Celebrate 10 Years of GWG with us in 2023! For more information about our event – click here!

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2023 Celebration Weekend Brief

This year our group will be celebrating TEN years of GWG with a weekend celebration in Philadelphia!

We will be staying at the Residence Inn by Marriott in Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia and ending our weekend with a 20’s inspired gala at the Mutter Museum hosted by our very favorite GI – Dr. Neilanjan Nandi!

LOGISTICS: RETREAT CENTER INFO., MEALS, & TRAVEL

HOTEL INFO

Residence Inn by Marriott – Philadelphia Bala Cynwyd

Address: 615 Righters Ferry Road Bala-Cynwyd, PA 19004

Telephone: 1- 855-516-1090

To view more photos and learn more about the accommodations, go here.

HOW DO I BOOK A HOTEL ROOM?

Once you have registered for the 10 Year Celebration Weekend, you will have already secured your room! We have hotel blocks and will be assigning attendees to rooms with roommates similar to how we do all of our room assignments at annual retreats.

AIRPORT INFO

The closest major airport to the hotel is the Philadelphia International Airport, which is about 20 minutes from the hotel.

MEDICAL CENTER INFO

The medical center closest to the hotel is Roxborough Memorial Hospital.

The closest medical center to the Mutter Museum where we will be having the Gala is Penn Emergency Medicine HUP. 

 

 

CAN I CARPOOL WITH OTHERS ATTENDING THE RETREAT?

Of course! In fact, we encourage it! You can enter your information and find potential traveling buddies in the travel document.

I HAVE MEDICATION THAT NEEDS TO BE REFRIGERATED. WILL I HAVE ACCESS TO A REFRIGERATOR?

Yep! Each of the hotel rooms has a kitchen with refrigeration.

 

WHAT WILL MEALS BE LIKE?

We are currently working on the menu. Once it is finalized, it will be announced so you can plan accordingly. The menu is being designed to be IBD friendly, but keep in mind we cannot please everyone. Each of the hotel rooms has a kitchen and we encourage you to bring snacks and meals that adhere to your diet if needed. Additionally, the hotel offers two restaurants and market.

I HAVE X DIETARY RESTRICTIONS. CAN THESE BE ACCOMMODATED?

In your registration we have collected information about your dietary needs, which we will try to accommodate as best as we can. If there are things you would like to bring to eat, there is a kitchen in each of the hotel rooms for that. Additionally, the hotel offers two restaurants and market. If you have any others questions, please contact us.

CAN I BRING A CAREGIVER WITH ME IF THEY DON’T HAVE IBD?

Sorry, this event is only for those with a confirmed IBD diagnosis and/or an ostomy.

WHAT AM I FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR?

For this event, your $350 registration fee covers – meals, lodging, and activities. *You will also be responsible for travel to and from the event.

ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FORMS OR INFORMATION YOU NEED FROM ME AFTER I REGISTER?

If you are officially registered to attend the 2023 Celebration Weekend, you will be sent liability forms to fill out prior to the event.

*These forms must be completed before attending!

WEEKEND DETAILS

SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

Clothing

  • Pants and/or shorts (depends how September is acting)
  • T-shirts or long sleeve shirts
  • Sweatshirt for the evening
  • PJs
  • Bras/Underwear
  • Socks
  • Good walking shoes
  • A swimsuit if you plan to use the hotel pool
  • An outfit to wear to the Gala at the Mutter

Personal Items

  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Lotion
  • Deodorant
  • Toothbrush/toothpaste
  • Hair dryer/products
  • Makeup
  • Medications
  • Bug Spray
  • Flashlight
  • Snacks (if you have a special or limited diet)
  • Extra ostomy supplies (if needed)

Bedding

  • Basic linens will be provided (1 blanket, 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, 1 pillow, 1 pillow case, 2 towels) but feel free to bring extras if you desire!

TENTATIVE WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday Night

  • Check-in and low-key hotel welcome session

Saturday

  • 8am: Breakfast (served in the hotel dining area)
  • 9am: Yoga (optional)
  • 12pm: Lunch
  • 1-3pm: Speaker Sessions – FIRST Clinic Doctors
  • 3-5pm: Rest/Free Time
  • 5pm: Pizza & PJ party in hotel conference room

Sunday

  • 8am: Breakfast (served in the hotel dining area)
  • 9am: Walk/Hike (optional)
  • 12pm: Lunch
  • 1-3pm: Speaker Sessions
  • 3-5pm: Rest/Free Time
  • 5:30pm: Shuttle to Mutter Museum
  • 6-10pm: 10 Year Celebration Gala hosted by Dr. Nandi at the Mutter Museum

TENTATIVE WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

We are still working out the finite details of the weekend schedule. Stay tuned!

