Renaissance Weekend

The Aspen Meadows Resort includes ninety-eight spacious suites located on 42 manicured acres, surrounded by two rivers and four majestic mountains (AJAX, Aspen Highlands, Snowmass, and Buttermilk). Aspen Meadows Resort offers tranquility that no mountain resort can offer being so close to downtown. Aspen/Snowmass offers many summer activities, including whitewater rafting, kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and hot air ballooning.  After enjoying your day, relax in the Hefner lounge or soak under the stars in the outdoor hot tub near the newly renovated Health Center.

The Program

PANELS

The Weekend is comprised of hundreds of programs in which participants with in-depth knowledge reflect off-the-record on a wide variety of current issues. Lively discussion by all participants is encouraged, and the tone is decidedly relaxed and family-oriented. Afternoons are set aside for recreation, and all participants are encouraged to come and go as they like.

Because panel assignments are not completed until just before the event, the Final Program is only available at Registration, which begins at 4:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 2. (However, a Tentative Program will be sent to all registered lead participants mid-August.)

Participants are assigned roles in the program based on the information provided on the PARTICIPANT PROFILES page of your on-line registration or, if requested, on the equivalent printed form. Thus, it is most important to complete your Profile online as early as possible.

"Camp Renaissance" / Teens / College Students

CHILDREN

Camp Renaissance is an action-packed program tailored for children ages 3-12. Typical children’s programs include hands-on experiments, indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, musical performances, story-telling and arts & crafts projects. These activities are organized by the Camp Renaissance Counselors, with involvement from adult Renaissance participants whose experiences are of interest to young people. The children’s program runs concurrently with the adult program, and thus does not provide full-time child care. Camp-related costs are included in the children’s Registration Fees for the Weekend.

Younger Children: There is no organized program or child care provided for children under the age of three. However, younger children are welcome at Camp Renaissance programs when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Participants should make arrangements for babysitters at least three weeks prior to arrival at the Weekend. (Lists are available from the hotel Concierge.) To maximize enjoyment of the full program for the entire family, families with young children are encouraged to bring a baby-sitter or “au pair.” While there is no Registration Fee for such individuals, they are charged for one Child’s Meals Fee ($250). It is understood that they are attending solely for child care and that, if practical, they will assist periodically with Camp Renaissance. Baby-sitters and “au pairs” are free to attend programs and panel discussions designed specifically for Camp Renaissance participants.

TEENS & COLLEGE STUDENTS

Young people are welcome at all functions. Most teens and college students participate in the regularly-scheduled activities. In addition, they often have designated gathering places and their own activities and discussions. Teens and college students are usually placed on panels reflective of their interests, according to the information provided on the PARTICIPANT PROFILES.

The final agenda (available at Registration) will note programs especially for teens, other panels designed with teens in mind, and details for additional teen gatherings.

College students have traditionally integrated themselves into the adult program while also creating a strong bond during a few programs planned specifically for them.

Parents are expected to oversee their children’s and teens’ comings and goings throughout the Weekend. Renaissance Institute and Renaissance Weekend staff can assume no liability regarding children or teens.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Most afternoons (approximately 2:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.) will be set aside for personal and family recreation and enjoyment of Aspen and surrounding area.  Advance sign-up will be required for user-pay activities such as fly-fishing, hiking, horseback riding, biking or hot air balloon rides (to name a few).  

Please visit the websites for Aspen/Snowmass (www.aspensnowmass.com) and the Aspen Chamber of Commerce and Resort Association (www.aspenchamber.org).

Afternoon adventures such as fly-fishing, white-water rafting, hot-air balloon rides, horseback riding, biking, hiking, etc. require advance sign-up and may be made directly with Blazing Adventures (800-282-7238 or 970-923-4544 (request Groups Department), groups@blazingadventures.com)  A representative from Blazing Adventures will be available at to assist you with registration from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 2 and from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. on Friday, September 3.  A listing with the offered adventures will be made available prior to the start of the Weekend.  

Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival will be held in the Snowmass Town Park, Snowmass Village during the Labor Day Renaissance Weekend.  Please feel free to visit www.jazzaspen.org for information regarding that event.  However, you may prefer to purchase tickets after reviewing the Tentative Program (sent to registered participants mid-August) to avoid any program conflicts.

A Fitness Center is available at Aspen Meadows and is complimentary to the registered guests at each property.  Hotel Jerome offers complimentary access privileges and transportation to and from The Aspen Club (http://aspenclub.com).

Bike Rentals are available from Aspen Meadows (first-come, first-served basis), Ajax Bikes (970-925-7662, www.ajaxbikeandsport.com) or Aspen Sports (on-site at the St. Regis Aspen).  The hotel concierge may be able to assist participants with their bike rental requests.

Gondola and Chair Lift Rides are available in Aspen and Snowmass.  Descriptions and reservation information can be found at www.aspensnowmass.com/summer_rec/gondola.cfm.  

Tennis courts (4 cushioned hard courts and 2 clay Har Tru courts) are available at Aspen Meadows.  Court reservations may be made by calling 970-544-7111.  

Golf tee times may be made at any of the following local Aspen golf courses. 

• Aspen Golf Club
• Maroon Creek Club
• Snowmass Golf Club
• Roaring Fork Club
• River Valley Ranch Golf Club
• Ironbridge Golf Club
• Lakota Canyon Ranch Golf Club

Aspen Meadows Resort is located a quarter mile from downtown Aspen. The Aspen airport is a short five-minute drive from the resort with complimentary shuttle service provided. Vail airport is another option approximately an hour away by car.

