Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates for the 2011 5 day immersion program?

July 9-13, 2011

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How much does the 5 day experience immersion retreat cost?

The cost of the 5 day program is $649.00. This price is the total cost and includes all lodging, meals, instruction, and certificate of completion. This does not include a T shirt which can be ordered separately. A deposit of $100.00 is required to hold your slot and the balance is due 30 days before the start of the program.

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What time should I arrive?

Registration is from 9:00 a.m. till 11:00 noon on Saturday. Upon arrival, follow the “AZTI signs” to the registration table. The staff will greet you, give you a general information packet along with your nametag. You will then sit with a staff member for an evaluation of your signing skills. Following your evaluation, we will then direct you to the retreat center registration for room check-in.

If you are flying into the Phoenix Airport, your flight should arrive in PHX no later than 9:30 am on Saturday and depart no earlier than 3 pm on Wednesday

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Who will I be rooming with?

Room assignments will already be made. I have done my best to honor any requests that were made with regards to roommates, but no promises have been made. (SMILE.) Each room has a large bedroom with 2 beds, a hide-a-bed in the sitting room, a refrigerator and balcony. For the greatest immersion experience it is best to room with someone that you do not know. This will help you learn new vocabulary, build receptive skills and make new friendships.

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What type of clothing should I bring?

Think cool and comfortable! Since many of you are coming from other states, you have probably never experienced a Phoenix summer. If you want to know what it will be like, turn on your oven to 475 degrees, for one hour, put your head in it… and…it’s July in Phoenix. OK, maybe it’s not that bad, but it will be hot. Don’t sweat it; all our activities will be inside the beautiful air-conditioned retreat center. At times, you may feel a bit chilly, so keep that in mind. NO short shorts, halter tops, spaghetti straps or tops please. Dress must be appropriate. There is a swimming pool, which is available during late night activities and break times, so you will want to your swim suit.

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What else should I bring?

  1. A good sense of humor and a willingness to be stretched.
  2. Personal toiletries
  3. Bedding and towels are provided. (The retreat center is AWESOME)
  4. Bring your camera for occasional and timely use. Please DO NOT plan to have your hands on your camera during class and activity time. You will be signing and will be asked to shed the camera. The same applies for video camera. Approval must be given by the director of any video taken.
  5. P.J.’s
  6. Snacks for your rooms and late night activities. Bring lots of chips, candy, drinks and goodies to share with others.
  7. Notebook and pen.
  8. Water bottle, sun- screen, sun glasses, chap- stick, breath savers etc.
  9. Did I mention snacks? Nuts, healthy foods, cookies.
  10. It’s a good idea to bring Tylenol, Aspirin, or Advil. Many suffer from learning too much to fast. GRINS

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What happens after I register?  Will I be contacted?

Once your check and printed registration form has been received in the mail, the registrar will reply to you via E mail (PLEASE be sure your e mail address is correct and will not change) to inform you that your spot is temporarily being held.

Your check will be deposited and we will await full payment. When your full payment is made, the registrar will notify you via E mail that your spot is secure. $100.00 as a deposit and the balance is due 30 days prior to the first day of the immersion.

If we have not received full payment 30 days prior to the start of the program, your spot will be given to the next person, on the waiting list, and you will lose your deposit.

You will NOT receive anything in the snail mail.

That’s it folks! It’s simple!

Simply show up Saturday morning, the first day of the program, from 9:00a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

I trust that everything you need to know will be answered on this FAQ page.

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What exactly does the “No Voice” rule mean?

The “No voice” rule is one of the principles that make the immersion program effective. We will shut our voices off at 12:00 noon, on Saturday, following orientation. Anyone using voice thereafter will be asked to leave the retreat with no refund. We will have earplugs available for any that would like them. The “No voice” rule applies to telephones, TV’s, radios, etc. There will be a computer and TTY available to use. Any outgoing calls must be made on the TTY as this is part of experiencing Deaf culture. If you are a beginner don’t worry. Use any form of communication you can including; writing, miming, finger spelling or simply roll on the floor while kicking and screaming, just don’t voice! SMILE.