DO I RECEIVE ANYTHING FOR ATTENDING THE RETREAT?

Yes! Your lodging, meals, and all activities are covered. All attendees will also receive an event t-shirt and swag bag full of lots of other goodies.

WHAT WILL THE FOCUS GROUPS BE LIKE?

At every retreat we have small sessions where you get to talk to a group about a specific topic. The topics will vary, but may include:

  • Work and School
  • Managing Guilt and Chronic Illness
  • Intimacy and IBD/ostomies
  • Pregnancy/Parenting/Family Planning
  • Body Image Discussions

WHO DO I CONTACT IF I HAVE A QUESTION FOR GWG ABOUT THE RETREAT?

Elizabeth Kestel – events@girlswithguts.org

Alicia Aiello – president@girlswithguts.org

SCHOLARSHIP FAQ

ARE THERE SCHOLARSHIPS?

Each year, Girls With Guts offers scholarships for our annual retreats with support from a fund started by the Lewin Family in memory of Jessica Lewin – a daughter, sister, and friend of many. Jessica battled Crohn’s from a young age and had an ostomy for many years. Her family and friends wanted to honor Jessica and her life through supporting other women in her situation with their generous donations towards our scholarship fund. You can read more about Jessica and the Jessica Lewin Memorial Scholarship here.

This year, we are able to offer TEN scholarships, through additional fundraising efforts – to celebrate our 10th year of GWG and ultimately thank and give back to the community who has brought us here – YOU!

WHEN DO I APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP AND WHAT HAPPENS IF I APPLY FOR ONE AND DO NOT RECEIVE ONE?

The timeline for scholarship applications is:

Applications Open: May 1st, 2023

Application Deadline: May 31st, 2023

If you apply for a scholarship, but do not receive one, a spot at the event will be held for you if you wish to register after winners are announced. You will not miss your chance to join us!

WHAT DOES THE SCHOLARSHIP COVER?

The scholarship covers:

Registration to the 2023 Celebration Weekend, which includes all meals, lodging, and activities for the weekend. *This does NOT include transportation.

Registration is valued at $350.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP?

To apply for a scholarship, you will complete an application providing your demographic information and an essay to be reviewed by the GWG Board of Directors.

Before starting to fill out the application, please be prepared to submit an essay that is about 500 words in length on the topic of:

How would you benefit from the emotional support provided by attending the 10 Year Celebration?

You may include information about your financial need and how this scholarship may provide an opportunity to attend the celebration that you would not otherwise have had. Do your best to help us see why your need is unique or different.

Have you read the entire scholarship FAQ? Are you Ready to apply? If so follow the link below:

Apply Here

For additional information about scholarships, or if you are interested in sponsoring someone or donating a retreat spot – please contact development@girlswithguts.org

COVID-19 TESTING AND VACCINATION FAQ

IS COVID-19 VACCINATION AND TESTING REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE RETREAT?

Given the continued concerns with COVID-19 and its evolving variants, GWG’s Board is taking precautions to ensure the safety of all attendees at the Celebration Weekend. To mitigate risk we will provide hand sanitizer, and masks during the Celebration for those who wish to utilize them. As part of registration, we will also be asking all attendees to sign a Health and Safety Waiver and an assumption of risk.

This waiver asks that those attending have or will receive full COVID-19 vaccination (we consider two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks after a single dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s to be fully vaccinated) or to test within 72 hours of attending the weekend.

Additionally, this waiver will ask that those attending the Celebration acknowledge that COVID-19 and its variants are highly contagious and that a risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where there are people in attendance. Risk of exposure at the Celebration may result from action and inaction of others who are also attending the weekend or the end of weekend Gala.

CANCELLATION POLICY

WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?

Don’t worry. We have a policy for this! Unfortunately, due to the deposit we have to put down, we can only offer refunds up to a certain period.

If you have to cancel up to 60 days prior to the Celebration Weekend you can receive a full refund.

If you have to cancel between 60 and 30 days prior to weekend you can receive a 50% refund.

Unfortunately, due to our deposits and costs no refunds will be given after 30 days prior to the weekend.

If you need to cancel after the 30-day mark, please contact us at info@girlswithguts.org and we will provide you with a donation receipt for the full amount of your registration fee. Sorry, no exceptions.

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