The following should answer most of your questions about the Socrates Program and seminars. If you have any questions, please contact:
Melissa Ingber
Director, Socrates Program
1. Who attends Socrates Seminars?
These programs were initiated to engage young, dynamic, and civically minded leaders of organizations in thoughtful dialogue about important and contemporary issues. Socrates appeals especially to leaders and top executives whose professional and civic lives are challenged by the issues raised in these seminars. Socrates participants include men and women in their late twenties to late forties; however, anyone with an interest can attend.
2. Is this something I can bring my family to? If so, what is available for my children to do while I am in a seminar?
Socrates welcomes children at all of our non-seminar events, and indeed participants will often turn this into a family vacation opportunity. For children under four who require babysitting assistance, Aspen Babysitting Company can assist with your childcare needs. Please contact Jen Currie directly at 970-948-6849 to make arrangements for your child. There is a Teen Socrates seminar available for teenagers approximately 14-18 years old, and scholarship assistance is also available. For other activities for children, please see the Children's Activities page.
3. Must one be knowledgeable about the seminar topic to participate?
While many do bring special knowledge to the seminar table, interest is all that is required to participate. The texts and diverse group of participants provide context for and guide the discussions.
4. What is the seminar's daily schedule?
Seminars typically run from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the summer and from 2:00 p.m. - 6 :00 p.m. in the winter. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided. During the winter seminars, mornings are reserved for skiing and other outdoor activities, and the seminars are held in the afternoon. Each night a group dinner is planned for participants for conversation and entertainment. Spouses and guests may attend for a fee.
5. Is there funding available to assist participants?
Through the generous support of contributors to a scholarship endowment fund, Socrates offers assistance to selected candidates who are attending for the first time to help defray the cost of tuition. Scholarship applications are invited online on the registration form.
6. May auditors attend Socrates programs?
Yes, a participant may audit/ observe a single seminar at a reduced rate by registering online and selecting the audit option. Auditors will receive the reading materials for the seminar but will not have a seat at the roundtable discussion and instead will be asked to sit behind the table. Moderators will have discretion to determine if auditors will be given the opportunity to raise questions during the session.
7. Can I get access to the internet in the Aspen Institute seminar rooms?
Yes. There is free wireless, high-speed internet access in the Koch and Boettcher seminar buildings that is available to all Socrates participants. (Wi Fi = 802.11b).
