Updated March 8, 2024 - See Below for Details

PLEASE NOTE: If you want to be on an e-mail list for our 2024 Fall Sleepy Hollow, NY Convention, please e-mail us at sleuths@ndsleuths.com and request to be on the Sleepy Hollow list. We have hotel booking and registration live.

Bookmark this page and check back often for updates. Scroll past the current convention details below to see where we are going in the future and also view information on our past conventions and at the bottom, our FAQ section. Interested in Attending? Are you a member of the media interested in profiling us? E-mail us at sleuths@ndsleuths.com if you want info on the convention or want to be on our e-mail list for updates and information about it.

The Mystery Behind Following in Nancy Drew's Footsteps...

Our mission is to walk in Nancy Drew's footsteps each year at our conventions. We select a theme book--one of the classic 56 hardcover Nancy Drew books printed from 1930 to 1979--that is set in a real location and we do things that Nancy Drew and her chums did in the books. This adds that nostalgic flair to our conventions so they're much more special than a generic location! While we may not chase villains down dark alleys or sleuth for secret passageways (yet!), we do manage to mix real-life locations with book hunting and activities based on the mystery in the theme book(s) for a fabulous event of mystery and "mayhem."

The convention is a great time for series book collectors to meet, trade books and stories, and hunt for missing books from their collection. Conventions are open to anyone--you don't have to be a member of our group to attend. For more information on our conventions, check out our Convention FAQ at the bottom of this page.

 

2024 EVENTS:

 

2025 - 95th Anniv of Nancy Drew

(Possible - Nancy Drew Goes to Broadway - location/dates TBD)

April - Toledo, OH - Nancy Drew Convention

Fall - Lancaster, PA - Haunted Witch Tree Convention + Nancy Drew Ghost Stories - Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake & Vampire's Cave

2026 - April - Nancy Drew Clue in the Old Stagecoach Convention - Phoenix/Tucson AZ

Fall - 40th Anniv of Nancy Drew Files Mystery Weekend - Chicago

2027 - Fall, Haunted New Orleans & 50th Anniv of the 1970s Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys TV Show (The Voodoo Doll episode was set in NOLA)

2028 - Fall - ND Book Hunter's Convention - Nancy Drew Sleuth Con - Dallas, TX

2029 - Fall - Vermont - Ski Jump & Captain Stone's Revenge

2030 - 100th Anniversary of Nancy Drew Events:

April - Nancy Drew's 100th Anniversary Convention, Nancy Drew Sleuths 30th Anniversary - Hawaii - Land Events & Cruise around Islands

July - Toledo, OH - 100th Anniv Nancy Drew Conference & Convention

Oct event - TBD

 

 

 

 NDS CONVENTION FAQ

Check out our Convention FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) below. Still have further qustions? E-mail us at sleuths@ndsleuths.com

1. HOW DO I REGISTER TO ATTEND THE NANCY DREW CONVENTION?

A: Visit our website convention page - print out the registration forms and fill them out and mail them in with your registration fee or e-mail us at sleuths@ndsleuths.com to set up a time to call and pay via credit card.

2. DO I HAVE TO BE A NANCY DREW SLEUTHS MEMBER TO ATTEND?

A: No, anyone can attend. If you'd like to join, please check out our information on how to become a member.

3. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND THE CONVENTION?

A: In addition to the registration fee which is found at our website convention page, your transportation, hotel, and meals not covered by the registration fee will vary depending on how you travel and what you order, plus the souvenirs you might purchase and other things you choose to do during free day or down time. The cost of the hotel is listed at our website convention page.

3.5. WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE TO ATTEND A CONVENTION WHEN COMIC CON STYLE CONVENTIONS ARE SO CHEAP?

A: We do not have a comic or fan con style set up where a room of vendors pays for the event with their booth rentals allowing cheap tickets (which are pure profit for the comic cons) for those to attend and then you just wander around a convention room all weekend mostly entertaining yourself.

Registrants help pay for the convention costs including but not limited to: parties & activities, any provided meals noted, tours provided and entry fees, equipment/room rentals, convention planning services, decorations, printing costs, advertising, goody bag supplies.

