Connections 2023

Arrival and Departure

Arrival and Departure Information Check-in time for the retreat will be 3–4 PM, Friday, June 23. Our team will be unable to receive you before 2PM unless you make specific arrangements with us in advance. When you arrive on campus, there will be signs posted around campus to direct you for CONNECTIONS. The weekend will conclude Sunday, June 25, with a celebration of the Mass starting at 1 PM. Family and friends are welcome to join us in the St. Thomas of Villanova Church (#3 on the campus map). Students will be ready to leave campus by 2PM, so please make your travel arrangements accordingly.

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Traveling by Air

If you need transportation to/from the Philadelphia International Airport, please email your flight itineraries and the student’s mobile number to connectionsweekend@villanova.edu with “Flight Information – [Student’s Name]” in the subject line.

We will not be able to provide rides from the airport for flights that are scheduled to land before 11 AM or after 4 PM on Friday and after 4 PM on Sunday unless arrangements are confirmed with us before booking your flight.

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Traveling by Car

Parents are welcome to drop off students on Friday afternoon, 3–4PM, and pick them up between 2–3PM on Sunday afternoon. Parking will be available for students who plan to drive themselves to and from the retreat. However, students are not permitted to leave campus during the retreat without permission from the Campus Ministry staff since it presents a safety and liability issue. We will hold participants’ car keys for the weekend if they request a parking permit.

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Public Transit

There are public transit stops on Villanova’s campus for the following:

• Regional Rail (Paoli–Thorndale line)
• Norristown High Speed Line
• 106 Bus

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What to Bring

You will be staying in a residence hall. The rooms are air-conditioned, so it may be cooler at night. and you will need to bring the following:

• Toiletries, towel, pillowcase, and sheets or sleeping bag
• Flip-flops for the shower and bathrobe if you have one
• Casual clothes and close-toed shoes that you would feel comfortable in for light physical activity outside, with layers for air-conditioned activities indoors
• One dressier outfit (business casual/slacks, khakis or sundress is fine) for Sunday’s liturgy
• Rain jacket/umbrella if precipitation is in the forecast
• Reusable water bottle and travel thermos

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Registration Fee

Cost for the weekend is $150. The registration fee covers accommodations, meals and scheduled activities (travel to and from campus is on your own). Financial support is available for anyone that needs it for the registration fee. Please contact Kiva Nice-Webb (kiva.nice-webb@villanova.edu) for scholarship information.

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Other Information

We will be eating in the dining halls and participating in the Villanova Challenge Course (low ropes) as part of the weekend, and much of the weekend involves walking around outside. Please contact Kiva Nice-Webb if you have dietary or accessibility questions or concerns regarding the weekend. For general questions, please contact connectionsweekend@villanova.edu.

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