the Surprise Summit
An Out of this World Social Experiment
June 21-24, 2022
SCENARIO
History will record that on a fateful day in June 2022, beams of blue light appeared in every nation of the world, extending their eerie shafts into the cabinet rooms, palaces, official offices, formal dining rooms, legislative chambers and homes of every head of state. A crystal clear gel enveloped each head of state, and with a sharp, hissing sound, they were gone. Eyewitnesses claim to have seen their leaders shooting up the beams of blue light, high into the sky, until they became a speck and disappeared. Where had they gone? Would they ever return? What would the peoples of the earth do next?
Nobody knew it at the time, but the heads of state had been abducted by interplanetary social scientists from the planet Karek. As each head of state entered the portal of the massive Karekian spacecraft, they were ushered into an immense chamber. There, they were subjected to an intense initiation, and made to understand that they had only four days to complete a seemingly impossible social experiment. If they fail, alien agents would be sent to take their places, in disguises designed to mimic the appearance and mannerisms of each head of state. Even the great Sherlock Holmes would not be able to detect the truth–that alien, impostor heads of state were now the rulers and leaders of every nation on earth. If the heads of state succeed with the social experiment, they will be restored to their nations intact, having taken an oath to carry out the strategies and plans determined and agreed upon at this “Surprise Summit,” aboard the Karek spacecraft.
Heads of State Identities
Players in this simulation will each impersonate a head of state. During registration, each player will select the nation they wish to represent. Players will use their own name and gender. Players are encouraged to learn about their national identity by reviewing information online and at the library. Costumes are encouraged! (Modesty please.) Information will be provided regarding the history, current affairs of state, and form of government for the country led by each head of state. Although not required for participation, it will enhance the attendees simulation experience if they explore this information prior to the beginning of the simulation.
LOCATION AND DRIVING DIRECTIONS
2022 Simulations Week will be held at Wasatch Academy, 120 South 100 West, Mt. Pleasant, Utah
Enjoy a beautiful mountain atmosphere, comfortable dorm rooms, a roomy dining room with delicious meal options, a large grassy playing field, a dance hall, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms.
Wasatch Academy is Utah’s oldest private school, founded in 1875. It is a boarding school, located in a beautiful mountain valley, in Mount Pleasant, Utah, just a 1 hr. 40 min. drive south of the Salt Lake International Airport (shuttle service provided.)
Note: GPS has been known to be unreliable and to misdirect travelers to Spring City. Please use this: Map and Directions to Wasatch Academy
Here is a more detailed map.
Check-in
When you arrive, go first to your dorm to check in and put your luggage in your room. The dorm rooming lists are emailed to each player. Please let us know if you have any questions.
If you check in on Monday, please do not arrive before 7:00 pm because we will not have staff available to assist you until 7:00 pm. If you arrive on Monday between 7:00 – 9:00 pm, please check into your dorm and then join us on the Quad for a social gathering. At 9:00 pm you will go to your dorm and prepare to join your dorm-mates for devotional. Lights out is at 10:00 pm.
Social gathering at Wasatch Academy: An optional social gathering will take place from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Monday June 20, 2022 at Wasatch Academy. This gathering is for early arrivals and their parents, mentors, Sim Team members and staff. There will be live music, games, refreshments and the opportunity to connect with others in an informal setting. If younger siblings need to accompany parents for the drive to Mount Pleasant, they are welcome to attend the social with a parent present. If preferred, parents may simply drop their youth off.
Dorms: Separate dorm rooms are provided for boys and girls. Staff members will assist you with checking in and directing you to orientation on Tuesday morning.
Here is a map of Wasatch Academy.
If you check in on Monday after 9:00 pm, go straight to the dorm and prepare to join your dorm-mates for devotional. Remain in your dorm. Lights out is at 10:00 pm.
Note that you must have previously purchased the “Early Check-in” service to arrive on Monday. Cost is $55.
If you check in on Monday, breakfast is provided on Tuesday morning from 7:00 – 8:00 am in the Cafeteria.
If you check in on Tuesday, please make sure that you have breakfast before arriving because breakfast is not provided for those checking on on Tuesday. Plan to arrive by 8:00 am to allow time to check into your dorm and walk to the Tiger’s Den Auditorium. Name badges will be distributed at the Tiger’s Den. Please arrive at the Tiger’s Den in time to get your name badge and be seated by 9:00 am.
Orientation will take place at the Tiger’s Den Auditorium. Orientation begins promptly at 9:00 am, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. Don’t be late!
HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
Nurse Brooke Peterson will be on hand throughout the event. An on-campus guest house will serve as a temporary clinic for students who have minor injuries or who don’t feel well. Parents will be contacted as needed. A hospital and urgent care facility are within a five-minute drive from campus. Our staff will be briefed on our emergency and crisis management plan, and appraised of student medical concerns reports on the registration form. First aid supplies will be readily available in all dorms and meeting buildings. Please feel free to reach out to Brooke Peterson at 801-589-1960 to discuss any concerns ahead of time or at any time during the event.
With regards to COVID-19, the state of Utah is now open and masks are no longer required. Testing and vaccines are not required for attendance at this event. We do ask that attendees take reasonable health precautions, such as hand-washing before and after meals and after restroom use.
A NOTE ABOUT MEALS
The Cafeteria Manager is very willing to accommodate gluten free, nut free, dairy free and vegetarian options, as some of you have indicated on your application. He does want everyone to be aware that the cafeteria and kitchen do have particulates from flour and nuts so it is not 100% safe for persons with extreme allergies. Since the dorms have full sized fridges and microwaves, you can bring your own food as needed. The cafeteria has a microwave so you can warm your own food there if needed.
Snacks
Our cafeteria provides all-you-can-eat buffet style meals with lots of choices for every meal, so you will be well-fed. We encourage you to bring $20-$30 to spend in the snack bar which will be open between meals and throughout the event. You are also welcome to bring snacks from home. You may bring a cooler and ice packs. There is a refrigerator with a freezer in each dorm building.
Free Time
You will have free time each day during the meal hours, after eating and in the evenings. Since you will be in business attire during the day, we invite you to spend free time visiting with other youth. You may change into athletic or casual clothing for dinner and the evening activities. We invite you to bring items to use during evening free time, such as a football, basketball, soccer ball, tennis balls and racket, skateboard, roller skates, roller blades, baseball and gloves (no bats please), frisbees, etc. There is a large grassy area, a basketball court, a tennis court and a skate park. Please do not bring video games.
Improv Night
Come prepared for “Improv Night” which will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2022. Plan to do a skit, tell a great joke, perform a musical number, or recite your favorite selection from a play, a poem or a piece of literature. An Improv night sign-up sheet with limited spots will be provided in the skybridge between the cafeteria and the Tiger’s Den, so be sure to reserve your spot! Prepare to have fun, with this outrageous program filled with talent, drama and great humor! Feel free to bring your musical instrument. A piano, sound system and music stand will be provided.
Banquet and Ball
Note that the Friday banquet is for youth attendees, mentors, Sim Team members and event staff only. Graduates, their parents and additional pre-paid commencement guests also attend the banquet. The Family Ball is for youth attendees, their immediate family members, mentors, Sim Team members, graduates and their parents, other commencement guests and event staff. There is no additional cost for family members.
CARPOOLING
We encourage students and parents to coordinate carpooling by contacting others on the Dorm Rooming lists.
Rules
Please review these Simulations Week Rules prior to attending.
WHAT TO BRING
Please label all belongings.
- Notebook and pens
- Optional: A laptop and flash drive
- Sheets and blanket or sleeping bag
- Pillow
- Towel
- Pajamas and clothing for the whole event
- Best dress or formal for banquet
- Toiletries, including brush, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner and body soap
- Board game or puzzle
- Snacks for the evenings
- Basketball, soccer ball, tennis ball and rackets, frisbee or football
DEVISES, COMPUTERS AND INTERNET
It would be helpful for several attendees to bring laptops, to facilitate development of proposals, but laptops are not required for everyone.
WiFi will be available throughout the event. A robust porn blocker and internet filtering service is integrated with Wasatch Academy’s guest internet access, though obviously this doesn’t apply to mobile data plans.
In general, it will reduce distractions if students do not bring mobile phones or digital devices with them. If students need to contact parents, they may borrow a staff person’s phone. We are not prohibiting phones, but simply recommend that phones be left at home. (We understand that students traveling without parents need to have a phone.) Consider blocking internet and social media on phones, so they are only used for texting and calling. Printers will be available to photocopy proposals. Here is a guide on how to block the internet on computing devices.
DRESS POLICY
- Costumes are great! We encourage players to wear a costume that represents the nation they lead. All costumes must be modest, as described below. Costumes are ideal for any time the simulation is being played, which is essentially 9 am – 5 pm each day. If you prefer not to wear a costume, please select modest, business casual attire for the simulation portion of the event. Ties are optional. Note about demin: Business casual jeans should be clean and in good condition, free of any tears, fading or fraying. Avoid bright-colored jeans or styles that have flashy details, in favor of classic styles that you can pair with accessories or layers as needed. Dress your jeans up with a button-down shirt.
