Children invited to write, draw for chance to attend program

By KEITH WALKER
Published: November 17, 2008

All it takes is a winning essay or a hand-drawn picture to earn one of 25 spots for the Youth Outdoor Scholarship Program at the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy.

Recreational Equipment Inc. and the conservancy are offering the environmental education program for children interested in spending time outdoors.

Children ages 7 to 12 may submit typed or handwritten essays on "Why I love nature," "Two things that I want to learn more about in nature" or "One thing that I can do to help nature," stated a conservancy press release.

The conservancy and REI will offer the following scholarships to 7-to 12-year-olds:

• Four awards for Winter Nature Camp on Dec. 22 and 23.

• Five awards for Nature Days on Feb.16.

• Six awards for Herpetology Camp on June 25 and 26, and June 29 and 30.

• Six awards for Summer Nature Camp between July 27and July 31, and August 3 through Aug. 7.

The conservancy is now accepting essays of 500 or fewer words.

There are also four awards for the Pre-School Nature Camp from July 13 to July 17.

Children between four and six who wish to vie for a position in the nature camp may submit a drawing of their favorite plant or animal in nature, the release stated.

Drawings must reach the conservancy 30 days before the program start date.

The conservancy will notify the winners two weeks in advance of the program start date.

Please include the name of child, age, address, phone number and desired program in each application.

The conservancy will accept, process and award all scholarships. Contact BRMC at 703-753-2631 for more information.

Mail all scholarship applications to: Bull Run Mountains Conservancy P.O. Box 210, Broad Run, VA 20137.

Keith Walker can be reached at 703-360-6751.