New York Summer Conference

Frequently Asked Questions

2010 Conference Dates:
Thu July 1 - Mon July 5
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

Registration & Checkout

What do we need to do when we get to the Hofstra University campus?
Go to Sondra and David S Mack Student Center (Building #31 on the Hofstra Campus Map), by the "Clock Tower" to rooms 143 and 145 to register/check-in upon your arrival.
If I am planning on commuting to and from the conference, do I still need to register?
Yes. Commuters are also required to register.
What if I arrive during non-registration hours or after registration hours are over?
Please print out a copy of the schedule and attend the appropriate meetings. For meals, you can talk to OUR (not Hofstra's) dining services manager usually standing at the front of the meal line and let them know you arrived but have not yet checked in yet. If there is a possibility you know you will arrive after registration hours are over, please inform our registration team ahead of time to make arrangements.
Why is the New York Summer Conference not accepting walk-ins anymore?
We need to provide Hofstra (in advance) with an accurate count of beds and meals required for the Conference. It also minimizes confusion for the registration team, which ultimately benefits you.
What items do we need to bring for registration?
- Bring your confirmation letter.
- Bring your signed Liability Release Waiver if you have not previously sent it in.
- Bring a $40 deposit for dorm keys.*
* This will be refunded to you upon return of the keys at the end of the conference. If you lose your keys, you will be required to give another $40 for replacement which will be returned to you when you give back your keys. However, you will NOT receive the first $40 for the pair you lost.
What will you be given at Registration?
You will be given a dorm room key, a handbook, a meal/key card, and a colored wristband.

Do not remove the colored wristband. There is a replacement fee for a new one.

If you lose your meal/key card, there is a $10 replacement fee. (The meal card also serves as a key to the main entrance of your dorms.)
What is the purpose of the wristband?
The wristband identifies you as having registered with this conference. Without it, you will be denied access to all workshops and meetings.
What is the checkout process?
Remove all of your belongings from the room. Put sheets, pillowcase, blanket, and towels in a pile on your bed. Go to the Registration area to return your key and receive your deposit back and sign out.

Express Checkout: Drop your keys in any New York Summer Conference offering box. Your key deposit will automatically be donated to the conference.

Medical

Due to the H1N1 flu situation, and in order to be responsible to all the attendees, please abide by the following public health precautions for this conference: If you have flu symptoms and fever with 7 days prior to the conference starting date (i.e. after June 24)), please don't come to the conference. We will refund your registration fee upon receipt of your notice.

During the confderence, if you have flu symptoms and fever, please contact our medical assistance personnel and/or co-workers at once.

Where is the first aid kit?
The first aid kit is located at the hospitality desk which is located at the rear of each main meeting hall. There will be one at the playing fields during free time.
What do we do if there is a medical emergency?
Notify a small group leader or any staff immediately. If none are available, call Hofstra Campus Security (ext 3-6606 from any campus phone or 516-463-6606) immediately.
Are there any pharmacies or supermarkets nearby?
These stores are at the other side of the Hofstra campus and the Hofstra gift store in the Student Center. (Hofstra gift store is closed on July 4th and Sunday)

Dorms

New Youth Policy: Attendees up to those going into 9th grade this September will need to stay with their parents at night. Your small group leader will make arrangements with you to meet for the morning group devotions and evening small group meetings.

If my dorm room is in poor condition (broken bulb, missing mattress, etc) what do I do?
You can call the Hofstra Hospitality Desk. (3-6925 from any campus phone). You can also let our own New York Summer Conference Hospitality Team know (they are located in the rear of each meeting hall. If the room is in really bad condition, please inform registration.
What items/toiletries are available in each dorm room?
Two towels, a pillow, blanket, and 2 sheets are provided for each guest. Feel free to bring your own. Each room has a chair, desk, bed, and closet per person. If it is a double room, there will be 2 of each.
What is the curfew?
For all tower residents (this includes all youth and undergraduate college students), you must be in the dorm building by 11:00PM. Lights out is at 12:00 Midnight.
Why is there curfew?
We set a curfew time so that those who want to rest early can do so without being disturbed. Also, so that you may be well rested and ready to receive God's message the next day.
Are there any facilities for the handicapped in the dorm buildings?
The bathrooms have shower and toilet stalls for the handicapped. Each dorm building also has an elevator. Please indicate on the registration form if you require special accommodations.

May I switch rooms?

No. Rooms are assigned and cannot be switched. If there is something wrong with the room (unliveable condition) please let registration know. If there is a particular situation, please let your small group leader know who will contact one of our staff.

