Health, Wellness & Inclusion

IC has a team of Wellness Specialists who help teens with mental health and emotional needs. Wellness Specialists can be found throughout convention and can be accessed by request through IC staff.

BBYO teens who have been trained in teen Mental Health First Aid will also be available throughout the convention. Teens are trained in how to recognize and respond to their peers dealing with a mental health challenge and helping connect them to a safe adult.

All BBYO staff are trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid and Healthy Relationships. Staff are equipped to recognize mental health challenges and connect teens to the appropriate support.

The more information BBYO staff have in advance the better able we are to help support teens. To speak to a BBYO professional about any mental, emotional, or social health considerations in advance please contact BBYO’s Senior Director of Wellness and Inclusion Ari Handel.

IC has an onsite Medical Center staffed by nurses and doctors. Staff are available for onsite needs and to determine if a teen needs to see a medical professional offsite. The Medical Center will have some over-the-counter medications for unexpected needs, but if a participant requires daily medications, they will be responsible for managing that independently. IC has an onsite Medical Center staffed by nurses and doctors. Staff are available for onsite needs and to determine if a teen needs to see an additional medical professional offsite. The Medical Center will have some over-the-counter medications for unexpected needs, but if a participant requires daily medications, they will be responsible for managing that independently.
‍
‍What Happens If a Delegate Gets Sick at IC? 

IC hosts a medical team of professional nurses, mental health professionals, and doctors onsite. If a delegate requires medical attention, an IC staff member can assist them in contacting a member of the Medical Team. 

If a teen tests positive onsite for COVID-19, infuenza (flu),strep or has a fever, they will be placed in an isolation room. The duration of their stay will depend on the length of their symptoms. During this time, anurse will check in with the teen daily, and meals will be delivered to their room.

In case of an emergency, BBYO will utilize the nearest hospital. If additional information or out-of-hotel medical services are needed, a member of the IC Leadership Team will contact the delegate's parent or guardian. If a teen is admitted to the hospital, a parent or guardian may be required to meet them at the hospital within 24 hours.
‍
‍How Do I Get In Touch with Someone at IC? 

If there is an emergency during IC, parents are encouraged to call the IC Hotline at 1-800-421-9843.

The IC office will be fully staffed from 8:00 AM through 10:00 PM ET every day. While our office team will be working until late at night, should you get our voicemail in the evening, please leave a message. We’ll be checking messages frequently and will get back to you as soon as possible.

If a participant would benefit from additional support, arrangements need to be discussed by November 12, 2025. Any specific or individualized needs must be arranged through BBYO’s Senior Director of Wellness and Inclusion Ari Handel.

Attending IC can be an exciting and enriching experience, offering teens a unique opportunity to meet new people, engage in interactive sessions, and gain new perspectives. It’s important to understand the logistical aspects of attending an immersive experience like IC to ensure a smooth experience. Here are some general tips and insights to ensure delegates arrive at the convention with clear andrealistic expectations.

• Teens travelling to IC are expected to be able to navigate an airport on their own.
• At IC, teens are not permitted to go back to their rooms until programming is over, which typically does not end until later in the evening.
• Teens eat their meals in one large banquet room together. We expect approximately 4,000 teens and staff in one room for most meals.
• Teens are responsible for their own medications at IC. The Medical Center will have some over-the-counter medications for unexpected needs, but if a participant requires daily medications, they will be responsible for managing that independently. Participants may bring their own over-the-counter medications with them to IC.
• Quiet rooms will be available to delegates throughout the day, offering a serene space for relaxation and stress reduction. IC is a busy event filled with constant activity and interaction. Quiet rooms allow participants to step away from the bustle of convention, offering a peaceful retreat for those needing a break from social interactions.

As a reminder, delegates have signed a Code of Conduct and Community Standards agreement upon registering for BBYO membership. This indicates their full understanding of BBYO’s behavioral expectations. Should a delegate choose to act outside of the Code of Conduct, the incident will be addressed by appropriate staff members.

BBYO has a zero-tolerance approach to any violation of the Code of Conduct and any disciplinary matter that comes to the attention of IC staff. If a delegate is dismissed from IC for disciplinary reasons or Code of Conduct violations, parents or caregivers are expected to arrange travel home immediately, at the delegate’s expense and without a refund.

The most common Code of Conduct violations and consequences can be found here.

As part of the registration process for any overnight program, including IC, families will be asked to confirm that their teens have been vaccinated for childhood vaccines. BBYO’s most updated immunization policy can be found here. Teens who are not in compliance will not be permitted to attend.

If your teen is not fully vaccinated in accordance with BBYO’s requirements and you require an exemption,you must submit the exemption request that can be accessed here.

Exemptions are considered, but not guaranteed, in the following situations: history of previous severe allergic reaction to a vaccine, history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome within six weeks of receiving a previous vaccine, or persons receiving immunosuppressive drugs and chronic steroids. 

BBYO does not accept vaccine exemption forms submitted for other programs, schools, or states. BBYO does not accept religious exemptions.  

An exemption request must be submitted specifically for this program and approved by BBYO. This request must be received within 2 weeks of the registration date. Any forms submitted later will not result in a full refund if the exemption request is denied.

Vaccination: All those who attend BBYO overnight experiences are highly recommended to receive ayearly flu vaccination.   

‍Testing at International Overnight Programs: BBYO will test individuals that present with flu-like symptoms. A refusal to test warrants automatic removal from the program.

‍Testing Positive at International Overnight Programs: Individuals who test positive for the flu at a BBYO overnight event will be immediately placed in quarantine. Teens will need to depart IC within 24 hours of a positive test.

If You’ve Contracted the Flu Before an Event: Participants who have contracted the flu will be eligible to participate in all BBYO events after five days from receiving a positive test result. They must be fever and symptom free without the use of fever-reducing or other over the counter medications.

‍Testing at International Overnight Programs: BBYO will test individuals that present with Streptococcus (Strep Throat) symptoms. A refusal to test warrants automatic removal from the program.

‍Testing Positive at Overnight Programs: Individuals that test positive for strep throat at a BBYO overnight event will be immediately placed in quarantine. The medical team will coordinate an appointment with a medical professional as soon as possible. Staff and teens may return to programming 24 hours after their fever is gone without the use offever-reducing medication, and after they have been taking antibiotics for at least twelve hours.

‍If You’ve Contracted Strep Throat Before an Event: Participants who have contracted strep throat will be eligible to participate in all BBYO events after taking antibiotics for twelve hours and without a fever present for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication.