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Beijing 2008 Olympic Youth Camp Handbook


I. Welcome Letter from the Director of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Youth Camp
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Thank you and your NOC for the great support to the Olympic Movement. The city of Beijing, steeped in tradition and embracing modernity, will soon have the privilege of welcoming you all to attend the Beijing 2008 Olympic Youth Camp. We deeply appreciate your participation and look forward to seeing you here this summer. Welcome to Beijing!
Alongside the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, this year's Youth Camp will mark the setting of new records, adding fresh strands to the Olympic tapestry. We will for the first time be joined by young people with disabilities from the host country. At this Camp, about 500 campers from all over the world will forge common bonds with new people, exchange moving stories and witness "One World, One Dream" together.
The Olympic Youth Camp grants young people the chance to come together under the Olympic flag to share their cultures, and it is a signal honour for me and my colleagues to be a part of this programme. I am certain that you, as Olympic Youth Campers, are similarly moved by great hopes and filled with great dreams. "Youth Create the Future" – as the future is placed in your hands, so is this camp. You are the ones tasked with deploying a youthful and vibrant spirit, which is an integral part of the Olympic Games. I believe your participation and experience in this camp shall be marked with respect for each other and forged in a sense of unity and cooperation. I know that amidst all this excitement, new friendships will be forged and new life experiences will be built.
As your friends and trusty organising team, we have prepared a rich and exciting programme of camp activities sure to leave you with lasting memories. The activities will include attending the Opening ceremony of the Olympic Games; watching Olympic competitions; visiting the Great Wall, Forbidden City or experiencing other cultural activities. We are currently working towards fostering a safe and comfortable environment with the very best services, so as to ensure a rich and unique experience for everyone. Your participation and satisfaction will be our best reward.
This carefully compiled handbook contains must-read information regarding the Youth Camp, which will guide you through your stay in Beijing. Please take the time to read it through carefully and come to the Camp with energy and confidence.
See you all in Beijing this summer!
Wang Yue
Director of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Youth Camp
II. History and Purpose of the Olympic Youth Camp
The Olympic Youth Camp (OYC), with its proud history, is an educational and cultural exchange programme under the Olympic flag for young people aged 16 to 18. The OYC began at the Stockholm 1912 Olympic Games, when King Gustav V of Sweden invited 1,500 Boy Scouts to pitch their tents near the Olympic Stadium and celebrate the Games. The two World Wars interrupted the OYC, but since the Tokyo 1964 Olympic Games, when the OYC resumed, almost every Olympic Games has hosted the OYC. According to the Olympic Charter (2004), Chapter 5, Rule 50, "With the authorization of the IOC Executive Board, the OCOG may, under its own responsibility, organize an international youth camp on the occasion of the Olympic Games."
The OYC is an integral and special part of the Olympic Games with the goal to promote the Olympic spirit and provide a unique Olympic experience for young people. The OYC showcases the culture, history, and customs of the host city and country; and fosters cultural exchange and friendship among young people around the world. The OYC is of key importance to passing the Olympic spirit to future generations.
III. Slogan, Goal, and Emblem of the Beijing 2008 OYC

Emblem of the Beijing 2008 OYC
The Beijing 2008 OYC will be held from August 6 to 17, 2008. Its slogan is "Youth Create the Future". In the spirit of harmony, compassion, creativity and learning through experience, the Camp has already invited participants nominated by more than 200 National Olympic Committees (NOC). For the first time in OYC history, young people with disabilities from the host country will also be joining the Camp.
This Camp will provide a chance for young people from all over the world to learn about the Olympic spirit; strengthen international understanding and friendship; and experience the Olympic Games and Chinese culture. The goal is to promote the Olympic spirit among young people, and the ideals of world peace, cooperation and development, and shared prosperity. We will make every effort to host a successful, high-level OYC with distinguishing features.

