2011 SEMP - Frequently Asked Questions
Dates and Deadlines (PENDING for 2011)
What are the dates of SEMP?
Monday, June 27th through Saturday, July 2nd, 2011
What are the registration deadlines?
Early Bird - application submitted by March 25, 2011; Regular - application submitted by May 6, 2011
What is the last day to register for SEMP?
May 27, 2011
Registration
How does our group register for the SEMP event?
Registration for SEMP is online this year. Registration opens in January.
Step 1: Group Coordinator will register the group. Information needed for the group application is group/church name, address, city, state, zip, phone, fax, church website, group coordinator's name, and group coordinator's email address.
Step 2: Group Coordinator will receive an email confirming the group's application along with a special link for their participants to submit their individual applications.
Step 3: Group Coordinator will email each participant the link to complete their application.
Step 4: Participants will complete the online application using the special link. Information needed for the individual online application includes: participant's name, email address, participant type (leader, coordinator, student), birthday, grade level, roomate choice (up to 2), home phone, cell phone (leader's only), gender, emergency contact name, relationship, emergency phone number, prior SEMP experience, t-shirt size, health insurance carrier, health insurance phone number, health insurance plan/group number, medical concerns.
Step 5: The Group Coordinator will receive an invoice for the non-refundable deposit for their estimated participants. This invoice must be paid within 5 business days to hold your group's reservations. Please note that the date of submission of the participant's application determines their registration cost (Early Bird, Regular, Late) not the group's deposit payment.
Step 6: Group Coordinator will receive a final statement listing all participants with trip cost on May 13, 2011. Final balances will be do on or before May 27, 2011.
How will the participant know if their application was accepted?
After submission of the participant's application online, they will receive a confirmation email that we have received their application. If they receive this email, it is assumed their application is accepted.
Can I receive paper registration forms instead?
No, all registrations are online this year. If you have a participant who does not have access to a computer and/or internet for submitting their application, they can call our office at 309-807-2459 and we can help them complete the application process.
What if a participant registers on the last day of a registration rate?
For example, if Sally submits her application on March 25 (the last day for Early Bird Registration), she will qualify for early bird rate.
Trip Costs and Raising Money
What is the trip cost?
Early Bird Registration: TBD; Regular Registration: TBD; Late Registration: TBD. We are anticipating at over 750 attendees this year so late registrations will be based on availability. Late registrations will incur additional fees.
What does the cost include?
Preparation packet, event training in apologetics, evangelism and outreach, 5 nights campus lodging, meal package (4 breakfasts - Tuesday-Friday, 4 lunches - Tuesday-Friday, and 4 dinners - Monday-Thursday), 3 day public transportation pass for witnessing experiences, training resources, SEMP worship services and special guest speaker.
What do we have to pay up front?
$50 per person, non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. This amount is applied to the per person trip cost.
When is the deposit due?
At the time of group registration.
When is the final balance due?
May 27, 2011
Will we receive a final statement?
Yes, each group will receive a final statement two (2) weeks prior to the final balance due date.
What are the payment options?
You may pay by check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to SonLife Classic. Credit card payments may be made by phone (309.807.2459). A 2.5% processing fee is added to credit card charges (i.e. $2000 invoice pays a $50 processing fee).
What other costs can we expect to pay?
Round trip transportation costs to/from your location to Chicago, Illinois, 1 off-site dinner meal (Friday evening), meals while traveling, souvenirs and/or sightseeing in Chicago or along the way.
What about cancellations to my group?
Refunds will be made for cancellations up to 30 days prior to the event except for the non-refundable deposit. No refunds for cancellations less than 30 days to the event.
What about substitutions?
Up to five substitutions are allowed per group. Substitutions can be of any gender until May 27, 2011. From May 27 to June 3, 2011 only gender for gender substitutions. No substitutions after June 3, 2011. After June 3 they will become cancellations and any additions will be added to the wait list.
Do we have to have medical insurance to attend the trip?
Yes, each person attending must have medical insurance. If you do not have medical insurance you may purchase insurance at a rate of $35 per person.
Travel/Lodging Info
What about my transportation?
Each youth group is responsible for their own transportation. There is an additional cost per person ($9.00) if you want to use your CTA pass for your transportation to and from Chicago. Please complete the CTA Pass Form along with payment by May 13, 2011.
What about parking?
Groups driving to the city that need parking arrangements will need to complete a Parking Reservation Form and submit it by May 13, 2011. Parking rates are based on number of vehicles and size of vehicles.
Does SonLife Classic arrange for my transportation to ministry experiences?
Yes. Included in your price is a three day public transit pass that will take you to all ministry experiences.
What are the lodging accommodations?
