Page 11 - OSCSCI Safari Trailst

Creative Writing Competition

2024

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 2023 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: 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 2025. The Oklahoma Sta-
tion Chapter Safari Club International will reimburse the winners' travel expenses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Con-
test 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 girl and one boy will go on a guided hunt at the Rockin S Exotic Game Ranch near San Ange-
lo Texas. Each boy or girl may choose 1 Aoudad, Blackbuck, Axis, or Scimitar Horned Oryx. OSCSCI has the right to change
locations or animals at any time. The Oklahoma Station of Safari Club International will reimburse the winners' travel ex-
penses up to a maximum of $500 per Essay Contest Winner where driving is a possibility. If we are required to fly, to help
control overall costs, all airfare for the contest winner and their guardian will be reimbursed by the Oklahoma Station Chap-
ter Safari Club International. Also included will be all meals and lodging during the hunt as well as all license and permit
costs.

 The four statewide winners and their legal guardians will be invited to to attend an awards ceremony in 2025. 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 Newsletter
“Safari Trails”.