Rules

Delaware Envirothon Challenge

  1. Only students in grades 9 through 12 are eligible to compete in the Delaware Envirothon.
  2. Any organization may host a team(s) whose members are in grades 9-12.
  3. Each team competing in the Delaware Envirothon must consist of five students.  Schools/groups may provide a list of alternates who are eligible to compete for any of the teams representing their school or group.  The total number of alternates registered cannot exceed a maximum of two per the total number of registered teams for that school/group.  (For example, XYZ High School has two teams.  They may register a total of four alternates who are then eligible to serve on whichever team needs them.)  Alternates are NOT allowed to come to the State Challenge unless they are replacing a team member.  If a team member becomes ill the day of the event, the team will be allowed to fully participate with only four members.  (Adopted 2007)
  4. Advisors must register their teams as directed by the deadline.  Registration procedures including the current registration deadline will be emailed to the advisors and a registration announcement will be posted on the Delaware Envirothon website.  The maximum number of teams per school or group is four, only if one of the teams will be competing as an FFA team.  Otherwise, the maximum number of teams is three.  (Adopted 2018)  
  5. Teams with less than five (5) members on the day of the State Challenge may compete for experience, but their scores will NOT count, unless due to illness the day of the event (see Rule #3).
  6. Advisors are responsible for ensuring all students have parental consent to participate in Delaware Envirothon activities and that the Code of Conduct/Photo Release is completed.
  7. The State Champion team must compete in the NCF Envirothon using the five students on the winning team or, if necessary, a registered alternate.  If the first-place team cannot be available for the NCF Envirothon, the second-place team from that year would automatically advance to represent Delaware.  If the second-place team is not available  to compete, then the third-place team form that year would be eligible to compete in the NCF Envirothon.
  8. A team registration fee may be required for teams intending to compete. The registration fee will be determined by the Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee.
  9. Teams must be accompanied to the all events by an adult team advisor.
  10. Rules and regulations of the Delaware Envirothon are subject to change. Any and all changes will be explained in advance to all teams and advisors. Any suggestions for improvements to the rules and regulations will be considered by the Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee.
  11. Any infraction of any of the Rules of the Delaware Envirothon could result in disqualification and dismissal from the event and host site. Refer to the Delaware Envirothon Code of Conduct at the end of this Handbook.
  12. Training workshops will be offered to advisors and team members unless otherwise specified. All advisors are encouraged to attend and participate in every training session.
  13. The Delaware Envirothon Challenge will reflect an ‘ecostation’ testing concept.  This means all six resource topics will be tested at each ecostation.  During the Challenge, only one test per each resource topic will be provided to teams at each testing ecostation.
  14. Advisors may not travel with their teams during testing. Provisions will be made for advisors to visit test sites separately from their competing team(s).
  15. Snuff, tobacco, illegal drugs, alcohol, cell phones, smart watches or any other electronic devices are PROHIBITED during the entire competition. Rules applicable to the local area and sponsoring organization will also be adhered to.
  16. Advisors will be responsible for assuring that teams display proper conduct during the competition.
  17. Transportation to the Delaware Envirothon will be the responsibility of each team.
  18. The competition will be conducted by the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts and partnership agencies, groups, and organizations.
  19. Any special materials needed for the competition, such as identification keys or maps will be provided by the testing station coordinators.
  20. All volunteers located at each testing ecostation are to refrain from making disparaging comments about the test and to keep discussions kept quiet to provide the students with a respectable testing atmosphere.
  21. Judges decisions are FINAL on all events.
  22. The team placement will be determined by the highest cumulative total points.
  23. Cooperating agencies, sponsors, advisors, and participants involved in competition will be requested to complete an evaluation of the program following the competition event.
  24. Any appeals must be submitted within 10 days of the concern. Final decision will be made by the Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee. Appeals must be in writing and be sent via email to the Chairperson at deenvirothon@gmail.com or to Delaware Envirothon c/o Del. Association of Conservation Districts, 1679 S. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.
  25. Awards for the Delaware Envirothon will be determined by the Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee.  An individual award is given to the state winning team and this is theirs to keep. Additional awards will be determined by funding.
  26. During the State Challenge, all participating students will be identified as to their school/group.
  27. The Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee will provide participating teams with clipboards, writing utensils and calculators, if needed, during the State Challenge. Students are not to bring any of these devices (including backpacks, etc.) to the testing sites. Students must bring their oral presentation note cards to the Challenge and turn them in upon registration.
  28. There will be a total possible 100 – 125 points scored for each discipline at each ecostation. Scores will be in ‘whole’ numbers only.
  29. If there is a tie score between two or more teams for first place, the Delaware Planning Committee will use the Aquatic Ecology score as the tiebreaker and then the Forestry score, if further needed.
  30. FFA environmental testing can take place immediately following the Delaware Envirothon Challenge.
  31. Following the State Challenge, final team scores will be distributed to the advisors.  Resource committee chairs will be available to assist advisors regarding their team’s effort.
  32. Team advisors may be provided an opportunity to evaluate the Delaware Envirothon during the State Challenge.
  33. If any team member/advisor visits the scoring area during a state competition, that team will be disqualified immediately.  (Adopted May 2012)                                                                                                                                       NCF Envirothon Challenge
  34. For the NCF Envirothon, any substitutes other than the registered State team and alternates must be first approved by the Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee and must e in accordance with NCF Envirothon rules and regulations.
  35. If the team representing the Delaware Envirothon is noted for misbehavior or disqualified from further participation in the NCF Envirothon, that team’s advisor and sponsor will be financially responsible for paying all expenses to this particular event.
  36. Preparation material for the NCF Envirothon may be offered in metric and imperial measurement systems.
  37. The Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee will meet with each year’s Delaware Envirothon State Champions, and their advisors, prior to participation in the NCF Envirothon to review traveling procedures, registration requirements, Code of Conduct, etc.
  38. Resource chairpersons and the Delaware Envirothon Planning Committee will hold an organized training workshop(s) with each year’s Delaware Envirothon State Champions during the months of June and/or July in preparation for the NCF Envirothon.