Answers to YOUR Questions
We encourage you to BOOKMARK this page on your Smartphone. Click for instructions for iPHONE or ANDROID.
Where are Directions to the Camp? See HERE
Where is the Schedule of Events? See HERE
NOTE: Be sure an refresh the Schedule of Events webpage if you have viewed the schedule before. The schedule may be updated up until the day before the retreat begins.
Where is a Site Map? See HERE
Where is the Dining Hall Menu? See HERE
How do I check in at the hotel in Midlothian?
You will be staying at the Courtyard by Marriott Midlothian Conference Center Thursday through Sunday nights. When you arrive, go to the front desk and give them your confirmation number. The room is listed in your name. You will be asked for your credit card for any personal expenses besides the room and breakfasts that the retreat is covering.
What transportation is available for me?
Our volunteers will pick you up at your designated airport and take you to the Courtyard by Marriott Midlothian Conference Center where you will be spending Thursday through Sunday nights. If you are arriving from Ireland, you will spend Wednesday night at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Irving DFW Airport North, and then taken down to the Midlothian hotel the next day. Katie Duncan manages all of our transportation to and from the airports. Her number is (972) 333-6559. We have a shuttle between the hotel and the camp, and you can see the schedule HERE. Also, our “instructor concierge” is Laura Flanagan, and she will help you with other travel arrangements during the camp as needed.
Is there one person in particular that can assist me?
While anyone on our retreat team is willing to help, we have created a position called “instructor concierge” whose role is to assist you with anything you need. Laura Flanagan has been assigned this role. You can reach her by texting her at (972) 643-8333 or emailing her at laura.a.flanagan@gmail.com. If you have an Irish phone service that can’t make U.S. calls easily, talk with her about setting up a WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger connection. If she can’t help you, she will find someone who can. As a last resort, you can call our main office number which is (469) 215-1840.
What is the schedule for the shuttle between the camp and the Marriott Hotel? See HERE
How will I get around campus?
Camp Hoblitzelle is a beautiful, large campus, and classrooms and lodging may not always be right next to each other. Bikes are welcomed and many of our participants like walking to and from activities. Our Operations staff will be driving around in golf carts with O’Flaherty signs in the windshield, and are happy to give you a lift to your next activity. If you know in advance that you will need a ride, please text (972) 643-8333 with your name, where you’d like to be picked up, and at what time, and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Please remember the following about our golf cart service:
- Our Operations team offer golf cart rides from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (unless prior arrangements are made)
- Golf carts are to be driven by authorized members of our staff only
- Camp Hoblitzelle personnel on golf carts are not permitted to offer rides to our guests – look for the O’Flaherty sign in the windshield.
- If you are requesting a ride using the Dispatch number, please text (the voicemail box is unmonitored), and please try to give as much notice as you can, so that we can arrange things in time.
What will the weather be like during the retreat? See HERE
Where do I check in at the retreat and when?
Check in is at the Chapel from 4-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20th and 8-10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 21st. You will receive a badge and lanyard, a wristband, a t-shirt (if pre-ordered). Because we are paperless, there will be QR codes displayed for you to use to view the Schedule of Events and Site Map on your devices. We suggest you bookmark this webpage to access all of our documents and general info.
Must I sign a waiver?
Yes, the camp requires everyone to sign a waiver. Please review the waiver HERE. When you arrive, you will be asked to sign by your name to signify that you read and accept its provisions. A copy of the waiver will be available at check-in for review, but check-in will be faster if you review the waiver in advance of coming. You will then be given a camp wristband that must be worn at all times.
Where and when do I deliver my CDs and other merchandise for sale at the Retreat Store?
Ideally, when you check in. Our store manager Paul Dryer or one of his volunteers will log your items for sale at the Retreat Store which is adjacent to our main office in the Chapel where you will check in.
When will I get paid for my services and merchandise?
After the instructor concert on Sunday night, our bookkeeper Katie Duncan will manage payments for teaching fees, reimbursable expenses and merchandise sales. If you submitted merchandise to be sold at our Retreat Store, go there first and pick up your remaining items and obtain a reconciliation sheet that determines what you will be paid. (Reminder that we will subtract 3% for credit card fees for the sales made). Please bring the reconciliation sheet and all of the receipts that you are seeking reimbursement. Katie will be located in the room next to the sound booth in the Chapel, and it will be first come, first served.
When and where is the Kick-Off BBQ dinner on Thursday and what is planned afterwards?
The dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Texas Pavilion. Food will be served for one hour only. Afterwards, we will have sessions at the camp and possibly back at the hotel. If you remain at camp, let Laura Flanagan know when you want to go back, and she’ll arrange to take you back to the hotel when you’re ready.
Is there a “Teachers Lounge?”
Yes, and it is located at the Buckeye Cottage across from the Music Conservatory Building (see SITE MAP). This will be a place where you can relax, have coffee, water, tea, snacks and fruit, and it’s for teachers only. It is open throughout the day.
What if I have a medical emergency or need first aid?
For medical emergencies needing an EMT, call 911. Both the Retreat Booth in the Chapel and the camp staff have first aid kits. The camp also has other medical services they can provide, so call the retreat’s main office number at (469) 215-1840 if you need medical assistance that is not of an emergency nature, and we can facilitate the camp staff to provide needed aid.
Is there public Wifi at the camp?
There is Wifi and there is no password required. Warning — it is spotty in places as is wireless connection for some cell phone providers.