Campus housing at Moody Bible Institute. There will be two (2) per room with community bathrooms on each floor. Floors will be gender specific. There is no housing for married couples. Because of our anticipated attendance for this year's event, odd numbers from a group in a specific gender will be lodging with someone from another group. We will do our best to keep your group together on the same floor but it may be necessary to split your group among 2 floors. Any splits will have a leader from your group on each floor.
Who determines the rooming list?
Rooming is decided by the SonLife Classic staff. It is a long and careful process done weeks in advance. Please refer to the Rooming List information in your preparation packet for specific factors that determine room placement.
Can we request roommates?
Yes, participants can request up to two roommate choices. We do our best to accommodate with at least one of your choices.
Will we receive a final rooming list?
Final rooming lists will be available to the Group Leader upon written request the week before SEMP.
Preparation Before the Trip
What about preparation prior to the trip?
A preparation packet will be sent to the group leader after your online group application and deposit have been submitted. This packet will give additional details and information needed for preparation for the SEMP event.
What type of students should come to SEMP?
SEMP is not for all students. Youth leaders should be discerning when it comes to promotion of SEMP. This event is designed specifically for students who cry out for a deeper relationship with God and are serious about sharing their faith with their friends. This event will be a holistic equipping experience that will stretch, challenge and prepare them for peer ministry.
What type of chaperones/leaders should come to SEMP?
Leaders should understand that they will be sharing their faith and attending the training just like the students. Leaders will be in charge of their group of students at all times.
What is the leader to student ratio guideline?
1 leader per 5 students. A leader of the same gender must accompany your group even if only one student of that gender is attending. Leaders should be 21 years of age or older.
What items should be brought to SEMP?
Please refer to the What to Bring sheet in your preparation packet. Leaders need to bring a cell phone in order to communicate with SonLife Classic staff and other leaders at witnessing sites. Your cell phone number will need to be provided to SonLife Classic staff prior to the trip. Leaders may also bring an Ethernet cable to gain access to the Moody internet (a specific code will be in your registration packet when you arrive to connect).
What should NOT be brought to SEMP?
The following items are prohibited by students attending SEMP: cell phones, ipods, portable music players, laptops, video games, or any other sort of electronic wonder of the day for students.
What is the dress code for SEMP?
Modest clothing is to be worn at all times. Each day you will be out street witnessing, remember that we are ambassadors for Christ. Leaders will ask you to change if you are wearing inappropriate clothing.
Girls: Modest slacks or jeans. Shorts/skirts not more than 4 inches about the knee. No low cut or midriff baring tops.
Boys: Modest pants, shorts or jeans. No t-shirts with questionable material on them.
Trip Itinerary
What is the agenda for the week?
This is a tentative itinerary and is subject to change.
Monday
10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Group Registration (check into rooms) 5:30 p.m. Dinner on campus 6:30 p.m. Trainer Meeting 6:30 p.m. Pod Leader Meeting 7:30 p.m. The Gathering (worship) 9:30 p.m. Pod Leaders meet with Pods 11:00 p.m. In rooms
Tuesday-Thursday
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast on Campus 8:45 - 9:20 a.m. Group Coordinator Meeting 8:45 - 9:20 a.m. Morning Orientation 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Quiet Time/Personal Reflection 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Training Session #1 11:30 a.m. Break 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Training Session #2 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch on Campus 1:30 p.m. Witnessing Experiences 5:00 p.m. Pods Return to Campus 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Dinner on Campus 7:30 p.m. The Gathering (worship) 9:00 p.m. Youth Group Connection 10:00 p.m. Unwind 11:00 p.m. In Rooms
Friday
7:30 - 8:30 a.m. Breakfast on Campus 8:45 - 9:20 a.m. Group Coordinator Meeting 8:45 - 9:20 a.m. Morning Orientation 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Quiet Time/Personal Reflection 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. Training Session #1 11:30 a.m. Break 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Training Session #2 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch on Campus 1:30 p.m. Letter Writing Training 3:00 p.m. Letter Writing 5:00 - Dinner on your own - off campus 7:30 p.m. The Gathering (worship) 9:00 p.m. Youth Group Connection 10:00 p.m. Unwind 11:00 p.m. In Rooms
Saturday
7:00 - 10:00 a.m. Group Check-Out, Head Home (breakfast on your own)
What specific guidelines do we need to follow while at SEMP?
A detailed guidelines sheet will be in your preparation packet to discuss with your students and chaperones.
Sightseeing Opportunities
Does SonLife Classic arrange for sightseeing activities?
No. Sightseeing before or after the event are on your own.
Additional Questions
Who can we contact with additional questions?
SonLife Classic at 309.807.2459 or email .
