Please visit the NFTY Convention Travel Page at http://www.nfty.org/convention/travel for detailed information about:
Travel by Regional Bus
Travel by Airplane
Travel by Train (including the 'NFTY Train')
Travel by Car
Travel Equalization Reimbursement
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What are the accommodations like at the NFTY Convention?
Our hotel is the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on the Potomac. There will be three (3) to four (4) participants assigned to each hotel room. In some instances, participants will be sharing a queen or king sized bed with another participant.
Do I need to make my own hotel reservations?
No. Hotel accomodations are included in the registration fees. Participants will be placed in housing by our youth division staff.
Am I guaranteed that I will be housed with my friends?
As indicated during registration, you will be able to request three roommates. We will do our best to accomodate your requests. However, please note that housing is based on many factors, including if the request was mutual.
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What kind of clothes should I pack for NFTY Convention?
Most of the event is casual. Participants should bring jeans, sweaters, close-toed shoes, and clothing for sleeping.
Shabbat: Please bring appropriate clothing for Shabbat. Men should wear khakis or nice pants, nice shirts, sweaters, and nice shoes. Coats and ties are optional, but suggested. Women should wear nice shirts, sweaters, khakis, nice pants and/or skirts and nice shoes. Skirts and dresses are optional, but suggested.
Closing Night Banquet: There will be a final celebratory banquet on Monday evening. The dress is semi-formal, so plan to dress accordingly.
Outerwear - REQUIRED: We will be leaving the hotel during the convention and will be spending time outdoors. Washington in February will be cold. All participants are required to have a warm coat, hat and gloves. Be sure to check the forecast before packing. For current weather information for Washington, please visit http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/local/USDC0001.
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What kind of supervision will be in place during NFTY Convention?
The entire URJ Youh Division staff, including Regional NFTY Advisors and URJ Camp Directors and Assistant Directors, along with a team of college-age resident advisors will be on-site to oversee the health and safety of participants throughout the conference. A system will be in place so that participants will have direct contact with our staff so that their needs can be met.
What security measures will be in place to insure the safety of participants?
As in all of our programs, health and safety is our foremost concern. Hotel and NFTY security will be on duty 24 hours a day supervising all access to the hotel. All participants and staff will be required wear identification badges at all times.
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I take daily medications - do you collect and hold them during NFTY Convention?
We do not collect medications for distribution. Participants will need to take responsibility for their medication.
What kind of Medical Care will be available to participants?
We will have a medical doctor and registered nurse on site during the entire Convention if you need immediate medical attention. In the event of an emergency, our URJ staff will be on call to take participants to nearby area hospitals or medical facilities.
If you are not well just prior to the Convention or if you have been exposed to any communicable disease within 3 weeks of the Convention, you must inform the URJ Youth Division staff at nftyconvention@urj.org.
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Who is eligible to attend NFTY Convention? How old do you need to be to participate?
NFTY Convention is open to high school students in grades 9-12 who are members of Union for Reform Judaism affiliated congregations or temple youth group.
What is the deadline for registering for NFTY Convention?
After January 5, 2009, all registration is on a space-available basis only.
What is the cost of NFTY Convention?
The registration fees for all participants are as follows:
The registration fees for all participants are as follows:
Regular Registration
(Must be registered and
paid in full by January 5th, 2009.) |
| $985.00 USD |
- These fees DO NOT include the cost of travel to and from Washington, D.C.
- All fees include a non-refundable $75.00 deposit in order to reserve your space for NFTY Convention.
- After January 5, 2009, all registration is on a space-available basis only.
- Based on current exchange rates, there are no Canadian rates for 2009.
What is your refund and/or cancellation policy?
All cancellations must be in writing. We will accept cancellations by e-mail. We're sorry, but we cannot accept cancellations over the phone. Until January 9, 2007, a full refund will be given minus the $75.00 non-refundable registration deposit. After January 5, 2009, you will be refunded all but a $325.00 cancellation fee. This fee is required in order for us to cover our contractual obligations to the hotel. After February 2, 2009, we will not be able to issue any refunds for cancellation. If you have a documented medical emergency and you must cancel after February 2, 2009, you will be refunded all but the $325.00 cancellation fee. Refunds will be sent out approximately six weeks after the conclusion of the convention.
I am only able to come to NFTY Convention for part of the event. Can I come for part of the event? Can I receive a prorated price only for the days I can attend?
All participants are expected to participate in the entire convention. If you need to arrive late or leave early, we will work to accommodate your request. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to/from the airport and will not be chaperoned by NFTY staff. We do not prorate registration fees for any registrants. Due to commitments to our hotel for food, beverage, sleeping rooms and other convention costs, our fees are set at a full package rate. All requests to arrive late/depart early must be sent in writing to nftyconvention@urj.org and must be approved by Nicole Rand, Assistant Director of Youth Programs.
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Are there scholarships available from NFTY/URJ Youth Division for NFTY Convention?
We are happy to announce that NFTY has a very limited number of need-based partial scholarships available for NFTY Convention participants. Working in conjunction with congregations, with NFTY-Regions and with community support, we want to help as many NFTYites as possible participate in NFTY Convention. Click here for more information or to apply!
How should I pay for NFTY Convention if I am seeking scholarship assistance?
You may register and pay for NFTY Convention using our online registration even if you are receiving scholarship assistance. Please visit our NFTY Convention Scholarship Page at http://www.nfty.org/convention/details/scholarships for step by step instructions about how to register and pay for NFTY Convention.
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Am I allowed to leave the NFTY Convention in the middle and return if I have family/friends in the area that I wish to visit?
No. Our policy is that participants fully participate in the entire program as indicated in our NFTY Brit Kehillah - Code of Conduct.
Are people allowed to visit me in the Hotel? Am I allowed to visit people in Washington DC during the Convention?
No. Our policy is that there are no guests allowed unless authorized by Nicole Rand, Assistant Director of Youth Programs and all unauthorized guests will be asked to leave immediately.
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Do you provide meal options for vegetarians and participants who keep kosher?
Our meals will be kosher style. If meat is being served, there will be a vegetarian option. Please be certain that you choose this meal option when you compelte your registration. There are non-dairy meal options available for participants at every meal.
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Do I need to bring spending money with me to NFTY Convention?
You may want to bring some money with you to buy snacks, hotel gift shop items or souvenirs. All of your meals will be covered in your registration fee for the convention. There will also be opportunities for shopping at the NFTY Shuk which sells NFTY North American and Regional merchandise. We will post a preview of items and prices on the NFTY Convention website prior to the event. Participants will also have the opportunity to purchase Jewish books and music from our URJ Books and Music partners.
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