Suggested Steps
The following suggested steps are designed to assist you with the initial planning of your state/provincial Envirothon competition. These steps include only a portion of the total planning required to organize an event of this magnitude.
STEP 1 - Decide on a Competition Format
The format of a competition is largely based upon the objectives, budget, and time restraints of your state/provincial Envirothon program.
STEP 2 - Decide What Type of Station Testing to Use
STEP 3 - Decide Whether or Not to Include an Oral Presentation Component
STEP 4 - Choose a Date for the Competition
Almost every year, state/provincial Envirothon programs debate over the best date to hold the Envirothon. There is no definitive answer to this debate. However, there are some questions to consider when choosing a date for your competition:
- What month is most likely to provide a chance for good weather?
- How close should local and/or regional Envirothon events and the state/provincial competition be scheduled to one another?
- Will schools excuse students from school to participate in the competition?
- When are proms, graduations, and exams being held?
- Are teachers and/or students willing to attend the competition after school is out?
- If planning a multi-day event, is it an option to hold part of the competition during the week and part on the weekend?
- Are there any time or logistical restrictions on the competition site?
STEP 5 - Select a Site to Hold the Competition
Many different types of sites and facilities are available, but not all will meet the specific needs and objectives of the state/provincial Envirothon program. There are a multitude of factors for each state/province to consider when selecting a competition site. Major factors may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Site/facility availability for the competition date(s)
- Costs for using the facility/site
- Group size (i.e., number of participants, staff, and volunteers)
- On-site/proximate housing accommodation availability (if required)
- Availability of appropriate areas/habitats for station testing
- Availability of appropriate areas for oral presentations (if required)
- Services available/provided by the facility/site staff
- Availability of liability insurance coverage for visitors and user groups (see insurance information below)
Potential competition sites often include nature centers, county or state parks, state forests or wildlife areas, camps, environmental education centers, and/or college/university campuses. After considering the general location and type of facility best-suited to the needs of your state/provincial Envirothon, your Site Subcommittee can start making contacts to search for a potential site.
The Site Subcommittee should visit a number of sites to make recommendations to the State/Provincial Envirothon Committee. The following considerations may be helpful in reducing the number of site choices to a select few:
- Accessibility
- Location and number of rest rooms
- Picnic or lunch areas
- Provisions for poor weather
- Emergency medical care accessibility
- Parking
- Other users at the facility
- Potential safety hazards (e.g., cliffs, water, facility maintenance, etc.)
- Appropriateness of overnight accommodations (if required)
- Recreation options (if required)
Liability Insurance
Facilities hosting Envirothon competitions usually carry their own liability or special events insurance. The Site Subcommittee should inquire about the restrictions and rules surrounding coverage. If coverage is not available through a particular site, arrangements should be made by the State/Provincial Envirothon Committee to select a new site or to obtain coverage for the event.