Frequently Asked Questions

What is MUUSA?
How does the registration process work?
How are workshops selected?
Where is Summer Assembly held?
How can I reduce the cost of camp?
Will the facilities be shared with people outside of MUUSA?
Is there enough room at the new facility?
Who do I call with specific questions about the facilities at Trout Lodge?

Scholarships

MUUSA Policies

Trout Lodge Rules

Missouri State Laws

What is MUUSA?
The Midwest Unitarian Universalist Summer Assembly has been gathering for over 60 years, building anew a community of sharing, support and friendship every summer. Have you ever wondered what it would be like if everyone in the world had the same commitment to open-mindedness, tolerance, and their fellow person, that UUs do? For one week each summer, we do. This year will be the inaugural year at a new location, Trout Lodge in Potosi, MO (that's why the name changed from Lake Geneva Summer Assembly). It means that, for this year, we'll all be new campers starting over in a new home. But what really makes Summer Assembly what it is is the people, the community, and that magic can happen wherever we gather.

How does the registration process work?
This brochure is where your MUUSA adventure begins. Choose a housing option and, if you wish, select from the many interesting workshops and programs listed here. You can choose workshops upon your arrival at camp, but please bear in mind that your choice may be full by then. Fill out and submit the registration form along with payment to the address on the form. Once the registrar assigns you housing, she will mail you a confirmation letter. To ease check-in at camp, you can pay your remaining balance by check before June 15.

How are workshops selected?
Campers who wish to lead a workshop are invited to submit a workshop proposal to the Adult Programming Committee (APC). If you are interested in leading a workshop in 2009, workshop proposal forms will be available toward the end of the week (or by request).

Where is Summer Assembly held?
Per the vote of the attendees at MUUSA 2007, we will be moving Summer Assembly to Trout Lodge in Potosi, Missouri. Located 75 miles southwest of St. Louis, Trout Lodge functions as a family getaway and conference center. It is located in the Missouri Ozarks, set on 5,000 wooded acres, overlooking beautiful Sunnen Lake.

How can I reduce the cost of camp?
There are several ways to save money on your MUUSA experience:

• Send in your registration by May 10 to get a $20 credit for each camper Junior High or older.
• Opt to tent camp on-site or off-site, or consider housing at North Hall.
• Share housing in a guest room or loft suite with other groups or families.
• Work in a compensated role such as a counselor for our youth programs, Cratty DJ, or sound technician.
• Apply for a MUUSA or Trout Lodge YMCA Scholarship.

Will the facilities be shared with people outside of MUUSA?
Yes, there is a family reunion of approximately 17 people arriving on Thursday and staying through Sunday. They made their reservations several years in advance. We have made arrangements that MUUSA sponsored events such as Morning Celebration, workshops, Vespers, Club Cratty, and Coffeehouse remain private to our group. Next year and thereafter, we will be able to have exclusive access.

Is there enough room at the new facility?
Although it is difficult to predict the number of attendees that will transition to our new home, we do know that the number of rooms is less than what was available at George Williams College. As such, we strongly encourage campers to share housing with friends and to consider camping or commuting from Super 8. If all queen beds are occupied by two campers, we will have more capacity than GWC. Also, we have room for hundreds of tent campers.

Who do I call with specific questions about the facilities at Trout Lodge?
Pamela Hermann is an appointed member of the MUUSA planning council and the designated liaison with Trout Lodge. If you have any questions regarding the facilities or special requests, please contact her directly at pamela.d.hermann@gmail.com. We respectfully request that members of our organization channel all questions to Pamela rather than calling Trout Lodge directly. Additional FAQs will be posted on the www.muusa.org web site as needed.

Scholarships

Trout Lodge / YMCA Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available from the YMCA Camp Lakewood and Trout Lodge to offset the housing expense for individuals needing financial assistance to come to camp. Please contact Pamela Hermann at pamela.d.hermann@gmail.com for more information.

