General Information

• Tuition: Your registration fee covers all instructional materials, food and lodging for all five days!
• Daily Events: Worship/Bible study; teaching sessions; legislative, judicial, business, campaign or media track activities; dynamic speakers; entertainment; games and sports.
• Eligibility: High school-aged teens. In other words, students entering their first year of high school through those just having graduated from high school are eligible to attend. Find out which tracks you are eligible for here.
  First-year summer students always participate in the House of Representatives. Those who have participated in an Onsite program can attend as a Senator.
• What to Pack: For details on what to bring, what not to bring, and dress code, please see the LEAD Policies (below). SSI does not assign dorm rooms.
• Location: Cleary University, 3725 Cleary Dr., Howell, MI (www.cleary.edu)
• Frequently Asked Questions: Find answers to other common questions on our FAQ page. 

Financial Considerations 

• • Early-Registration Discount: To qualify for the $430 early registration tuition, all fees must be paid in full by March 15th.  
  • Group Discount: Tuition is only $420 per student when registering with a group of 10 or more and full payment is received by SSI no later than March 15th, provided at least 10 people have registered with the group at that point. After this date, group tuition is $450 per student. To qualify for a group discount, every participant must fill out his/her own registration form, and all forms must contain the name of the contact person and the group name. All names must be on the contact person’s list in order to be valid. All groups must be pre-established by filling out the form at ssionline.org/lead/discounts. Register as a group and save up to $40 each!  
  • Financial Aid: Financial Aid may be available for those in serious need. Complete the Financial Aid application here, fill out the registration form, and send in a minimum $50 deposit. See our financial aid page for more details. Please note that first time financial aid recipients must pay a minimum of $80, and previous financial aid recipients must pay a minimum of $160. 
  • NOTE: Please send as much of your tuition as possible when registering. A $50 minimum deposit is required to reserve a space. All balances must be paid in full two weeks prior to the week attending

LEAD Policies

​We are excited that you have chosen to attend LEAD. It is our desire to make this a profitable, enjoyable, life-changing experience for everyone involved. While we expect no problems from the students, it is important to define the boundaries and lay the foundation for expectations and conflict/problem-solving ahead of time so everyone is aware of policies and procedures. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at (517) 321-6233. All students are required to read the LEAD Policies and sign the Student Conduct Covenant. 

While at LEAD, students will be under the supervision of staff, instructors, and chaperones. Our goal is to have the ratio of volunteers to students at no less than 1:10. SSI staff will be on location at all times. The staff, instructors, and chaperones will clearly communicate our expectations to students.  

LEAD Cancellation Fee / Refund Policy

Students who are unable to attend LEAD during the week for which they registered may request a refund of their registration fee. All refund checks are mailed approximately 2-3 weeks after the request is made. Due to costly administrative commitments, refunds will be honored as follows:  

Full Refund Deadline 

• June 1, 2020: Deadline for FULL refund – all weeks Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than June 1st will be honored in full, including the deposit. 

Partial Refund Deadlines 

• Week One (June 21-26): June 8, 2020 Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than June 8th but after June 1st will be honored, minus the $50 deposit. After June 3rd, no refunds will be permitted. 

• Week Two (July 12-17): June 29, 2020 Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than June 29th but after June 1st will be honored, minus the $50 deposit. After June 24th, no refunds will be permitted. 
• Week Three (July 26-31): July 13, 2020 Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in no later than July 13th but after June 1st will be honored, minus the $50 deposit. After July 8th, no refunds will be permitted.  

NOTE: If a student is dismissed as a result of disciplinary action or leaves to go home for any reason (illness, etc.) during his/her week at LEAD, no refund or partial refund will be issued. Likewise, no one may attend in his/her place. 

Alternatives to Refunds

Attend a Different Week – Students are encouraged to attend a different week of LEAD, as space allows, rather than not come at all. We will make every attempt to make adjustments where possible. Therefore, if a student wishes to switch to a different week, he or she must make that request to the SSI office as soon as possible. If no room is available in another week, a refund may be issued according to the policy outlined above. 

