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Preparing for the Summit

Welcome Summit Attendees!

We are thrilled to have you join us in Reno, NV, for this year's Summit – it will be here before we know it. As you prepare for this enriching experience, we want to ensure that your journey is smooth and stress-free.

This page is dedicated to providing you with essential information on traveling to Reno, transportation options around the area, parking details for the Summit weekend, and helpful packing list considerations. Our goal is to make your visit as enjoyable and seamless as possible, so please take a moment to review the following details.

We look forward to welcoming you to an inspiring and productive Summit!

Accommodations- New options for 2026!

Families have multiple options for their stay in Reno, NV for the Summit. The University of Nevada, Reno is located just north of downtown Reno.

Option 1 (On-Campus):

This year, the All-Inclusive On-Campus Housing & Dining Add-On for families who want the most convenient Summit experience is back! For $320 per person ages 0+, you can stay right on the UNR campus in a residence hall and enjoy meals for the entire weekend.

Here’s what the add-on includes:

  • Lodging from Thursday night through Monday morning at an on-campus residence hall. Rooms occupy 3 people in total. Families with 4 or more people will occupy multiple rooms next to each other. Please note that the pricing is fixed, even if your arrival is Friday instead of Thursday or you depart Sunday instead of Monday.
  • All meals from Thursday dinner through Monday breakfast at Pack Place, the buffet style resident dining hall.
  • Parking next to the residence hall is included.
  • A simple, walkable home base throughout the Summit.
  • Dorm space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to register is May 8, or earlier if on-campus housing reaches capacity.

Assigned residence hall is not provided from the University of Nevada, Reno until the Spring. However, we can share that lodging will likely be at Argenta Hall:

Hall features

  • Staffed front desk
  • Lounges with television and quiet-study areas on every floor
  • Laundry facilities feature washers and dryers
  • Wired and wireless internet connection in every room

 Room features

  • Triple (three people per room) occupancy
  • Bathroom and shower in each room
  • Bedrooms and hallway fully carpeted
  • Each occupant has a single, bunkable oak bed with Twin XL mattress
  • Each occupant has a desk, chair, dresser, wastebasket and closet space
  • Window coverings on all windows
  • Adjustable temperature control for heat and central air in each room

Each attendee will be provided a linen packet including sheets, a blanket, pillow and pillowcase, towel, and wash cloth. Attendees may choose to bring additional linens for themselves. However, linen packets will be provided to everyone regardless. For a complete packing list, please see the packing list considerations below in Helpful Tips.

Option 2 (Off-Campus):

Prefer to stay off campus? Families are welcome to book lodging anywhere in town. As a courtesy for families, we have a couple hotel blocks for attendees to choose from - More information on Hotel Accommodations for Davidson families and alumni can be found in DMC. Please know you are not limited to just staying in these hotels. Additionally, if the hotel block is full, this does not necessarily mean you cannot stay at the hotel you are considering for your family. You can connect with the hotels directly to inquire if they may have additional room options available.

Some families may opt to stay in different casino resorts, some prefer hotels not affiliated with casinos, others may choose to rent an Airbnb or VRBO. Reno provides a variety of options so families can choose where they may be most comfortable.

We do highly encourage you consider elements such as transportation and how you plan to get to the Summit from where you are opting to stay, whether that is through a taxi/ride share service, walking, or using a vehicle.

Parking

Families who register for the Summit event will automatically receive a parking pass that is valid for the entire weekend! There are multiple parking garages on campus, however, we only provide a parking pass for one garage. If you park in another garage, not offered, please be advised, you may have to pay to park and that is not covered by Davidson. We will provide information regarding which garage and where to get parking passes as we get closer to the event. For information on ADA access and disabled parking permits, please send your questions to Summit@davidsongifted.org.

Transportation

Something you might consider is how you may be getting around the Reno area once you arrive. You have a variety of options available to you, whether you want to use a taxi or ride-share (like Uber and Lyft) or rent a car. Some families like to forego this option all together and find an Airbnb or VRBO rental close to the university campus within walking distance.

Transportation options to explore in the Reno area:

  • Ride share services such as Lyft and Uber are available 
  • Visit the Rental Cars and Ground Transportation page from the Reno Tahoe Airport to view rental car options, taxi services, paid shuttle services, and public transportation options available
  • Many hotels and casinos provide shuttle service to and from the airport. If you will be staying at a hotel or casino, please call them directly for more information

Event Communications

Starting in April, families who register for the Summit will receive our monthly newsletter, the Summit Scoop, with event updates, reminders, and tips. We're excited to share important updates as you prepare for your upcoming adventure in Reno. Summit Scoops will be sent to the email used to register and receive tickets. Once Summit Scoops are sent out, we will post a copy for viewing in the 2026 Summit Community in DMC as well.

Helpful Tips

Packing List considerations: As you begin to create your packing lists for what to bring, here are some bits of information we encourage you consider as you prepare what to bring:

  • Hot and Sunny - As much as we wish we had the power to control the temperature, we're not quite there yet! Reno is typically 80-100 degrees during the day and 50-70 degrees at night. Pack a water bottle and sunscreen. On the flip side, you may want to bring a light jacket for the air conditioned buildings.
  • Dry Climate - Reno is a high-elevation, desert climate. Lotion and chap stick are a must if you aren't used to the dry climate. On the plus side, your hair and laundry dry very quickly!
  • Walking - You'll have the chance to explore the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Don't forget your comfy shoes, hat, and hip sunglasses.
  • Social - Many Davidson youth bring their favorite board games and playing cards for impromptu games of Magic and Ticket to Ride. If you meet a new friend, have a "business card" or something handy to share your contact information.
  • Simultaneous Chess - If you are going to show your chess skills in the Simultaneous Chess Game with Grand Master Ronen Har-Zvi on Friday, don't forget your chess board!
  • Smile - Don't forget to pack your smile! Is that too corny? But really, the Summit is a special time and only comes around once a year, so don't forget to make the most of it and have fun!
  • Residence Hall Stay (for those staying on-campus):
    • Toiletries- shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush/paste, deodorant, etc. Residence hall stay does not provide typical hotel amenities, including cups. 
    • Each attendee will be provided a linen packet including sheets, a blanket, pillow and pillowcase, towel, and wash cloth. Attendees may choose to bring additional linens for themselves.
    • Non-perishables snacks (microwaves may be available in the lounge common areas).
    • Water bottles and a plan for your morning coffee (rooms do not include coffee machines, however the dining hall will have coffee each morning and Buzzed Coffee is also two blocks away).

Health & Safety:

The health and safety of our Davidson Summit participants and staff is the Davidson Institute's top priority. Communicable diseases, both acute and chronic, exist everywhere and are present every summer. Hosting an event that draws from a national audience requires an immense amount of planning and careful risk mitigation. 

We continually evaluate and modify our operational procedures to ensure we are in compliance with any requirements of our host site, the University of Nevada, Reno, which are subject to change between now and the event start date. This includes requirements for any testing and vaccination status of communicable diseases. Thank you for helping us support a safe and healthy program experience for all our participants.

Questions? Email Summit@DavidsonGifted.org or call (775) 852-3483, option 2, then 1