2025 Event Dates
Friday, June 27 – Monday, June 30

Participation Requirements
Schools or families must submit a Youth Awards Signature Project to participate in the Youth Energy Conference and Awards Program. Submissions are due April 15th each year. Participants must be part of an eligible project. A lead teacher or parent may be designated by the Project Advisor listed on the Youth Awards project. The lead teacher or parent will act as the main point of contact before and during the Youth Energy Conference and Awards Program and make all decisions on behalf of the group.

Learn more about submitting a Youth Awards Project at https://youthawards.need.org/.

2025 AGENDA

REGISTRATION

Things To Do in DC

2026 Youth Staff Application

View the 2025 Tentative Agenda Here (PDF)
*Note, the agenda is subject to change

Teacher Response Form – Due May 15, 2025
Once you complete this form, we will send you the registration links for your attendees. We recommend completing this form ASAP!

Attendee registration deadline: May 23, 2025

Please email Francine Martin (fmartin@need.org) with any questions about registration or call the NEED Office at 1-800-875-5029.

2025 Registration Includes*

All sessions and conference events
Lodging at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Friday, June 27 – Monday, June 30, with the opportunity to extend your stay for additional touring time
Transportation to/from Reagan National Airport
Meals including Friday Dinner; Saturday Breakfast, Sunday Breakfast & Dinner; Monday Breakfast
Old Towne Trolley Tour of Washington D.C.
Spirit of Washington Sunday Dinner Cruise on the Potomac River
T-shirt
Certificate of Recognition
Fun Giveaways and Swag!
Chances to win prizes throughout the event!
All supplies for the Energy Challenge

*We are unable to offer a la carte options.

Registration Options – Cost is per Conference Attendee

Single Occupancy Registration

Attendee will have an individual hotel room. Teachers/Group Leader will provide roomlist to NEED.

$945/per person

Double Occupancy Registration

Two people sharing one hotel room. Both occupants MUST be registered for the conference. NEED will not pair individuals. Teachers/Group Leader will provide roomlist to NEED.

$640/per person

Triple/Quad Occupancy Registration

Three/four people sharing one hotel room. All occupants MUST be registered for the conference. NEED will not pair individuals. Teachers/Group Leader will provide roomlist to NEED.

$550/per person

All registration fees are due to The NEED Project by June 9, 2025.

Cancellation Policy

On or before June 9, 2025 100% refund less $75 administrative fee

After June 9, 2025 No Refund

Extended Stay:
Hotel reservations can be extended. NEED’s conference rate for lodging (one night before and one night after) is $189 plus tax for single/double occupancy and $214 plus tax for triple/quad occupancy.

Need some help getting school groups to NEED's Youth Energy Conference & Awards? View these fundraising tips (PDF) past teachers and families have utilized.

Each year, NEED compiles a list of the best places to visit and eat while you enjoy touring/free time during the Youth Energy Conference & Awards! View the 2025 Things To Do PDF

Youth Staff applications are due by January 15, 2026.

Candidates must:
1. Actively participate in the planning and implementation of NEED workshops, in-services, conferences or programs and be involved in NEED in the classroom or in afterschool programs.
2. Have an interest in science and energy and a willingness to work hard, learn, and work within a team of highly qualified students and adult mentors.
3. Be at least age 13 at the time the Youth Awards Program is hosted in Washington, D.C. (by June of the event year)
4. Be able and willing to travel from to and from Washington D.C. unaccompanied via airplane or train. Although we encourage parent involvement with the NEED Program, the ability to function without parental supervision is a key element in the successful development of leadership skills as part of NEED. Students whom parents deem too young or immature to travel and participate alone, should delay application until such time they are able to attend, participate, and travel without supervision.
5. Represent NEED with professionalism, honesty, and commitment.

View the application outline here. Ready to apply? Click here!