Frequently Asked Questions
Cancellation Policy
Chaperones / Aides de Camp
Deposits / Payment / Registration Fees
Group Registration Discounts
General Questions
Location
Track Eligibility
Financial Aid
Disclaimers
If you have any questions not addressed by this FAQ, please contact SSI at 517-321-6233 or ssi@ssi-online.org.
Chaperones / Aides de Camp
Please visit the Chaperone and Aide-de-Camp sections of our website.
Are the students always supervised?
Yes. Students are not allowed off campus unless supervised, and SSI staff and chaperones are on hand at all times. Chaperones are assigned to a specific number of students, and they keep close track of each one.
How do you select chaperones?
Since many parents want to see our programs first-hand, most
chaperones are parents of participating students. Sometimes we have entire families come for the entire week. Every chaperone, old or new, supplies enough information for us to do a thorough background check with the Michigan State Police. We also check references.
Deposits / Payments / Registration Fees
Can I send in my registration without a deposit and
still save my space?
No. Because of the incredible demand, if we don't have a registration with a deposit ($50) in hand, we cannot hold a spot.
Should I send the full payment right away, or do I need to send only the $50 deposit?
Please send as much as you can as soon as you can. We produce a lot of
materials and have a lot of work to do to make the Summer Program a meaningful experience for you, all of which costs money.
Of course, we trust God will provide all we need to make that happen. However, all balances to due two weeks prior to the week attending.
Do those who send in a deposit of $50 and are not requesting financial aid have to send the remaining funds in before the March 31st deadline to qualify for the early registration discount?
Yes. The full amount is due in the SSI office by March 31st in order to get the early-registration discount.
What happens if I send in a $50 deposit before March 31st but am unable to send the rest until after March 31? Will I lose my early registration discount?
Yes. Your balance will reflect the full registration amount, minus your deposit. The good news is that by getting your deposit in early, you probably got into the week and track you were hoping for.
Where is my confirmation packet?
It depends! If you registered online, your confirmation was immediately and automatically sent to your email. If you don't see it, check your junk mail folder. If you still don't find it, email office@ssi-online.org and we will email you a new copy.
If you registered by snail mail, there is a bit more of a lag time. If you provided us with an email address, your confirmation should be sent to that; otherwise, watch your mailbox. If you don't receive your confirmation packet within two weeks of registering, please let us know.
If you have misplaced your confirmation packet, click here for all of the information you need.
Group Registration Discounts
Tuition is only $329 each when registering with a group of 10 or more, and all registrations and full payment are received by SSI no later than March 31. After this date, group tuition is $349. All groups must be pre-established and are subject to SSI's prior approval. Register early, and save up to $30 each!
Can I send in some of the registrations right away, and the rest of the group registrations in when I get them? Will those later registration still qualify for the group registration discount?
As soon as the group's contact person has enough to qualify as a group
(10 or more), he or she should send in the registrations already received, and then, if other families that are part of that group want to be added, the group contact person can send them at a later date, but before March 31 to benefit from the early registration AND the group discounts. However, if you are having trouble meeting this requirement, contact Jeff Visscher at the SSI office to discuss options.
Some members of the group want to register online. How do I submit the paperwork for a group and still allow the members to register online?
Once the group is established, the group leader should send in to SSI the list of the group members. Then, those registering online should fill in the group name, contact person, and contact phone number on the online form. This will connect these registrants to the group. However, only those on the list received from the group leader will receive the discount.
How will the group discount be applied for the group members registering online?
Once SSI receives the group list (of 10 or more) from the group leader, SSI will credit the balance for each student registering online and apply the discount.
I've already registered individually and then found out my home school group is registering as a group. Can I still get in on the group registration discount?
No. Adding an individual to a group after they have already sent in an
individual registration is not possible. That is one area where we cannot be flexible. We had a lot of confusion and difficulty with this in past years, so we are firm on this point.
Some of the families registering with our group are requesting financial aid. What do I do with those?
