Friday, June 15, 2007

PARENTS INFORMATION 2007

Dear Parents,

Camp starts in a week and we are all excited to have your children attending the institute. We have a few pieces of information that you should know. Registration is Sunday June 24 from 12-6. If you cannot arrive at those times, you need to let us know.

First, while the camp is going on, the office number of the dorm is (513) 529-2957 if you need to get in contact with us for any reason. Until then still call me at (513) 529 3050.

Second, there is a $50 key deposit that is due at registration. They will receive this deposit back at the end of camp if they have not lost their keys. We will be unable to give them a key to their room without this deposit.

Third, payment is due by June 18th, which is rapidly approaching. If there is some circumstance that requires finalizing payment at registration you need to let us know. You can pay online, here.

Four, if you child is flying and they need to send that information to our assistant director, Aaron (vinsonaw@muohio.edu), ASAP so a shuttles will be there to pick them up at the airport. Also, if your child is under 14 they may have to have a designated person to pick them up at the airport. If this is the case you need to let us know, because we will need to tell you who exactly will be meeting the group at the airport.

Five, if your child has special dietary needs or medications that they need to take while they are at camp, please let us know.

Six, your child will also need to have their medical and rules forms filled out at registration.

Seven, if your child would like to attend the rec center they also need to have the consent form filled out by you.

- Aaron Vinson, Assistant Director, Miami Debate Institute

Thursday, June 14, 2007

MORE FAQs 2007

What is a typical day like?
Usually we get the day started by 9am, you have a lecture or two, maybe lab, go to lunch, come back, usually do something interactive in relation to the morning lecture, have some lab time, grab dinner around 5pm, come back after dinner for lab or a late lecture.

What is there to do at night?
Labs usually end around 9pm and students have some free time, some of which should be used on research assignments. There will be "speaking skills" sessions in the dorm some nights where lab leaders will help you with speaking drills or you can do stuff on campus. Campers usually play basketball or ultimate frisbee (this is what you should do) in the field by the dorm.

When do we have to be in the dorm?
11pm, no exceptions.

What is there to do in the dorm?
There is a foos ball table, a pool table, a tv and some couches, and a little kitchen in the basement. There is usually plenty for students to do in the dorm at night.

Some other camps have security deposits, does Miami?
YES - the deposit is $50 - it covers the costs if you lose your key.

What will be the phone number of the dorm office when camp starts?
(513) 529-2957
(for parents reading this, that number will only "work" starting 6/25 when we have moved into the dorm)

Do I need to bring an ethernet cord for my room?
Yes. It's also good to have a wireless card because there is wireless in every building and even some places outside.

What type of sheets do we need to get for the dorm room?
Extra long single.

Is there a microwave in the dorm?
Yes. In the basement.

What snack food should I bring?
Whatever you want. There is a vending machine in the dorm and your meal plan will let you shop at the market in the dining hall.

Do the two camps interact at all?
Yes. They will have some lectures together, they will live on the same floor, they will eat together...

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

ROOMMATE & PARTNER REQUESTS

- Roommate Requests -

Roomate requests must be mutual. If you still want to room with the same roomate you requested, please have them email me (vinsonaw@muohio.edu) that they would also like to room with you. Please do this ASAP.


- Partner Requests -

Partner requests can only be processed if both students are registered for the same camp. If you still want to debate with
the same partner you requested, please ask to be switched to the 5wk camp immediately. If you do not want to do this, please confirm that you realize that you CANNOT debate with this person by emailing me (vinsonaw@muohio.edu). Please do this ASAP.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

FAQ's 2007

When is the final payment due?
As soon as possible, at the absolute latest, we would like payment by June 18th

How should it be sent in?
It can be mailed to:
Miami Debate Institute
Miami University
160 Bachelor Hall
Oxford, OH 45056

If you want to pay online, go here

But the website from the payment form won't work!
It does, it should really be this url: http://miamiuoxford.augusoft.net/, or you can follow the other instructions above.

What credit cards will work at the site?
We only accept Visa or MasterCard.

Can we go to the Rec Center?
Yes, but ONLY if you get the “Recreational Center Consent Form” filled out:

If that link doesn’t work, the form is also found on the blog under “Recreational Center Consent Form”

Will a shuttle pick me up from the airport?
YES. Please fly to Dayton or Cincinnati.

Will a shuttle pick me up from the bus station?
Yes, only the Dayton or Cincinnati drops though.

When we will know our lab placements?
When you get to camp, PLEASE DO NOT ASK.

Do we need to bring a lot of money?
No. All of your meals can be bought with the meal plan and copying and printing costs will be low.

How do meals work?
You get a meal plan, that works at the Shrive Center (the student union) everyday.

What kind of food is at Shriver?
Shrive's food is quasi food court style - there's a grill, a deli, a noodle place, a pizza place, a "traditions" place where they have food like roast chicken, beef, other things, as well as a salad bar. There is also a market where you can buy food if you have money left on your meal plan.

When is the earliest we can get to the dorm?
Check out will begin, at the absolute earliest, at 10am.

What dorm will we be staying in?
Dodds, again.

Will we have roommates?
Yes. There will be two people in every room.

Will we have a refrigerator in the dorm?
Yes.

Will we have air conditioning in the dorm?
Yes.

What is the mailing address at the dorm, if my parents want to send me mail/packages?
[-Your name here-] c/o Miami Debate Institute
Miami University
160 Bachelor Hall
Oxford, OH 45056

Can we leave campus?
No. Absolutely not. If you drive yourself to camp, you must surrender your keys.