Frequently Asked Questions (please read)

REGISTRATION
· Who can attend?
· Can I wait until May to register?
· How many attend the workshop?
· When can I register?
· What are your registration deadlines?
· The program is full; do you have a waiting list?
· What if I don’t have a credit card to register by Internet/phone?
· When will I receive more information?
· My parent(s) work(s) on the BYU campus. Do I get a discount?
· I have a disability—can you accommodate me in the residence halls/program?

PROGRAM QUESTIONS
· When is Young Ambassadors’ Singing Entertainer held each year?
· Who teaches at the workshop?
· What do we do each day?
· What type of music do we sing?
· Do I need to be a great dancer or singer to attend this camp?
· Will I feel out of place if I can’t sing or dance very well?
· What are the auditions all about?
· Do we have activities in the evenings?
· What is the Entertainers’ Showcase?
· Who is in the Final Concert?
· May my family and friends attend the Final Concert? How much does it cost?
· When is check-in?
· When is checkout?
· What if I don’t arrive until after orientation?

HOUSING
· Should I stay in campus housing or commute?
· If I don’t stay in campus housing, where can I eat?
· How much does it cost for campus housing? What does it cover?
· Where is the campus housing?
· What are the housing arrangements?
· How can I be matched up with my preferred roommate?
· Can I have a roommate who is attending another youth program?
· Is early campus housing available?
· If I will be arriving late, where should I go?
· What should I bring?

MARKETING
· When is information mailed?
· When will I get a brochure?
· What is your Web address?

TRAVEL
· Can you give me the names and phone numbers of other participants in my session so I can make car-pool arrangements?
· Is there a commercial shuttle service between the Salt Lake International Airport and BYU?

MISCELLANEOUS
· What is the BYU Honor Code?
· Can you give me more information about becoming a BYU Young Ambassador?
· What should I wear at the workshop?
· What will the weather be like?
· What are the dates for the following year?
· Do you have another question that wasn’t answered here?

REGISTRATION

Who can attend?
If you are between the ages of 14 and 18 during the camp, you are eligible to attend. We are sorry, but if you are 13, you will need to wait one more year. College students are not eligible.

Can I wait until May to register?
Sessions usually fill soon after registration opens. The fill rate varies from year to year. We strongly recommend registering as early as possible.

How many attend the workshop?
Usually, 100 students attend each week. In a typical year, we will have 30 young men and 70 young women in each session.

When can I register?
Registration for 2010 programs opens the end of January 2010.

What are your registration deadlines?
The workshop is open until full. We recommend registering as soon as possible.

The program is full; do you have a waiting list?
No. We do not have a waiting list. If the program is full and a spot opens up, it will show an open spot on the registration Web page.

What if I don’t have a credit card to register by Internet/phone?
You can mail in a check and note with your (the participant’s) name, address, age, e–mail, and phone number. When they are received, you will be registered. The only risk with this method is that the program may fill before your check is received.

When will I receive more information?
A receipt will arrive in the mail between 7 and 10 working days after registration. Please check the receipt for accuracy. All prearrival information will be available on the Web page.

My parent(s) work(s) on the BYU campus. Do I get a discount?
Discounts are not available.

I have a disability—can you accommodate me in the residence halls/program?
We are committed to providing a learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates persons with disabilities who are otherwise qualified. Prior to registration, applicants with disabilities are invited to discuss the program content and available facilities with the program director. Those with disabilities who desire to register should call 801–422–7692.

PROGRAM QUESTIONS
When is Young Ambassadors’ Singing Entertainer held each year?
Typically, the program is held in late June or in mid-July. Program dates are selected each fall.

Who teaches at the workshop?
BYU Young Ambassadors director Randy Boothe is the primary director of the workshop. Living Legends director Janielle Christensen and other BYU faculty assist Randy. Current and former BYU Young Ambassadors are the instructors of the dance classes.

What do we do each day?
Each day you will be in group dance classes and vocal classes, or in special workshops. In the afternoon you will work on your group numbers. On Friday you will practice for the Final Concert. There is little free time.

What type of music do we sing?
Typically, music pieces are from the Young Ambassadors’ repertoire. You will encounter a combination of music and dance–a fast-paced showcase of American musical theatre.

Do I need to be a great dancer or singer to attend this camp?
No. Although many of the participants do have some vocal and/or dance training, it is not a requirement. Remember, however, that dance classes are a big part of this camp, and you will be expected to participate.

Will I feel out of place if I can't sing or dance very well?
Participants of all ability levels attend the workshop. Many of them do have some advanced training in dance and/or voice. Dance steps and songs are taught quickly, and there is not a lot of time for review. If you are willing to learn and try new things, you will have a great time.

What are the auditions all about?
On Monday, we hold placement auditions to divide you into five or six groups. You will rehearse with your group as you prepare for your performance in the Final Concert.

Do we have activities in the evenings?
Yes. Activities may include a barbecue, a fireside and dance, the Entertainers’ Showcase, and the Final Concert.

What is the Entertainers’ Showcase?
The Entertainers’ Showcase is an optional opportunity for participants to perform in front of each other. You may choose a three–minute solo or group piece to perform. We recommend a piece from a musical, rather than something from the top 40. All participants may vote for their favorite 20 performers. The selected 20 performances will be included in the Final Concerts on Friday. Music and costumes must adhere to BYU Honor Code standards. Family and friends may attend; no tickets are required.

We recommend that you bring a costume (don’t forget the shoes!), and music must be on a CD or sheet music for a piano accompanist. We cannot be responsible for CDs and sheet music that are misplaced or not picked up. Click here for more information.

