Convention

National Junior Horticultural Association Convention
October 16 – 19, 2009
Grantville, Pennsylvania

This section contains information about this year’s convention. You will need to click on additional links in the Convention section of the website to access the Convention registration form,   Medical authorization form, tentative schedule, and suggested packing list.   

Please read all items carefully and note the deadlines that materials are due.  Registration deadline for convention and contests is September 21, 2009.

Convention Registration

Registration is $225 for single, $215 ea. for 2 members of the same family, $205 ea. for 3 or more members of same family.  Registrations must be post marked by Sept. 21, 2009.  After Sept 14, the registration rates are $250, $240, $230 respectively.  Payment must be included with registration and mailed to Carole Carney, NJHA Ex. Secretary 15 Railroad Ave., Homer City, PA 15748.  All checks should be payable to National Junior Horticulture Association.  REFUND POLICY—THE PRE REGISTATION PAID WILL BE REFUNDED, LESS $25 EACH, UPON REQUEST, WRITTEN, E-MAIL, OR PHONE TO CAROLE CARNEY BY 5:00 PM TUESDAY OCT 13, 2009. NO REFUNDS AFTER OCT 13.  Registration includes: 4 banquets (Fri-Sat- Sun - Mon), 1 breakfast (Sun), all tours and admissions, contests, and activities.  Saturday Night will be the Alumni/Donor Banquet with special entertainment (live band).  Saturday afternoon there will be an Alumni/Donor reception.  Evening is a dress up event.

Partial Registration

We encourage you to register and attend the entire convention.  If you are unable to do so, you may register for part of the convention.  The fees for individual days are as follows:

One Day $ 80.00
Two Days     $150.00
Three or more days    $225.00

No family plan on individual days.  The Friday and/or Monday night banquets only may be attended at $25 each person per night.

For Alumni attending the Anniversary Celebration on Saturday only there will be a registration fee of $60.00 which includes reception, dinner and program.
For local participants in contests only, the fee will be $20.00.

Convention Hotel

The convention hotel is the Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey, 604 Station Road, Grantville, PA 17028 – www.stayholiday.com.  Reservations can be made by calling 717 469-0661.  Our group reservation code is National Junior Horticultural Association.  The hotel has a full service restaurant, indoor pool, sauna and whirlpool. There are no restaurants within walking distance.  Airport is 20 minutes from hotel and is called Harrisburg International (MDT).  Free Airport Shuttle Service (48 hour notice). Available 7 A. M. to 9 P. M.  If flying, please notify hotel 48 hours in advance of your arrival time.  Taxi is approximately $30.  Internet connection is complimentary in sleeping rooms and lobby only. Hotel rates are $92 plus 11% tax.  Total $102.12 per night, (single to quad).  Room reservations must be made NO LATER THAN 11:59 PM ON MONDAY SEPT. 21, 2009.  All reservations require a deposit or credit card guarantee.  There is complimentarily parking for guests. Check in time is 4:00 PM and check out time is 11:00 A. M. 

Contest Registration

If you are a student coming to convention to participate in contests, you need to pre register.  In previous years, your state leaders certified entries of participants in the contests.  You need to fill out a registration form for each contest you are participating in and send it along with your convention registration, contest sheets and medical form.  These are due by September 15 to Carole Carney, 15 Railroad Avenue, Homer City, PA 15748.

Please go to the Convention Link on this website and download the contest pages which consist of the following forms

  • Form A – Horticulture Identification and Judging
  • Form B – Demonstration Contest
  • Form C – Speaking of Horticulture Contest
  • Form D – Horticultural Connections

Send the appropriate form along with the Convention Registration form and fee.

  1. If you are entering as a team (i.e. demonstration or Hort ID), only one person should submit the information (names, addresses and birthdates).  Only one 4-H team per state is allowed.
  2. Make sure you print legibly or type all the information that is requested.  This information is used for award certificates.  We want to make sure your name is spelled correctly.
  3. Give the name of your coach or advisor.  If you win, they also receive a certificate.
  4. Entries are due by September 15 – send it along with your convention registration and payment.
  5. All demonstration and speech contests are conducted on Saturday morning.  The specific time the delegate is scheduled for will be posted.
  6. The horticulture judging and identification contest is held on Saturday afternoon.  A horticulture identification study session will be held on Friday night after the banquet.
  7. If you need more information about the contests (rules, divisions, etc.), please go to the web site (www.njha.org) and/or contact the contest chairperson.
  8. Open flames are prohibited for any part of your demonstration.

