HEAV Day at the Capitol FAQs

Richmond, Virginia
Thursday, April 8, 2010

Note: Day at the Capitol is now full, and registration has closed. Click here to be put on a waiting list.

Cancelations? Questions? If you have questions or need to cancel or change a reservation, please call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 or e-mail support@heav.org. Please do NOT try to cancel or change your reservation online.

Help Those on the Waiting List!
If you cannot attend, please be sure to call or e-mail the office to cancel your reservation--we have many wait-listed who would love the opportunity to attend Day at the Capitol.

Make your study of Virginia government and history come alive! Teach your children how our government works, and make a significant impact on the Virginia General Assembly. Join homeschoolers from all areas of the Commonwealth for HEAV Day at the Capitol. This HEAV-sponsored event is open to all homeschoolers!

WHEN IS DAY AT THE CAPITOL?
The 2010 HEAV Day at the Capitol is scheduled for Thursday, April 8.

WHERE SHOULD I GO?
Come to the Library of Virginia in Richmond at the corner of 9th and Broad streets. Click here for directions. For a map of downtown Richmond, click here. Day at the Capitol will begin with registration and a presentation in the library amphitheater on the first floor. You will also receive a schedule for the day and last-minute instructions.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
Red Tour: Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. for the Red Tour, and the program begins at 9 a.m.

Blue Tour: Registration begins at 9:30 for the Blue Tour, and the program begins at 10 a.m.

Both tours include the same programs. You can stand inside the library foyer to wait to register. Tour tickets and maps will be available after you register.

WHERE CAN I PARK?
Parking garages are located nearby ($6-12/day). Arrive early to get a space and allow time to walk to the Library of Virginia. Remember, you will be arriving in the early-morning rush hour; please allow extra time. Check here for a list of garages.

WHO SHOULD COME?
School-age children are best suited for Day at the Capitol. We love babies, but this event is not appropriate for very young children. The 2010 legislative session will have ended, but business is still ongoing, and baby noises echo in the hallways.

WHAT SHOULD WE WEAR?
Dress in business attire or your Sunday best. No jeans, please. Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes. Dress appropriately for weather conditions.

WHAT'S THE AGENDA FOR THE DAY?
The schedule will be released closer to the event--if you have registered, you will receive a link by e-mail before the event.

WILL WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH SECURITY?
Yes, metal detectors are now in place at the Capitol, General Assembly office buildings, and the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court suggests you arrive 15 to 30 minutes early in order to be processed through security. All bags and coats will be put through a scanner. To speed along the process at all security checks, carry as little as possible.

WHAT WILL WE DO?

Pick up Capitol grounds maps, tour schedules, and restaurant locations.
Hear a review of homeschool legislation and issues during the 2010 session.
Listen to an elected official share current events.
Tour the newly renovated Capitol and/or Executive Mansion.
Go on a fun state Capitol-grounds scavenger hunt with your child.
Learn how laws are passed by participating in the General Assembly Chamber Presentation or observing the process from the gallery.

WHAT IS THE COST?

$20 per HEAV member family, plus $5 for each non-family member.
$25 per each homeschool family, plus $5 for each non-family member. ALL homeschoolers are welcome!

WHAT ABOUT ADVANCE RESERVATIONS?
Space is limited to the first 500 participants who pre-register. Day at the Capitol is now full, and registration has closed. Click here to be put on a waiting list.

If you have questions or need to cancel or change a reservation, please call the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 or e-mail support@heav.org. Please do NOT try to cancel or change your reservation online.

WHAT ABOUT GROUP RESERVATIONS?
We may be able to accommodate a group if space allows. Please call the HEAV office with the number of students, their ages, and the type of group you will be bringing.

WHAT TOURS AND ACTIVIES ARE AVAILABLE?

