High-impact programming and speakers featuring national experts and leaders
Opportunities for career exploration
Skills for teens to learn the power of using their voice
Network and build connections with teens from across the country
Lead to Change action planning platform
4 nights room and board (double occupancy for teens, single-occupancy for adult chaperones) checking in on Wednesday, March 12 and checking out on Sunday, March 16.
All meals and breaks as described below
DC-area site visits and program materials
Admission to sites on Ignite agenda
Workshop materials
Teens must be high school-aged to attend (between the ages of 13-19).
Early Bird: Teen tickets are priced at $1,200 for double occupancy. Adult tickets are priced at $1650 for single occupancy.
General Admission: Teen tickets are priced at $1,350 for double occupancy. Adult tickets are priced at $1,800 for single occupancy.
Registration will be open through Monday, November 25, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET unless we sell out before then. National 4-H Council (“Council”) encourages you to register early.
Your group's bill must be paid in full by December 2, 2024, Proof of payment or a PO must be received. If neither of these are received, your order will be canceled, and tickets will be opened up on the wait list (if applicable).
In order to increase youth capacity at the Marriott Marquis based on their room types, we found this is the best way to keep attendees together in the same hotel the event programming will take place. Adults will also have their choice of adult sessions and workshops to attend as part of the experience.
Early Bird registration closed October 15, 2024 at noon ET. All payments or proof of PO must be received by October 15, 2024 at noon ET.
Yes, one purchaser can buy multiple tickets. Within 5 days of purchasing, you will receive an email with information on logging into our Ignite by 4-H Portal. There, you can fill out names of attendees, as well as make changes until December 2, 2024.
No refunds will be granted on the Bundle Value Pack of 5 Teen Registrations.
All other refund requests must be made by providing written notice to Council by Monday, December 2, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET. Your refund request must include the order number and reason for requesting a refund. If your request is received by Monday, December 2, 2024 at 2 p.m. ET with the required information, you will receive a refund in full.
After Monday, December 2, 2024 at 2pm ET, Council will not refund any amounts paid by you to Council. You may have the option to transfer your registration to another attendee. Council will have the option to either accept or deny the transfer. Council will not be liable for any transfer of fees or payments from one attendee to another attendee.
Hotel Accommodations
Council’s policy prohibits adults (educators, volunteer chaperones that are age 18 and older) from sharing lodging rooms with youth (teens less than 19 years old), except when the adult and youth are immediate family members) or when the youth’s parent or legal guardian approves staying with the adult. Council must be provided with a notarized letter signed by the youth’s parent or legal guardian granting permission for a designated adult to stay in the youth’s room.
If you’re staying at the Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel
Check in at 3 p.m. ET.
Check out at 12 p.m. ET.
If you’re staying at the Marriott Marquis Washington, DC
Check in at 4 p.m. ET.
Check out at 11 a.m. ET.
The two hotels are 700 feet away. A shuttle between the two locations will not be provided.
Council will do its best to keep your delegation’s rooms together. Please ensure all roommate requests and single room upgrades are submitted by Monday, December 2, 2024 to support Council’s efforts.
Youth delegates will have the opportunity to request a specific roommate by Monday, December 2, 2024. If no roommate is listed, the desired roommate requests to be roomed with someone else or your state has an odd number, we will work with the lead chaperone to determine a suitable roommate from another delegation. Attendees under the age of 18 will not be paired with attendees over the age of 18.
Council is committed to providing equal opportunities for all youth and families to participate in Council programming, while also taking into account legally-protected characteristic including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran’s status, disability and physical or mental handicap. You will be able to note if an ADA-compliant room or any other accommodations are needed.
All participants are required to sign the required code of conduct form which specifies youth participants and attendees’ parent/guardians shall be personally and financially responsible for reimbursing 4-H for:
any damage done to hotel property that is caused by the actions or inactions of the attendee
any incidentals (e.g., room service or minibar items) charged to the attendee’s room by the attendee
any fees or damages assessed by the hotel related to smoking, or similar behaviors.
You will not be required to put a credit card on file. However participants shall be responsible for any incidental hotel charges and will be billed directly from National 4-H Council if any incidental charges are incurred during your stay. These include, but are not limited to room service, smoking fees, room damage, etc.
