The Surprise Summit

An Out of This World Social Experiment

June 5-8, 2018

SIMULATIONS WEEK EAST ATTENDEE PACKET

SCENARIO

History will record that on the fateful day of June 5, 2018, 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.

SIMULATION IDENTITIES: HEADS OF STATE

Participants in this simulation will each take on the identity of a current head of state. (First come, first served.) Each attendee is encouraged to learn about their simulation identity by reading the biographical information that will be provided to them. Costumes are encouraged! (Modesty please.) Information is 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.

After you have registered, please visit the Heads of State Identities and Information page to select and sign up for which head of state you would like to play, and to access biographical information about the heads of state identities, the nations they lead, and the form of government.

Find out about the social experiment HERE. Pre-event preparation is optional, and will enhance your experience, but you will also have plenty of time during the event to learn about and engage in the topics associated with the social experiment. If you wish to prepare ahead of time, you may do so by studying the 12 Labors of Mankind. Links to video interviews, news stories and documentaries, as well as articles, will be posted soon, on each page of the 12 Labors of Mankind.

You are invited to participate in Sim Week Opening Night! This exciting cultural celebration will take place on Tuesday evening, June 12th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Sign up HERE to share your “culture” with the other attendees. For example, if you attending as the President of France, you will share something about French culture during Opening Night. You may share anything that celebrates and informs the other attendees about the culture you represent, including bringing ethnic food and explaining it, showing a work of art, reciting a speech or literary piece, performing a dance, dressing in an ethnic costume and explaining it, telling a legend or folktale, telling a story from the history of the country, sharing a story of the life of a famous person, bringing money to show and talk about, perform a short theatrical piece, of anything that helps the other attendees learn about and appreciate the culture of the nation you are representing during Simulations Week West.

SCHEDULE: SIMULATIONS, MEALS & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Tuesday, June 5, 2018; 8:00 am – 8:00 pm

8:00 am – 9:00 am             Check-in

9:00 am – 9:30 am             Welcome

9:30 am – 12:00 pm            Simulation

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm            Lunch

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm              Simulation

5:00 pm – 8:00 pm             Dinner and Opening Night Performance (Youth and mentors only)

Wednesday: June 6, 2018; 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

9:00 am – 12:00 pm             Simulation

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm             Lunch

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm              Dinner

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm              Dinner and Game Night

Thursday, June 7, 2018; 9:00 am – 8:00 pm

9:00 am – 12:00 pm             Simulation

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm             Lunch

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm              Simulation

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm              Etiquette presentation, separate for boys and girls

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm              Dinner

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm              Improv Night

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 from classic literature.  The program will be invented as we go.  Prepare to have fun, with this outrageous program filled with talent, drama and great humor!

Friday, June 8, 2018: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm

9:00 am – 12:00 pm             Simulation

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm             Lunch

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm               Simulation

3:00 pm – 4:15 pm               Simulation Debrief in groups

4:15 pm – 4:30 pm               Clean Up

4:30 pm – 5:15 pm               Individual preparation for Formal Banquet 

5:15 pm                               Seating begins for the banquet

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm              Formal Banquet

7:30 pm – 10:30 pm            Youth Dance                      

GENERAL INFORMATION

 What to Bring

• Notebook and pens
• Toothbrush and Toothpaste, since you will be eating all of your meals at the Simulation

If staying overnight, please bring (Label all belongings):

• Sleeping bag, sleeping pad and pillow
• Pajamas and clothing for the whole event
• Best dress or formal for banquet and dance
• Toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner and body soap
• Towel
• Board game, puzzle or book

Dress Policy 

• Girls should wear a costume representing the traditional clothing of their nation, or dress slacks, a dress or a skirt and blouse, or a business suit, with dress shoes.  Please select a modest costume or professional attire for the simulation portion of the event.  No denim.
• Boys should wear a costume representing the traditional clothing of their nation, or a suit, dress shirt and tie, with dress shoes. Suit jacket is optional. Please select a modest costume or professional attire for the simulation portion of the event. No denim.
• Casual attire is best for the evening activities, such as jeans and t-shirts. Please bring your casual attire in a bag, so that you can change at event facility. Modesty is required.
• Formal gowns or best dress and suits are all appropriate for the Formal Banquet.  Selection of these attire options is a matter of personal preference.
• No distracting clothing is permitted: Immodest apparel, inappropriately casual attire, and any attire or hair styles that are excessively distracting are not permitted. Cross dressing is not permitted. The Simulations Week producer reserves the right to determine whether or not attire is excessively distracting. 
• Attendees who are not dressed according to this Dress Policy will be asked to return to their lodgings to change clothing before they may participate in the simulation.

Parent Observation 

Parents are welcome to observe any of the proceedings.  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.