Attending IC can be an exciting and enriching experience, offering teens a unique opportunity to meet new people, engage in interactive sessions, and gain new perspectives. It’s important to understand the logistical aspects of attending an immersive experience like IC to ensure a smooth experience. Here are some general tips and insights to ensure delegates arrive at the convention with clear and realistic expectations.

• Teens travelling to IC are expected to be able to navigate an airport on their own.

• At IC, teens are not permitted to go back to their rooms until programming is over, which typically does not end until later in the evening.

• Teens eat their meals in one large banquet room together. We expect approximately 4,000 teens and staff in one room for most meals.

• Teens are responsible for their own medications at IC. The Medical Center will have some over-the-counter medications for unexpected needs, but if a participant requires daily medications, they will be responsible for managing that independently. Participants may bring their own over-the-counter medications with them to IC.

• Quiet rooms will be available to delegates throughout some times during the day, offering a serene space for relaxation and stress reduction. IC is a busy event filled with constant activity and interaction. Quiet rooms allow participants to step away from the bustle of convention, offering a peaceful retreat for those needing a break from social interactions.

As a reminder, delegates have signed a Code of Conduct and Community Standards agreement upon registering for BBYO membership. This indicates their full understanding of BBYO’s behavioral expectations. Should a delegate choose to act outside of the Code of Conduct, the incident will be addressed by appropriate staff members.

BBYO has a zero-tolerance approach to any violation of the Code of Conduct and any disciplinary matter that comes to the attention of IC staff. If a delegate is dismissed from IC for disciplinary reasons or Code of Conduct violations, parents or caregivers are expected to arrange travel home immediately, at the delegate’s expense and without a refund.

The most common Code of Conduct violations and consequences can be found here.

IC has a team of Wellness Specialists who help teens with mental health and emotional needs. Wellness Specialists can be found throughout convention and can be accessed by request through IC staff.

BBYO teens who have been trained in teen Mental Health First Aid will also be available throughout the convention. Teens are trained in how to recognize and respond to their peers dealing with a mental health challenge and helping connect them to a safe adult.

All BBYO staff are trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid and Healthy Relationships. Staff are equipped to recognize mental health challenges and connect teens to the appropriate support.

The more information BBYO staff have in advance the better able we are to help support teens. To speak to a BBYO professional about any mental, emotional, or social health considerations in advance at IC, please contact BBYO’s Senior Director of Wellness and Inclusion Ari Handel at [email protected].

IC has an onsite Medical Center staffed by nurses and doctors. Staff are available for onsite needs and to determine if a teen needs to see a medical professional offsite. The Medical Center will have some over-the-counter medications for unexpected needs, but if a participant requires daily medications, they will be responsible for managing that independently.

‍What happens if a delegate gets sick at IC? 

IC hosts a medical team of professional nurses, mental health professionals, and doctors onsite. If a delegate requires medical attention, an IC staff member can assist them in contacting a member of the Medical Team. 

If a teen tests positive onsite for COVID-19, influenza (flu), strep, or has a fever, they will be placed in an isolation room. The duration of their stay will depend on the length of their symptoms. During this time, a nurse will check in with the teen daily, and meals will be delivered to their room.

In case of an emergency, BBYO will utilize the nearest hospital. If additional information or out-of-hotel medical services are needed, a member of the IC Leadership Team will contact the delegate's parent or guardian. If a teen is admitted to the hospital, a parent or guardian may be required to meet them at the hospital within 24 hours and they may not be able to return to IC.

‍How do I get in touch with someone at IC? 

If there is an emergency during IC, parents are encouraged to call the IC Hotline at 202-507-7266.

The IC office will be fully staffed from 8:00 AM through 10:00 PM ET every day. While our office team will be working until late at night, should you get our voicemail in the evening, please leave a message. We’ll be checking messages frequently and will get back to you as soon as possible.

If a participant would benefit from additional support, arrangements must be discussed by October 21, 2026. Any specific or individualized needs must be arranged through BBYO’s Senior Director of Wellness and Inclusion Ari Handel at [email protected].

