C.S. Lewis Institute Summer Academy
Rebirth: Recovering Hope for a Dying Culture

July 12 - July 16, 2026

Please visit University of Saint Mary of the Lake for general campus FAQs.

IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?
Yes, the minimum age for the Summer Academy is 21 years old.

CAN I ROOM WITH MY FRIEND?
Yes, but you must each register separately and indicate your preferred roommate on the registration form. Per USML policy, roommates must either be married or of the same gender. No exceptions.

DOES EACH ROOM HAVE ITS OWN BATHROOM?
Yes, each room has a fully functional bathroom, to include a shower.

DO I NEED TO BRING LINEN OR TOWELS?
No, the conference center lodging provides linen and towels. We suggest you bring an umbrella in case it rains.

ARE MEALS PROVIDED?
Yes, meals will be provided by the USML dining facility. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served Monday through Wednesday; dinner will be served Sunday; and breakfast and lunch will be served Thursday.

WHAT IF I HAVE DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?
Please annotate any dietary restrictions on the registration form. If there are special concerns, contact us at chicago.admin@cslewisinstitute.org.

CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD?
No, per USML policy, outside food and beverages is prohibited and shall not be consumed nor stored in lodging rooms or classrooms.

IS THERE A REFRIGERATOR AND/OR A MICROWAVE IN THE ROOM?
No, the rooms are not equipped with either a refrigerator or a microwave.

IS PARKING AVAILABLE?
Yes, you can park in the Purple Parking lot (see campus map at https://usml.edu/campus-map/). Please provide the vehicle make/model and the license plate number on the registration form.

If you will be driving a rental vehicle, you will be asked for the vehicle make/model and the license plate number upon check-in. (This is so that USML campus security will not tow your vehicle.)

WHAT IF I HAVE ACCESSIBILITY NEEDS?
Please indicate this on the registration form. There is a ramp into the lodging hall, conference center, and the dining facility, and there are elevators in each building. If there are special concerns, contact us at chicago.admin@cslewisinstitute.org.

WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
Pack comfortable clothing, comfortable walking shoes (it’s a short walk to the dining facility), a Bible, note- taking materials, an umbrella, a reusable water bottle and/or covered coffee mug, and personal medications.

IS THERE A DRESS CODE
No, please dress comfortably. But note that, per USML policy, men are not permitted to wear cut off t-shirts and men’s tank tops should have a shoulder width of at least two inches—chest, back, and sides should not be exposed, and men’s shorts should be past mid-thigh. Women’s shorts should extend to mid-thigh, sports bras must be covered by other attire, and women’s shorts or skorts should be worn over yoga pants/tights.

Women’s tank tops should have a shoulder width of at least two inches that cover the back and sides. We suggest you bring an umbrella in case it rains.

IS TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE TO/FROM THE AIRPORT?
No, you are responsible for travel to/from the conference.

WHAT ARE THE DRIVING DIRECTIONS?
You can find detailed driving instructions and a campus map at https://usml.edu/campus-map/.

CAN I SMOKE?
No, USML is a non-smoking campus. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and any other form of smoking.

ARE ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS PERMITTED?

No, the storage or consumption of alcohol and/or drugs on campus is prohibited. This includes cannabis,
cannabis-infused substances, and/or cannabis paraphernalia.

MAY I BRING CANDLES?
No, the use of any kind of flame candles is not permitted.

CAN I BRING WEAPONS?
No, weapons of any kind are prohibited on or around the campus.

ARE ANIMALS PERMITTED?
Animals are not permitted animals (other than service animals) anywhere on campus.

WHAT IF I DAMAGE SOMETHING?
If an attendee causes damage to any portion of USML facilities and/or personal property, that attendee shall be responsible for all costs associated with repair of the damage whether or not such costs are covered by attendee’s insurance.

WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH A QUESTION NOT COVERED HERE?

Contact us at chicago.admin@cslewisinstitute.org. We’d be happy to answer your questions!