Participant Information

• Care Packages: Please bring items for two (2) bags you will receive to gift to youth participating in the humanitarian project. Consider a school t-shirt, socks, toothpaste, Chapstick, toiletries, USA item, word search puzzle book, pens, school supplies, etc. Coordinators will coordinate delivering drawstring bags and water bottles to TU and other participants ahead of time or at the central U.S. airport.
• Events and “Off” Days: Plan to dress down for events and “off” days. Wear USA apparel and be proud at events. Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes for touring L.A. Consider a wrap-around money belt to wear under your clothing (@ $20 at Amazon). Consider a bag that you can wear in front (security). Usually, you will not be at the accommodations for most of the day, you will be touring the city with other group members who don’t have tickets for a particular day.
• Humanitarian Day – TBD: Your Team USA shirt (from the volunteer days) should be worn during the humanitarian program activities along with athletic bottoms and sneakers.
• Volunteering & Visiting Olympic Reunion Center: Moderate dress attire should be worn if volunteering at the ORC (gentlemen: button-down shirts and slacks, / women: sundress, skirt & blouse, slacks and blouse). The evening is typically “dressier” than the daytime hours. You will be informed of the attire permitted for the credentialing and briefing in L.A. upon arrival.
• Volunteering at USA House (TBD): Apparel (shirt) is provided for USA house – Information will be provided

Consider bringing the following additional items:

Essentials

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or state ID)
• Passport
• Credit/debit card (plus a small amount of cash)
• Emergency contact information (written or saved offline)
• Prescription medications (in original containers)
• Phone, charger and charging cable
• Portable power bank
• Portable phone charger cable (extra if possible)
• Reusable water bottle

Health & Comfort

• Band-Aids
• Ibuprofen or aspirin
• Feminine hygiene products
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues or travel-size wipes
• Sunscreen (SPF 30+ or higher)
• Lip balm with SPF
• Electrolyte packets
• Cooling towel
• Sunglasses
• Hat (for sun protection)
• Portable face fan (highly recommended for heat)

Clothing & Weather Prep

• Comfortable walking shoes (broken in)
• Extra socks
• Lightweight, breathable clothing
• Light sweatshirt or jacket (for air-conditioned spaces)
• Bathing suit (optional, but fun for downtime)
• Light rain jacket or compact umbrella (just in case)
• USA or Country Apparel

Travel & Daily Use

• Small backpack or crossbody/day bag (clear bag if required by venues)
• Mesh laundry bag
• Snacks for long event days
• Pen
• Reading material (book, Kindle, etc.)
• Earbuds or headphones
• Sleep mask and/or earplugs (for travel or hotel stays)

Olympics-Specific Tips

• Phone storage cleared for photos/videos
• Printed copies of itinerary or schedule
• Small seat cushion for stadium seating (optional but helpful)
• Offline maps downloaded on phone

Nice-to-Haves

• Travel pillow (for bus/plane rides)
• Extra phone storage (cloud backup or portable drive)
• Mini first-aid kit
• Refillable medication organizer

List of Event Tickets and Volunteer Schedule for Participants

This will be updated periodically once events are shared with TiellkM@tiffin.edu. A schedule of pre-Olympic activities at the USA Welcome Center will be added.

Accommodations in Los Angeles, CA (USA) 2028

Information on accommodations in Los Angeles will be posted HERE in Summer 2027.

Past accommodation locations: 
Consideration is always given to security, public transportation, access to the Olympic reunion center and access to Olympic events.

• 2004 Greece: The TU Olympic group “camped” on a villa rooftop in Pallini overlooking the Aegean Sea.
• 2008 China: The group resided at the Asia Pacific School of Beijing Normal University.
• 2012 London: Participants resided at Clink261 hostel located in central London, which was a two-minute walk to the Kings Cross underground terminal train station featured in Harry Potter. Participants resided in bunk beds and had access to daily complimentary continental breakfast, storage for luggage, lockers, laundry room, 24-hour reception, lounge, Wi-Fi access, secure key card access and much more.
• 2016 Rio: The accommodations in Brazil were in Leblon, one of the most upscale neighborhoods in Rio, only a few houses from the beach and Copacabana. Several apartments were secured through Airbnb.
• 2024 Paris: The group stayed at a hotel (two per room with private bathroom) for a week on the outskirts of Paris and then at a central hotel for the second week.

Phone numbers, maps and general safety and security information: This will be updated in late 2027/early 2028.

Frequently Asked Questions

The $4,400 base price includes 13-15 nights of accommodations, educational sessions, ground transportation, several meals during group activities and participation in volunteer service opportunities, likely at the USA Welcome Center, USA Training Center, Olympic Reunion Center and African Hospitality House.

Tuition is not included in the $4,400 base price.

• Tiffin University students: Tuition will be billed as part of their regular 2028 summer tuition for MBA students or fall tuition for undergraduate students.

• Non-Tiffin University students: An additional $1,000 tuition fee will be included in the payment schedule outlined in the contract, bringing the total cost to $5,400.

Payment Schedule

• January 15, 2027 – $500 deposit

• An additional $1,100 is due upon contract signing.

• Additional payment dates and amounts will be outlined in the contract.

SUBMIT APPLICATION & $500 DEPOSIT

An e-payment system is available on the main webpage. Checks should be made payable to Tiffin University and mailed to:

Tiffin University
Attention: Katie Tiell
155 Miami Street
Tiffin, OH 44883

The $500 deposit is refundable if an applicant is not selected or decides not to execute the contract by the stated deadline, approximately two weeks after receiving the contract.

What is not included in the Cost?

• Olympic event tickets
• Passport & Travel Visa
• Daily Meals
• Personal Daily Ground Transport
• Souvenirs and non-scheduled tours
• **Tuition for academic course through Tiffin University

**TU undergraduate students may apply the course to their fall load for elective credit. Graduate TU sport management students may substitute the course for one of their required concentration courses.  Non-TU students will be enrolled as non-degree-seeking students and will pay an additional fee of $1000. A transcript will be sent to the corresponding university.

How do participants attend Olympic Events?
ALL participants are responsible for securing their own tickets to attend Olympic events. Tickets to select events are already available and can be purchased through the link on the home page. Costs (except for opening/closing ceremonies) typically range from US $50-$500.

The Torch Run, Cycling, and Road Racing are free events. The contingency routinely attends the torch relay as a group. In addition, the contingency routinely travels to a location with outdoor monitors as close to the Opening Ceremonies as possible to enjoy an entire day of camaraderie among the cultural mecca of spectators from around the world.

What about transportation?
Public transportation (bus or metro/subway) has typically been FREE with an official Olympic ticket (valid only for the date of the event). Paris deviated from this practice, but the coordinators were able to purchase transport cards for two weeks of unlimited public transportation in certain zones. More travel information will be posted as it becomes available.

What extracurricular activities are provided?
Participants have the opportunity to actively engage in the humanitarian project for underprivileged youth selected to participate in a Day with Olympians. The coordinators, including Olympians, will engage participants and assist in arranging lectures, dinners or tours of hospitality houses, etc. The group typically experiences the torch relay and a watch party of the Opening Ceremonies together. Dates and times will be arranged and announced to minimize conflicts with purchased event tickets.

What if I have additional questions?
Contact Katie Tiell at TiellKM@tiffin.edu.