Discount airfares (sometimes better than internet fares) and information regarding travel to Aspen are available from Abbott & Hill Travel at (843) 971-0170.  For reservations, ask for Ted Walker and refer to Renaissance Weekend.

Driving Directions

AIRPORT:
Exit the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport towards Aspen Proceed through the Aspen roundabout towards Aspen.  Take the first left after crossing Castle Creek Bridge onto 8th Street.  Go to the end of the road.  Turn left onto Meadows Road Meadows.  The road will dead end into the Aspen Meadows

DOWNTOWN:
Turn left on Main Street/Hwy 82 Follow Main to 7th Street, turn right Take 7th to a 'T' intersection with North Street, turn left Follow this road into the Aspen Meadows

Shuttle Service: Aspen Meadows and Hotel Jerome provide complimentary shuttle transportation to/from Aspen's airport.  Colorado Mountain Express provides shuttle transportation between the Denver and Vail airports and the Aspen hotels. Shared van or private car service is available. One-way and round-trip discounted fares (Discount Code "RW") are available for Renaissance Weekend participants. For information and to book your reservation, please call (800) 525 6363 or (970) 926 9800 or visit www.ridecme.com.

A Rental Car is not necessary for your time in Aspen. Scheduled complimentary shuttle service is provided by Aspen Meadows to/from Hotel Jerome and to/from town.  Local taxi service is also available.

It is essential that you advise BOTH the hotel and Renaissance Weekend if you must cancel at any time! (Otherwise, you may not be eligible for applicable refunds.)

Starting & Ending Times

Registration opens on Thursday, September 2, 2010 at 4:00 P.M.  (Help with Registration is most welcome from early arrivals.  Please notify the Renaissance Weekend staff of your availability.)  In addition to obtaining materials at the Renaissance Weekend Registration Desk in the Aspen Meadows Reception Center, participants will need to check in separately with their respective hotel.

The first program begins at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 2, 2010.  (Please note that some Committees—including Proctors & Moderators—meet between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M.)

The final program ends by noon on Monday, September 6, 2010.  More specific advance information will be provided in the Tentative Draft of the program and other materials that will be distributed to all registered lead participants in mid-August.

Duration of Stay, Arrivals & Departures

Participants are encouraged to arrive early and families often find that staying an extra day or two provides a more relaxed opportunity to enjoy the recreational facilities. For easier adjustment to the higher altitude (8,000 feet), arriving Wednesday, September 1, is strongly recommended. Drinking lots of water will also help you with acclimation to the altitude.

Stated room rates and privileges apply prior and post program dates (subject to certain limitations and availability). Should you wish to arrive early or extend your stay, stated room rates and privileges apply, subject to certain limitations and availability.  Once Renaissance Weekend has secured your reservation with the resort, please communicate directly with the Aspen Meadows Resort or The Hotel Jerome to change your arrival/departure dates, if necessary.    Please advise us of your flight information or arrival/departure time as soon as it is confirmed.

Weather & Dress

Aspen’s weather in August and September ranges from the 70’s during the day to 40’s at night, with a chance for rain. You are urged to check weather reports (www.weather.com) in advance of the Weekend. During the Weekend, dress is informal, “resort casual.”  Jeans are acceptable for day-time programs; men typically wear jackets for dinners.

Meals
Conversation over meals is an important part of the Weekend, and it is assumed that all guests will participate in the Common Meals. (Thus, only children under three are not charged for Common Meals.)

Meals On-Your-Own: One lunch and one dinner are “on-your own” to enable participants to enjoy Aspen. Details will be provided in the Tentative Draft Program sent to all registered participants mid-August. For lunch and/or dinner recommendations, please consult various guidebooks, the web or the hotel concierge.

Cancellation Policies

Registration Fees will be refunded for cancellations received in writing (via fax, e-mail or mail) by Renaissance Weekend as noted below. Registrants who cancel in time to receive a full refund will nonetheless incur a $250 processing fee.

• Maximum Refund: Before July 19, 2010 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• 50% Refund: July 19 – August 2, 2010 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• 25% Refund: August 3 - August 19, 2010 (Less $250 Processing Fee)
• No Refund: After August 19, 2010

Common Meals and Meeting Service Charges can only be refunded if written cancellation is received by Renaissance Weekend on or before August 19, 2010.  Because “head counts” are guaranteed in advance of the Weekend, there is no refund for meals or meeting service charges after August 19, 2010.  Nor can there be reductions of charges for early departures or absence from meals.

Transfer of Registration from the Summer Weekend to any of the next four Renaissance Weekends may be possible, without penalty, if notice is received in writing by August 19, 2010, and if space is available (with a transfer fee of $100):

It is essential that you advise BOTH the hotel and Renaissance Weekend if you must cancel at any time! (Otherwise, you may not be eligible for applicable refunds.)

Lodging deposits, refunds and payments are handled in accordance with each hotel's policy, as noted on the Lodging Form.  Aspen Meadows and the Hotel Jerome require a deposit equal to one night’s stay.  Deposits are refunded if cancellations are received in advance by the deadlines noted below:

Aspen Meadows    There will be no refund of deposit if cancellation is received 30 days or less prior to scheduled arrival.

Hotel Jerome    Full and final payment, including tax, is due 10 days prior to arrival.  Guest is responsible for all nights reserved, regardless of guest's actual arrival or departure date.  In the event of cancellation or amendment of the reservation, the entire deposit will be refunded if the Hotel Jerome is notified 10 or more days prior to arrival.  Should notification of cancellation or amendment of the reservation be made less than 10 days prior to arrival, the entire payment of all nights reserved, including tax, will be non-refundable for any reason.