Where are the showers and rest rooms?
There are 2 bathrooms with 2 showers and 2 toilet stalls on on each floor of the towers. Each suite-style room has it's own bathroom.
Are there pay phones?
Pay phones are available in the lobby of each dorm building and in the Student Center.
What if I forget to bring a toothbrush or other toiletries?
Toiletries can be obtained at the Hospitality Table located in the rear of each meeting hall.
Is there climate control in each room?
Yes, the air conditioning can be controlled in each dorm room. The climate control knob is located in the vents by the windows.

Money Matters

What is the breakdown of the total cost?
Please see the registration page for the updated total cost and cost breakdowns.

Donations: Under the current U.S. tax law, any one-time donation greater than $250.00 to charity organization will need a receipt issued by that organization along with your return check when claiming tax deductible contribution. Any meal and lodging expenses, which benefit you, should be excluded from charity donation. Please refer to our daily meal/lodging cost guidelines (on registration page) and exclude the proper amount that applies to you on your Donation Receipt application. (You can find these by the offering boxes.)
Where are the offering boxes?
The offering boxes are at the back of the main meeting rooms and at registration during checkout.
What forms of payment are accepted?
We cannot accept credit cards. Make checks or money orders payable to the New York Summer Conference. Cash is also an acceptable form of payment.
I will be commuting to the conference (not staying in the dorms). How much do I pay?
As a commuter, you must still register for the conference and pay the $80 registration fee. The rest is given on a free will offering basis.
Is there an ATM machine nearby?
An ATM is in the Student Center by the Hofstra Information Desk.
How much money do I need to bring?
A $40 deposit is required for dorm keys. This will be refunded to you upon return of the keys at the end of the conference. If you lose your keys, you will be required to put another $40 deposit down. If you lose your meal/key card, you will be required to pay a $10 replacement fee. There may also be books, bibles, music cds, cds of the messages, and t-shirts available for purchase.
What if I lose my keys?
If you lose your keys, you will be required to give another $40 for a replacement which will be returned to you when you give back your keys. However, you will NOT receive the first $40 for the pair you lost.

Meetings and Workshops

How do I know where meetings and workshops take place?
College & Career Main Meetings will take place in the Student Theater.

Youth Main Meetings will take place in the Student Center Multipurpose Room.

Room changes for workshops would be posted by the New York Summer Conference Hospitality Table located in the rear of each meeting hall. Also listen for announcements being made by the meeting directors at the beginning or closing of a meeting for room changes.
Are we allowed to switch from workshop to workshop?
No. Workshops are designed so that they are consecutive for 3 days. Please stay with the workshop you are assigned for at the time you check in. There is limited space for each workshop.
are we allowed to switch from the College/Career meeting to the Youth meeting or vice versa?
Switching is not allowed. NOTE: high school seniors have the option to attend either the Youth or the College/Career meetings. The choice must be made when you register.
Are messages available for purchase?
Yes, to purchase them, you must fill out an order form available at the Hospitality table located in the back of each meeting hall or use the one in your handbook. Place the form and payment in an envelope, seal it and place it in the offering box.
We would like to speak individually with the speakers. How can that be arranged?
Most of the speakers are staying on the Hofstra campus. You can catch them after meetings or during meal times.

Meals

I lost my meal/key card. Where can I get a replacement?
First, check New York Summer Conference Hospitality Table to see if the card is there. If not, check with the Dining Services Manager (usually at the front of the meal line during mealtimes) to see if they have picked it up, Otherwise, you will have to go to Registration and pay $10 for a new replacement meal/key card.
My doctor placed me on a strict diet. From whom can I get more information about the food?
The Dining Services Manager, has the menu information. You will find them near the cash register during meal times.

Children

Is babysitting service offered during the conference?
You must make arrangements BEFORE the conference begins for babysitting services. Please contact registration.

The schedule for babysiting adheres to the Mandarin Conference schedule (9:15am-12:15pm; 3:30-5:30pm; 7:15-9:20pm).

Your child will need a wristband (given when you register) to participate in the following:
- Children ages 2 and under: Babysitting
- Children ages 3-4: Sunday School (given only in Mandarin)
- Children ages 5-12: Program given by Child Evangelism Fellowship
Please contact the conference coordinator if you need more information.
What program is available for youth over the age of 12?
Youth over the age of 12 (as of the first day of the conference) should register for the ENGLISH YOUTH program. They will be assigned a small group of the same age and gender. Small groups meet twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Please see the youth schedule for specific times: YOUTH Schedule
What are the living arrangements like for my children over 12 attending the ENGLISH YOUTH program?
New Youth Policy: Attendees up to those going into 9th grade this September will need to stay with their parents at night. Living arrangements for the English youth (those going into 10th grade this September and older) are separate from families. They will be on the same floor with their age group and gender specific peers as well as 2 small group leaders. Parents who would like their children to live with them must indicate so on the registration form and ensure that their children be on time for all youth programs and small group times. Please see the schedule here: YOUTH Schedule.