Page 4 - Safari Trails December 2017

Creative Writing Competition

2017

Essay Contest Sponsored By:

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 partic‐
ipation. Winners of the 2016 contest are not eligible. Applicants must have successfully completed an Oklahoma Hunter
Education course by the entry deadline.
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 to one of 27 Camps, for hunting during the
summer of 2017. The Oklahoma Station Chapter of Safari Club International will reimburse the winners travel expenses
up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner.
Apprentice Hunter Program Information: Outdoor Texas Camp’s hunting camp is a unique, hands‐on camp designed for
girls and boys aged 9‐16. The program covers hunting techniques, shotgun skills, survival, GPS use, tracking and interpret‐
ing sign, small and large caliber rifle skills and scoring and aging deer. There are three sessions, each one week long, during
the summer of 2017 for boys and one session, July 5‐11 for girls.
 In the 15‐17 age category: One boy and one girl will go on a guided antelope hunt in the panhandle of Texas. Winners
in this category must comply with all requirements of Texas game laws for the 2017 hunting season. The Oklahoma
Station Chapter 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 Texas: Oklahoma Station Chapter will reim‐
burse 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.
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