Global Ambassadors week

You'll need to be able to provide the following to qualify as a Global Ambassadors Week home host:

• Comfortable housing with safe, clean, and appropriate sleeping arrangements. Teens can share a full bed or larger, including quality pull-out beds.
  

• All host families will greet their international delegates at Philadelphia International Airport or William Gray Amtrak Train Station for pick-up on Thursday, February 5 or Sunday, February 8.
  

• Transportation (adult drivers only, please) will be required for morning drop off and evening pick-up each day at multiple area points.
  

• Family time begins Friday evening through Monday morning apart from a communitywide party for all Jewish teens Saturday night. Monday and Tuesday nights (Feb 9 & 10) are also family nights.
  

• Host families need to provide breakfast each morning and dinner each evening.
  

• A 3-part Pennsylvania state compliance and background check process on all host adults living in PA will commence upon signing up.
  

• Hosts living in New Jersey will similarly complete a background check screening process through BBYO's background check provider, Vetty.
  

• Families hosting 5+ teens are eligible if requested for a grocery gift card to offset the cost of meals for the week.
  

If you live live in Pennsylvania: The state of Pennsylvania requires background checks and fingerprinting for all volunteers living in PA who have direct contact with minors (anyone under the age of 18). As a home host, you are required to comply with these state-mandated regulationsThe state of Pennsylvania requires background checks and fingerprinting for all volunteers who have direct contact with minors (anyone under the age of 18). As a home host, you are required to comply with these state-mandated regulations.

Once you register to host, you will receive a link by email to create an account in BBYO’s Volunteer Management System (VMS). You will need to:

• Click on the link
  

• Create an account
  

Once you have an account, you will need to complete each of the following steps:

• Step 1: Pennsylvania Background Check
  ‍This verifies criminal history information from the Pennsylvania State Police. These checks aim to assess the suitability of individuals for to have contact with children or other vulnerable populations
  

• Step 2: Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Check
  A child abuse history clearance, also known as an Act 151 clearance, is required for certain individuals working with children or volunteering in settings where they might interact with minors. This clearance is a check to ensure individuals are not listed in the state's child abuse registry.
  

• Step 3: FBI Fingerprint Check or Review/Sign a Disclosure Statement
  “Federal Criminal History Records/FBI Check” is a check of federal criminal history information obtained by the submission of a full set of fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police or its authorized agent. If you have resided in Pennsylvania for ten years consecutively, you are not required to complete an FBI fingerprint check and will instead be asked to sign a waiver.  
  

In order to complete your compliance and be confirmed to host BBYO teens, you must ensure that all clearances have been uploaded to the Volunteer Management System.
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If you have completed any of the steps outlined above within the last 5 years, you may submit any current documents to fulfill those requirements, provided they have a 5-year validity period and do not expire before February 16, 2026.

‍If you live in New Jersey: You’ll need to complete a background screening through our background check provider, Vetty in order to confirm your hosting status.  Once you register to host, please expect an email from Vetty and be sure to take immediate action by clicking the link provided and completing the required information.
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‍Please note that your participation as a Global Ambassadors Week Home Host will be contingent upon successful completion of all required  PA/NJ compliance steps.

Hosting shouldn’t interfere with school or professional hours: BBYO hosts the teens at programming all day from morning through early evening and will arrange multiple pick-up and drop-off points throughout the area to make transportation as local to you as possible. The bus stops are slated  (but will expand as more hosting clusters are confirmed) for the following neighborhoods:

• Ambler/Fort Washington
  

• Center City
  

• Cherry Hill
  

• Penn Valley
  

• Plymouth Meeting
  

• Southampton
  

The Global Ambassadors Week 2026 schedule will be finalized and shared closer to 2026! Get a taste of what the week may look like by exploring the Global Ambassadors Week 2025 schedule.