To the extent that 4-H is unable to determine which attendee incurred the damage or expenses, 4-H may seek reimbursement equally from all youth participants and attendee’s parent/guardians who shared a hotel room.
Travel
There are three major airports in the Washington, DC region: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (airport code: DCA), Washington Dulles International Airport (airport code: IAD) and Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (airport code: BWI).
Transportation to and from your home state including air, rail, van or private car is not included as part of the Ignite ticket.
Some delegations have used Super Shuttle Express for transportation to and from the airport
You may also choose to travel via the following forms of transportation from the airport to the hotel:
The Metro System: Washington’s subway and transit system. The metro is a great way to get around most of Washington D.C. It is cost effective and easy to use. The Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA), has a great website, wmata.com for line information and trip planning. It can give you specific travel times and costs to and from anywhere in the city. Tickets can be purchased at the stations, but phones can also be used via SmarTrip.
If you’d like to purchase SmarTrip cards prior to your arrival in Washington, D.C. you can do so here.
By Uber or Lyft: Uber is easy to use and convenient. Wait times and rates vary depending on time of day. Uber XL fits up to 6 people. All other Ubers fit 3 – 4 people.
By Scooter or Bike: Scooter and bike share are available in most parts of the city. Both must be ridden in bike lanes in most instances.
Scooter companies include: Lime, Uber, Lyft
Bike companies include Capital Bike Share
We know many Ignite attendees take red-eye flights and/or have a long period of travel. If you arrive and would like a quick refresh, we encourage you to take advantage of our refresh lounge which will be available from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis Hotel on Wednesday, March 12.
If you would like to store your luggage before registration, luggage storage will also be available beginning at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 12.
Groups traveling to Washington, D.C. by chartered motor coach should make their own arrangements for bus parking.
All parking fees for your bus will be the responsibility of you and/or the bus company.
Chaperones & Staffing
Lead Chaperones are the primary contact with Council staff prior to and during Ignite by 4-H. Lead Chaperones are responsible for the conduct and discipline of attendees, group behavior, logistical arrangements, delegating responsibility to adult chaperones, and coordinating arrangements with National 4-H Council (Council) Staff.
We are using the term Lead Chaperone to indicate the following:
All ticket holders listed under your name will be traveling and arriving onsite together.
All ticket holders listed under your name will be roomed in the same hotel, in close proximity (as much as possible!)
The Lead Chaperone will be checking in onsite and receiving all name badges and paperwork for the ticket holders for which you are listed as the Lead Chaperone.
If there are any issues with teens or chaperones in your group, you will be our main point of contact.
It is essential that the Lead Chaperone be aware of any existing health challenges, such as allergies, asthma, diabetes or any conditions that might require special arrangements. Lead Chaperone must inform chaperones of these challenges.
Workshops
Workshops are required for all teens to attend.
This year there will be four Track workshop timeslots, four Explore workshop timeslots, two optional Career Connections workshops and two optional morning activities for teens to pre-register to attend.
We encourage early registration! Each workshop has limited capacity, and once capacity is reached, we cannot add additional seats for that workshop.
Teen workshop registration opens January 10 at 7 p.m. ET All required forms must be completed by that time to register for workshops.
Workshop registration closes on February 2 at midnight ET.
Teens that do not register for workshops by February 2 will be assigned to open workshops.
Track Workshops will be specific to the track teens signed up for.
Explore Workshops allow teens to explore other tracks and maybe even discover a new spark!
Teens must go to the workshop they registered for! Our workshop presenters prepare materials based on the number of teens registered.
There may be space available for adults to observe, but it is at the discretion of the presenter if you are able to attend teen workshops.
When the Ignite Teen Workshop Session Guide is available, it will be posted on the Ignite website.
When the Ignite Adult workshops are finalized, they will be posted on the Ignite website.
Pre-registration will not be required for adult workshops.
Most adult workshops and activities are optional. More information will be provided.
All schedules for the Ignite program are TENTATIVE, meaning they may change, up to the date of the event. Every effort will be made not to make drastic changes to the schedule, especially last minute. Whenever a significant alteration is made, you will be notified.
