1. BBYO Rooming Policies for Overnight Events and Programs 

All teens are required to share rooms at any BBYO overnight event. Requirements are as follows: 

Regional Convention 

• Hotels
  • Teens will share rooms with 2–3 other teens. There may be up to 4 teens in a room. Teens are not allowed to sleep in a room other than the room to which they are assigned. Teens will be assigned to share beds.
• Cabins
  • Teens will share cabins with other teens. Teens are not allowed to sleep in any cabin other than the cabin to which they are assigned. Teens will be assigned to a single bed and must sleep in that single bed by themselves. 

BBYO International Convention 

• Hotel  
  • Teens will share rooms with 2–3 other teens. There may be up to 4 teens in a room. Teens are not allowed to sleep in a room other than the room to which they are assigned. Teens will be assigned to share beds.
  • When available, teens may be allowed to upgrade their rooms to doubles. This is an extra cost that must be paid in advance. Teens who opt into this may only room with teens who have also opted in and paid the upgraded costs. 

BBYO Domestic Summer Programs (CLTC, ILTC, International Kallah) 

• Cabins  
  • Teens will share cabins with other teens. Teens are not allowed to sleep in any cabin other than the cabin to which they are assigned. Teens must have and sleep in their own bed.  

BBYO Summer Passport Travel Programs 

• Hotels/Hostels
  • Teens will share rooms with 2–4 teens. In some circumstances, rooms may accommodate up to 6 teens. Teens will be assigned to a single bed and must sleep in that single bed by themselves. Teens are not allowed to sleep in a room other than the room to which they are assigned.  
• Kibbutzim (relevant to Israel programs)
  • Teens will share a room with 2–4 other teens. In some circumstances, rooms may accommodate up to 6 teens. Teens will be assigned to a single bed and must sleep in that single bed by themselves. Teens are not allowed to sleep in a room other than the room to which they are assigned.
• Camping
  • Teens will share a tent with other teen participants. Teens must have and sleep in their own sleeping bag.  

2. Gender Inclusive Rooming Policies 

BBYO seeks to provide an inclusive rooming community and recognizes that our teens have a variety of gender identities, not limited to only male and female. At all events, teens will be assigned sleeping rooms with the gender they identify with. This will be done as follows: 

Prior to event:  

• Using registration documents, BBYO will ask both teens and their guardians to select whether they consent to rooming with a teen whose gender identity may differ from their own
• Staff will then place teens in rooms using the information above, taking into account any roommate requests.  
• Staff will coordinate as needed with the Senior Director of Wellness and Inclusion to best support the teen.  

At event:

• Teens will be given a private area to change which they may use if so inclined.

In any gender inclusive rooms, BBYO aims to honor roommate requests as well. A teen and their guardian must indicate in registration forms that they agree to participate in a rooming arrangement that is gender inclusive. 

3. When May a Participant be Placed in Their Own Room 

There are limited circumstances when a teen may be placed in their own room:

• Physical Health and Safety 
  • If a teen becomes ill at a program and the medical staff determines that a teen is required to isolate, they may be moved to a private room until further accommodations can be made. Staff will check in with the teen regularly.  
• Participant Compliance
  • If a teen violates the BBYO Code of Conduct and is in the process of being sent home from a BBYO program, they may be placed in their own room. This may happen when the severity of the infraction dictates that remaining in a communal living space is not an option. Staff will check in with the teen regularly.
• International Teen Presidents
  • BBYO’s Grand Aleph Godol and Anita M. Perlman International N’siah must have their own rooms when staying in hotels or being home-housed. When housed at a camp facility, the International Presidents must stay in the teen cabin. 

Questions about this policy or its implementation may be directed to BBYO’s Senior Director of Wellness and Inclusion at [email protected].

June 2024