Registration will open March 1, 2024

Online Registration
We offer live-streaming of many of our events and activities for those who need to join us remotely this year.

Young Adult Weekend Registration
Young Adult Weekend Registration includes programming from Thursday through Sunday, 5 meals and floor space to sleep in the Young Adult Wing for young adults aged 18-35.

In-person Registration closes June 2024.

Registration fee of $75.00

Waived if the full registration process has been completed before May 31, 2023, also waived for all Young Adults.

New SI Attendees

We are glad to welcome you to CERSI. Visit About Summer Institute to prepare for a wonderful week. It may feel a little overwhelming but know that first-time members of our community are offered lots of support. Resources will be available at registration to make sure all your questions are answered.

Questions about the PennWest California Campus

Is the campus non-smoking?  Yes! The entire campus, indoors and out, is non-smoking.

Are the dorms air conditioned?  Yes! All dorms and dorm rooms have A/C.

Will there be gender-neutral bathrooms?  Yes! Dorm rooms have private bathrooms and buildings have gender-neutral restrooms.

Will the dining hall accommodate my allergies or food restrictions or preferences?  Yes! The Gold Rush Dining Hall is well accustomed to serving large groups of people with diverse dining needs.

Is the campus accessible for people with physical challenges?  Yes! There are paths into/out of and in between all buildings that are stair-free and accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters. There will be regular golf-cart routes run during all planned-activity hours to drive people between buildings. Personal mobility scooters can be brought from home or rented (in advance) for the week. All buildings have elevators and first-floor dorm requests can be honored as space permits. Please reach out to registrar@cersiuu.org with any questions or requests for accommodations.

Is the river accessible for swimming, kayaking or canoeing?  No, the river is off-limits from the campus. Privately-owned canoe and kayak companies can be found within a half-hour drive but any river activities are on your own and not part of SI programming or activities.

Can we use the pool and fitness facilities?  There will be water aerobics (ages 16+) and an open swim for all ages in the afternoons. Children 6 and under, regardless of swimming ability, must have a lifejacket. Signups for open swim will be required daily. There are tennis courts and gym facilities (ages 18+) that will be accessible to our group as well as volleyball games in the afternoon.

Questions about COVID-19

Do I have to be vaccinated?  Yes! Everyone 5 and over is required to be vaccinated. Currently boosters are not required. See our current COVID policy.

Will masks be required?  Masks will be required for events in the performance center, including opening and closing ceremonies, morning worship, evening vespers and the theme talk. Decisions are still being made about masking policies in other situations. Please check back for more information as we get closer to the event.

If Covid becomes dangerous again and SI is canceled, or I just am no longer comfortable attending can I get a refund?  A full refund is available to everyone for any reason through May 31. After May 31, we do incur some administrative fees – see full cancellation policy below.

Questions about Attending and Registration

Can I attend for less than the full week?  Only Young Adults (age 18-35) have the option of attending from Thursday evening through Saturday only. They are not given dorm rooms or beds and sleep in the lounge of the Young Adult wing. Anyone, however, is welcome to attend virtually for only the days they wish.

Can I attend virtually?  Yes! Registration form for virtual attendance will open April 1 and the link will appear below.

Who must register?  Everyone has to register! This means, infants, children, youth, young adults, adults, part-time attendees, full-time and part-time staff – including theme speakers, workshop leaders, touch group leaders etc. Everyone attending CERSI must register!

How do I know what Registration Type applies to me?   We have two age groups for Children: Age 5 or younger, and Kindergarten – 6th grade.  Youth are participants who are entering 7th grade through recent 2023 graduates. Youth and children may attend with either a parent / guardian or a sponsor who is not their legal guardian.  For all children and youth, we will need you to fill out additional paperwork which we will email to you when you register. Young Adults are adults up to age 35 who wish to participate in the Young Adult Programming.  Adults are everyone else.

Why should I register early?  Early registration opens March 1, 2023.  Several morning workshops have a limited number of spaces available – Sign up right away to save your spot!  Several styles of dorm rooms have limited availability and they are all distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Most importantly, if you sign up before May 31 we waive the $75 registration fee for the event.

What are Morning Seminars?  Before you register, check out the morning seminars for Adults and Young Adults. You are not required to attend a morning seminar, but if you wish to participate in one you must select your first and second preferences during the registration process. Seminars are filled on a first-come first-served basis. Youth and children attend Religious Education during the morning, and do not need to select a workshop.

What are my housing options?  On your registration form you will indicate your room selection and your dorm wing preference.  We have 3 types of room available: Singles, Doubles, and Quads*.

This year we will be in two large dorm buildings at PennWest California University.  Each dorm is divided into several floors, and the floors are each divided into wings. You and your family can select a wing that will help you have the best experience possible at CERSI.  See the registration form for specifics.

