Things Parents should know about the Central States Rotary Youth Exchange 2017 Summer Conference

 

Dear Rotary Youth Exchange Parent,

This is one of the most exciting weekends you will ever spend with your son and/or daughter. There are several helpful things to know about how the weekend is structured for you to maximize the benefit this conference offers.

The focus of the weekend is on our Outbound students... those who will be leaving for other parts of the world in August! The main objective of the weekend is to finish the preparation that has been done in the individual district to prepare these "outbounds" for their year abroad. It is also a wonderful opportunity for returning students to properly orient themselves for the sometimes difficult task of returning to their native culture. There will be in excess of one thousand people (last year’s attendance was over 1,200)!

Things to Remember:

  • Grand Rapids is on Eastern Daylight Time in July.
  • All Rotary Youth Exchange students MUST stay on campus. As a parent, to get the full benefit of the weekend, you should also plan to stay on campus. However, as a parent, you need to know that along with the extremely reasonable fee ($10.00 per person per day), there are certain adjustments to living in college dormitories (see below).
  • The official opening ceremony begins Friday at 12:45p.m. You do not want to miss this. Many parents find this one of their favorite parts of the weekend. However, approximately 600 people arrive the day before, on Thursday afternoon. We have no official functions Thursday evening, but there will be swimming and a party for early-arriving students, with food and beverages. If you're coming from many hours away, I suggest you plan to arrive Thursday evening and "beat the crowds."
  • Primary registration time is Thursday from 10:00am to 8:00pm and Friday morning from 8:30-12:15pm. Signs will direct you once you get to campus.
  • This weekend is extremely full; however, we have provided critical “break times” for each group. The various groups are: outbound students, rebound students, inbound students, outbound parents, and rebound parents. We have planned interaction for all groups. We feel that each scheduled session has definite value, and therefore encourage you to attend and participate. The information presented is the result of 30 years of input by the students and responses of the parents who have been there.
  • At the conclusion of the conference, you will be given a parents questionnaire. This is your chance to give your final input as to how the conference has done in terms of preparing your son/daughter to either spend a year abroad or, in the rebound’s case, assimilate back into his/her native culture. We rely heavily on these to prepare for future conferences. So please take the time to fill them out.
  • I encourage you to bring a pen and keep it with you at all times. You will meet new friends that you will want to stay in touch with in the future, so make sure you get their phone number or email address. There are places in the back of the program booklet to do this - or you can put it in your smartphone!

 

Top 11 Adjustments to living in a dormitory:

  1. You will be sharing a bathroom. College dorm rooms are arranged such that there is a two-person room on either side of one bathroom. You simply close the opposite door when you enter the bathroom. There are no locks on bathroom doors.
  2. There is no air conditioning. Consider bringing a window fan. Grand Rapids can be hot in July. Fans can also be rented at the desk in each dorm if you forget to bring yours at a rate of $1.00 per day plus a $5.00 fan deposit fee.
  3. You will be asked to make a $20.00 (USD) cash deposit for each room key at check-in. This is refunded on Sunday morning at check-out.
  4. All bed linens, towels, and soap are provided. (Suggest bringing extra towels, fitted twin sheet, and extra soaps)
  5. You will have no phone or TV in your room, however there is a small kitchenette close by (down the hall), with a refrigerator and microwave. This serves 10-20 rooms. These are rarely used by our people, but they are there. You may have internet access available, but it is not guaranteed.
  6. There are soft drink machines in the lobbies of the dorms or in the basements.
  7. Per Michigan state law, there is no smoking in the dorms or any buildings on campus at any time. There is a small area in the center of campus designated as a smoking area.
  8. The dorms are secured (locked) at the designated curfew time each night, with no entry or exit.
  9. Ninety percent of parents stay on campus. It is up to you. If you feel a local hotel would better accommodate you please feel free to make your own reservation or we have a limited room block held until June 18th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Grand Rapids Airport
  10. Parents room in separate dorms from their students.
  11. There is a $50.00 dollar charge for damaging the window screen in your dorm room.

Keep this information handy and review it before you come to Grand Rapids.

We look forward to seeing you all at this year’s conference.