All teens attending IC and Global Ambassadors Week must provide a copy of their health insurance as part of their registration for IC. This insurance may be from a delegate's home country, but delegate families will be responsible for any medical costs not covered by their insurance during the convention. This may include hospital visits, doctor visits, medicine, or other medical treatment.

Many insurance plans from other countries do not cover medical care received outside your home country. If your current insurance does not provide this coverage, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance before the trip. Travel insurance should cover care at U.S. hospitals and medical facilities, which will help ensure your teen can receive treatment quickly if needed, and help protect your family from unexpected costs.

Your family is responsible for choosing and purchasing the travel insurance policy that best fits your needs. Please note that BBYO does not endorse or recommend any specific provider. Some travel insurance plans must be purchased within a certain number of days of booking your flight in order to include certain benefits, so we recommend researching your options as soon as possible after purchasing airfare to avoid missing this window.

Teens are responsible for their own medication at IC. Some over-the-counter medications will be available in the onsite Medical Center, but teens should bring and hold on to any medication they anticipate needing throughout the convention. This policy is specific to IC and does not necessarily apply to other overnight events. 

As part of the registration process for any overnight program, including IC, families will be asked to confirm that their teens have been vaccinated for childhood vaccines. BBYO’s most updated immunization policy can be found here. Teens who are not in compliance will not be permitted to attend and will not be refunded after the cancellation deadline.

If your teen is not fully vaccinated in accordance with BBYO’s requirements and you require an exemption, you must submit the exemption request that can be accessed here.

Exemptions are considered, but not guaranteed, in the following situations: history of previous severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome within six weeks of receiving a previous vaccine, or persons receiving immunosuppressive drugs and chronic steroids. 

BBYO does not accept vaccine exemption forms submitted for other programs, schools, or states. BBYO does not accept religious exemptions.  

An exemption request must be submitted specifically for this program and approved by BBYO. This request must be received within two weeks of the registration date. Any forms submitted later will not result in a full refund if the exemption request is denied.

Vaccination: All those who attend BBYO overnight experiences are highly recommended to receive a yearly flu vaccination. 

Testing at international overnight programs: BBYO will test individuals in accordance with our standing orders and utilizing clinical judgment. A refusal to test warrants automatic removal from the program.

Testing positive at international overnight programs: Individuals who test positive for the flu or COVID-19 or presenting with a fever, defined as a temperature of 100.4 F or 38 C or above, at a BBYO overnight event will be immediately placed in quarantine.

In order for a teen to be released from isolation, a participant’s symptoms need to be improving, and they need to be fever-free without the use of fever-reducing medications for 24 hours.

If you’ve contracted the flu or COVID-19 or have a fever before an event: Participants who have any of the above may only attend an event when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:

• Participant’s symptoms are getting better overall, and

• Participant has not had a fever (and is not using fever-reducing medication)

Testing at international overnight programs: BBYO will test individuals that present with streptococcus (strep throat) symptoms in accordance with our standing orders and utilizing clinical judgment. A refusal to test warrants automatic removal from the program.

Testing positive at overnight programs: Individuals who test positive for strep throat at a BBYO overnight event will be immediately placed in quarantine. The medical team will coordinate an appointment with a medical professional as soon as possible. Participants may return to programming after 24 hours on antibiotics and remaining fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

If you’ve contracted strep throat before an event: Participants who have contracted strep throat will be eligible to participate in all BBYO events after 24 hours on antibiotics and remaining fever free without the use of fever-reducing medication.

BBYO’s medical personnel may determine that a teen needs isolation for reasons other than those listed above. BBYO’s medical personnel may also require a teen to wear a mask upon removal from isolation as medically indicated. Refusal to mask if mandated or not abiding by quarantine guidelines will result in immediate dismissal from the program. BBYO may consolidate teens in isolation rooms who have similar diagnoses, regardless of isolation timeline.