Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has launched the My Natural State Story contest, inviting Arkansas students to explore the outdoors and share stories about their experiences.
Sanders announced the contest alongside the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
“This contest is about getting kids off screens and outdoors,” Sanders said.
The contest is open to Arkansas students in 2 age divisions: ages 10 through 13 and ages 14 through 17.
Students may submit essays of up to 500 words in 7 outdoor recreation categories:
Hunting
Fishing
Boating or paddling
Climbing
Cycling or mountain biking
Camping
Hiking
Each essay should explain where the experience occurred, what the student did and why the experience mattered.
Entries containing AI-generated text will be automatically disqualified.
Submissions remain open through Monday, October 12. Winners will be reviewed and announced after the deadline.
A winner will be selected from each age division in all 7 categories, creating 14 activity winners. An overall My Natural State Story of the Year winner will also be selected from each age group.
A total of 16 Arkansas students will receive prizes and invitations to a dinner honoring them at the Governor’s Mansion.
Prize packages include:
OVERALL HONOR:
An Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lifetime hunting and fishing license, plus a $500 gift and experience package.
HUNTING:
A Banded prize package.
FISHING:
A $1,000 PRADCO Fishing prize package.
BOATING OR PADDLING:
Arkansas Canoe Club safety equipment and river school opportunities for 2 participants.
CLIMBING:
A 2-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks lodge and 2 passes for a guided climb or via ferrata.
CYCLING:
An OZ Trails Bike Park family pass, USA Cycling prize package and an Ozark Trail mountain bike.
CAMPING:
A 2-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks campground or camper cabin, plus a tent and sleeping bag.
HIKING:
A family pass for 4 to Crater of Diamonds State Park and a Gearhead prize package.
First Gentleman Bryan Sanders said the contest will allow young people to share their stories while encouraging other students to discover Arkansas’ outdoor opportunities.
The contest supports the Natural State Initiative’s work to expand outdoor recreation, conservation education and Arkansas’ outdoor economy.
Contest information and the official submission link are available at:
https://governor.arkansas.gov/news_post/sanders-launches-my-natural-state-story/
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