2012 Festival Gathering Cost

This information is provided for those have never attended a Festival Gathering and want an idea of what the total experience might cost. It is only meant to give an estimate, of course the actual cost depends on your individual choices. Please call Ellen Handlin at 1-800-355-6627 in the NBS Office or email her at nbs@nbsint.org  if you have any other questions.

What is the total cost for attending the Festival Gathering?

We have tried to keep the total cost for the four days—room, food, and registration—at about $500, not including travel.

What is the cost of registration?

MEMBER: If you are a member and register before the May 11, 2012 early deadline, registration is $259. After the deadline member registration is $359.

STUDENT: If you are a full-time student (no matter what your age), registration is $129 before the May 11 deadline, $179 after the deadline. You are not required to be a member to get this discount.

COMMUTER: If you stay for all 4 days, there is an additional $25 commuter fee payable to NBS for use of the Ridgecrest facility.

ONE DAY: The one-day rate of $129 before May 11, $159 after, includes the commuter fee that will be paid to Ridgecrest. You do not need to be a member to receive the one-day rate.

Registration payments are made to the NBS Business Office in Indianapolis.Click here to purchase registration.

What does registration include?

Your registration fee allows you to attend all workshops, plenary sessions, storytelling sessions, morning worship, and evening entertainment; in addition to any and all materials that are handed out on site. It does not include food or lodging.

Do I have to be a member to attend?

No, you may register as a non-member, but it is less expensive to become a member and get the discount, plus you will get all the membership benefits, including the newsletter. We want you to be a member! Membership categories that make you eligible for the discount are:

Standard - $75; Family - $100 (all family members receive discount); Basic (over 65) - $40; Institution - $200 (multiple members of church all receive the discount).

How do I reserve my room?

Call Ridgecrest Reservations at 1-800-588-7222, and tell them that you are reserving for the NBS Festival Gathering, August 8-11. They will require the first night’s lodging ($99) as a deposit. Please reserve all meals you wish to take on site when you order your sleeping room! Meals will not be reserved for you otherwise!

Lodging Cost

Deluxe Rooms - $99 - single. This is per room per night. If a room is shared, the price is lessl. All rooms have private baths, individual heat and A/C.

Roommates

I’d like to share the cost of a room with a roommate. How do I do this? After you have made your room reservation, call or email the NBS Office (1-800-355-6627, or email us at nbs@nbsint.org ) and ask for a list of people who are looking to share a room. We will do everything we can to help you keep your cost down by finding a roommate, but you must contact people on your own. We want you to come!

Food:

Food from Ridgecrest is approximately $29 a day. Please order the meals you wish to take at Ridgecrest at the time you reserve your sleeping room. Meals will not be reserved for you otherwise!  Nearby Black Mountain (5 minutes away) has several excellent restaurants for off site dining.

Can I stay with friends or relatives in the area?

Of course. When you register, add the extra $25 commuter fee to your registration that is paid to NBS. Also don’t stay too far away, because many of our most wonderful experiences happen during the evening activities of Lighting the Fire, Epic Telling, and such.

If I don’t stay on the Ridgecrest campus, can I buy meals there?

Of course. Ridgecrest will happily sell you meal tickets if you call the Reservation number at 1-800-588-7222.  Please place your order for meals when you make your reservation for the Festival Gathering!  Otherwise meals may not be available. Questions about food (special vegetarian entrees, etc.) should be directed to this number as well.

If you have any questions, please call or email the NBS Office at nbs@nbsint.org or 1-800-355-6627 , we'll be happy to help!