Ohio is beckoning its young naturalists and creatives to celebrate the state's environmental treasures through the ODNR's America 250 Field Trip competition. Open to students from third to twelfth grade, this initiative allows participants to explore the Buckeye State’s outdoors, hand-in-hand with seasoned ODNR staff. Applicants can share their connections to Ohio's great outdoors through art or an essay.
In sync with the America 250-Ohio celebration, the contest is more than just a standard school trip. "These field trips are one-of-a-kind activities that truly highlight some of the most unique aspects of Ohio and our natural resources," ODNR Director Mary Mertz articulated, eagerly anticipating the various student submissions expressing what nature means to them. Winners get to pick their adventure from an array of field trips designed to intrigue and educate.
For students keen to apply, the process involves submitting their encounter with nature via a painting, drawing, or short essay. Seven categories exist to showcase their work: three focused on art and three on writing, split across elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. Each category will have a singular winner, chosen by a panel of ODNR staff who will review the entries.
Competitors must upload their submissions through the contest page to throw their hats into the ring. Revealing what Ohio's natural resources signify in their lives will be the determining factor for these eager youngsters. The director expressed excitement over seeing what nature meant to them, especially in this year of celebration. Whether they climb a colossal oak, chase after butterflies, or stand quietly by the rolling currents of an ancient river, their experiences form the core of their submissions.
ODNR's dedication to fostering a love for the environment among Ohio's young inhabitants is palpable. Through this competition, they're banking on the idea that immersive experiences mixed with a little creative expression can deepen the youth’s appreciation for the state’s natural offerings.