State Flag: Please bring your state flag and a sturdy stand/base.  BASES AND STANDS WILL NOT BE FURNISHED.  Flag practice is at 5:30 P. M. on Friday and Monday.  We would like to see your state represented. If your youth delegate or other person designated to carry the flag is not there, your state will not be represented in the opening processional.  The person carrying the flag should come to the practices dressed for the opening banquet.

State Exhibits: States are encouraged to bring a display that showcases their state.  Give-away items are strongly encouraged.  Exhibits may be set up in the hospitality area after 2:00 P. M. on Friday and must be properly maintained during the convention.  Exhibits are judged for their educational value.  Exhibits are removed after the awards banquet on Monday night.

Dress Code: As a delegate representing your state at a national convention, you are encouraged to dress appropriately during the convention.  While jeans are not frowned upon, they should not be ripped, torn or shabby.  Youth participating in speeches and demonstrations generally dress up for their presentation.  Likewise, everyone is encouraged to wear business attire (shirt/tie, skirt/pantsuit) for the banquets.  The weather can be variable.  Plan on bringing a sweater and/or light jacket along with comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella. Average day temps are 65-75 day and 50 to 55 night.

DO NOT FORGET THAT SATURDAY BANQUET IS A DRESS UP  AFFAIR.

Conduct: State leaders/chaperones/advisors/coaches/parents are responsible for insuring that the behavior of the delegates does not have a negative reputation at the hotel.  There are usually other guests in the hotel the same time as we are, so it is imperative to maintain proper conduct.

  • Delegates will not run, yell, or hang out in the halls
  • Delegates must be out of the halls and quiet 30 minutes after the last activity is completed.
  • Violators will be sent home at family expense

Live Auction: Please try to bring some quality items for the live auction.  Thanks to all of you, this has been a success and helps support some of the activities.  It is also a lot of fun. The alumni leaders thank all of you.

Convention Directory: It will be printed before convention. It will not be given out at Monday night Awards Banquet. If you want a copy, please call Carole Carney 724 479-3254 or e mail carole@njha.org and one will be sent out after convention.

Exchange Items: Bring pins to exchange with other delegates.  There will be a complimentary anniversary pin given to each delegate.

Tours: Longwood Gardens, Milton Hershey School, Chocolate World, Whitaker Center for Arts & Sciences and Capitol Building.

PLEASE NOTE BELOW:
Approximate cost for Sat Breakfast and Sat Lunch will vary depending on what you order. $10.00 & up.

Approximate cost for Mon. Breakfast Cash & Carry (Continental Breakfast) at hotel will be $1.00 & up.

Approximate cost for lunch at Whitaker Center at Strawberry Square will be $5.00 & up.

Approximate cost for lunch at Capital Building will be $5.00 & up.

Approximate cost for lunch at Longwood Gardens will be $5.00 & up.

Important Dates to Remember

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 - Registration, Medical Authorization Forms and Contest Forms and Money (For Youth Only) are due.

Registration Forms and payment for adults are also due.

Please send all items to:
CAROLE S. CARNEY
15 RAILROAD AVENUE
HOMER CITY, PA. 15748

We would appreciate receiving registration money along with registration, as many convention expenses have to be paid in advance.  Your cooperation is appreciated.

MONDAY, SEPT 21, 2009 -  Hotel Reservations due to:
Holiday Inn Harrisburg-Hershey
604 Station Road
Grantville, PA 17028
Hotel Phone 717 469-0661
MAKE SURE YOU USE GROUP CODE National Junior Horticulture Association.
NJHA room block will be released after 11:59 P. M. on September 21, 2009

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009, 5:00 PM
Last day to request registration refund. (Less $25 each). Call, write, or e-mail Carol Carney

CAROLE S. CARNEY
15 RAILROAD AVENUE
HOMER CITY, PA. 15748 
carole@njha.org    PHONE 724 479-3254

If this is your first time at the convention, we hope that it is an enjoyable one.  If you are returning, we are glad you are with us again.  If you have any questions before arriving at convention, please don’t hesitate to contact us.