If you have families registering with your group that are requesting
financial aid, go ahead and have them register (with their
Financial Aid Application) just like everyone else in the group. They will count toward your group of ten or more. Except in extreme circumstances, which should be communicated directly to our office in writing, even those requesting financial aid need to include a $50 deposit.
Does everyone in my group have to attend the same week?
No. They may attend any week where there are openings.
How will I know that you've received my group registration?
The contact person for group registrations will receive a notice from our office, confirming receipt of the group registrations. Additionally, each participant will receive a confirmation packet from
SSI.
General Questions
My son is looking forward to coming this summer, but he is just going into the 9th grade. Can he attend? What age do you recommend?
Yes, your son is old enough to join us this summer at SSI. The age
requirement is for any teenager entering 9th grade through those entering their first year of college. Deciding which age is most appropriate to send your student is up to the parent, depending on the maturity level and whether or not the student can handle the rigorous schedule and challening curriculum.
Are there mostly older or younger students?
Students vary in ages from 13 to 19. Over the years, there has always
been a good balance of older and younger participants. A good number of the older students are alumni, so they know the ropes, appreciate the programs, and help the younger students to fit in well. The first-year students are split into committees and caucuses, and each group is purposely made up of students of all ages, so no one group has any advantage over another during debates on Friday in the Capitol.
Does my son have to wear a sport coat / man's dress suit to their
final events at the State Capitol, Court, etc.?
No. Business attire is required for the final legislative sessions,
trials, business meetings, mock media's on-air anchors, etc. However, while a sport coat or suit is not required, the guys should
at least wear dress slacks, with a dress shirt and tie.
To find a detailed description of the dress code, go HERE.
How will I know that you've received my registration?
Each registrant will receive a confirmation packet from SSI, most likely in email form. For group registrations, the contact person will receive a notice from
our office, confirming receipt of the group registrations.
Are there any other documents that I have to fill out before camp besides the registration form?
Yes. If you print off the entire registration PDF packet, it will include a Student Covenant & Parental Permission slip, as well as a medical form. These documents need to be signed by students and parents, and MUST accompany the registration form, or be sent in prior to attending. HOWEVER, if you complete your registration online, all of the forms are part of that online process. You will be notified if we need any more information from you.
Is there swimming pool or lake?
No. No need to pack a bathing suit. There is a small pond at Great Lakes Christian College, but it's off limits to fishing, swimming, snorkeling, water-skiing, shark hunting, ice-skating, deep sea
diving, etc.
What are the sleeping arrangements for boys and girls?
We house everyone, students, staff and chaperones, in the guy's and girl's dorms. Dorm rooms are not assigned, but are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. During our opening orientation meeting, all the students learn about the invisible barbed wire separating the two dorm buildings, patrolled by invisible guard dogs, and aided by two invisible watch towers, complete with invisible snipers. While
we spoof a bit here, we are very serious about where everyone is at all times and who is chaperoning. Additionally, a watchman
patrols the campus each night during SSI.
My student has a friend going that week. Can you make sure they are in the same room?
No. SSI does not assign dorm rooms. However, students can easily ensure that they wind up in the same room. Rooms are filled on a first-come, first-served basis by students writing their names on provided sheets of paper on the room doors. If two students want to room together, but will be arriving at different times, have the first one to arrive put both names on the paper.
My child is attending SSI. Is there any way I can participate?
Yes! We can almost always use more chaperones! Visit the
chaperone section of our website for more information! Alternatively, parents are welcome to sit in on any session at SSI.
What if I need to contact my student during the week? Can they keep a cell phone on them for that purpose?
Don't worry! We provide every family with emergency numbers they can use to contact us at SSI. Students may not have cell phones, mp3 players, or similar devices anywhere but in the dorms. However, most chaperones and ADCs do carry phones in case of emergency, there is a phone on campus that accepts calling cards that students can use to call home, and, of course, they may use cell phones in the dorms.
Track Eligibility
At what point does my student qualify to attend an advanced track?