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IV. Introduction to the Beijing 2008 OYC
The OYC will create an opportunity for young people to communicate and learn from each other. Activities will focus on the Olympic experience, cultural exchange, and understanding China. We hope that you will have a fantastic time and cherish the memories forever.
1) Olympic experience: We have developed a rich and exciting programme so that you can experience all aspects of the Olympic Games. You will have a chance to attend the Opening Ceremony, watch Olympic competitions, take part in volunteer activities, learn about the Olympic Games, visit the Olympic Village and tour Olympic venues, among many other activities.
2) Cultural exchange: The OYC is a place for young people to come together under the Olympic flag to share their cultures. We have planned many activities to promote cultural exchange and friendship among the participants around the world. Activities include: youth forums, field trips, cultural evenings, sports and team-building exercises.
3) Understanding China: You will receive a warm welcome in China, a modernizing country rich in tradition. The OYC will give you a chance to learn about China and Beijing and directly experience Chinese culture. You will visit cultural and historical sites, take part in traditional Chinese sports, and tour Beijing.
V. General Information
1) Important Dates
The Camp will take place from August 6 to 17, 2008. You are expected to arrive in Beijing on August 4 or August 5 for sign-in. After the Camp ends, you may extend your stay at the Camp site until noon of August 19, as necessary, depending on your flight schedule. If you arrive before August 4 or depart after August 19, please inform your country's (region's) National Olympic Committee, which will be responsible for your accommodations.
2) Arrival and Departure
We will arrange airport transport services for your arrival and departure. Our staff will meet you at the airport and take you to the Camp site. Upon arrival at the Camp site, you will meet the other campers, and our staff will distribute accreditation cards and help you with registration, check-in and other matters. When you leave Beijing after the camp ends, we will be responsible for taking you to the airport.
3) Camp Location and Accommodations
The Camp site is located at Beijing 101 Middle School (11, Yiheyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, China), near the Summer Palace,a world-famous imperial garden, and only ten kilometres from the Olympic Green. The Camp site enjoys a beautiful landscape, convenient transportation, and many facilities for sports and recreation. Four campers will share one room with a bathroom and air-conditioner. You will have access to all the school's facilities, such as the soccer field, basketball courts, volleyball courts, tennis courts, and TV lounges. Computers and internet access will also be available.
4) Telephones, Mail, and Internet Access
Public pay phones will be available for you to call your family. If you want to bring your own mobile phone, please contact your carrier for information regarding its usage in China. If you prefer to subscribe to a local service, which would be the easiest way to make local calls in Beijing, you can buy a SIM card and prepaid phone cards from China Mobile or China Unicom. Please be reminded, however, that you will be requested to switch off or silence your mobile phone on many occasions during the Camp.
Since your stay at the Camp will be short, we suggest that your family and friends do not send you any mail addressed to the Camp. You will of course be allowed to mail postcards from China, and our staff will offer mailing services during the camp. .
You will have access to internet. E-mail will be the most convenient way to keep in touch with your friends and family during the Camp.

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VI. Preparing for the Camp
1) Passport and Visa
To gain entry into China, you must have a passport valid for at least six months and with at least one blank page. With the Pre-valid Olympic Identity and Accreditation Card (Pre-valid OIAC), you will be able to enter China without a visa. If the Accreditation Center successfully received your valid accreditation form, the Pre-valid OIAC will then be sent to your NOC, who will be responsible for transferring it to you afterwards. Once validated, the OIAC will become the official document of your participation in the Olympic Games. For detailed information, pleased contact your NOC.
2) Flight Tickets and Schedule
BOCOG and the Olympic Solidarity will pay for your roundtrip flight tickets (economy class). Please book your tickets with the help of your NOC, or you may arrange them by yourself. Once your flight has been confirmed, please inform our staff of the details, so that we can arrange airport services for you. For your own convenience, however, we recommend that you travel with your NOC delegation. We would like to remind you that the Camp will take place between August 6 and 17, 2008; we will provide meals and accommodations from August 4 to the noon time of 19, 2008.
3) Travel Insurance
We recommend that you purchase travel insurance covering physical and baggage security, as well as accident insurance covering loss or damage to personal belongings during travel and your stay in Beijing. Please contact your NOC for information about the amount and coverage of its insurance policy.
VII. What to Bring to the Camp
1) Clothing and Shoes
There is no dress code for the Camp; attire will be casual. However, we do expect that you dress appropriately for special occasions such as the welcome banquet and cultural evenings. You are encouraged to bring your national costume, if you have one, to show to the other campers.
We will provide you with some items, including a Camp uniform and a hat. The following clothing list can serve as a guideline of what to pack for the Camp:
4 T-shirts
2 pairs of jeans or trousers
Light-weight jacket
Sporting attire
Hat / cap
5 sets of underwear
5 pairs of socks
Comfortable walking shoes
Sport shoes
You will have access to self-service laundry machines provided by the Camp.
2) Travel Documents
You must bring your passport (original and photocopies); Pre-valid OIAC (original and photocopies); plane tickets; and travel insurance certificate, if any. To avoid loss or other problems, please keep these important documents with you at all times, in your carry-on baggage. Do not put them in the baggage you check in. When you arrive in Beijing, you will be required to show one or more of these documents to the Chinese customs officer.
3) Currency
The currency of China is renminbi (RMB), of which the basic unit is yuan, and the camp will offer currency exchange services for: US Dollar, Japanese Yen, Hong Kong Dollar, Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, Swiss Franc, Singapore Dollar, Swedish Krona, Danish Krone, Norwegian Kroner, Australian Dollar, Macau Pataca, Philippine Peso, Thai Baht, South-Korean Won, and New Taiwan Dollar. You may also bring a credit card. For safety reasons, however, you are advised not to carry large amounts of money.

