on the left hand side. Take the elevator located on the north side of the parking deck, select the 6^th St. button. Once in the lobby go right and walk down the hall and exit the building onto Marshall St. Walk down Marshall to 5^th Street and turn left. The hotel is on the left.

Parking:

Location	Lot or Deck	Blocks from Marriott Hotel
8^th & Clay	Lot	3
Marshall & 7^th	Deck	1
Marshall & 8^th	Lot	2
10^th between Clay & Marshall	Lot	4
Grace between 6^th & 7^th	Deck	2
7^th between Leigh & Clay	Deck	3
Marshall & 5^th (best pick)	Deck	1
Jackson St. between 6^th & 7	Lot	3
5^th between Jackson & Leigh	Lot	3

Alternative Parking Map

Food:

Eatery	Location	Blocks from Capitol
Food Court	Marshall & 7^th (closest to Marriott)	4
Subway	8^th & Franklin (south side of street)	2
Padows (sandwiches)	Broad & 10^th (inside Old City Hall, 1^st floor)	1
Sun Trust Cafeteria	10^th & Main (south side of street, 3^rd floor)	3-1/2
Cup of Joes (sandwiches)	9^th near Main (east side of street, between two bldgs.)	3-1/2
Quizno’s	8^th & Main (inside LeClair Ryan Bldg.)	3-1/2
Bill’s Barbeque	Main at 7^th (east side of street)	4
Wendy’s	9^th & Cary (south side of street, inside James Center 1, with statute outside)	4-1/2
Padows (sandwiches)	Main between 10^th & 12^th (north side of street)	5
Café Ole	6^th & Main	5
JoJo Pizza	12^th & Main (south side of street)	6
Hunan East	12^th & Main (north side of street)	6
Burger King	12^th & Main	6
Subway	Main St. (between 12^th & 13^th Sts.)	6-1/2

*Bag lunches may be eaten in the Marriott Hotel conference room, but items cannot be stored in the room after 1:00 p.m.

Security: Metal detectors are now in place at the Capitol and General Assembly office buildings. To speed along the process, carry as little as possible. It would be better not to bring backpacks.

Food Gifts: Baked items for legislators and staff must be wrapped in clear plastic wrap for viewing at security check-points.

Preparation: Visit the Virginia General Assembly site at http://legis.state.va.us and select "Capitol Classroom" at the top of the home page for age-appropriate maps, games, and activities.

DIRECTIONS FOR LEAVING RICHMOND
If you are heading south, find your way back to E. Broad St. Go east to 14^th St. where you will see the entrance for I-95 South and I-64 East.

If you are heading north, northwest, or east, find your way back to E. Broad St. Go to 7^th St., which is one way heading north. Turn on 7^th St. Go five blocks until you see the entrance for I-64 and I-95.

If you are heading southwest, find your way back to E. Broad St. Go to 8^th St., which is one way heading south. Turn on 8^th St. Go five blocks to Canal St. and turn right. You will see the entrance for the Downtown Expressway on your left.

QUESTIONS?
Call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 or e-mail support@heav.org.

I look forward to having you join us for an exciting Day at the Capitol!

Yvonne Bunn