College Conference 2022

December 27 - 30, 2022

Antiochian Village & St. Iakovos Retreat Center

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— FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where does College Conference 2022 take place?
College Conference takes place from December 27-30th, 2022 in two locations: East at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, and Midwest at St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Kansasville, Wisconsin.
Are scholarships available?

Thanks to the sponorship of The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch, AHEPA Omega Chapter 371, Antiochian Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest Diocesan Council, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, and other generous donors scholarships for College Conference 2022 will be made available.

All registrants must pay a non-refundable $100 deposit to secure their spot at College Conference 2022. The remaining balance of $250 may be fully or partially covered by a scholarship. Scholarship applications will be open from September 24-November 11, 2022 and will be awarded based on need on a rolling basis. Additionally, students may apply for up to $300 in travel scholarship to cover the cost of a flight. Once a travel scholarship amount is approved, the recipient must submit their flight receipt to be reimbursed the full amount of the scholarship or the full amount of the flight, whichever is less. Travel reimbursements will be distributed after the conference in January.

Click here to apply for a scholarship.

Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my registration?

In the event a participant needs to cancel his/her registration for the College Conference program, all cancellations must be submitted via email communication no later than December 15, 2022 to OCF’s Ministry Coordinator, Peter Mansour at peter@ocf.net.
Upon notice of cancellation, any scholarship will be forfeited. Payments (excluding the deposit) will be refunded to the participant on the original form of payment.

If I’ve already graduated college, can I still attend?
College Conference is designed for students, ages 18-25. If you’ve graduated but are within the age range, yes, you can still register.
Will the speakers be announced before the conference starts?
Workshop speakers will be announced on this website as well as OCF’s social media prior to the conference so be on the lookout!
Can I just stop by at the conference? Can my friends stop by the conference?
Unfortunately, the College Conference program cannot accommodate unexpected visitors. If someone would like to visit the conference, please have him or her contact the OCF National Office in advance of the conference so that the request can be considered on a case-by-case basis, and if approved, appropriate accommodations can be arranged. Visitors will be expected to pay a “day” rate for their attendance. No visitors may stay overnight in a participant’s room. Conference badges are required to be worn at all times by participants and visitors to all events.
Can food allergies / dietary restrictions be accommodated?
Food allergies and dietary restrictions will be accommodated if they are made known to us through the registration form.
What should I pack?

A more detailed packing list will be sent out before the conference to each registrant, but in the meantime here is a sample packing list based off of previous years:

Bring to College Conference:Optional things:Leave at Home:
Casual ClothesBibleAlcohol
Church OutfitsNotepad and pen to take notesDrugs
Semi-Formal Attire (for the dance!)Your Talents! (Humor, Guitar, Kendamas, etc.)Weapons
Ugly Christmas SweaterPrayer Rope
Toiletries (soap, deodorant, toothbrush, etc.)Masks
Shampoo and ConditionerBoard Games, Cards, etc.
Shoes
Socks
Pajamas
Jacket, gloves, hat, etc. (warm clothes)
Towels, twin sheets, and pillows (for CCMW)
How much does College Conference cost?

College Conference has a registration fee of $350. A $100 deposit is due upon registration with the remaining balance being due November 23rd 2022. Those seeking need based scholarships can apply by clicking here.

How can I pay my balance?

Registrants can log in to the registration from their confirmation email to pay their remaining balances. All remaining balances must be paid in full by November 23, 2022. Balances which are not paid in full by this date will automatically be charged to the original form of payment.

When is the deadline to pay my full balance?

All remaining balances are due on November 24th.

What does my registration cover?
Registration covers all lodging, meals, speakers, and activities for the duration of the conference. Participants are responsible for transportation to the conference including the cost of any flights or funds they may want for personal use during travel or the conference. Need based scholarships are available on a first come first serve basis which can cover up to the remaining registration cost and some or all travel expenses. See the scholarship section above for more information.
If I’m not a college student, will there be relevant content for me at College Conference?

The content of College Conference is based in the Orthodox Christian tradition, which is applicable to any person at any point in their life. While the conference is targeted towards college students, much of the core content will be relevant for anyone looking to learn more about the Faith and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

Does OCF provide first aid at College Conference?
Both conferences will have a medical professional on site at all times during the conference to assist in administering first aid should the need arise.
How are roommates assigned?
Roommates will be assigned by the OCF staff prior to each conference. A roommate request form will be sent out to registrants prior to the conference for the opportunity to request a single roommate. Both roommates must request each other in order for the match to be accepted.
What time should I arrive / depart?

Participants who are driving to the conference should plan to arrive between 2:00 PM and 5:30 PM local time on Tuesday, December 27th, 2022 and depart after brunch on Friday, December 30th, 2022. Participants who are flying MUST book flights within the designated times at the designated airports.

College Conference Midwest Travel Details
Driving: Students who are driving must arrive at St. Iakovos Retreat Center no later than 5:30 PM on Tuesday, December 27, 2022.

Flying: Students are responsible for booking travel to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) within the following parameters:
Students must arrive no later than 3:30 PM to depart on a 4:30 PM shuttle on Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Students must depart Chicago O’Hare International Airport no earlier than 3:30 PM on Friday, December 30, 2022. The airport shuttle will leave SIRC at 12:00 PM.

College Conference East Travel Details

Transportation Details: Only available to/from the Pittsburgh International Airport and to/from the Johnstown, PA train station.

Pittsburgh Airport Transportation – Participants must arrive at Pittsburgh International Airport on December 27 by 2:00 PM to depart on the 3:00 PM shuttle. Participants must book flights leaving Pittsburgh after 5:00 PM on December 30. The airport shuttle will leave Antiochian Village at 12:00 PM.

Johnstown Train Station Transportation – One shuttle pick-up option available on December 27 departing the Johnstown Station at 4:00 PM. Participants must book trains leaving Johnstown to depart after 1:30 PM on December 30th, as the shuttle will leave Antiochian Village at 11:00.

If I’m flying, how do I get to/from the airport?
OCF will provide transportation to and from the airport for participants who book their flights according to our travel guidelines. If extenuating circumstances prevent flights from arriving/departing during the specified window, contact the conference chair to see if other arrangements can be made.