ABOUT THE EVENT

 

WILL PARTICIPANTS TRULY BE CHALLENGED AND TESTED TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS?

YES! YES! YES! This event is intensive. Most interpreters who attend any Gate workshop say it's the best workshop they have ever attended. The material is intensive... very intensive. Gate believes every minute in a workshop is a minute to catch a vision, learn a truth, and be molded into greatness. Gate believes every interpreter has room to improve and as a family we can work together to make that happen.

 

WILL PARTICIPANTS BE INTIMIDATED BY OTHER ATTENDEES?

No. Gate believes in a NO EGO environment. We emphasize family. We emphasize team work. We emphasize the need for vulnerability. We emphasize a hard working environment. We emphasize positive attitudes. We emphasize positive interaction with peers. We do NOT support any superiority... ever. No one is perfect. We believe the best Worship Interpreters are often the ones willing to get out of their shell and willing to try new skills. If you want to be free to be at your best, this is the place for you.

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I AM NOT A TRAINED INTERPRETER; SHOULD I APPLY? 

YES! You should. We are not bringing in only trained interpreters we want a mix, believing we can all glean from each other. So if you are not a pro, don't sweat it. We look at far more than just your translation skills when considering your acceptance. 

 

I AM A TRAINED INTERPRETER; WILL THIS CHALLENGE ME?

OH YES! We push hard to challenge your skills and your spiritual life, so only apply if you are ready for that. 

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CAN STUDENTS ATTEND?

YES! We accept a number of students every year. They add a neat level of energy to the group. We love having them. We primarily accept advanced students. 

 

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTED INTO BWLN: THE AWAKENING THIS YEAR? 

Due to space constraints, onsite guests will be limited to around 12 and off site guests will be limited to 5.

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HOW MANY PEOPLE APPLY TO BWLN EACH YEAR?

We don't release the number of people who apply. We don't want this to be a competition which encourages ego. We want this to become a family environment where a wide variety of people are accepted with a variety of skills.

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ARE YOU REQUIRED TO BE A CHRISTIAN OR ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN A CHURCH?

This is a Christian, Bible based workshop and we will be praying together, worshiping together, and pressing into the Lord every day throughout the week. We have an entire section of the workshop devoted to spiritual matters. This workshop truly targets active Protestant/Catholic based Christian beliefs. 

 

WHAT ARE THE SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS LIKE?

We are renting a full lodge. Individual rooms house from 2 people to 6 people. Most rooms have multiple beds, and bathrooms in the rooms or nearby. We do of course book a single gender in a room, which can effect the number of men or women that can be accepted depending on room availability. We also try and place people in rooms with similar personalities and sleep schedules when possible. The doors lock for privacy. The lodge has several community spaces and plenty of outdoor spaces as well. 

 

ARE GUESTS PERMITTED IN THE LODGE AND DURING MEALS?

Guests are generally not permitted on site. 

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WHAT ALTERNATIVE ACTIVITIES ARE THERE AVAILABLE?

We will have a movie night, there is a game room, a fire pit, a pool, and a jacuzzi accessible at any time.

 

SHOULD I APPLY IF I DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING ALREADY?

YES! People who put out the effort always find the funding. We have heard some incredible stories of how funding was achieved. 

 

WHAT ARE SOME PERSONAL FUNDRAISING IDEAS? 

• Funding from your place of employment

• Funding from your church/religious institution

• Funding from your collegiate institution

• Funding from your local RID office

• Funding from your local NAD chapter

• Funding from your local disability office

• GoFundMe account

• Facebook fundraising

• Personal fundraising such as bake sales, car washes, craft sales, etc

• Birthday/Anniversary/Holiday gifts from family & friends

• Extra work hours 

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I AM DEAF AND WANT TO ATTEND. DO YOU ACCEPT DEAF INDIVIDUALS?

We make every effort to provide as many accommodations as possible. We attempt to provide lyrics to practice songs, we attempt to provide as many visual examples as possible, we make the room arrangements and practice areas Deaf friendly, we attempt to provide as much personalized sound for the Deaf as possible, and we strive to provide extra accessibility features whenever possible. The workshop is taught in voice. *NOTE* The workshop will be SimCommed for Deaf attendees if no interpreters are available to volunteer. When Deaf individuals are accepted we will strive to find interpreters, but interpreters are not guaranteed. We do put significant effort in to make the event accessible and poignant for the Deaf as well as the Hearing. Our efforts have been successful in the past. Some of the best Performance Interpreters in this country are Deaf. We welcome your presence at our workshop! 

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DO YOU ACCEPT PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES?

Of course! You don't need to be an American to apply, you don't even need to sign in ASL. You do however need to speak English as all the material is produced in English. 

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I AM NOT AN AMERICAN; WHAT ARE SOME THINGS I NEED TO CONSIDER OR PLAN FOR?

1. If you don't use American Sign Language / PSE-Contact then make sure you speak while you sign the intro to your video so we can understand what you are saying. 

2. If you don't use ASL/PSE we will try and get your audition video evaluated by professionals in your home country. 

3. Residents of other countries are required to pay through PayPal. PayPal will automatically change your country's $'s to American $'s using the current exchange rate. 

4. If you are accepted, remember to allow for extra time at the airport to pass through customs. We have a small airport, but customs is rarely fast. 

5. Consider staying in America longer than the allotted time for the workshop! This is a beautiful country and there is much to see and Nashville is one of the top tourist destinations in the country! We can help you with ideas and preparation for that.