Many tournaments offer host housing apart from NCFCA and Stoa.  Each tournament usually has a host housing coordinator you may contact with your requests.  We realize many families would choose not to travel and compete without this option, so below are some general guidelines for you to consider before you seek host housing.

Our hosts open their homes out of generosity, kindness and support for the activity of speech and debate.  In order for us to keep host families year after year, we wish for them to have a great experience with their guests.  If you cannot abide by the following guidelines, you should probably make other lodging arrangements.

HOST RESPONSIBILITIES

Host families are asked to provide:

1. A place to sleep
2. A place to shower

Hosts are not expected to provide food, transportation or anything else.  Host families offer to accommodate a specific number of guests and should not be asked to accommodate more.

ASSIGNMENT POLICY

The supply of host housing is limited, therefore, not all requests for housing can be satisfied.  Completed requests are generally handled in the order they are received.  However, host family preferences regarding available space and other factors are honored where possible.  If host housing is available, the host housing coordinator will contact you prior to your arrival to confirm your arrangements and inform you of your assigned host family or guest.  It is then the guest’s responsibility to contact the host family to make introductions and arrival arrangements. 

GUEST RESPONSIBILITIES

The host housing coordinator must be able to contact you by the email address and the phone number(s) you provide in your housing request.  Failure to respond promptly to coordinator’s attempts to contact you will result in the loss of your assigned spot.  Any change in the number or names of individuals in your party seeking host housing must be communicated to the host housing coordinator immediately.  Do not ask your hosts if they can accommodate more people.  We cannot guarantee housing for additional people, particularly in the week before the tournament.

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Always thank your hosts.

Be respectful and considerate of host family and their belongings.

Clean up after yourselves daily.

Leave the room you stayed in very clean.

If your host provides you with a garage door opener or a key, be sure to return it.

If you’ve had a good experience, consider an offer to reciprocate when your host family attends a tournament in your area.

Ask your host family if you should bring bedding, towels, etc.

INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

Expecting/assuming to be fed or catered to in any way

Overusing hosts’ phone or computer

CONFLICT

If any problems arise while you are in a host home, a host can ask you to leave.  If this happens, you will not be assisted in finding alternative lodging.