MUUSA Scholarships
There are a limited number of $100 scholarships available that can be applied toward MUUSA housing. Anyone who has a genuine financial need may apply for one of these scholarships. Please check the "Scholarship" box on the registration form if you are requesting a scholarship. This year, we ask that anyone receiving a scholarship volunteer for a few hours (2-5) during the week at camp. Those requesting a scholarship will be sent details on volunteer opportunities.

Donating to the Scholarship Fund
If you'd like to help make camp more affordable for others, please make a taxdeductible contribution to the MUUSA Scholarship Fund by adding any amount on the Scholarship Fund Gift line of the registration form. You can also make a donation separate from your registration by making a check payable to MUUSA Inc. Scholarship and mailing to:
MUUSA Inc. Scholarship
6501 Amber Crest
Indianapolis, IN 46220-5005

Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways that campers can contribute to our community. We need volunteers to help with the nursery, babysitter co-op, Geneva Square, music, tour guide, registration, roving reporter for the MUUSA-MUSE newsletter, and other positions. If you wish to donate your time in these (or other) positions, please indicate this on your registration form. Thanks!

MUUSA Policies

Important Dates
May 10: Early bird discount deadline
May 15: No penalty cancellation
May 16: Registration fees forfeited
June 1: Regular registration deadline
June 2: $30 late fee in effect
June 2: Camp deposit forfeited
June 15: Last day for Super 8 discount
June 20: Visitor notification deadline
June 30: Camp arrival (afternoon)
July 6: Camp departure (morning)

Housing Preferences
Housing priority is based on the following criteria:

1. Medical need
2. Optimization of space
3. Postmark on registration form
4. Space remaining will be assigned to part-time campers

New Dining Room Procedure
The capacity of the Trout Lodge dining room will require us to stagger our eating times in the cafeteria. At Monday checkin, campers will self-select into informal shifts for eating times. While it is understood that some flexibility will be necessary, we encourage campers to be conscientious about these informal shifts toensure that all members of our group are able to enjoy their meals. Vegetarian and vegan meals will be available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please specify any special dietary needs on the registration form.

Part-Time Campers
Campers staying less than a full week will be housed last on a space-available basis. If you plan to stay for less than four days, you must notify the registrar in advance and fees may be pro-rated. Campers staying for four or more days must pay full rates.

Visitors
Anyone who has not registered for MUUSA and stays on the campus for more than two hours is considered a visitor. Visitors must contact the registrar before June 20 and must pay a per diem registration fee and meal fee upon arrival at the resort. Those who notify the registrar after June 20 will be assessed a $50 late fee in addition to other fees. Visitors may attend workshops with the leader's permission.

Junior and Senior High Adult Sponsors
All Junior or Senior High youths must be sponsored by either a parent or an adult who is attending camp. Please note the sponsor's name on the registration form. Youth will receive forms to be completed by themselves and their sponsors. Adults may sponsor no more than two non-family campers per family unit. Sponsors are responsible for the youth under their care for the camp week.

Early Arrivals and Late Departures
If you will be arriving early or staying late, please contact Trout Lodge or the Super 8 directly to make your own arrangements.

Commuters
Commuters are those who attend MUUSA full-time, eat meals on campus but sleep elsewhere. Commuters have the option of choosing either a two- or three-meal package and are required to pay the appropriate registration fees. The $50 deposit applies to all campers junior high age and up.

Cancellations
Cancellations may be made by May 15 without penalty. After May 15, registration fees will be forfeited, although camp deposits will be refunded. Cancellations received after June 1 result in forfeiture of camp deposits, registration fees, and workshop fees. Cancellations caused by illness, injury or other unavoidable reasons will not be subject to forfeiture. Please advise the registrar of any cancellations as soon as possible.