Yes. Several opportunities are planned including the Program Showcase, Career Connections, Lead to Change Action Planning and sessions with featured speakers. Meals, breaks and evening activities also offer plenty of informal opportunities for interaction. See the Ignite Agenda for details.
Registration will take place from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12.
Groups may not register before this time. If you arrive prior to this time, you will need to wait until registration begins to check in to your hotel room and receive your Ignite registration materials.
If you are delayed en route past this registration time, please contact events@4-h.org. Arrangements will be made to orient your group to the program as quickly and smoothly as possible upon your arrival.
We know food allergies and dietary restrictions are of utmost importance, especially when traveling. The National 4-H Council Experiences team is working closely with the Marriott Marquis, as well as other venues where food will be served to ensure we can safely accommodate all restrictions and allergies.
We also, recognize Ignite by 4-H is during Ramadan. We will make accommodations for those individuals observing Ramadan.
Please note food restrictions and special accommodations under Accommodations when you register in the portal.
Yes. Youth delegates need to select one of the following: Agriscience, Community Accelerators, Healthy Living or STEM. Workshop registration will open in January.
Delegates will have specific activities related to their track, but they will also have the opportunity to attend workshops from other tracks, if desired.
Some scholarships or ticket types require attendees to participate in a specific track. Check with your chaperone to determine if you have any restrictions.
National 4-H Council defers to the dress code in place for each state or territory from which the delegate is attending.
It is the responsibility of each delegation to determine what is and is not appropriate for your specific delegation.
We do not have an overall dress code and your dress code and policies may differ from others. If you have concerns with teens from other states, please address concerns with their chaperone and not with the teen directly.
All activities and sessions put on by National 4-H Council at Ignite are casual. Teens sometimes like to dress up for the dance and celebration, but this is completely optional.
T-shirts with offensive slogans or messages that are in bad taste, clothing with political slogans are not allowed.
Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times.
We have partnered with local farms, businesses and federal agencies to create private tours and experiences exclusive to our Ignite by 4-H teens and chaperones. The Offsite Educational Experiences will take place on Friday, March 14 from approximately 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. including travel time. Participants will eat lunch at the offsite location they sign up for. Dietary restrictions will be considered for lunch.
Lead Chaperones will be responsible for signing up their group for these activities. Due to each state having differing requirements regarding the ratio of adult chaperones per youth and different rules regarding chaperones from other states chaperoning teens from other states, it will be up to Lead Chaperones to determine the breakdown of who from your group will go to each location.
Each location will have limited space. Unfortunately, we cannot add additional seats to any of the buses or add additional slots at any locations as we have maxed out the capacity for each bus and location, so please keep this in mind when signing up. Please also make sure to read the restrictions and packing information for each experience. Some sites do require photo IDs, background checks or that the attendees are legal U.S. citizens (due to the limited time for background checks between February 14 and Ignite).
After March 14, we cannot change assignments for any participants in your group.
Attendees must go to the Offsite Educational Experience they were signed up for! If for some reason someone decides not to go to the Offsite Educational Experience they were signed up for, they cannot swap to a different location and lunch will NOT be provided.
Adult Meeting: The Ignite Design Team will lead this meeting and will be available to answer any questions you may have.
Dance & Celebration: Dance the night away with your new friends. We will have sensory rooms available, but we encourage teens that may be sensitive to loud noises to bring noise-cancelling headphones.
Curfew: All attendees must be considerate of other attendees and hotel guests who may be trying to wind down and sleep after a long day. Quiet is especially important after 8 p.m. as we share the hotel with other guests not involved with Ignite. Noise in the halls and rooms must be kept to a minimum. Talking must be kept to quiet conversational levels. Quiet time must be completely observed in the whole facility from 11:30 p.m. – 6:30 a.m. Beginning at 11 p.m., all delegates must be in their sleeping room. Youth attendees out of their room after curfew must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. Please do not leave the hotel property alone and always have permission or be with your adult chaperone.
Tours of National Monuments & Memorials: All attendees will be dropped off at the National Mall and have access to a digital guide to take a self-guided tour of the Washington D.C. monuments and memorials. Attendees are encouraged to bring a camera and be prepared for the weather, rain or shine and bring a camera to get great pictures! If lightning is present, the tour will end early and all attendees will return to their buses early.
