CAMP OVERVIEW BASIC INFORMATION CAMP TIMETABLE CAMP PROGRAM
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Getting Prepared
Air Transportation: Flight destination for this trip is Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA). Participants must arrive at the airport by no later than 4:00 PM. Any early arrivals will have to wait at the airport until all other participants have arrived, and depart to our accommodations in Qum together.
Ground Transportation: Ground transportation to Qum from the airport will be provided by a professional bus coach. Transportation to different sites for visits within Iran, between the cities of Qum, Isfehan, Kashan, Tehran, and Mashhad.
Application Process: Participants should apply online. Risaalaat will review the application and make a decision. Once a participant is accepted, s/he will receive an e-mail with the legal paperwork and a payment link.
Legal Paperwork: Once a participant is accepted, s/he will receive paperwork which will need to be signed, scanned, and uploaded to: www.risaalaat.com. The paperwork will include:
- Permission to participate form for minors
- Code of conduct form
- Photocopy of passport
- Flight itinerary
Payment Plan: Payment arrangements can be made and a limited number of Pay-What-You-Can Scholarships are available.
Lodging: We will have accommodations at each site. These sites may not be fancy, only clean and accessible. Participants should not expect luxury accommodations.
Food: Risaalaat will provide breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a midday snack. The meals may vary during travel days. During travel, travelers may be expected to use their spending money to eat. We’ll also provide purified water. Participants should not expect to eat American food.
Spiritual Life: Since we seek to bring participants into a deeper relationship with Allah and foster their spiritual development. We will have a spiritual leader to ensure that our activities will include daily prayer, Q & A, discussions, tafseer of Qur'an, as well as instructions for visiting the holy shrines in Qum and Mashhad.
Dress Code: We will be guests in a country that has a common dress code. We, of course, will observe Islamic modest dress. In addition, we will wear the customary clothing of the locale (ex: black chador for sisters, especially while in Qum).
Passports: Participants will be required to have a passport to enter Iran and return to the United States. Since it can take several weeks to obtain a passport, participants are urged to acquire passports as soon as possible. Information about how to obtain a U.S. passport, and about traveling abroad, is available on the Department of State's website at http://travel.state.gov.
Visas: Risaalaat will have two liaisons (one in the US and one in Iran) to facilitate the Visa process for the each participant.
Medications: Any prescription medications for participants will be dispensed by the Al-Mahdi Camp medical personnel. Participants are advised to bring standard over-the-counter medications, including ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antacid, and stomach soothing medications. There are no special vaccinations required, but all participants should be up-to-date on routine immunizations and an updated tetanus shot.
Medical Care: Participants will have access to emergency medical care, if needed. In addition, there will be a way for the parents of participants with chronic conditions to consult with the Al-Mahdi Camp medical personnel before the trip takes place.
International Insurance: Risaalaat will require each participant provide a copy of his/her international insurance card.