Amelia Island is a southern jewel in the Sea Island chain of barrier islands with 13 miles of pristine, uncrowded Atlantic beaches framed by natural beauty and a backdrop of history, great architecture, and stunning nature. 

Renaissance Weekend is comprised of hundreds of programs and shared meals in which participants with in-depth knowledge reflect off-the-record on a wide variety of current issues.  (See Content)  Lively discussion by all participants is encouraged, and the tone is decidedly relaxed.

Each afternoon is set aside for recreation, including sports, seaside activities, relaxation, and exploring Amelia Island. Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch are "on-your-own" to allow participants the opportunity to sample local restaurants and dine with fellow participants and new friends.

Program

Participants' program assignments are based on information provided on the Participant Profiles page of their online registration, which should be completed as early as possible. Please email the Renaissance Weekend team if changes have been made to your Participant Profile after your registration is confirmed and before we distribute the Tentative Program. 

In late-January, the Tentative Program and other materials will be sent to each registered party's lead participant, who is asked to share them with other members of his/her party.

Registration opens on Thursday, February 12th at 4:00 P.M. at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island where participants pick up their materials and the Final Program, and check in separately with their hotel. Proctors and Moderators briefings meet between 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. The first program begins at 6:00 P.M. that evening at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

Early arrivals are invited to help with Registration and to notify the Renaissance Weekend staff of their availability. 

The program ends by 11:00 A.M. on Monday, February 16th.

Meals

Conversation over meals is an important part of the Weekend, and all guests are expected to participate in the Common Meals. Only children under three are not charged for Common Meals. The "on-your-own" meals, Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch, are designed to facilitate participants' enjoyment of Amelia Island and surroundings. Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for late arrivals, early departures or absences from meals.

Sports & Recreational Activities

Afternoons are set aside (Friday from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.; Saturday from 3:00 P.M. through the evening, including dinner on your own; and Sunday from 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., including lunch on your own) for participants' personal and family recreation. The resort offers myriad activities from relaxing ocean-side to horseback riding to exploring the island on long bike adventures.  With 13 miles of beautiful beaches, abundant native wildlife, and pristine waters, the barrier island offers an abundance of activities and adventures.

Spend the day exploring the history and nature of the island with a variety of tours and excursions, or simply relax on the beach. The sports enthusiast can visit a PGA golf course or receive tennis lessons at one of the many facilities on the island.  Please call the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Concierge (904-321-5019) for assistance when booking tours and excursions. 

Participants arriving after 7:00 P.M. on Thursday or departing before 9:00 A.M. on Monday are requested to advise Renaissance Weekend staff. The Ritz-Carlton's Concierge  (904-321-5019) can assist with any transportation needs.

Jacksonville Airport (JAX) is located 25 miles from The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.  Transportation options from the airport to the Ritz-Carlton include car rental, taxi,  app-based ride services and scheduling a private shuttle service.

Shuttle service is available from Amelia Airport Shuttle & Transportation. Book directly by calling 904-753-6480 or emailing ameliaislandtransportation@gmail.com. 

Rental cars are helpful, but not necessary to explore the island. On-site valet parking is available at the nightly rate of $40.00 plus tax.

To explore Amelia Island, participants may arrive early or extend their stay, and Renaissance Weekend room rates may be available upon request of the hotel.

A barrier island on the East Coast that provided a safe anchor for seafaring souls, Amelia Island has been discovered and rediscovered many times over – by pirates and colonists and those who love how the sea can touch their soul. The island reveals many treasures, including The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, a sanctuary among luxury beach hotels that provides a welcome barrier between you and the world beyond. Group rates start at $349 (not inclusive of taxes and fees) and can be booked here.

*Please write to info@renwkd.org prior to registration to confirm that Camp R/W will be offered on Amelia Island.*

Camp Renaissance, Teens & College Students

*Please email info@renwkd.org to confirm that Camp will be held on Amelia Island.*

Camp Renaissance — an active program tailored for children ages 3-12 — typically includes presentations by fascinating adult participants, hands-on experiments, indoor and outdoor games, nature walks, musical performances, story-telling, and arts-&-crafts projects. These activities are supervised by the Camp Renaissance Counselors, with involvement from adult Renaissance participants whose experiences are of interest to young people. Camp Renaissance runs concurrently with the adult program and does not provide full-time child care.

Young people are welcome at all functions. Most teens and college students participate in the Weekend's scheduled program. In addition, they often have designated gathering places, assigned programs, and their own activities and discussions. Teens and college students are usually placed on panels related to their interests, as indicated on their Participant Profile.

College students integrate themselves into the scheduled program. Many form strong bonds and even lifetime friendships during evening social events and programs planned specifically for them.

Parents are expected to oversee their sons' and daughters’ comings and goings throughout the Weekend. Renaissance Institute and Renaissance Weekend, and its staff, assume no liability regarding children or teens.

There is no organized program or child care provided for children under the age of three. Younger children are welcome at Camp Renaissance programs when accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Participants should make arrangements for babysitters at least three weeks prior to arrival at the Weekend by phoning the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island Concierge for assistance. To maximize their enjoyment of the program, families with very young children are encouraged to bring a baby-sitter or au pair. Although there is no Registration Fee for babysitters/au pairs, they must register for meals at the children's rate, attend solely for child care, and, if practical, may assist periodically with Camp Renaissance. Baby-sitters/au pairs are free to attend programs and panel discussions designed specifically for Camp Renaissance participants.

Camp & Teens Programs are organized at all New Year's and most of the other Weekends.  On the rare occasions when there are few registrants in these age groups at the smaller Weekends, no such specific programs may be organized; and such young people, as always, are welcome at all sessions. Confirmation of Camp and Teens Programs, available ten weeks before any Weekend, may be secured through info@RenWkd.org. 

Amelia Island daytime temperatures in mid-February are often in the 70s and have occasionally reached 80 degrees, but reliably are at least in the mid-60s. Check weather reports shortly in advance of the weekend.

Dress is informal, resort casual, during the Weekend. Jeans are acceptable for day-time programs. 

All Registration and Meals & Meeting Services Fees will be refunded — less a $250/party processing fee — for cancellations received by Renaissance Weekend in writing via e-mail or mail, sixty days in advance of the first night of the Weekend. No refund is available for cancellations communicated less than fourteen days in advance. Cancellations received in the intervening period are eligible for 50% refunds. For a one-time transfer of fees, however, payments can be applied towards any of the three immediately following Renaissance Weekends, subject to a $100/party transfer fee, if space remains and such notice is received.  No refund is available after a payment has been transferred and applied to a new Weekend.

Meals & Meeting Services Fees may not be reduced for late arrivals, early departures or absences from meals.

Lodging cancellations are handled directly by your hotel subject to its specific policies. Be sure also to advise Renaissance Weekend of cancellation.

Registration Fee

(Youth Registration Fee applies only to children or guests, ages 3-21, of invited adults.)

Meeting Services, Meals & Special Events Fee