By Natalia Panfilova
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – The annual bus trip to Rockefeller Center in New York will increase the number of students this year. Two buses will bring students to New York for Christmas shopping on Dec. 7.
The campus’ corridors are filled with posters about the bus trip to New York’s Rockefeller Center. By Natalia Panfilova. CCC Journalism Program
This will be the third year students will go to New York for holiday shopping. “A lot of times we used to do a Christmas show or a play. But then tickets were starting to get crazy and we decided that students would not be able to afford it. So we decided to come up with something cheaper and more creative,” said Renee Pollard, a secretary at the Office of Student Life and Activities.
Robin Hester, a 39-year-old communications major, went to New York with other Camden County College students in 2010.
“I came there around Christmas time. The main attraction was, of course, the Christmas tree. Ice skating, mall outlets to shop … it was a lot of things to do there. Entertainment was excellent,” said Hester.
This year, the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree will not be lit for the first time until Dec. 4. That is why the bus trip is scheduled for Dec. 7.
“I think people are more interested now, because it is around the holiday season,” said Pollard. “Generally, it was at least 30 students and started with one bus. But we are taking two this year because people are really interested in going. And if people keep coming we add more buses.”
Passengers will be dropped off at Rockefeller Center and at 5:30 p.m. buses will depart from New York City. Students will have seven hours in the city, but they will have to plan how to spend the time on their own. For those who have no clue where to go, New York maps will be available.
“It`s pretty much a bus fare,” Pollard said of the cost of the trip. “I think it is reasonable. You cannot go to New York on $20.”
The bus trip to Rockefeller Center will depart on Dec.7 from three locations: Blackwood campus – 7:30 a.m., Cherry Hill campus – 7:45 a.m., Camden campus – 8:10 a.m. Buses will depart from New York at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for CCC students and $25 for the general public. For more information about the trip or to buy tickets, call: Blackwood campus, Office of Student Life and Activities, Community Center, Room 200, (856) 227-7200, ext. 4282; Camden campus, Camden Technology Center, Room 211, (856) 338-1817, ext. 1320; William G. Rohrer Center, Information Desk, (856) 874-6000, ext. 6008.