State Parks Kayak Kids Essay Contest
In 2013, an innovative idea was generated
from a Temporary Park Superintendent in the
Southwest Parks Region to start a kayak essay
contest. The Regional Park Superintendent
used this valuable input and assisted in
bringing the idea to life. This annual Kayak
Kids Essay Contest was created to encourage
youth to get outdoors. The competition
requires contestants to submit a 250-word
handwritten essay expressing why growing up
in the outdoors is important. They must also
take a photograph of themselves at one of the
Southwest Parks Region reservoirs. There are
two age divisions, 10-14 and 15-18 years of
age, and all essays are judged by Nebraska
Game and Parks staff from all agency
divisions. The winner from each age division
receives a grand prize package that includes
a kayak, paddles, and life jacket. Runner-up
prize packages for each age division includes
a new rod and reel combo. The NGPC Parks
Division personnel help get donations from
businesses to fund the prize packages each
year and host an annual awards ceremony at
Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area.
The sponsors, kids, and their parents are all
invited to participate.
This initiative has sparked a new way of
bringing youth to outdoor recreation areas
by getting them to think about why outdoor
recreation is important. The pathways of
getting youth to participate in outdoor
recreation is imperative because they are
the next generation that will conserve and
protect our natural resources. The creation
of this annual contest from grassroots efforts
is a great example of a success story where
input from staff was used to generate a great
opportunity. Through sound leadership and
collaboration, this contest has become a very
popular part of the Southwest Parks Region.
89
Winners and
runners-up of the
2018 Kayak Kids
Essay Contest
at Red Willow
Reservoir State
Recreation Area.
(Red Willow County)
SUCCESS
STORY
G U I D I N G S U C C E S S
