COVID-19 Protocols
Please be aware of the following protocols we are taking to ensure the health and safety of our teens, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic:

• Vaccines
  • All convention participants, including teens, professional and volunteer staff, and guests must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. This means the second dose of the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines or the single dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine must take place no later than Friday, November 26.
  • After registering for convention, teens and parents/guardians will receive an email from our partners at CampDoc.com. As with all of our past conventions, this medical form is required so BBYO professional staff can access medical needs, allergies, and approved medications for all participants. New this year: you will also need to upload proof of your/your teen's COVID-19 vaccination in order to complete your CampDoc profile.
  • In addition to uploading your proof of vaccine to your profile, we are asking all teen participants to also have the NYS Excelsior Pass or the original copy of their COVID-19 Vaccination Card to convention.
  • BBYO is enforcing this policy for all overnight events and single-day events with over 150 teens because of our commitment to public health and pikuach nefesh (the sanctity of life). Our ability to have healthy and safe overnight programming improves with every individual who undergoes vaccination before entering our communal space.
• Masks
  • Masks must be worn by all teens, staff, and guests through the duration of convention, including during bus transportation.
  • Masks do not need to be worn while eating and drinking, or when participants are inside their OWN sleeping rooms. Teens may only enter their own sleeping rooms

Scholarship and Deposit Information

• Deposits
  • Members and families who are not able to make a full payment at the time of Registration opening may qualify for a deposit.
  • Deposits must be independently arranged with Rob Kappel, [email protected]
  • Full balances are due December 1, 2021. Teens with incomplete balances on December 2 may be cancelled from registration.
• Scholarships
  • We are determined to ensure that finances are not a barrier for any Alephs or BBGs who wish to attend Winter Convention. We have scholarship funding available for need-based requests!
  • Awards are based on family income as well as compounding factors such as siblings in college and costly life events.
  • You must be registered for convention first to apply for a scholarship, and you will be reimbursed the amount of the scholarship award back onto the credit card as a refund. If paying the full convention price upfront will cause hardship on you/your family, please contact Rob Kappel at [email protected] to arrange making a deposit.
  • To apply for scholarship, please Visit this link and fill out the application after you have registered for convention.
  • Applications are due November 18, 2021
  • Scholarship awards will be announced by November 29, 2021
  • Full balances are due December 1, 2021. Teens with incomplete balances on December 2 may be cancelled from registration.

Do I need to be a member of BBYO to attend Convention?
Yes, any 8th through 12th grade member of BBYO Big Apple Region is eligible to attend Convention. If you're not a member of BBYO but want to come to Convention, you'll first need to become a member by clicking HERE. 

Can 8th graders attend Convention?
Yes, Convention is open to 8th graders. 

What is included in the fee for Convention?
Your travel via coach bus, all meals (Friday dinner, All meals Saturday, Sunday breakfast and bus snacks), hotel accommodations and linens, incredible speakers, an amazing song leader, fun programs, and more!

When does the early bird discount end?
The price of Convention is $375 until November 15 at 11:59 PM. It goes up to $400 after that.

What is the cancellation policy?
The deadline to cancel with a full program refund will be November 18, 2021. Until that date, full refunds will be granted for cancellations in writing (email Rob at [email protected]), for any reason. After the registration deadline, partial refunds may be available based on convention expenses already paid (hotel, transportation, etc.), on a case-by-case basis. Within fourteen days of convention we’ve already confirmed final counts with our vendors, and no refunds will be given. “No shows” will not receive a refund.

Is scholarship available?
Yes! Scholarship applications are due on November 18 at 11:59pm at this link.

When does registration close?
Registration closes at 11:59pm on November 30 -- or when our buses fills up -- whichever comes first.

What should I pack for the weekend?
Expect a packing list from our Convention Coordinators the week prior to the event. 

What's the travel info?
Busing is included in the cost of convention, and will depart locally in the mid-day on Friday. This pickup time is intended to reduce traffic delays and ensure all participants have arrived before the start of Shabbat. We will provide a school Excusal Note closer to Convention to accommodate any missed school. Because the first meal served at convention will be Friday night dinner, we strongly suggest you eat a filling lunch before arriving at the buses on Friday. We will be providing busing from separate stops in Queens and Brooklyn - stay tuned for exact pickup and dropoff locations!

All buses will return on Sunday, December 12 at approximately 5 pm - parents and guardians, please be in touch with your teens on Sunday to get an accurate pick-up time.

Where do we sleep?
Teens will sleep in double hotel rooms with members of the same gender. There will be 4 teens per hotel room. Teens will share a bed with 1 roommate. Teens will only be allowed in their own room and not in any other teens room due to mask rules.

I don't want to share a bed. Can I select fewer roommates?
Yes. If you want to upgrade to a room with only one other person, the fee for the weekend is $475 for Earlybird, $500 after Earlybird deadline. You can select this optional upgrade during the registration process.

Will there be adult supervision?
Yes. Just like all BBYO events, adult staff and volunteers will be on hand to ensure the safety, security, and health of teen participants.We maintain a minimum ratio of 1 fully-background checked adult for ever 15 teens in attendance.

Will my dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes, please detail any allergies and/or dietary restrictions in your CampDoc.com responses. Just make sure you indicate this on the registration form. All meals are vegetarian and kosher-style.

I take medication. What do I do?
Teens are responsible for packing, administering, and safeguarding their own medication during Convention. Make sure you detail what medications you take on your CampDoc profile. As per the BBYO Code of Conduct, sharing or distributing any medications - both prescription and off-the-counter - between teen participants is strictly prohibited. BBYO professional staff will have a medical kit with basic over-the-counter first aid and medications, and can distribute medications that are approved in your CampDoc profile.

What's with this email I just got from CampDoc.com?
After registering for Convention you'll receive an email from CampDoc.com prompting you to complete your CampDoc profile. Teen registrant's profiles must be 100% complete by the Tuesday prior to Convention in order to attend. This is where we collect important health and safety information regarding teen participants.