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What will the schedule be like?

Each day will be filled with fun, excitement and educational challenges. You will NOT be bored! Each morning will include breakfast followed by 3 “class type” sessions, with your skill level. Break for lunch, then and 2 more “class type” sessions and 1 workshop, in the afternoon. Following dinner we will enjoy evening activities, which will impact you forever. Just when you thought you couldn’t laugh or learn anymore, we have the “late night” games scheduled. We will conclude the week on Wednesday with a brunch. We sadly depart by noon.

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Will I be able to have visitors?

Visitors are not a good idea! You will not have time for them and they may cause you to voice and be asked to leave. The idea for the retreat is to shut out the world and focus your time and energy on building your skill and knowledge. However, do invite family and friend, especially from the Deaf community, to the “Performance and Drama Night,” which will be Tuesday evening, starting 7:00 p.m. The performance will be held at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. Family, friends and members of the Deaf community will enjoy skits in ASL presented by AZTI participants and staff.

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How do I get to the Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center?

The Center is located on 6 scenic acres in Carefree, a quiet, desert community 45 minutes North of Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Arizona.

  1. I-17: Going north on Interstate I-17
  2. From Phoenix: Turn right at the Carefree Highway exit,
  3. Continue east until reaching Scottsdale Road,
  4. Turn left, (Scottsdale Road changes names to Tom Darlington Road),
  5. Turn right onto Bloody Basin Road,
  6. Turn left at the stop sign onto Sidewinder,
  7. Keep to the right on Elbow Bend and look for the Lutheran Retreat Center sign.

Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center
7415 E. Elbow Bend Rd.
Carefree AZ 85377
www.spiritinthedesert.org
Map

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Is there transportation to and from the airport?

Participants will be fully responsible for getting to Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center. There will be no transportation made available by AZTI. Please check the internet or with a travel agent on car rentals. You may inquire with the retreat center directly with regards to possible shuttles that service the area.

PLEASE NOTE: Flights into Phoenix should arrive no later than 9:30 am on Saturday and depart no later than 3:00 pm on Wednesday. The drive is estimated at between 30 and 45 minutes depending on traffic.

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Credit Cards, Purchase Order’s, and Scholarships?

Sorry, AZTI currently cannot accept credit cards.

Purchase orders from schools or places of employment are acceptable however they cannot be accepted as the $100.00 deposit. If a purchase order form is used a check must be rendered by June 1, for full payment.

Sorry, AZTI does not offer scholarships for its program. I suggest seeking financial aide from their places of employment.

Sorry, AZTI currently cannot accept credit cards.

Purchase orders from schools or places of employment are acceptable, however, they cannot be accepted as the $100.00 deposit.  If a purchase order form is used a check must be rendered by June 1, for full payment.

Sorry, AZTI does not offer scholarships for its program. I suggest seeking financial aide from their places of employment.

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AZTI logo T-shirts?

Rand Rom, one of our instructors, who is also a professional artist, has design the AZTI logo for our T-shirts. You will definitely want to purchase one. T- Shirts will sell @ $10.00 each for sizes M-XL and an additional $3 for XX –XXX. If you would like to purchase a T-shirt, you must order it when registering. The shirts are 100% white cotton and have the AZTI logo on it. You will be proud to wear this very eye catching T- shirt. Order one for yourself and for your sign language buddies back at home. They will love you for it.

AZTI will only order T shirts based on the number of those who pre-order them. AZTI will no longer offer free T shirts to returning participants. There will be no extras printed, so plan now.

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What kind of dining and food will there be?

AZTI will offer a variety of food over the course of the 5 days. There will always be a salad bar in addition to the main course. If you require a special diet, please bring appropriate foods, with you that can easily be substitute for the foods you cannot partake of. The room is set up with several small while the food is presented buffet style. The retreat center does a great job preparing wonderful, tasty and filling meals.

Each meal will require you to sit among new friends in a Deaf friendly fashion. Meal times are a great opportunity to catch up and clarify anything you may have missed during the previous hours.

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