Youth Writers Vie For Outdoor News' Contest Win

If you're a student in grades 6-12 and live in the Great Lakes region, Outdoor News is offering you a "shot" at becoming a real outdoors writer with their 20th annual Youth Writing Contest. The contest, which kicked off on September 7, 2018 and runs through November 5, 2018, is sponsored by Cabela's and is open to students in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Illinois. Entries may be outdoor-themed essays or poems, and will be split into two age groups: Senior (grades 9 - 12), and Junior (grades 6-8), so young writers will be competing against others in their own age classes. Acceptable topics for the Youth Writing contest encompass such outdoor adventures as hunting, camping, fishing and nature experiences.

At stake is the chance to win a $100 first-place prize or $50 second-place award...but the real prizes are far more valuable. Not only are winning entries printed in Outdoor News publications, and the winners are also presented plaques to honor their winning submissions: Winning entries in the Outdoor News contest will then be forwarded for entry into the Outdoor Writers Association of America annual writing contest. The OWAA contest offers the chance for youth writers to earn additional cash prizes and recognition.

“Each year, we receive more than 500 entries from youth across the country sharing their first hunting experiences, fishing adventures or memorable time spent in the field,” said Rob Drieslein, managing editor for Outdoor News publications and one of the judges who selects the winning entries. (Check out contest submission information for the 2018 Outdoor News Youth Writing Contest online here.) 

If you're too old, too young or living outside the seven states listed above, don't despair: Although we here at NRA Family aren't currently running a contest, we're always happy and excited to hear from young writers who would like to add their voices to the national conversation on the Second Amendment, hunting, target shooting and competitive shooting! If you would like to send us your article, contact us at [email protected]. We'd love to hear from you!