Frequently Asked Questions
Every BLC delegate receives:
- The BLC handbook with exclusive content to use at the conference and then take home with personal notes and discoveries from the week.
- Sessions and activities designed to be interesting, motivating, and informative.
- Four nights' lodging and 11 meals.
- A BLC T-shirt and drawstring backpack.
- Five days packed with friendships, personal growth, and excitement!
*While the cost for a student to attend BLC is over $800, the generosity of the Broyhill Family Foundation helps keep BLC affordable. Their funding allows us to provide excellent leadership training at a reduced fee for all delegates.
- Click the "Register Now" button to begin your registration. Because our conferences are similar, delegates may only register for one event per summer. Can't get enough? Come back next year and bring a friend!
- Complete the registration online: >Fill out your personal information >Add on your BLC gear and prepaid snack options >Submit your payment.
- Watch for our emails. We send an automatic successful submission email followed by an official confirmation when an application is accepted. The confirmation email contains detailed information about what to pack for the conference, when and where to arrive, and specific forms that must be signed in order to participate.
- Mark the dates for BLC on your calendar! We hold a space for each registered delegate. If you have to cancel for any reason, notify us immediately at [email protected].
Contact Tomorrow’s America Foundation:
- [email protected]
- 803.628.0000
We will confirm the delegate's registration and email a new packet. Your confirmation email contains all the information you need for BLC, including packing lists, registration times, and links to documents that parents and students must complete and sign in order to complete on-site registration.
From Parents
All conferences are held at accredited universities with 24-hour campus security. ALL staff comply with annual background checks. We adhere to a ZERO tolerance policy for any type of bullying, abuse, or hazing.
As such, we assign each student to a staff-member led group of 12 to 14 delegates that meets throughout the day and evening. Students are required to attend all sessions. Staff conducts room checks each night at curfew. Should a student be unaccounted for at any session or room check, Staff immediately alert the Director to begin the process of locating delegate. This process includes staff physically searching for student, campus security notification, and contacting parents. Students who fail to comply with stated rules regarding attendance and curfew are subject to immediate dismissal from the conference.
We take your child's safety and security seriously. Any student with irresponsible behaviors and authority issues should NOT attend the conference.
All refund requests should be made to [email protected].
If your child cannot attend BLC, $75 of the registration is nonrefundable. Notify us by June 1 to receive a refund of the remainder of the payment.
No refunds are issued for cancellations made after June 1. Out of courtesy, please notify us if your child is unable to attend so that we do not expect them at on-site registration.
Switching between BLC conferences within the same summer is possible in some cases, but we are unable to transfer fees to the next summer in any situation.
In order to comply with insurance regulations and for the safety of all our delegates, all prescription and over-the-counter medications will be collected during registration. Students should not have these in their possession.
Please download and print our medication policy for detailed instructions on preparing your delegate's medication for distribution during their time at BLC.
Our staff will have single-dose packages of ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), calcium carbonate (Tums), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - please do not bring these medications from home.
If you have any questions regarding this medication policy please email us at [email protected] or call 803-628-0000 prior to the conference.
Yes, it is possible to attend BLC without medical insurance. You will need to complete the Insurance Release Form with all signatures, addresses, and phone numbers. In the space for insurance information, please provide a valid credit card number with the card holder’s name as it appears on the card, correct billing address, and security code from the back of the card (alternately, your child may bring a credit card for emergencies). Information on the Insurance Release is only used if a delegate needs immediate medical attention. At the conclusion of the conference, all Insurance Release Forms are returned to the Tomorrow’s America Foundation office and destroyed.
Meals are served in the cafeteria of the host campus. There are several menu options at each meal, including gluten-free and vegetarian choices.
If your child has a specific dietary requirement, please contact our office so that we can put you in touch with the college Food Service Manager.
Everything your child needs to have a successful week at BLC is included in the registration fee:
- Housing
- Meals from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the last day.
- Curriculum and activity supplies.
You may add BLC gear like a snack card or souvenir t-shirt to your order - save money by purchasing those ahead of time!
In addition, if your child loses a key issued by the host university, you will be billed for the replacement cost. You will be billed exactly what the college charges us. You can find more information in your confirmation email.
BLC is an overnight camp. Delegates stay in dorm rooms at our host college campus. We use separate housing for males and females.
Delegates will have a roommate that is the same age unless a roommate is requested.
Each room has twin beds and a chest of drawers. Most rooms will be on a hall with a common bathroom.
Students must bring linens, a pillow, towels, etc. – these are not provided.
Each delegate is responsible to arrange their own transportation.
Registered delegates receive driving directions and parking instructions prior to the conference. Parents may accompany student to registration location and be available if needed. Only registered delegates may go through the registration stations. Parents may not attend sessions, activities, meals, or events after on-site registration is over.
Students who drive themselves will be given instructions for parking once they arrive on campus. A staff member will collect and secure their keys - no one is permitted to leave the conference after registration.