Advanced tracks are open to 3rd year and above alumni, or 2nd year alumni who are entering their junior or senior year of high school. You should indicate on your registration form the track you desire to attend, but always include a second choice in case the track you want is full. Go to the eligibility page before deciding on a track.
My daughter participated in an Onsite Program, and she's coming to the Summer Program for the first time this year. Will she be a member of the House or the Senate?
If a student is attending the Summer Program for the first time, but HAS participated in one of our Onsite Programs, she'll will be allowed to go into the Senate.
If a student is attending the Summer Program for the first time and HAS NOT participated in an Onsite program, he/she will automatically be a member of the House of Representatives.
Location
Where is SSI held?
SSI is held at Great Lakes
Christian College. Mail may be sent to the students during their week at SSI to the following address:
Student's Name
c/o Student Statesmanship Institute
Great Lakes Christian College
6211 W Willow Highway
Lansing, MI 48917
Most activities are held in the air-conditioned administration building, which houses the chapel, dining room, student lounge and classrooms. Students also participate in activities on the grounds of the college and devotions in or around their dorms.
Additionally, students are transported by school bus 2-3 times in the week to the Capitol Building in downtown Lansing. Mock Trial and/or Moot Court students also visit the Michigan Supreme Court in the Hall of Justice (also downtown) and hold court at MSU College of Law. Other venues may be visited depending on the track in which the student is participating.
How do I get there?
Financial Aid
Please see the Financial Aid section of the website.
Why do you only have partial financial aid?
SSI is a ministry of Foundation for Traditional Values, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, faith-based, educational organization. We depend upon the generosity of donors for all of our needs, including financial aid.
To keep your costs down, the registration fee covers only a portion of the total cost for each student, and we work year-round to raise the funds to make SSI possible for all 300 plus students attending each summer. We do all that to keep the fees down, so we can make SSI accessible to as many teenagers as possible.
Many students do fund-raisers and odd jobs to earn money to attend SSI. It's amazing just how creative students get - babysitting, paper routes, pop-can drives, shoveling snow, raking leaves, mowing lawns, part-time jobs, etc. Some students earn enough money to pay their whole way, and several even contribute to the financial aid fund, so others may attend SSI.
If you feel you are unable to attend SSI because of cost, please contact us. We will do all we can to work with you and your situation.
How do I apply for financial aid?
After reading through the entire registrations page, you should select the Financial Aid Application button at the bottom. Complete the online application, and at the end, you will be directed to complete the Registration form. Except in extreme circumstances, which should be communicated directly with our office in writing, even those requesting Financial Aid need to include at least a $50 deposit.
Some of the families registering with our group are requesting financial aid. What do I do with those?
If you have families registering with your group that are
requesting financial aid, go ahead and send those registrations
(with their Financial Aid Application) with the other registrations. Except
in extreme circumstances, which should be communicated directly with our office in writing, even those requesting Financial Aid need to
include a $50 deposit.
Disclaimers
Issues and topics debated, including Bills for the Mock Legislature and/or Cases for the Mock Trial, may be controversial or sensitive in nature. SSI encourages students to discuss both sides of the issues dealt with in the Legislative simulation. We accomplish this by assigning each student a bill to support and one to oppose. Students may be asked to take a position and/or make a speech on an issue that does not reflect their own, or their parents' views.
Through role-playing students come to know both sides of an issue. An important principle of debate is to know your opponent's position and be able to articulate it better than they can in order to effectively refute that position. Students, however, are allowed to debate the issues from a variety of technical or constitutional points of view and are not required to argue from a particular position or perspective.
The issues being debated are actual bills taken from the Michigan Legislature and may include: Marriage, Sanctity of Life/Abortion, Education, Religious Freedom, Healthcare, Personal liberty, etc.
Parents should determine whether the issues being debated are age-appropriate for their younger children.
If you have any questions not addressed by this FAQ, please contact SSI at 517-321-6233 or ssi@ssi-online.org.