We have a travel and tour style convention where you are following in Nancy's footsteps and doing things she did in the convention theme books and TV shows - we have touring and transportation costs via private charter bus on 2 days, meals included which are group meals at venues with all the trimmings/tax/service charges and gratuity included, entry fees to venues, a host of administrative costs and office/copy costs, royalties, decorations for various events, Clue game & mystery dinner mystery setup costs, mystery dinner costs, goody bags to put together, info packets/name tags for everyone, etc. and so on and so forth. Putting on one of these conventions is much like planning a vacation tour group. But the upside to it, is that you are getting a super exciting experience you won't get anywhere else, getting to meet lots of fun Nancy Drew fans and you get to follow in Nancy Drew's footsteps.

When you are taking lots of time off to attend one of these, paying a lot for your transportation (airfare/etc.) and hotel, we want to be able to provide you with a stellar experience you can't get at home or anywhere else. Attending these conventions isn't a right, it's a privilege you afford yourself through hard work and saving for it. If you want to attend and put forth the effort to make it happen, we'd love to have you and we're going to make it worth your while!

4. WHAT AGE ARE MOST OF THOSE WHO ATTEND? DO KIDS ATTEND?

A: Most who attend are in their 20s to 50s+ We generally do have several kids attend each year, usually age 8 to 12 or older. We are a very family friendly group - "safe and sane" just like Nancy Drew! We do ask however, that if you have babies or very young children that they be very well behaved, especially on our main convention days (when our conventions have these) when we are hosting our speakers and videotaping the proceedings.

5. HOW MANY PEOPLE USUALLY ATTEND?

A: It varies, depending on location and time of year, but we typically have 50 to 75+ in attendance of those who register. Sometimes we also have locals join us when we hold convention days or library events with speakers/activities, and that adds to the count.

6. I'VE NEVER BEEN BEFORE--WHAT CAN I EXPECT IT TO BE LIKE?

A: We are a very friendly group--and we try to make everyone, especially newbies, feel comfortable. And really, we've always received feedback from newbies that they just felt right at home and welcomed. This is because everyone has a common passion--Nancy Drew and collecting--so that makes everything easy and fun. At our Meet & Greet we strive to get people to know each other through introductions and get-to-know you activities. In addition to making newbies feel at home and seeing old friends who regularly attend, our mantra at these conventions is to walk in Nancy Drew's footsteps. So you'll find yourself doing things that Nancy Drew did in the theme books depending on location and logistics - so we might visit local sights she did and other sights of interest, you sometimes will have opportunities to book hunt, there are sometimes convention days with fan oriented to scholarly presentations all about Nancy Drew, merchandise to shop for, and mysteries to solve--plus a fun optional Nancy Drew gift exchange to wrap everything up! We really try to bring the theme book alive for fans, so it's a very rewarding and memorable experience. And you'll find yourself treated to a Nancy Drew goody bag with lots of fun items which usually include Nancy Drew books and computer games.

7. DO I HAVE TO READ THE THEME BOOKS TO ATTEND?

A: No you do not, but it will enhance your experience greatly and if we have any trivia based challenges or do book discussions, this will come in handy! If you do not currently own the theme book(s), you can find them handily at eBay or even Etsy. You can purchase new books at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble online.

8. CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE NANCY DREW GIFT EXCHANGE?

A: The gift exchange takes place usually at our convention mystery dinner on Saturday evenings, but some years we do it on a different night. It is an optional gift exchange, so you do not have to participate. It's run like a Secret Santa-type exchange--everyone will bring a gift and receive a gift. Numbers are drawn and then people pick in order from 1+. We do not steal from each other, so the gift you pick is yours to keep.

The criteria for the gifts falls into 2 categories--store bought and homemade. We have 2 separate tables in the exchange for these--so if you make a gift you pick from the homemade table. If you purchased a gift then you pick from the store bought table. We do both tables because some members are not crafty and do not want the pressure of having to craft a gift so it makes the exchange easier on everyone.

