Everything You Wanted to Know About Affirm

EVERYTHING YOU’VE WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT AFFIRM 2010 BUT DIDN’T THINK TO ASK!

For Parents and Participants

WHEN IS AFFIRM?

AFFIRM 2010 begins on Sunday, June 20 with registration from 2:00-4:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time and concludes on Friday, June 25 at 12:00 pm. LUNCH WILL NOT BE PROVIDED

LATE ARRIVAL OR EARLY DEPARTURE OF YOUR CHILD?

Youth ARE EXPECTED to attend the ENTIRE event. Late arrival or early departure of youth disrupts the small group and unit experience for your youth as well as the others in the group/unit. If you have questions, please contact the Director, Rachel Alley prior to the event at 770-235-7339 to discuss the situation. Your local pastor or youth director cannot make this decision, nor can the registrar.

WHERE IS AFFIRM?

AFFIRM 2010 will be held on the campus of Berry College - 2277 Martha Berry Hwy NW • Mount Berry, GA 30149 • (706) 232 5374

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

• Any missing information and remaining deposit and the $40 room key deposit
• Walking shoes – lots of walking
• RAIN GEAR! Must have!
• The area is flat so YOU MAY WEAR OPEN TOE SHOES! YES open toe shoes are ALLOWED! But walking – lots of walking!
• Pillow
• Linens or sleeping bag- you will have a single bed
• Bible
• POSITIVE ATTITUDE
• Pencil and notebook
• Towels and washcloth
• Lightweight blanket
• Casual clothing (please refer to dress guidelines below)
• Swimsuit
• Light jacket for cool evening and cold rooms
• SMILES, SMILES and MORE SMILES
• Watch and Alarm Clock
• Toiletries and any medications that are needed
• Optional items: camera, hangers, musical instruments, flashlight, athletic equipment, munchies
• Athletic shoes if you plan to participate in the Fun Run or other such activities
• Spending money (see ”What Monies Should I Bring”)

GUIDELINES FOR APPROPRIATE AFFIRM DRESS

The AFFIRM community guidelines state that each participant will “assume full responsibility for your own behavior by: demonstrating maturity by wearing clothing that is appropriate for the Christ-centered event at all times.” With input from the Administrative Staff and Unit Directors, please note this includes:

1. Opened toed shoes are allowed – LOTS OF WALKING – Bring good walking shoes!

2. Shirts that completely cover your front, back, and mid-section

3. Shirts with straps that are at least two-fingers wide

4. Shorts and skirts that come at least to your mid-thigh

5. No clothing with inappropriate pictures/graphics or words/phrases

WHEN WILL I GET MY ASSIGNMENT FOR MY ROOM AND MY ROOMMATE?

When you register at the event, you will be given a room assignment and the name of your roommate. You will also be given a key to your room for security purposes. Be responsible for that key so that you will get your key deposit returned at checkout time. The AFFIRM staff will be housed in the dorms along with the youth.

WHAT MONIES SHOULD I BRING?

1. The balance for registration and your key/nametag deposit as listed on your confirmation letter.

2. Money for snacks - Three meals a day are included with the registration fee however you might want to bring extra cash for snacks, sodas, pizza, that will be sold during various free time. There are also snack vending machines located in each of the dorms.

3. Money for offering for Lutheran Disaster Response (see below)

4. Money for souvenirs

SILVER WARS

We are having a friendly little competition between the units called “Silver War” to raise money for Lutheran Disaster Response for the Alabama Tornadoes and the Tennessee Floods. You might have heard of “Penny wars”, well here is how Silver War works… Bring all your change and dollars you want to donate to LDR. Your unit will have a jar for you to put “silver” money in, dimes, nickels, and quarters! The more “silver” you have in your unit’s jar, the more points your unit will receive. BUT…you can put dollars, fives, tens, and pennies in other unit’s jars and a point will be taken away for anything other than “silver.” Sound fun?? Last year we gave $1002 to Lutheranch from our donation jars. We’re hoping to top that this year for LDR! So, bring your silver!

OTHER OPTIONAL ACTIVIES THAT MAY REQUIRE SOME PREPARATION FROM YOU

Talent Show – The AFFIRM community talent show - If you’re ready to showcase your talent bring what you need and listen for details Sunday night.

Fun Run – Thursday morning – don’t forget to bring your running shoes!

Volleyball Tournament – Bring your team spirit and get ready to play!

HOW CAN I CONTACT MY CHILD?

1. If you have an emergency you can call the cell phones of Rachel Alley @770-235-7339 or Sarah Smith@ 615-428-9634. If you do not get an answer from either of these numbers during the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm you may call 706-236-2209. This is the office of Berry College and they will get a message to the AFFIRM staff. Please let them know the urgency of the message. If it is after 5:00PM CDT, and you do not get an answer on either cell phone numbers, call the Public Safety Office at 706-236-2262 and have them locate the AFFIRM Director Rachel Alley. Please call Rachel or Sarah first!

2. If you child has a cell phone with them, remember they are not allow to use them during Unit and Community events.

3. If your child does not have a cell phone with them, you need to know there are NO phones in the rooms, so your child will have to call from one of the public phones located in the lobbies of the dorms. They will need a phone credit card number or your own 1-800 number.

MEDICAL EMERGENCIES?

We have trained medical personnel on the AFFIRM staff. Should an emergency arise or your child needs to be seen by a doctor, you will be notified by phone at home, work or your cell phone. The bill for the medical visit will be the parents’ responsibility, along with your insurance. Please be sure that we receive any changes in your insurance information. We must have a copy of your insurance card or all your insurance numbers. If you do not have health insurance we MUST have your Social Security number.

MEDICATIONS?

Your child will be responsible for his or her own medications unless you indicate on the registration form that you would like your child’s medication to be administered by the medical staff. If assistance is needed, please have your child talk with the medical staff at registration (located next to the registrar), and they will assist your child throughout the week. If there has been any change in your child’s medical history since your child has registered, please present a signed note to the Medical staff during registration, so it can be attached to your child’s medical form on file.