Page 4 - Oklahoma Station Chapter SCI Dec 2022 Safari Trails
P. 4
Creative Writing Competition
2022
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 participa‐
tion. Winners of the 2021 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:
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 clear-
ly 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 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 Sta‐
tion 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.
In the 15‐17 age category: One boy and one girl will go on a guided antelope hunt in the panhandle of Texas or similar.
Winners in this category must comply with appropriate game laws for the hunting season. The Oklahoma Station Chapter
of Safari Club International will reimburse travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner. This trip is
subject to change based on Texas Parks and Wildlife Department harvest number rules to be released in September. If the
rules other things prevent a hunt from taking place, an alternate hunt will be arranged.
The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to to attend an awards ceremony in 2023. In addition, the top 25 essay entrants will
receive a one‐year 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. Association of America Youth Writing Contest. Essays may also be
printed in Outdoor Oklahoma magazine.