It's "The thought that counts" and we suggest spending no more than around $20 on the gift as a general rule. The main rule though is that the gift has to be ALL ABOUT NANCY DREW--if store bought it needs to be Nancy Drew books and/or Nancy Drew merchandise. If handmade, it needs to be full of Nancy Drew imagery and/or be UNIQUE or specific to Nancy Drew. For instance, a magnifying glass is not unique to Nancy Drew, though it is one of her favorite sleuthing tools, but a magnifying glass paired with a Nancy Drew item is fine. But the gift must be unique or specific to Nancy Drew. So, for instance, a generic clock wouldn't be unique or specific, but if someone wanted to recreate the Crowley Clock from The Secret of the Old Clock, as it looks on the cover, that would be unique/specific to Nancy Drew and would fit the exchange. Whatever you do, it must fit that pattern of imagery/uniqueness.

Past gifts from exchanges can be seen at our Nancy Drew Sleuths Blog. Also if you'd like some Dos & Don'ts for the Handcrafted gifts, check out Sleuth Lea's Gift Exchange Hints. And here's a Pinterest board of Nancy Drew handcrafted gift ideas to inspire you.

9. WHAT IS SLEUTH SURVIVOR? THE AMAZING CASE?

A: We do not do these events at every convention, but do so from time to time depending on our theme and the location. "Sleuth Survivor" is similar to the show "Survivor," in that we break into teams and compete in challenges similar to the show. Each team (Nancy/Bess/George...) has their own "buff" which is a bandana in the team's color with the challenge logo. Each team breaks down into sub groups who each perform 1 of 3 tasks in the challenge. The first group typically puts together a puzzle, the 2nd team typically deciphers it and the 3rd team typically does/finds something the puzzle tells them to do and then races to the finish line. The winning team receives a grand prize. Everyone else gets a consolation prize. "Amazing Case" is similar to the show "Amazing Race" in that we break into teams who race around going from clue to clue. The first clue is typically discovered by the team putting together some kind of puzzle or deciphering something to start them on their case. Once the final clue is found, it will lead them to race to the finish line or final destination. Winning teams get grand prizes, everyone else gets a consolation prize. These challenges for both Sleuth Survivor and Amazing Case involve some mental portions and physical portions. If you are unable to race around very easily, you would be best utilized in the puzzle/deciphering portions. These challenges are also optional for anyone not able to participate.

10. WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE FOR CONVENTION DAYS AND MYSTERY DINNERS?

A: For convention day at our hotel during the day on Saturdays, I suggest dressy casual. Most of our speakers will dress up for making presentations. At the dinner, it is always dressier that evening. No shorts, jeans, and really casual dress--unless it somehow fits in with the theme or a costume. Otherwise, typical dress for women would be dresses, skirts, nice dressy pantsuits and for men: nice slacks and dress shirts on up to suits and the like. Typically our Saturday mystery dinner involves a theme and most people wear costumes - costumes are optional however and you may just dress up if you like. During the week, unless otherwise noted in the itinerary, other days are just casual. On days when we're doing a lot of touring, comfortable walking shoes are a must!

11. WHAT IS THE CHARITY RAFFLE? HOW ARE THE PROCEEDS DONATED?

A: At some conventions, where we have a convention day, we might host a charity raffle to benefit a local library for the children's section. Books are close to our hearts and so is getting kids interested in reading, so naturally, benefitting the local library is a great help in achieving that goal. We raffle off a variety of Nancy Drew books and merchandise each year and we set it up so that you can put your tickets in individual bags by each of the items. This way, you can select to put your tickets in the bags of the items you most want to win. Then we draw for the prizes throughout the day. Half the proceeds from the raffle ticket sales go to the library, the other half helps cover convention costs and purchases made for the raffle as not all items are donated. At the end of each convention as we wrap up business back home, we cut a check to the library. We have raised over $1500 for libraries at the last few conventions!

In recent years we have started donating full sets of Nancy Drew books (brand new) to the libraries, and this is what we will likely do more of in the future.