National Weather Service forecast for the SUUSI area in Virginia:
See also the CNN Forecast for SUUSI Weather
National Weather Service forecast for the SUUSI area in Virginia:
See also the CNN Forecast for SUUSI Weather
SUUSI gathers annually on a university campus in Southwest Virginia, when the students are finished with summer school. In 2008 we'll meet on the campus of Radford surrounded by the green hills of the Appalachians. (We have met at Radford or nearby Virginia Tech since 1975.)
About 1,000 people of all ages attend SUUSI as nuclear families, extended families, and as singles. We are an inclusive community - all are welcome!
You can be a leader at SUUSI - and we need your active, enthusiastic participation. SUUSI is a gathering of hearts and voices from many states, and is run by people who volunteer their time, their energy, and their creativity. Leadership positions are available regularly - and it does not matter if you belong to a Unitarian Universalist congregation in a particular district. Another perk... all these positions gather many SUUSI hugs throughout the week. Tempted? Three things you can do are:
The local weather in July is typically warm in the daytime (up into the 90's) and cool at night (down into the 60's). Most years, "cool" requires a fan in your room to keep the air circulating. In 2000 and 2001 there were several nights where it was so cool, blankets were desirable. There is usually a rainstorm or two during the week of SUUSI - and of course you can now check the forecast online.
See also what to wear and the current SUUSI weather.
Yes, at the Artisans Bazaar. Bring your credit cards and come to SUUSI to shop! Between 10:00am and 6:00pm each day, we'll have available for sale:
The Artisan's Bazaar is a workshop for the artists. It is operated as a co-op for SUUSI week. When you purchase co-op items, 10% of the selling price goes to SUUSI. You will be supporting both SUUSI and the UU artisans. If you want to volunteer in the store, please fill out the Volunteer Form and return it with your enrollment material.
SUUSI is not a yard sale, and it is not a T-shirt sales outlet either. We don't clutter up the personally-created crafts with mass-produced commercial items. At SUUSI, we assemble as an intentional community for personal connections and renewal, not to provide a captive audience for sidewalk sales. If you've been bit by the sales bug, and need more than E-Bay to work it out of your system during SUUSI week - relax, you can satisfy your cravings. Radford has flea markets just like every other town...
As plans are finalized, we will share lodging information about Radford and the various options.
In the days before SUUSI was able to arrange air-conditioned dorms, some participants stayed in local motels. You may still do this, but most participants find it more convenient and friendly to stay on campus.
The workshop proposal form will be available online soon.
If you have any questions, please contact Torie Camp, the workshop coordinator, at workshops@suusi.org.
As the confererence nears, we will share travel tips, including local airports and highways.
SUUSI tries to keep fees as low as possible.
Basic SUUSI cost for adults (room, meals and registration) was $465 in 2007 for a week of activities, housing and meals for participants who submitted their registration by May 20th.
Additional optional costs may include Workshop and Nature trip fees, drinks of various sorts during Nightlife events, upgrades ($50) to air-conditioned rooms, purchases at the Artisan Bazaar and SUUSI Store and SUUSIship donations. If your registration is postmarked after the initial deadline in May,h, you will not be able to take advantage of the discount for registering on time, so your cost will increase.
SUUSI is intentionally family friendly: bring the kids, and bring the grandkids. We keep the costs low, recognizing that a family with children needs a break. SUUSI is less expensive than renting a cabin for a week and paying separately for meals and entertainment (movies, amusement park rides, etc.). There are nearly 200 scheduled workshops, nature trips and other activities – plus 1,000 SUUSI friends to play with.
Children through age 17 staying with adults may sleep on the floor, to reduce housing costs.
Financial assistance grants (or SUUSIships) are available to help persons with financial need to attend.
Oh no! We'll miss you!
If you have to cancel your registration, $50 per person is non-refundable under any circumstances. The non-refundable amount increases to $125 per person (for an adult, pro-rated for other ages) after the deadline. The full deposit amount becomes non-refundable after June 30th. After you register on Sunday, no refunds will be issued for Workshops or Nature trips unless SUUSI has to cancel the scheduled activity. Instead, you can apply Workshop or Nature trip credit to another Workshop or Nature trip, provided you reschedule 24 hours in advance of the Workshop or Nature trip.
Yes! Each year the Director of SUUSI chooses a particular theme, to provide a special focus for each SUUSI.
The theme for 2008 is Pilgrimage.
Recent themes have been:
A lot!
The first meal served at SUUSI is on Sunday evening, and the last is Saturday morning breakfast.
Meals at SUUSI are provided by Radford on-campus food services and offer sound nutritional choices that are both attractive and yummy.
The university is accustomed to feeding students who are as concerned (and in a few cases, even as finicky) as SUUSI-ites regarding their meals.
We would love you to be able to stay the entire week, but if time does not permit, you can join us for part of the week.
If you would like to register to attend SUUSI for part of the week, please contact the registration coordinator at registration@suusi.org.
SUUSI is summer casual. Most of the time you'll see everyone dressed in t-shirts and shorts. Evening wear is often the same, though some will dress up in slacks and polo shirts, or blouses and skirts, for evening events. And fun-to-wear costumes are encouraged - it's vacation time, time to have some fun and stretch a little. Who says you have to wait until Halloween or a debutante party to dress up?
Remember, sometimes the weather at SUUSI turns cool, so it is wise to pack a pair of jeans and a jacket, just in case.
Roanoke is the nearest airport served by a commercial carrier.
We mail out material occasionally during the year, including the annual catalog; get on the mailing list. You can also subscribe to our e-mail announcement list. The catalog (like this Web site) contains information about all of our programs, along with the forms and information necessary to register for SUUSI. If you have a question or would like information about an activity at SUUSI, you can contact the appropriate Core Staff leader.