Transfer Registration – A registration may be transferred to a different student provided registration has not yet closed for the week in question. Please call the SSI office immediately if you are thinking of transferring your registration to another individual. In any case, new registration forms will be required. 

Financial Aid – There are many deserving students who want to attend LEAD but simply can’t afford it. Consider helping them by transferring the tuition money to the Financial Aid Fund. 

Schedule

​All activities are mandatory, and all students will be expected to participate in every activity unless prior permission is obtained to excuse a student. The final schedule will be distributed at registration. While students attend LEAD, it will be very important that they get enough sleep to meet the challenging itinerary. 

Note to Parents: Students should plan on staying on campus during the entire week. Please be sure that your student does not have any commitments during the week of camp. 

Students should not plan on leaving campus during the week.

Registration & Dorms

Dorms open at 5:30pm and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. No student will be alone in a suite. A student may request to be randomly assigned to a dorm and roommate by indicating it on the registration form. Unless requested, SSI does not assign dorm rooms. Registration opens at approximately 6:00pm. Students may go to the dorms and select their room if they arrive on campus before 6:00pm. Students arriving between 6:00-6:30pm should register first, go select their dorm room, and then return for student orientation. Students arriving AFTER 6:30pm should register immediately and then go to student orientation. Their luggage can be left in the designated area. They will have an opportunity to set up their dorm room later in the evening. Students wishing to room with each other should arrive early enough to claim a room together as rooms cannot be saved for those who have not yet arrived. Parents are encouraged to stay for the parent meeting at 6:30pm. 

Students will receive a room and/or dorm key during their stay at Cleary; however, any students who lose their key will be responsible to pay Cleary for the cost of replacing it before checking out on Friday. 

What to Bring

• • Bedding: Sleeping bag or blanket, sheets, pillow, etc. 
  • Toiletries: Towel, washcloth, bodywash, shampoo/conditioner, hand soap, comb/brush, sun screen, toothbrush, etc.  
  • Supplies: Bible, pen/pencil, notebook, alarm clock, cell phone (not allowed in the Johnson Center or Chrysler Hall). No need to bring a fan, dorms do have AC 😜 
  • Clothing: Casual clothes for time spent on campus, athletic clothing for sports including closed-toed shoes, nice casual clothes, and enough “dress” outfits for presentations and trips to the Capitol or other venues (see below).  
  • Sports Equipment: Some will be provided, however, feel free to bring your own basketball, volleyball, soccer ball, and/or other outdoor sports equipment. 
  • Spending Money: Only needed to buy a LEAD t-shirt ($10) or other camp gear, pop, snacks, and/or supplies from vending machines or the Cleary campus store. 
  • Umbrella: Due to changes on Cleary campus, students may be spending more time walking across campus and should bring an umbrella in case of rain. 
  • Snacks: The registration fee covers three meals per day, but students are also welcome to bring snacks to keep in their dorm if they are so inclined. Students are expected to clean up after themselves if they will be eating in the dorms. Keep in mind that a roommate may be allergic to food that was brought. If that is the case, please be considerate of that roommate’s allergies. 

What NOT to Bring

​Do Not Bring: Stereo, video, or computer equipment (no laptops or tablets unless given prior permission), electronic devices (such as games, drones, iPods, or CD/MP3/DVD players), amplified musical instruments, flammable materials, or controlled substances. If in doubt, call the SSI office at (517) 321-6233 and we will let you know if you should bring it. 

Students are welcome to bring their phones with the understanding that to foster a learning atmosphere, cell phone use will be permitted only during free times in the dorms or outside. Students are encouraged to contact home during their free times. 

Note to Parents: Please take the opportunity to go through your student‘s luggage with him/her and discuss what constitutes appropriate, professional, and modest clothing as outlined below and to ensure no items are brought from the list above. 

Dress Code

While we recognize that families have different tastes, views, and convictions on what constitutes professional, modest, and appropriate dress, all students attending LEAD are required to respect and comply with the following. If these standards are not met, SSI staff may ask a student to immediately change his/her outfit to comply with the dress code. 

