Deutschfest 2015!
nperrinewilson
AATG Teachers,
It is time once again to begin planning the 2015 Delaware Valley Deutschfest! The theme for 2015 will be “Entdecke das Universum durch Wissenschaft” and it will be held March 20-21 at the Diamond Ridge Camps and Conference Center in Jamison, PA (Bucks). Please be aware of and adhere to the following deadlines:
Pre-Registration and Deposit due December 22, 2014
T-Shirt Design due January 12, 2015
Final Payment/Registration due February 23, 2015
AATG Membership must be current as of March 1, 2015 to participate!
Some important updates for 2015:
The cost of Deutschfest has had to go up this year to $95/student. Last year’s event was a huge success, but it was also very expensive and consequently, the chapter absorbed a large expense in order to keep student costs down. I am well aware that we are asking students to pay a high price to participate and make every effort to keep our costs down, but consequently, we have ended up in the red for the past two years. This also means that the incentive of 1 free student for groups of 15 or more is also gone. Groups with at least 15 students will be allowed 1 free teacher, smaller groups must pay the teacher cost as well. There will be no arrangements made by the Deutschfest organizers to accommodate groups beyond the space allowable at camp. We are again confined to the cabins at camp, though there should be additional housing available as of 2016. Once we reach capacity at camp (108 beds), any additional groups wishing to participate will need to either commute or arrange for their own accommodations and transportation to camp. Modified costs can be arranged for groups not staying at camp. The cost/student for 2015 will be $95; with $20 due upon deposit in December and $75 due with the final registration in February. Due to the space limitations, deposits from Philadelphia/Vicinity Chapter schools received by the deadline will be given priority over any non-chapter schools wishing to participate.
I strongly urge schools wishing to participate to do fundraising to help offset student cost for Deutschfest. The number one complaint we get every year is that it is too expensive. Hear me when I tell you, this is not a profitable venture! I want students from every walk of life to be able to participate, so please allow students to raise money through your German Clubs or other avenues so that they can continue to take part.
The revolving school competition that will replace last year’s Bauarbeit is still being decided. If you have any ideas, please share!
Lastly, a new bank account will soon be established to fund Deutschfest operations. Your checks will no longer go to AATG/PVD. I will let you know when this has been set up and what the account will be called. I hope to have this done in the next few weeks.
Thank you for your continued support of the Delaware Valley Deutschfest. While I know it is a lot of work for all of us, it’s also such a benefit to the strength of our programs and the advancement of our students.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. As soon as the final school competition is decided, the forms will be available via Google Docs.
Sincerely,
Nicole L. Perrine-Wilson
Wissahickon High School
Delware Valley Deutschfest Director