Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How selective is the program?

The boot camp is limited to 50 students worldwide and reserved for YPO families. A short essay to explain interests and aspirations for the camp, along with one teacher or coach recommendation is required for admission.

What are the housing accommodations like?

The Boot Camp will have be housed in traditional college residence halls located on Alvernia’s beautiful 121-acre hillside campus. The intent is to give students a taste of college life.

For added security, the Boot Camp will occupy the full second floor (no ground level window access or egress) and access to the floor will be limited to cohort members.

Students will be segregated by gender. The individual 513 sq. ft. quad rooms have two sleeping areas, each with two single beds. Each room has an ensuite private bathroom shared only by those four students.

Resident Assistants will be available throughout the time our participants are in the dorms and will be on duty overnight. 

Common areas will be available where students might meet for group projects and supervised recreation. Whenever on campus there will be college student and program leaders/"faculty" with them. 

I have questions. Who can I contact for more information?

Please reach out to Dr. Rudy Ruth at Rudy.Ruth@alvernia.edu along with the following. 

How are wellbeing and faith practices supported?

The program emphasizes wellbeing, purpose, and reflective leadership through mindfulness, gratitude, and service. We also clearly accommodate religious practices by providing appropriate times and spaces for prayer or personal spiritual routines.

What do I do if I have to cancel my enrollment?

Requests for refunds due to cancelation will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Refunds will be considered if there is true family emergency such as a health issue or death in the immediate family, a cause due to military hostilities, or if it is impossible to be granted international travel authorization. Contact: Dr. Rudy Ruth at Rudy.Ruth@alvernia.edu.

How will pickup and arrival be handled?

These details will be announced soon. Shuttles will be secured from Philadelphia International Airport to Alvernia University at select times, Sunday July 4, 2027.

How will departure and transportation home be handled? 

These details will be announced soon. Shuttles will be secured from Alvernia University to Philadelphia International Airport at select times, Saturday, July 17, 2027.

What kind of clothing should I pack?

Field Trip Dress is akin to "Corporate Casual" — slacks, skirts. An "official" boot camp golf shirt will be issued to each student and worn for trips. (This is also a safety consideration.) Golf-length shorts are acceptable for Philadelphia and Washington, DC. ONLY long pants for New York.

Seminar Day Dress is "YPO Camp Attire" — comfortable clothing and shoes, but appropriate. Shorts and T-shirts that are not revealing and which don't include distasteful art or slogans will be acceptable.

There will be many opportunities for outdoor and sports activities. There will be at least one day of light hiking in a forest environment. Appropriate clothing and footwear should be packed.

There will be at least two opportunities for swimming (a pool part at the university president's residence - and there is a guarded pool in the baseball stadium), so a bathing suit might be packed.

Tennis courts are available and we will have some group golf lessons. No need to bring clubs or golf shoes.

As noted, residence hall rooms are shared so appropriate nightwear is required.

There are laundry facilities in the residence hall.

Will this help my child with university applications?

Yes. Students leave with a certificate of completion, an AI-supported digital portfolio, and concrete experiences—from high-level site visits to team projects—that can strengthen essays, interviews, and future academic plans.

How safe is the program?

Students are supervised by trained counselors and staff on campus and during all travel. Alvernia provides secure housing, 24/7 on-call support, and structured schedules. Group travel to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City is carefully planned with vetted partners.

In accordance with Pennsylvania law all university faculty, resident assistants, college student assistants, and program leaders – whether paid professionals or volunteers – will be required to obtain the mandated clearances prior to assisting with the Boot Camp. This includes obtaining a Pennsylvania Criminal History Check, a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Check, and a fingerprint-based FBI Criminal History Check.

The campus maintains its own Office of Public safety. You can review the university’s federally mandated annual campus crime report here. Public safety information will be provided to students and parent post registration.