General Standards 

Students should wear neat, clean, modest, and activity-appropriate clothing. No crude language or images on clothing. No ragged clothing, please. Hats may not be worn during lectures or chapel. 

Definitions 

Casual: Jeans or shorts, t–shirts, sneakers, or sandals 

Nice Casual: Khakis/dress pants or skirts, with collared or dress shirt, and dress shoes (no flip-flops) 

Business: Collared shirt and tie with dress pants or suit for gentlemen; dress, skirt, or dress pants with blouse or business suit for ladies 

Ladies: At any time, shorts must reach mid-thigh. Skirts and dresses (solid fabric) must touch the middle of the knee at all times if no leggings are worn. If leggings are worn, the skirt or dress may not be any higher than a hand’s width above the knee at any time. Leggings or similar bottoms must have something worn over them. No low-cut tops, racerbacks, spaghetti or thin straps. Shirts must cover the lower back, the front, the midsection, and bra (including straps). No pajamas outside of dorm rooms. 

Gentlemen: No sagging shorts or pants. Shirts must be worn at all times. Shirts must not show any part of the lower back or midsection. No pajamas outside of dorm rooms. 

Specific Event Standards 

• Teaching Sessions: Casual. Shoes or sandals must be worn at all times in the Johnson Center and Chrysler Hall. 

• Sports or Outside Activities: Closed-toed shoes are required. All students should bring close-toed shoes for the campus-wide activity Tuesday afternoon. 

• Legislative Track: There will be two trips to the Capitol (Wednesday and Friday) for which the dress code will be business attire, so gentlemen should wear a dress shirt with a tie and dress slacks, or a suit; ladies should wear a dress or modest blouse with a skirt or dress slacks. Make sure that all attire is in dress code. House students will also hold a press conference during which the dress code will be casual with the exception that no shorts, clothes with holes, or flip-flops will be allowed.  

• Business Track: Business dress for the Thursday evening presentation and nice casual for a group photo.  

• Judicial Tracks: Business dress for the trials on Thursday and Friday and Moot Court arguments on Friday. Nice casual for a group photo. 

• Media Track: Business dress for two media tours, Capitol trips on Wednesday & Friday, filming, and a group photo. 

• Campaign Track: Business dress for the Wednesday debate and filming of campaign ads. Nice casual for possible tour and a group photo. 

If you are concerned about not having clothing that fits the dress code or event standards, thrift stores or discount racks are an excellent place to find them. If you have any questions, please call the SSI office at (517) 321-6233.  

Food Allergies

Please note on the Health Information section of the registration any special dietary needs, restrictions, or allergies that will require any degree of consideration. Students with diets that prohibit gluten, dairy, nuts, or meat will be provided alternate meals when the main dish contains those ingredients. Students are responsible to monitor the food they consume and should ask the kitchen if they are ever uncertain whether or not the food contains something they should not eat.  Cleary University and SSI cannot guarantee allergen free food, and cross-contamination is always a risk. There is also a possibility that manufacturers of the commercial foods used could change the formulation at any time, without notice. Participants concerned with food allergies need to be aware of this risk. Neither Cleary University nor SSI will assume any liability for adverse reactions to foods consumed or items one may come in contact with during the week of participation. SSI must be made aware of a participant’s allergies and special needs requests at least three weeks prior to the start of the program. If you have additional concerns, please contact our office at (517) 321-6233. 

Learning Impairments and Mental Health

It is important that we are aware of any learning impairments or mental health concerns beforehand so that we can properly prepare to work with your child. Please be sure to include information in the Health Information section of the registration about any impairments or mental health concerns your child has. We will contact you for more information so that we can plan for the support necessary for your child and ensure a positive experience. SSI will do what it can within reason to accommodate students with learning impairments or mental health concerns. 

Additional Expectations

Please see our LEAD Campus Policies and Student Conduct Covenant for a list of the rules students are expected to abide by while at camp. 

Disclaimer

Issues and topics debated, including bills for the Mock Legislature and/or cases for the Mock Trial, may be controversial or sensitive in nature. Please contact SSI or see the FAQ section for more information.