Helping Each Other
When you receive your registration confirmation, you will be invited to sign up for our secure email list. This is a good way to coordinate transportation (such as offering a ride from the Saint Louis train station / airport, caravaning with other cars from your city) as well as asking to borrow a tent and answering newcomers' questions.

Can participants bring their private boats to Trout Lodge?
Private boats are permitted on Sunnen Lake, but are limited to those with motors of less than 10 horse power. A boat launch available right before you get to Trout Lodge, although owners will need to pull the boat out each day. Staying overnight on the boat is not permitted.

Are the housing rates listed in the brochure per person or total for the room?
All rates are listed per person. However, the camp deposit is credited toward the housing rate listed.

Can I request a room near other friends?
Yes, please ask both parties to attach a note to their registration forms. When possible, these proximity requests will be accomodated.

Are there private bathrooms in the guest rooms?
Yes, each guest room, loft suite and the "half-cabins" in both Forestview and Lakeview have private bathrooms.

How do I apply for a Trout Lodge scholarship?
A limited number of YMCA scholarships are available. Scholarships are income based combined with number of dependents per household. The amount families could qualify for is anywhere from 20% to 100%. Each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The application form can be downloaded here. Please complete that application and send it along with your income verification to:
Deanna Maxwell
Director of Guest Services
YMCA of the Ozarks
13528 State Hwy AA
Potosi, MO 63664
or fax to (573) 438-5752 attn: Deanna Maxwell.

Trout Lodge Rules

No pets or firearms are allowed.

Non-smoking Policy
The YMCA of the Ozarks is a smoke-free facility, with outdoor smoking allowed only in designated areas.

Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are from 10pm to 8am. At 10pm the noise level must be reduced to a minimum. Quiet hours pertain to all areas of Trout Lodge including private rooms and balconies or patios, all indoor and outdoor public and reserved spaces with the exception of pre-approved activities (e.g. Club Cratty, Karaoke, and Coffeehouse). Unacceptable noise/activity includes but is not restricted to: running in the hallways or on stairs in private rooms, loud music, shouting or loud singing, misuse of elevators, loud automobile activity in parking areas, and any other activity deemed inappropriate by the Manager on Duty.

Alcohol Policy
Alcohol is permitted on the grounds of YMCA Trout Lodge but must be kept in rented meeting rooms or sleeping facilities. Alcohol is not permitted in public areas.

Missouri State Laws

Illegal Substances
Except as prescribed, it is unlawful for any person to possess or have under his control a controlled substance.

Underage Consumption
Any person under the age of twenty-one years, who purchases or attempts to purchase, or has in his or her possession, any intoxicating liquor or who is visibly intoxicated is guilty of a misdemeanor. A manufacturer-sealed container describing that there is intoxicating liquor therein need not be opened to verify.

Hunting
No wildlife shall be pursued, taken, killed, possessed or disposed of unless permitted by Missouri rules and regulations.

Rape
A person commits the crime of forcible rape if such person has sexual intercourse with another person by the use of forcible compulsion. Forcible compulsion includes the use of a substance administered without a victim's knowledge or consent which renders the victim physically or mentally impaired so as to be incapable of making an informed consent to sexual intercourse.

Child Restraint Requirements
The following rules regarding car seats can be included in the confirmation letter for Children's Program and/or on the website.

• Every driver transporting a child under the age of sixteen years shall be responsible for providing for the protection of such child as follows.
• Any child less than four years of age or forty pounds must be secured in a child passenger restraint system.
• Any child aged four to eight years or between forty and eighty pounds, who is also less than four feet, nine inches tall, may use a restraint system or a booster seat.
• Any child more than eighty pounds or four feet, nine inches tall may use a vehicle safety belt or booster seat.
• Any child required to use a booster seat may be seated in the back with a lap belt on if the vehicle does not have a lap/shoulder belt for booster seats.
• If transporting children in the immediate family when more children than seating positions are available, children unable to be restrained by appropriate device may sit behind front seats unless the vehicle only has one row of seats.