2022 Creative Writing Competition
Essay Contest Sponsored By: Oklahoma Station Chapter Safari Club International
Theme:
- Hunting: Sharing the Heritage
- Archery: What I like about Archery in the Schools and Bowhunting
Students must use one of the themes 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 2021 contest are not eligible. Applicants must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter Education course by the entry deadline.
Deadline for Entry:
Friday, Nov. 18, 2022.
Number of Entries per school: There is no limit to the number of entries per school.
Specifications:
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 form must be used as a cover sheet and stapled to the essay or short story. Entry must be typed 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 get a hunting trip at Rack Attack Outfitters in Fairview, Oklahoma or similar and receive a scholarship to the Outdoor Texas Camp for hunting during the summer of 2023. The Oklahoma Station of Safari Club International will reimburse the winners travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner.
In the 15-17 age category: One girl and one boy will go on a guided antelope hunt in the panhandle of Texas or equivalent depending on availability. The Oklahoma Station of Safari Club International will reimburse the winners travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner.
Antelope Hunt Information:
In the 15-17 age category: One girl and one boy will go on a guided antelope hunt in a Western state where tags are available. Winners in this category must comply with all requirements the state’s game laws for the 2023 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 winners will be invited to an awards ceremony at the Oklahoma Museum of History at the State Capitol. The expected date is the weekend of February 4, 2023. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will receive a one-year youth membership to Safari Club International. 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 Friday, Nov. 18, 2022. Address entries to: Essay Contest, Lance Meek, ODWC, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.