National Park Foundation Launches 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest

Published Date

March 24, 2009

As a parent, I've often listened to my sons as they outlined their concerns about the world and what they would do to change it if they had the chance.

Well, the National Park Foundation wants to hear from your kids regarding their concerns about national parks, and the winning essayist will be able to see $5000 donated to the park of her or his choice. And they'll also get a $1,000 Visa gift card of their own!

The foundation today launched its 2009 Junior Ranger Essay Contest, which runs through May 1, 2009. the question? In 500 words or less kids aged 9 to 12 are asked to explain 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 the $1,000 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 this site, or by mail at:

National Park Foundation
ATTN: 2009 National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest
1201 Eye Street N.W.
Suite 550-B
Washington, D.C. 20005

The 2009 National Park Foundation Junior Ranger Essay Contest is sponsored by Unilever, Proud Partner of America’s National Parks, as part of the its ongoing commitment to the National Park Junior Ranger program.

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Comments

Submitted by admin on March 24, 2009 - 1:53pm.

Interesting that children of NPS employees are ineligible. My children are homeschooled and we utilize the Parks as a learning tool. My 11 year old has a pretty good grasp of the issues encountered by park management not from dinner table discussions but from attending interpretive programs and Junior Ranger Programs.

This is a little like asking for input on a science related issue and then disqualifying any input from scientists. I would bet that whatever my child suggested would likely not be regarding the park I work at, he would likely write about his favorite park (he has no reason for bias)

Submitted by admin on March 30, 2009 - 3:01am.

Your child is lucky to have such insight and access to our national parks. Just maybe, this contest is to encourage other children to become involved. If more children become involved the better the chances that wild places stay wild. Nepotism may have something to do with it also. God bless ;)

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