Who is in the Final Concert?
Every participant will perform in the Final Concert. The concert is like a variety show, with group numbers interspersed with songs from the Entertainers’ Showcase. Every participant will be in a group number, the opener, and the finale.

May my family and friends attend the Final Concert? How much does it cost?
Yes, and there is no cost. Each participant is given ten tickets for family and friends.

When is check-in?
Check-in is Monday morning at your residence hall between 9:00 and 10:45. More information is available by clicking on the prearrival packet link.

When is checkout?
Participants must check out of their rooms by 9:00 a.m. on Saturday.

What if I don’t arrive until after orientation?
If you arrive after the orientation on Monday morning and you are registered for campus housing, please go to the assigned residence hall to receive your housing assignment (see prearrival information for the assigned residence hall) and then call (801) 422-7692 for instructions. If you are not staying on campus, call the number previously listed.

HOUSING
Should I stay in campus housing or commute?
This is an individual decision. If you stay in campus housing, you will have a counselor (one counselor for every 10–12 participants). Counselors supervise activities and coordinate devotionals (scripture, song, and prayer) each evening. Campus participants are not allowed to leave the activity/residence halls. Commuters need to be picked up by an adult after the evening rehearsals/activities.

If I don’t stay in campus housing, where can I eat?
Workshop participants eat in a BYU cafeteria. Those staying in campus housing are given a meal card for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. Those who are commuting are given a meal card for lunches only. Commuters may buy other meals as desired on a day-to-day basis in the cafeteria. Each meal costs about $8.00. Partial meal cards are not available.

How much does it cost for campus housing? What does it cover?
Campus housing is $195. It covers double-occupancy accommodations in campus residence halls from Monday evening through Saturday morning, with bed and bath linen provided. Meals are provided from Monday lunch through Saturday breakfast.

Where is the campus housing?
Campus housing is usually located in Heritage Halls (subject to change). Housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis until the spaces are filled. Early registration is encouraged as spaces are limited. We can confirm availability of housing instantaneously if you register by phone or Web.

What are the housing arrangements?
Residence halls are double occupancy with shared bathrooms down the hall. Single or triple rooms are not available.

How can I be matched up with my preferred roommate?
To request a specific roommate, you must provide that roommate's name when registering. The roommate must also give us your name with his or her registration. If you register and choose a roommate but that person doesn’t register for housing by the time it is filled or doesn’t enroll, you will be paired up with another participant attending the program.

Can I have a roommate who is attending another youth program?
No. You must room with someone attending the same program.

Is early housing available?
If transportation scheduling requires you to arrive a day early, you may do so. You are responsible to pay a special housing fee that covers the cost of lodging and supervision until the program officially begins. Meals are available in the all-you-can-eat cafeterias for a moderate price. Contact BYU Student Auxiliary Services to make your early arrival arrangements at (801) 422-5671. Housing after the program is not available.

If I will be arriving late, where should I go?
See PROGRAM questions.

What should I bring?
Bed and bath linens are provided. Bring extra towels, alarm clock, soap, shampoo, slippers, drinking cup, bathrobe, and personal items.

MARKETING
When is information mailed?
A brochure will be mailed in January 2010. If you would like your name to be on our mailing list, please e-mail young_ambassadors@byu.edu and include your full name and complete address.

When will I get a brochure?
Information is posted on the Web site as it becomes available. Your name may be added to the mailing list by e-mailing us at the address above.

What is your Web address?
http://yase.byu.edu

TRAVEL
Can you give me the names and phone numbers of other participants in my session so I can make car pool arrangements?
Unfortunately, this is confidential information that we are unable to give out.

Is there a BYU shuttle service from the Salt Lake International Airport to BYU?
Yes. Please see the Travel page for more information.

What is the BYU Honor Code?
Participants attending the workshop are required to uphold guidelines as represented in the Honor Code. They must maintain the standards of Brigham Young University (i.e., high standards of honor, integrity, language, and morality; abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, coffee, tea, and harmful drugs; and modesty in dress). Shorts and skirts worn on campus must be knee length; no sleeveless shirts, bare midriffs, or tank tops are permitted. Dress standards are strictly enforced. Participants found in violation of the Honor Code are subject to immediate dismissal without a refund. Parents are responsible for picking up a participant who has been dismissed and paying any costs incurred for transportation.

Can you give me more information about becoming a BYU Young Ambassador?
Our office does not operate the BYU Young Ambassadors performance group, only the summer camp. BYU YAs are managed by the BYU Performing Arts Management Office. Their auditions are usually held in the spring of each year. For additional information, visit the Young Ambassadors Web site at http://music.byu.edu/ya or call (801) 422-2563.

What should I wear at the camp?
Participants may wear pants or knee-length shorts. You may wear dance attire in your dance classes only. You must bring a T-shirt and knee-length shorts or sweats to cover up after your class. The fireside requires Sunday dress (shirt, tie, and slacks for young men [no Levi’s]; dresses or skirts for young women). All clothing must adhere to the dress standards listed in the BYU Honor Code.

What will the weather be like?
The weather could be rather warm during the program. Average high temperatures in July are 85 to 95 degrees F; average lows are 65 to 70 degrees F. Come prepared for changeable weather and varying indoor room temperatures.

What are the dates for the following year?
Program dates for 2011 will be announced in the fall of 2010.

Do you have another question that wasn’t answered here?
E-mail young_ambassadors@byu.edu.