FAQ

Seminar participants may arrive any time after 8:00 a.m. but before 9:00 a.m. on Friday, June 6, 2025. The seminar will begin with Ambassador Orientation on Friday, June 6th at 9:00 a.m. and conclude with Closing Ceremonies on Sunday, June 8th at 12:00 p.m. The ambassador must be present for the entire seminar, including overnight.

During your HOBY Leadership Seminar, many dynamic leaders—all volunteers from the fields of business, education, government, and other professions—will address aspects of our changing world and the challenges future leaders will confront. The program will not promote any specific political party, religion, or way of thinking; but is designed to develop critical thinking skills by actively involving participants in discussions and informal debate. During the seminar, and after being equipped with the tools necessary, you will be asked to undertake a community service project (or projects) within your own community involving at least 100 hours of service during the year following your seminar. The purpose is to make a difference in your school, community, place of worship, or any other environment where you see a need.

The Registration Fee covers housing, all meals and snacks, t-shirt, and all program materials. Transportation to and from the seminar is not provided.

Participants will be assigned to dorm rooms with 2-4 participants per room on floors reserved exclusively for the seminar. Students will need to bring their own bedding for Twin sized bed and necessary toiletries (sheets, blankets, pillows, towels, etc). Everyone will receive nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and dinners starting with Lunch on Friday and ending with Breakfast on Sunday. In the Health and Safety section, please indicate any special dietary considerations, including allergies, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Dress is casual throughout the weekend. We encourage you to wear your Sunday best to conclude our program for the weekend. You will be provided a HOBY t-shirt and there will be an announcement as to when you will wear the t-shirt during the weekend.

Please provide information about your medication in the Health and Safety section of your Registration. You may also contact your Senior Facilitator or the LSC. Make sure to read and comply with the Policy for Use of Medication During a HOBY Event.

There is a $25 room key deposit due at the time of check-in that will be fully refunded to you at check-out. Iowa HOBY merchandise will be available in the HOBY Store throughout the weekend.

We are pleased to offer an early arrival program for those students traveling from long distances. Check in for early arrival will be the evening before Seminar. There is a $40 fee to defray the cost of housing, activities, and staff supervision on Thursday evening and breakfast on Friday morning. Please note that an evening meal will not be provided on Thursday. Please contact recruitment@iahoby.org with any questions regarding the early arrival program.

Please park in the public lot Parking Lot 16—Olmsted Center (ZONE 1) and an Iowa HOBY volunteer will greet you and check you in.

Information on pick-up times for the Sunday of Seminar will be shared closer to the Seminar date.

Parent(s)/guardian(s), friends, and family members are discouraged from calling participants during the seminar due to the disruption caused to panels and activities. In case of emergency, your parent(s) or guardian may call the LSC – Ali Watkins. The seminar will be chaperoned by adults who will be staying at the facility 24 hours a day.

An optional, non-denominational service is available to all students Sunday morning in the schedule.

 If circumstances arise that prevent you from attending the entire seminar, including overnight, we would like to give another student the opportunity to attend. Please notify the HOBY contact at your school, and follow up with an email to the Director of Recruitment ( recruitment@iahoby.org) or Ali Watkins, LSC ( LSC@iahoby.org).

Additional questions or concerns should be directed to Ali Watkins, LSC via email: LSC@iahoby.org