NATIONAL PARK FOUNDATION KICKS OFF
2009 JUNIOR RANGER ESSAY CONTEST
From an NPS press release:
WASHINGTON, DC (March 24, 2008) – The National Park Foundation is proud to announce the launch of the 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest, asking youth across the country to share their big ideas on how to protect and preserve America’s National Parks. This year, the National Park Foundation is asking students aged 9 to 12 this question: Why are our national parks important to you and what is your best idea to protect our parks for the future?
The First Prize winner will receive a $1,000 Visa gift card and the opportunity to direct a $5,000 contribution from the National Park Foundation to his or her favorite national park. This contribution will be used to help put into action big ideas like those included in the winning essay.
Kids aged 9 to 12, with the help of a parent or guardian, have through May 1, 2009 to submit an essay of no more than 500 words. Entries may be submitted online at www.nationalparks.org/essaycontest or by mail at:
National Park Foundation
ATTN: 2009 National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest
1201 Eye Street NW
Suite 550-B
Washington, DC 20005
The 2009 National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest is sponsored by Unilever, Proud Partner of America’s National Parks, as part of its ongoing commitment to the National Park Junior Ranger program. To submit your entry online and view the official rules, visit www.nationalparks.org/essaycontest.
Homeschool Rangers 
When will we find out who won? My daughter is VERY excited to see all the lucky kids who won! I think I am using the word “won” too much! Sorry! Please tell us soon!
By: Carolyn on Saturday, 9 May 2009
at 11:02 am
According to the website:
“Winners will be notified by e-mail or telephone beginning May 8, 2009. If the winner cannot be contacted within 5 calendar days of first notification attempt, any prize or prize notification is returned as undeliverable or the winner or the winner’s parent or legal guardian rejects his/her prize or if consent from the winner’s parent or guardian is withdrawn, an alternate winner will be selected by the National Park Foundation. Upon prize forfeiture, no payment or other compensation will be made to the original winner.”
“Each winner and his/her parent/guardian will be required to execute an affidavit of eligibility and release. The affidavit and release must be returned within five (5) calendar days of notification or an alternate winner may be selected. Also, because the approximate retail value of the first prize exceeds $600, the winner of the first prize must provide a Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to the National Park Foundation for issuance of a 1099 Form.”
It might take them a short while to reach everyone and verify the kids are eligible (not over 12, etc.) before they post the winners to the site. And I doubt the web person works on the weekends either! 😉
We entered too, and we’re going to be out of the country right about when they start contacting people.
By: Jon Merryman on Saturday, 9 May 2009
at 11:38 am