- Casual or athletic attire is best for the evening activities, such as jeans and t-shirts. Tank tops and spaghetti straps are not permitted. Attendees may return to the dorms to change their clothing prior to the evening activities. Shorts are permitted but must not be short shorts. Here is an image of appropriate shorts for boys. Here is an image of appropriate shorts for girls.
- Formal gowns or best dress and suits are all appropriate for the Formal Banquet. You are welcome to wear something you might wear to church. Selection of these attire options must be modest and is a matter of personal preference. Girl’s dance shoes must be soft-soled and not spike heeled, since that will damage the gym floor. These types of shoes will work: dress ballet shoes or chunk soft heeled shoes. These types of shoes will not work: high heeled shoe or stiletto heeled shoe.
- Immodest apparel and any attire or hair styles that are excessively distractive are not permitted. Please do not wear anything that is tight, sheer, or revealing. All clothing (business, casual and formal) must cover the shoulders, the stomach and not be low cut in the front or the back. Spaghetti straps and excessively short dresses are not permitted. Short dresses are defined as ending above the knee. Students wearing immodest apparel will be asked to return to the dorm to change their clothing before returning to participate in the event.
PARENTS
Parents are welcome to observe any of the simulation. We ask that they refrain from interacting with the Simulation participants, wherever possible, and that they maintain an unobtrusive presence in the simulation by refraining from side conversations. Parents should converse with students outside of the simulation rooms, when needed.
PARENT LODGING
We recommend that parents wishing to stay in the area stay at the Horseshoe Mountain Lodge or seek for a local AirBnB. There are plenty of restaurants in the area, as well as a full service grocery story in Mount Pleasant (Terrell’s).
SCHEDULE
Simulation, Meals and Evening Activities:
Monday, June 20, 2022
7:00 – 9:00 pm Social at Wasatch Academy for Sim Team, Mentors and Early Arrivals. Karaoke night
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Check-in for Early Arrivals
9:45 pm 15-min Devotional in the Dorms
10:00 pm Lights Out
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
7:00 am – 8:00 am Breakfast for Monday Early Arrivals and Staff Only
8:00 am – 9:00 am Attendee Dorm Check-in, then Auditorium check-in
9:00 am – 10:00 am General Orientation in the Auditorium
10:00 am – 12:00 pm Group Orientation in meeting rooms
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch and Free Time
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm Simulation
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Dinner and Free Time
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm Youth Games
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm Free Time in Dorms (9:30 15-min Devotional in the Dorms)
10:00 pm Lights Out
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Simulation
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch and Free Time
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Special Meeting for Ensign Peak Academy high school students.
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Simulation
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Dinner and Free Time
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Fireside & Testimony Meeting in the Auditorium
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm Free Time on Campus or in Dorms
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm Free Time in Dorms (9:30 15-min Devotional in the Dorms)
10:00 pm Lights Out
Thursday, June 23, 2022
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Simulation
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch and Free Time
1:00 pm – 1:45 pm Etiquette presentations (Girls in cafeteria, Boys in Auditorium)
1:45 pm – 5:00 pm Simulation
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Dinner
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Improv Night in Auditorium
Come prepared to do a skit, tell a great joke, perform a musical number, or recite your favorite selection from a play, a poem or a piece of literature. Prepare to have fun, with this outrageous program filled with talent, drama and great humor!
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm Free Time on Campus or in Dorms
9:00 pm – 10:00 pm Free Time in Dorms (9:30 15-min Devotional in the Dorms)
10:00 pm Lights Out
Friday, June 24, 2022
8:00 am – 9:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am – 12:00 pm Simulation
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch and Free Time
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Simulation
2:00 pm Simulation ends
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm Meeting in the auditorium
2:50 pm – 3:50 pm Evaluations and Debrief in Groups, meeting room clean up
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Ensign Peak Academy Commencement – Music Conservatory
5:00 pm – 5:45 pm Clean-up and Individual Preparation for Banquet, in Dorms
5:45 pm Seating begins for Banquet
6:00 pm Banquet and Program (For Sim Team, Mentors, youth attendees, graduates, parents of graduates and commencement guests)
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Ball (For Sim Team, Mentors, youth attendees, immediate family members of attendees, graduates, parents of graduates and commencement guests.)
9:00 pm Check out, Parent pick-up
Note: Youth may be picked up by parents as soon as their dorm clean check is passed off.
10:00 pm Lights Out for Late-Stays (no devotional)
Saturday, June 25, 2025
8:00 am Breakfast, Clean-up and Check-out for Late-stays
9:00 am Airport Shuttle Departs
9:00 am Parents pick-up Late-stays who are not taking the Airport Shuttle
Note that our group must exit campus by 9:00 am so the cleaning crew can prepare for the next group.