Please note: The Youth Wing is restricted to Youth who are entering 10th, 11th, & 12th grades or who are 2023 High School graduates, plus their parents/sponsors.  All youth staying in the dorm must have a sponsor who is also staying in the youth dorm.  (They are not required to share the same room, but they must be staying in the youth dorm.).  All parents and sponsors staying in the youth dorm must agree to a Background Check.

*In order to select a Quad, you must fill all 4 beds in the room, and you may not be able to receive a quad in your preferred wing due to limited availability.

I would like to share a room, can you help me find a roommate?   Yes! Indicate on your registration form that you would like to be paired with a roommate and we will find someone for you to share a room with. Please reach out to registrar@cersiuu.org with any questions.

Can my kids sleep on the floor?  Yes! Your children or youth can sleep on the floor in your dorm room, provided all beds in the room have been filled.  PennWest provides one key for each bed: children or youth sleeping on the floor do not receive a key. The key provides access to your dorm wing as well as to your room.

Questions about costs, jobs & scholarships

How much does it cost to attend SI?  Costs vary by age, dorm room type and  meal plan. Visit the CERSI cost estimator for more info.

Can I propose or run a workshop or seminar this year?  Unfortunately signups for this year’s workshops and seminars are closed, but be on the lookout to apply for 2023 this fall – applications typically open in September and close at the end of October. All workshop leaders are offered a campership to help offset the cost of attending SI for the week.

Are there any camperships still available for this year?  A few! We’re looking for RE teachers, childcare help and an online/virtual coordinator. Find out more on the Work At SI PageIf you have a campership, you must know your Campership number and Tier before you complete your online registration form. Your contact on the SIPC, SIYP or SIYAP will provide you with this information.

Are scholarships or financial aid available?  YES! The Scholarship deadline is May 31. There is a limited amount of scholarship money available.  See the scholarships page for detailed information and an online application. If you have questions please contact the Scholarship Chair at scholarships@cersiuu.org.

Speaking of scholarships, can I donate money to the scholarship fund?  Absolutely! There is a section on the Registration Form where you can donate to the Scholarship Fund. These donations may be tax deductible, per IRS regulations. Not registering? Donate here!

Great! How Do I Register?  First, select your morning workshops and complete the online registration form. You will receive an email with additional instructions on making payment, signing up for workshifts, and filling out needed paperwork for parents and youth.  If you register and do not receive an email confirmation, please contact us at registrar@cersiuu.org.

Do I have to pay in full when I register?  No. You are welcome to pay in full when you register, or you may elect to make a deposit and receive an invoice for yourself and additional family members.  You are required to pay a 50% deposit due no later than May 31. The remainder of your fees are due at Registration on the first day of SI. If you have a campership or are applying for a scholarship, you do not have to pay a deposit.

What are my Payment Options?  Many of you requested Invoices – and we listened! We have added several payment options to the registration form – select all of the payment options which apply to your registration:

  • Option 1: I am paying for multiple campers: Please send me a combined invoice for my Family / Group

 This option will allow you to name several family members and receive a group invoice to make your deposit and/or payment by check or Paypal in one lump sum.  

  • Option 2: I will pay for this registration IN FULL via Paypal now. (No Paypal account needed)

     This will not generate an invoice.  

  • Option 3: I will pay 50% by check/paypal for this registration by May 31, 2023. Please send me an invoice

     This will generate an invoice for the current registration only.  

  • Option 4: I am applying for a scholarship AND/OR I have a campership (Payment due at event)

 This option lets us know that you are applying for a scholarship or that you have a campership.  You are exempt from the deposit requirement.  

  • Option 5: I am not the responsible party

     Select this option if someone else is paying for this registration.  

Example:

If you and your partner both have camperships, and you wish to pay for both registrations on a single invoice, you would select Option 1 and Option 4 on one registration, and Option 4 and Option 5 on the second registration.

If you are a parent paying for your family, you would select Option 1, as well as any other options which match your registration.  For your other family members, they would each select Option 5, as well as the other options which apply to them.

What happens if I have to cancel?  If you cancel by May 31, 2023 you will be refunded the total amount of your registration. After May 31, Cancellation fees apply to cover administrative costs:

  • If you cancel between May 31, 2023 and June 20, 2023, you will be refunded the total amount less $50 per person.
  • All cancellations after June 20 will be refunded less $100 per person.

Will I hear from anyone after I register online or send in my registration?  Immediately upon registering you will get an email that explains your next steps. First Timers will also get an email from the first timer coordinator. In early July, all registrants will receive an email regarding housing, workshops and programming. As the arrival date grows closer, you may also be contacted by your workshop facilitator or coordinators of the activities you signed up for.

What if I can’t attend in person, but still want to participate?  While we will be meeting in person at PennWest, we are excited to offer this virtual offering for those who are not ready or able to meet in person for a week.  We will be utilizing the WHOVA Portal for events that we are streaming live or will be available on demand until the end of July. We will be streaming Morning Worship, Theme Speaker, Vespers and Opening Ceremonies. Several workshops will be available as hybrid offerings, and there will be online-only CERSICLES groups as well. There will be opportunities for connections with people in person and online.