Policies

Below is a quick list of things to know (and things to bring!) when staying at the Washington Seminar Center

Sharing the Space

As a ministry, we want to welcome all the people we can to serve and learn in our nation’s capital. For this reason, smaller groups may be asked to share the facility with another group. Sharing groups are always matched by age and programming needs.

Child Protection

Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church (CHPC) and the WSC are committed to providing a safe, secure and nurturing environment for children who are participating in activities at the WSC. If a group staying at the WSC has participants who are under 18 years of age, the group leader must either attest that they have their own child protection policies to be used during their stay at the WSC, or will follow CHPC’s Policy to Safeguard Children.

Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church has a comprehensive Policy to Safeguard Children for the safety of all our children. The current Designated Reporting Members (DRM’s) of the congregation can be found on the church’s website.

If you have any questions, please contact the WSC Coordinator.

Access

The WSC houses or is next to many of the church facilities’ systems and infrastructure. As such, Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church needs to balance the safety and privacy of WSC guests with the need for building maintenance access. If maintenance access is needed when the WSC is occupied, then the WSC Director will provide advance notification to the group leader to the extent possible. Kindly note that advance notification may not always be possible, particularly in the case of time-sensitive repairs/access needs.

Bedding, Linens, and Towels

Currently, the WSC does not provide linens, pillows, blankets, or towels. For ease, we suggest guests each bring a packable sleeping bag, a quick-dry/small towel, and a pillow (if desired).

Cleaning

At the Washington Seminar Center we are happy provide a low cost option for groups coming to stay in our nation’s capital. In efforts to best maintain our facilities, we ask our guests to please complete the cleaning list, found in the welcome packet, prior to their departure.  

Finalizing Your Booking

Once we have received your completed request and confirmed your stay, your space will be reserved for 30 days pending a completed contract and a non-refundable deposit of 1/3 of the final amount due. Once the deposit and contract are in-hand, your space will be reserved. The remaining balance is then due in full two weeks prior to your arrival. Payments may be made online with a credit card or via organizational checks made out to The Washington Seminar Center.

Cancellation

Please note that the initial 1/3 balance paid to the Washington Seminar Center (“deposit”) is nonrefundable, as it is applied toward costs incurred from our administrative tasks and other visit preparations, as well as potential revenue loss while holding reservations. 

For cancellations made at least two weeks prior to your scheduled arrival date, you will receive a refund of any remaining prepaid stay amounts beyond the initial 1/3 balance. No refunds will be given for cancellations made with less than two weeks' notice.