Morning Activities: These teen sessions are optional, but they do require sign-up during workshop registration Friday, January 10 - Sunday, February 2. We encourage you to attend at least one!
Offsite Educational Experiences: See above.
Pin Trade: Each state should bring something that can be traded with other attendees that signifies their home community. Pin Trade items should be inexpensive and/or homemade to show pride in one’s home state. Lead Chaperones may help obtain these items or teens can make them. Handmade items often are the most sought-after. Pins and stickers are also very popular. Encourage creativity! Teen attendees should bring their trading items to this activity and take advantage of this time to get to know their fellow Ignite attendees.
Program Showcase: Lead Chaperones must register for Program Showcase by Friday, February 14 at 12 p.m. ET. Program Showcase will take place on Wednesday, March 12 from 8:45 p.m. – 9:45 p.m. Each state will have the opportunity to “promote, share, and enlighten” other attendees about the terrific programs that are being conducted in your clubs and communities. Programs will set up exhibit booths to showcase the great work that 4-Hers are doing across the country and share their best practices with their peers, while making new friends!
Track Keynotes & Challenge Activities: Teens must go to the Track Keynote and Challenge Activity for the track they registered for! Each challenge activity has specific supplies that will be prepared for the specific number of teens that signed up for that track. Adults are welcome to observe the speakers, but seating priority should go to the teens. Adults do not sign up for a track. Teen name badges will match the color of the track they signed up for!
With the unpredictability of the weather in Washington, D.C. at this time of year, it helps to be ready for anything. March temperatures typically range from highs in the mid to high 40’s with lows in the 30’s. But there are always exceptions! Here are a few tips to help you prepare:
Clothes that mix and match well to create multiple outfits so you will have what you need without overpacking.. Your state will tell you if there is a limit to the number of bags that you can bring.
Bring an all-weather coat, medium-weight coat and/or raincoat and umbrella. A scarf and gloves are also a good idea.
Comfortable walking shoes
Pen and paper for workshops
A camera and plenty of batteries and/or memory
A lightweight jacket, sweater or cardigan you can easily throw on if the hotel conference rooms get too cold
An umbrella or raingear
Items to trade with other teen attendees (if not provided by delegation) during Pin Trade
Personal spending money for Shop 4-H, personal items, souvenirs or snacks. Attendees sometimes want to supplement meals/snacks with delivered food from local eating establishments and items from vending machines. There may be a significant cost difference when comparing other areas to the DC metropolitan area. Meals can easily cost more than $12 for lunch and $20 - $30 for dinner—don’t forget tips! There are several opportunities for delegates to purchase items, including essential toiletry items, souvenirs, and clothing sold at the hotel; local vendors and gift shops during off-site activities; and grocery stores, restaurants, and drugstores.
Always keep your valuables with you; do not pack them in your suitcase.
Check with your airline (if applicable) for luggage fee, size, and weight limitations for your luggage as airlines differ. If your luggage is oversized, you will have an additional charge for checking it. Ask your state coordinator if luggage fees are to be paid by individual delegates or state.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) provides a comprehensive list of items that can and can’t be packed in your carry-on and checked baggage here.
Lead to Change is National 4-H Council’s community action planning platform that empowers teens like you to become agents of Change. It’s about empowering and tackling issues in your community head-on. When you create a Lead to Change project with a team, you’re not just solving problems – you are sparking a movement that strengthens and revitalizes a community. It’s your opportunity to step up, take action, and make a real difference.
Lead to Change Kick-Off will give you the opportunity to learn what will make your action plan stand out. You’ll receive worksheets and planning guides to get you started.
Lead to Change Planning Time: This is dedicated time for teens to work on their poster, brainstorm with their group, work on their Lead to Change grant application and practice their project pitch. You can also pair up with another group to practice!
The Lead to Change Gallery Viewing is an opportunity for teams to present their project idea by showcasing their poster and making a short project pitch. They will receive meaningful feedback about their project. Teams can split their time to be able to talk about their project to youth and adult participants and look at other team’s posters to get ideas and provide feedback to other teams.
Yes these will be available in the full Chaperone Guide in January.