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4) Personal Items
The Camp will provide you with bed linens, blankets and pillows, but you will be required to bring your own personal hygiene items, and other toiletries and necessities. You are also advised to bring sunglasses and sunscreen lotion, as the sun in Beijing is very strong in August. If you need any special medicine, please make sure you bring enough for the duration of the camp. (Note: The medicine will be subject to China's customs regulations. You will need to have a copy of the prescription issued by a doctor or medical professional for prescribed medicines.).
The standard voltage in China is 220V and sockets are designed for round pin attachment plugs, fat blade attachment plugs, or oblique flat blades with ground. Be sure to bring a suitable adaptor for any personal electrical appliances.
Note: You are advised not to bring valuables or items of great personal importance. Please leave them at home.
5) Other Items
We hope you can bring ten sports-themed stamps from your country/region and one postcard that can best represent your culture. If you wish, you can bring any cultural items or souvenirs unique to your country/region to contribute to the Camp. Your contributions, which will be greatly appreciated and valued, will be displayed at the Camp's cultural exhibition, and then permanently saved. You may also bring some small gifts or souvenirs for your new friends.
6) Prohibited Items
The Customs of China has strict regulations regarding certain items. The following items are strictly prohibited in China and cannot be brought into the country:
1. All weapons, model weapons, ammunition and explosives;
2. Counterfeit currencies and forged securities;
3. Publications, films, photographs, records, movies, audio cassettes, video tapes, CDs, PC storage devices and the like that would be detrimental to China's politics, economics, culture and/or morals;
4. Toxic substances;
5. Opium, morphine, heroin, marijuana, and other addictive narcotics, and illegal psychotropic drugs;
6. Animals, plants and their products infested with dangerous bacteria, pests or other harmful organisms;
7. Food, drugs or other substances that are from infested areas; that harm the health of humans or animals; or that may spread disease;
8. Any other items prohibited by the Laws and Regulations of China.
VIII. Baggage Rules
1) Carry-on Baggage Allowance
 International flights -- Maximum weight: seven (7) kg; maximum size: 20 cm × 40 cm × 55 cm; maximum dimensions (length + width + height): 115 cm; Passengers flying airlines from the USA or Canada are limited to one (1) piece of carry-on baggage. (Some carriers might have different allowances. Please refer to your flight ticket or contact your carrier for more information.)
 Domestic flights -- Maximum weight: five (5) kg; maximum size: 20 cm × 40 cm × 55 cm. (Some carriers might have different allowances.)
2) Checked Baggage Allowance
 International flights - the free checked baggage allowance is 20 kg for economy-class passengers. (Some carriers might have different allowances for checked baggage. Please refer to your flight ticket or contact your carrier for more information.)
 Domestic flights - the free checked baggage allowance is 20 kg for economy-class passengers.
3) Items you should not put in checked baggage: important documents, including travel documents, such as your passport and Pre-valid OIAC); currency; jewelry; precious metals and their products; fragile and perishable items; and other valuables. (Please contact your carrier for more information.)
Note: Before you check in your baggage at the airport, please be sure to remove all old tags and bar-coded tags from your baggage. This will ensure that your baggage will be routed smoothly to Beijing.
IX. Organizational Structure and Staff of the OYC
The OYC has a full-time management team of local and international staff experienced in youth activities and programmes. A well-trained volunteer team will also help with the operation of the Camp. All our staff members are experienced in sports; arts and culture; planning of activities, and personnel management. They will help you and provide the best possible service.
Campers of different nationalities will be grouped into small teams, each led by a team leader. To facilitate communication among the team members, most activities will be carried out among or within the teams. We are sure that each and every camper will make a great impression on you. You will always remember the wonderful times you share with them.
X. Camp Regulations
Upon arrival at the Camp, you will receive a handbook containing the camp regulations, a directory of camp facilities, and a detailed schedule of all programmes and activities. You will be required to read the handbook carefully and respect the regulations.
XI. Useful information
1) Climate of Beijing
Beijing has a temperate continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons. It is dry in the spring; hot and rainy in the summer; pleasantly cool in the autumn; and cold and dry in the winter. The annual average temperature is 10-12℃, and temperatures have reached over 42℃ on occasion. In August, the average temperature is around 25℃.The weather is hot and dry during the day, but cool in the mornings and evenings. Please pack suitable clothing for the Camp.