• 3 to 6 Months Before High Seas Expedition
• 2 to 3 Months Before High Seas Expedition
• 8 Weeks Before High Seas Expedition
• 4 Weeks Before High Seas Expedition
• 2 Weeks Before High Seas Expedition
• 1 Week Before High Seas Expedition
• During High Seas Expedition
• After Your High Seas Expedition

1 Week Before High Seas Expedition

Assign kids to Crews.
Using VBS P.R.O., to easily set up Crews. If you're not using VBS Pro, photocopy the "Crew Roster" page from the Ultimate Director Go-To Guide. You'll need one roster for each Crew. Using the preregistration forms you've received, assign children to elementary and preschool Crews. Each Crew should have no more than five children and one adult or teenage Crew Leader. Be sure that each preschool Crew has a mix of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old boys and girls.

• If a child is bringing a friend, assign the two children to the same Crew, if possible. If a child is bringing several friends, assign pairs of kids to different Crews.
• In general, it works best to assign siblings to different Crews. However, you know the children in your parish. Use your judgment as to whether siblings should be together.
• If you anticipate behavior problems with certain children or have children with special needs, assign them to Crews that have more experienced adult Crew Leaders.
• If you have children who are particularly helpful or cooperative, assign them to Crews that have teenage Crew Leaders.
• If you want your program to have a strong outreach emphasis, limit each Crew to three children. Then encourage kids to fill their Crews by bringing their friends.
• Remember to leave open spaces in a few Crews for kids who haven't preregistered. Your goal is to make sure each Crew contains only five children.
• After you've assigned elementary-age children to Crews, assign each Crew to one of four larger groups.
  (Remember, one-fourth of the kids at High Seas travel together at a time.) Label these four groups A, B, C, and D—or use your creativity to name them something that fits the High Seas Expedition theme, such as Sea Gulls, Tidal Waves, or Sailors. Crews travel with their larger groups as they visit the stations each day. For more information about assigning Crews to groups, see the Ultimate Director Go-To Guide.
• Once you've finished assigning Crews, double-check that you haven't forgotten anyone or double-booked anyone.

Meet with Station Leaders again.
Check with leaders to make sure they have all the required supplies, and answer any questions they may have. Work together to smooth out any last-minute details.

Decide when and where Station Leaders and Crew Leaders will meet each day.
It's a good idea to have your staff arrive early on Day 1 to greet children and assist with registration. Be sure each Crew Leader has a large sign with his or her Crew number or Crew name written on it.

Help Station Leaders decorate their rooms.
Use the decorating ideas found in the colorful High Seas catalog or leader packs to turn your parish into an exciting ship that's headed for oceans of adventure. (Be sure to check out groupoutlet.com for the hottest decorations around... at bargain prices!)