The Chamber Presentation is a highlight of Day at the Capitol. Students and parents can sit in the House or Senate chamber at the desk of a senator or delegate and pass or defeat a mock bill. As the process is explained by General Assembly staff, participants will debate, then vote on the bill.
Tour Virginia's Capitol, which was designed by Thomas Jefferson. The Capitol has been newly renovated and includes a Visitor’s Center with historical artifacts and Meriwether’s Capitol Café.
Visit the Executive Mansion. You may even meet Virginia's First Lady walking through the hallway--we did a few years ago!
Tour the Virginia Supreme Court and learn its history and purpose. This is an excellent educational presentation.
Visit the Museum of the Confederacy and participate in homeschool programs: a White House tour and Life on the Home Front. The museum has arranged a discounted rate of $3 and $5 per person depending on your choice of one or both programs. Admission includes all exhibits. Children under 5 are free. Reservations are required. Call Sean Kane at 804-649-1861, ext. 22. See more information here.
Go up to the FREE City Hall Observation Deck to see an unforgettable view of downtown Richmond. The deck is located on Broad Street across from the Capitol.
Go on a fun Capitol-grounds scavenger hunt with your children!

HOW DO I SCHEDULE OUR TOURS?
HEAV has arranged the tours. Tickets will be dispersed on a first-come, first-served basis at the Library of Virginia when you arrive. Everyone can participate in the Chamber Presentation. There are a limited number of tickets for all other events due to space limitations at the tour sites. Be sure to arrive early! There will be a line for each tour event. You may not be able to go on all tours, so plan to pick and choose the things best suited for the ages of your children.

WHAT ARE THE TOUR TIMES?
Tours are scheduled according to the museum's or agency's availability. Numbers are limited based on the size of the facility. Due to these limitations, families will not be able to attend all tours. You will receive a more detailed tour listing closer to the event in order to help you plan your day.

HOW WILL WE GET TO THE TOURS?
All events and tours are on the Capitol grounds or within walking distance of the Capitol.

ARE THE TOURS AND EVENTS HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE?
All government buildings are handicap accessible. Ramps and elevators are available to convey visitors with special needs to the original 1788 Capitol and 1906 wings. Please contact our office to make us aware of any special needs.

CAN I BRING MY CAMERA?
Cameras and photography are permitted, but photos must be taken while remaining with your group.

WHAT ABOUT LUNCH?
You can find a list of restaurants here. For your convenience, Meriwether's Capitol Café at the Visitor's Center will provide boxed lunches for parents and children. You may pre-order from the lunch menu with a credit card. The lunch order deadline is Friday, April 2!

If you plan to bring a bag lunch, House Room #3 in the Capitol Visitor's Center is available for your use during lunch. You can also watch a tape of the General Assembly session on closed-circuit television in Room #3.

HOW CAN I PREPARE MY STUDENTS?
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.

IF THE WEATHER IS BAD, WILL YOU CANCEL?
Lord willing, Day at the Capitol will go on as scheduled. If it rains, please bring an umbrella to walk between buildings. Most events are inside. Check our website at www.heav.org for special announcements.

CAN I GET A REFUND IF I CAN'T ATTEND?
The deadline for a refund is Friday, April 2, 2010. There will be a $3 processing fee. Call our office at 804-278-9200 to cancel.

IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND, PLEASE LET US KNOW AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN ALLOW ANOTHER WAIT-LISTED FAMILY TO ATTEND. Even if it is at the last minute, please let us know--we can still invite another family!

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M ON THE WAITING LIST?
If space becomes available, we will move you from the waiting list to the attendee list and notify you by e-mail as soon as possible. At the latest, we will contact you the day before the event.

CAN I HELP?
Yes, we need two or three families with teens to help during registration! If you could volunteer for about an hour during registration, we would greatly appreciate it. You will not miss any of the events. Please contact Yvonne Bunn at support@heav.org for more information.

WILL I GET MORE DETAILS?
If you registered for Day at the Capitol, keep an eye on your inbox. All the details--directions, parking, tours, lunch, where to meet, what to wear, etc.--will be sent by e-mail!