Where will our meals be?
You will have light breakfasts at the hotel on the first floor in the conference room Friday through Monday, and all other meals will be at the dining hall at the camp. By the way, only identified guests in your room will be able to have the complimentary breakfasts at the hotel.
Where can I get coffee?
There will be coffee available each morning at the hotel. We also will have coffee and tea in the Teachers Lounge in the Buckeye Cottage and a station in the Chapel lobby open all of the time.
PLEASE NOTE: In an effort to cut down on the use of Styrofoam cups, we encourage everyone to bring reusable mugs, cups and water bottles. We also will have them for sale at our Retreat Store.
How can I make copies?
We will have a small copier at the retreat main office in the Chapel that you can make copies for free. If you have large numbers of documents to copy, we suggest you send the documents to us in advance and we will make the copies for you. Send them to info@oflahertyretreat.org no later than Tuesday. Again, there is no charge for this.
How can I share documents and MP3s with my students after the retreat?
If you have documents or MP3 files that you want to share with your students, let us know and we will set up a Goggle Drive folder where you can upload items to it and give your students access.
How are the Instructor Concerts organized?
You have been assigned to a group on one evening of the retreat to perform in concert on the main stage at the Chapel. Please refer to our SCHEDULE for the date of your performance and who is in your group. Each group will have 30 minutes. You can choose to play as one ensemble or split the time to perform individually. In groups that don’t have accompaniment, you can ask other instructors or guest musicians to participate, however, we need to be informed in advance of those plans. On the day you will perform, we have set aside time to do sound checks from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Please attend these sound checks with your group members and any accompanists you’ve invited to perform. Because we keep to a tight schedule, please keep your overall performance to 30 minutes. By the way, on concert evenings, we will set up a “Green Room” across from the Chapel in the Silver Spur where groups can rehearse, tune and plan before performing. We will come get you when it is time for you to take the stage.
I’m teaching an Enrichment Class. What do I need to know?
Your enrichment class is one hour in length. You can choose to have a question and answer period at the end of your presentation, but please keep the overall time to one hour. By now, you should have submitted your audio visual and teaching needs through this FORM. Our AV team will have your equipment, if requested, set up in your assigned classroom. We ask that you arrive to class at least 15 minutes before to prepare. Please note that your enrichment class may not be held in the same classroom as your regular core classes. For the date, time and location, see our SCHEDULE.
I am giving an Informance. What do I need to know?
This event is one hour in length, and the focus should be on your musical journey. This would be a great time to talk about who influenced your playing/learning, discuss your style of playing, demonstrate the intricacies of your instrument, singing or dancing, etc. Our hope is that other students besides those enrolled in your core classes might like to hear you play/sing/talk about Irish music from your unique perspective. You can choose to have a question and answer period at the end of your presentation, but please keep the overall time to one hour. For the date, time and location, see our SCHEDULE.
I am leading a session. What do I need to know?
You will be one of two session leaders assigned to an event we call “Playing tunes with…”. Simply, for one hour, you will play tunes with students in attendance. You can decide what tunes to play or you can accept suggestions, but the hope is to play tunes that others can join in. There may be different levels of ability present, so you might need to change the tempos to accommodate those who are playing. For the date, time and location, see our SCHEDULE.
Can I have non-student guests come to the camp or attend the concerts?
Yes, but they must be registered as non-students. For security reasons, everyone who is at camp must have a badge and wear a camp wristband. To obtain those, guests must register online at REGISTER and pay a $25 camp access fee which also entitles them to attend all of the evening concerts. Please let Ken know if your guest warrants VIP treatment, and he will provide a code to waive the fees.
Is there a COVID policy this year?
This year we will not require proof of vaccination, however, we encourage people who attend to get vaccinated to protect themselves. We also recommend that participants test themselves before coming to the retreat. Masking is optional and we ask that everyone respect each individual’s decision to wear a mask or not. We certainly will consider guidance from the CDC and other health agencies and make changes to our policy if conditions warrant it.
I recently had COVID or have some symptoms, can I still come?
If you have had COVID recently, please go to CDC’s Isolation and Exposure Calculator HERE to see guidelines. If you are having symptoms, please take a rapid antigen COVID test. If positive, please stay home unless the guidelines otherwise indicate you are safe to participate. Generally, if you are sick with any illness that is contagious, please stay home.
When are the Retreat Store, Main Office and Vendor Booths open?
The Retreat Store, Main Office and Vendor Booths will be open during the times and days below in the Chapel. If you need assistance outside of those times, seek out our operations staff who will be traveling around the grounds on carts or call them on our Retreat Cell at (469) 215-1840. This year our booth vendors include Herb Taylor Instruments, Things Celtic, Albert Alfonso Bodhráns, Heather Carmichael Event Massage, and the Gulf Coast Cruinniú, Here are the hours for the office, store and booths located in the Chapel:
Thursday
Retreat Office: 4-9 p.m.
Friday
Retreat Office: 8-10 a.m.
Retreat Store and Vendor Booths: During evening concerts and at times when classes/workshops are not being held in the Chapel.
Saturday
Retreat Office: 8-10 a.m.
Retreat Store and Vendor Booths: During evening concerts and at times when classes/workshops are not being held in the Chapel.
Sunday
Retreat Office: Closed
Retreat Store and Vendor Booths: During evening concerts and at times when classes/workshops are not being held in the Chapel.
Monday
Retreat Office: 8-10:30 a.m.