What is CYLC and how long has the organization existed? The Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) is a nonpartisan, educational organization, founded in 1985 and is located just outside of Washington, D.C. in Vienna, VA. Our mission is to foster and inspire young people to achieve their full leadership potential. To date, over 200,000 young people representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia, American Territories and over 100 countries have participated in CYLC programs.

How is CYLC funded? CYLC is a tuition-based, self-supporting organization, with many students securing financial support from local business, civic, community and leadership organizations. The CYLC Sponsorships & Student Fundraising Guide helps students identify funding sources and outlines steps for a successful fundraising effort.

Does CYLC have any political affiliation? No, the Congressional Youth Leadership Council is a nonpartisan, educational organization.

What is JrNYLC Alumni Boston? Sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the Junior National Young Leaders Conference Alumni Boston (JrNYLC Alumni Boston) builds upon the foundation of leadership begun in Washington D.C. At JrNYLC Alumni Boston, the city provides the classroom, with its rich history so integral to the formation of our nation.

Where can I get a sample schedule? Please click here to view a sample schedule, which is provided to demonstrate the pace and composition of a typical session.

Once I submit an Enrollment Application and tuition payment, what happens? Is a space guaranteed? Once you have been invited to attend JrNYLC Alumni Boston, you should follow the guidelines below to ensure that you are enrolled in the program. Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to apply early.

• With your parent's help, enroll online or complete the personalized application located in the invitation and return it along with tuition payment to our Office of Admissions. Should JrNYLC Alumni Boston be full, you will be placed on a wait list and payment will not be processed.
• If you are accepted, we will send an acceptance letter containing details on travel and academic preparation.

What is the Student Code of Conduct? Click here to read the complete Student Code of Conduct.

What does JrNYLC Alumni Boston tuition cover? Tuition for the six-day Conference includes all housing, program materials, breakfasts, lunches, dinners and private motor coach transportation to all locations during the Conference. Transportation to and from the conference location is not included. Scholars will need money only for souvenirs and other incidentals (phone calls, snacks, etc.).

Does CYLC offer financial assistance? CYLC is proud to offer a limited number of scholarships to qualified nominees. Through the scholarship program, CYLC opens the door for young leaders from across the United States to participate in JrNYLC Alumni Boston.

For nominees who are interested in fundraising to help offset the cost of tuition, CYLC has prepared a Sponsorships & Student Fundraising Guide featuring helpful, step-by-step suggestions and activities that enable nominees to fundraise.

If there is a limited number of spaces in JrNYLC Alumni Boston and Enrollment Applications are processed in the order in which they are received, what if no spaces are available by the time I am able to accrue full tuition through fundraising? We recognize that fundraising may delay the submission of your application, so we encourage you to contact the Office of Admissions once you initiate fundraising efforts. While we cannot guarantee a space in the Conference, your call will make us aware of your fundraising efforts and intent to attend.

How are students supervised? Our staff includes faculty advisors, who serve as educational facilitators and chaperones, security personnel, operations personnel, as well as the program director. The student-to-staff ratio is 17-to-1. Faculty advisors take attendance throughout the conference and perform room checks every evening.

What safety measures does JrNYLC Alumni Boston follow?

• We greet students at Boston Logan International Airport and provide transportation to the conference site.
• We only provide single-sex sleeping rooms.
• The student-to-staff ratio is 17-to-1.
• Our staff is comprised of highly trained and experienced faculty advisors.
• Evening room checks occur each night.
• Students travel by private motor coach and never use public transportation.

Where will I stay while at JrNYLC Alumni Boston? Summer 2012 attendees will reside at the Sheraton Colonial Boston North Hotel and Conference Center. Please confirm that your scholar has enrolled in the desired session before making any travel arrangements.

Can I request a roommate? If not, how are roommates selected? Roommate requests are not accepted. We randomly assign rooms and roommates prior to your arrival day. This is done to give scholars the opportunity to get to know peers from other areas of the country. We strongly believe that learning about - and from - other young leaders from all over the country provides a significant leadership development opportunity.

What airport should I arrive to and depart from? Shuttle service will be available from Boston Logan International Airport on Arrival and Departure days.

Please note, students must arrive between noon and 5:30 p.m. on the first day of their conference session and depart between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on the last day of their conference session.

Who will meet me at the airport? JrNYLC Alumni Boston staff members will be wearing name badges and will meet your child at their arrival gate. We will contact you with the name of the staff member the week prior to the start of the Conference. Note: Because this information is not required to make a flight reservation, we encourage you to begin making your flight arrangements as soon as you receive official confirmation of your enrollment.

If you are dropping your child off at the airport, please refer to your Bring On Arrival Day! form for baggage claim meeting places.

Do I fly alone or can my parents fly with me? It is up to your parents whether they would like to fly with you or have you fly alone. If you fly alone, we will have two greeters meet you right at the gate after you get off the plane.

What does unaccompanied minor status mean? When airlines offer the additional assistance of their personnel to a minor child traveling without a parent, guardian or other trusted adult, the airline refers to this as "unaccompanied minor status."

Can I book my flight directly through CYLC? The Congressional Youth Leadership Council (CYLC) has selected WorldTEK, a travel management company, to serve as its official travel agency. We highly recommend that CYLC families contact WorldTEK to determine the lowest available airfares and arrange their travel. Click here to learn more.

My family would like to stay in the area during the Conference. Can you recommend a hotel? Listed below are recommended area hotels for families of JrNYLC Alumni Boston attendees who wish to stay in the area during the Conference.

• Boston Marriott Newton
  2345 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02466
  Phone: (888) 236-2427, (617) 969-1000
• Hampton Inn Boston Peabody
  59 Newbury Street, Peabody, MA 01960
  Phone: (800) 426-7866, (978) 536-2020
  
• Holiday Inn Hotels and Suites
  1 Newbury Street, Peabody, MA 01960
  Phone: (888)-HOLIDAY, (978) 535-4600
  
• Homewood Suites Hotel
  57 Newbury Street, Peabody, MA 01960
  Phone: (800) 225-5466, (978) 535-5050
  

What is the Tuition and Travel Protection Plan? Each student has the option of enrolling in our Tuition and Travel Protection Plan for an additional fee. This trip cancellation insurance is recommended and can be purchased during enrollment. If you would like to know more specifics about the Tuition and Travel Protection Plan, please call the plan administrator, Nationwide, toll-free at (866) 282-3987.

Can special dietary needs be met? Vegetarian options are always available, and kosher meals can be made available upon request. Please contact the Office of Admissions to make a special request.

What if my son/daughter loses something, or forgets to bring a personal item home after the Conference? All lost and found items are retained by conference staff for 2 weeks following the Conference. Items of higher monetary value are retained for 30 days after the Conference concludes. After 30 days, all items remaining are discarded or donated. We strongly recommend following the advice provided in the suggested packing list, which includes placing your child's name on all personal belongings that he or she will be bringing to the Conference.

My question is not listed. If your question is not listed above, please click here to contact the Office of Admissions.