Chow Wagon plans, prepares, and serves snacks and a meal to band members, staff, and volunteers at our competitions.
What to Expect/Donation Information
A menu will be sent out toward the beginning of the week of a competition Saturday announcing the planned meal for the upcoming competition. In addition to the menu, a request for donations will be included, usually broken down by section or some other method. Items requested are generally snacks, bottled water, and desserts. Homemade items are welcome! (See important note below**.) These donations are in no way ever required; however, every item helps, no matter how big or small. Any donations are greatly appreciated and allow us to put our budgeted meal dollars toward heartier meals for our marchers. They burn a lot of calories on competition days!
Any excess or leftover items donated one week will be saved and carried over (if at all possible) for use in a following week. Please drop off your donated items in the morning on the way into practice so they can be packed into the trailer. Perishable items that cannot be frozen or held over will be offered again at the end of the night upon our arrival back at BHSN in an effort minimize waste.
Please label any containers you wish to be returned. Every effort will be made to return containers upon our return from competitions. These items will be placed on the floor of the main band room (just inside the 2nd band room door on the right when entering from the outside doors that lead directly into the band hallway). Please feel free to come in and claim your item or remind your marcher to pick them up on their way out for the night.
**IMPORTANT NOTE** This year we have a few students with egg, tree nut, and peanut allergies, one of which is severe enough to be considered life-threatening even if not ingested. We ask that anything you donate be nut-free to the best of your ability and ask your students to be very mindful if they bring their own snacks containing peanuts or peanut butter. Are there other allergies or dietary needs we do not know about? Please let me know!
At the Competition
We serve a snack as soon as we get to our destination right before the marchers must begin uniforming. Since we are generally only about 1 hour away from most of the competition sites, most kids are able to make it that long before needing something. However, we will allow store-purchased and packaged food on the buses if the kids want to bring something for the ride or need it for dietary health reasons. We do ask that marchers to be respectful of our bus drivers and not leave any trash on the bus.
We will always have a peanut butter alternative and jelly available if the kids would rather have that or if they are still hungry. We also always have vegetarian and peanut-free options on hand – just make sure your student checks with me or a volunteer to make sure they get the right stuff.
If your student would rather bring his or her own food/meal, we are happy to stow them in our coolers for the ride. Please drop off at the Chow Wagon trailer first thing in the morning on competition Saturdays.
Volunteering
Interested in volunteering? Our biggest need is people to help set up and clean up at the competition site. No need to sign up in advance – just show up at the Chow Wagon trailer and we will put you to work! Please feel free to contact Chow Wagon Chair Lisa Mann with any questions or concerns & THANK YOU for being a part of the Cougar Band family!!