If your child must fly in for the conference, it is your responsibility to arrange their air travel and transportation to and from the conference. We do not provide airport shuttle services.
From Students
It can be intimidating to try new things! At BLC, you will find that our staff members are enthusiastic, relatable, and care about your success.
Within your first few hours on campus, you will meet with your council - your group for the week. You will get to know the other delegates in your council very well in a short time, and you will soon begin to find your place and feel comfortable.
Here are a few ideas to help you get ready for BLC:
- Read about a typical BLC day to get familiar with the kinds of activities you will be participating in.
- In order to be well prepared, review your confirmation email. Go over the packing list and make a note of arrival times so you have everything you need for a successful week at BLC.
- Come with a positive attitude. Just like most things in life, you get out about as much as you put in. If you start the week expecting to learn and have a great time, you will be far ahead!
Meals are served in the cafeteria of the host campus. There are several menu options at each meal, including gluten-free and vegetarian choices.
If you have a specific dietary requirement, please contact our office so that we can put you in touch with the college Food Service Manager.
In order to comply with insurance regulations and for the safety of all our delegates, all prescription and over-the-counter medications will be collected during registration. You should not have these in your possession during the conference.
Please download and print our medication policy for detailed instructions on preparing your medication for BLC.
Our staff will have single-dose packages of ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), calcium carbonate (Tums), bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto Bismol), and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) - please do not bring these medications from home.
If you have any questions regarding this medication policy please email us at [email protected] or call 803-628-0000 prior to the conference.
You will stay in a dorm room at the host college campus. We use separate housing for males and females.
You will have a roommate that is the same age as you, unless you request a roommate on your application.
Each room has twin beds and a chest of drawers. Most rooms will be on a hall with a common bathroom, so bring a tote to carry your shower supplies.
Bring your own linens, pillow, towels, etc. – these are not provided.
You may request a roommate when you complete your application. Both you and your friend must request each other; we will not honor requests made by only one person. Please note:
- Rooms have 2 twin beds, so you may request to room with only one other person.
- You may only request to room with someone of the same gender.
If you do not complete your roommate request when you register, you may log back into your application to add it or email us at [email protected].
We will accept roommate requests until the last day to register for the conference.
Detailed information is included in the confirmation packet. Our atmosphere is very relaxed and casual clothing that meets our dress code is appropriate: shorts and t-shirts, flip flops, tennis shoes, etc.
BLC hosts a semi-formal banquet. For girls, a nice dress or skirt and top is appropriate. Guys should wear dress slacks or khakis, a nice button-up collared shirt, tie, and a sport coat if you already have one.
There will also be a team building activity where clothes get dirty and wet; bring old shorts and a t-shirt for this, but please don't wear white.
The talent show is not mandatory; however, delegates who are interested in performing should bring music (iTunes), instruments and/or costumes.
Each delegate is responsible to arrange their own transportation.
You will receive driving directions and drop-off parking instructions prior to the conference. If your parents drive you to BLC, they may come to the registration location with you and be available if you need them. They may not go through registration with you or attend any sessions or events after on-site registration is over.
If you drive yourself, follow the driving directions and drop-off parking instructions you receive in your confirmation email. You will be given instructions for where to park for the week during registration. A staff member will collect and secure your keys - no one is permitted to leave the conference after registration.
If you fly in for the conference, you must arrange your own air travel and transportation to and from the college. We do not provide an airport shuttle.
From Sponsors
If the student who is being sponsored as part of a group cancels by June 1, your organization will receive a full refund less a $75 application fee. If the student cancels after that, no refund is available.
To avoid losing funds, you may substitute another student in their place. If the conference is almost to capacity, you may need to substitute a student of the same gender.
Please contact the Tomorrow’s America Foundation office at [email protected] or 803.628.0000 for more information.
Everything your student needs to have a successful week at BLC is included in the registration fee. It covers:
- Housing
- All meals from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the last day.
- Curriculum and activity supplies.
Students may add BLC gear like a snack card or souvenir t-shirt to their order, but your organization will not be charged for that purchase.
In addition, if a student you sponsor loses the keys issued by the host university, they will be billed for the replacement cost that the university charges us. Your organization will not be charged for the loss.
Each delegate is responsible to arrange their own transportation.
If you would like to arrange transportation for your entire group, please contact us at [email protected] to request driving directions and parking instructions.
Parents or sponsors may accompany students to the registration loacation and be available if needed. Only registered delegates may go through the registration stations. Parents may not attend sessions, activities, meals, or events after on-site registration is over.
Sponsors who are interested in learning more about BLC may contact us at [email protected] to make arrangements for viewing sessions and activities. Sponsors may not attend sessions, activities, meals, or events without prior approval.
Students who drive themselves will be given instructions for parking once they arrive on campus. A staff member will collect and secure their keys - no one is permitted to leave the conference after registration.
If your delegates must fly in for the conference, it is your responsibility to arrange their air travel and transportation to and from the conference. We do not provide airport shuttle services.