2011 Creative Writing Competition

Essay Contest Sponsored By:
wildlife Department logosafari club international Oklahoma station logo      

Safari Club AWLS

Oklahoma Chapter

                  

 

Theme: Students must use the theme, Hunting: Sharing the Heritage, Archery: What I like about Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting or the concept of the theme to develop an expository essay or short story.
 

Eligibility: Students ages 11-17 currently enrolled in any Oklahoma School and home school students are eligible for participation. Winners of the 2010 contest are not eligible. Applicants must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter Education course by the entry deadline.

Deadline for Entry: November Nov. 18, 2011.

Number of Entries per school: There is no limit to the number of entries per school.

Specifications:

  • Students must use the theme, Hunting: Sharing the Heritage, Archery: What I like about Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting or the concept of the theme to develop an expository essay or short story.
  • Essay or short story should be double-spaced on white, 8 1/2 x 11 paper, with 1 1/2 inch margins on top, bottom and sides. Typewritten copy is preferred. All essays or short stories must be legible.
  • Length should not exceed 1,000 words (four typewritten pages) for short stories, or 500 words (two typewritten pages) for essays.
  • Students must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter Education course by the entry deadline.
  • Papers should be carefully proofed for spelling, punctuation, capitalization and grammar.
  • A completed entry blank must be used as a cover sheet and stapled to the essay or short story. Entry must be typed or clearly printed and signed by the teacher or youth group leader.


Judging: All essays or short stories will be judged in one of two categories: 11-14 age group or 15-17 age group. Applicants will be judged on the use of the theme concept, creativity, neatness, proper grammar and punctuation. Winners of the statewide competition will be notified by phone.

Prizes

  • In the 11-14 age category: One boy and one girl will receive a scholarship for the Apprentice Hunter Program during the summer of 2011 at the YO Ranch, Mountain Home, TX. The Oklahoma Station of Safari Club International will reimburse the winners travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner.

Apprentice Hunter Program Information:

Safari Club International’s Apprentice Hunter Program is a unique, hands-on course designed for girls and boys aged 11-14. The program covers such diverse topics as history of hunting, the ethical basis of modern sport hunting, wildlife management, field identification, tracking and interpreting sign, game cooking and the SCI Sportsmen Against Hunger Program. There are three sessions, each one week long, during the summer of 2011.

  • In the 15-17 age category: One boy and one girl will go on a guided antelope hunt in New Mexico. Winners in this category must comply with all requirements of New Mexico game laws for the 2011 hunting season. The Oklahoma Station of Safari Club International will reimburse travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner.

The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to Oklahoma City to attend an awards ceremony in March. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. Transportation to New Mexico and Texas: Oklahoma Station Chapter will reimburse trip travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner. The four state winners’ entries will be printed in the Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International December Newsletter “Safari Trails”. Printing makes the essays eligible for consideration in the Outdoor Writers Association of America Youth Writing Contest. Essays may also be printed in Outdoor Oklahoma magazine.
 

All mailed entries must be postmarked no later than midnight Nov. 18, 2011. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Education Section Supervisor, ODWC Jenks Office, PO Box 1201, Jenks, OK 74037.

Hand delivered entries must arrive at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation Jenks Office, 201 Aquarium Drive, Jenks Oklahoma by 5:00 p.m., on Nov. 18, 2011. No faxed entries will be accepted.