1. Who is eligible to participate?

All students in grades 9-12 who are currently enrolled in public, private, or home study high schools in Minnesota may participate in the Living for the Wild essay contest. Students must have completed the Living for the Wild curriculum in order to participate.

2. What is the length and format of the essays?

Essays must be original, typed, double spaced, in English, and between 300 and 600 words. No accompanying art, graphics, or color are allowed.

3. What should the essays discuss or talk about?

Essays should explore students’ connection between “everyday” outdoor places and more distant wild and natural places. The Living for the Wild curriculum will prepare students for writing their essays.

4. What is the process for selecting winning essays?

Essays will be nominated by high school teachers who used and completed the Living for the Wild curriculum in their classrooms. Each teacher will nominate two essays per class. For example, if an instructor teaches four classes, then he or she may submit eight essays to the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness.

The Friends of the Boundary Waters and a panel of judges will select two essays per grade (9-12). These top eight essays will be recognized.

5. What criteria will be used in selecting winning essays?

Participating teachers will nominate two essays per class based on the author’s: 1) writing skill; 2) originality; and 3) ability to make the connection between “everyday” outdoor places and more distant wild and natural places. Essays nominated to the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness will then be judged using the same criteria.

6. What is the deadline for submitting nominated essays?

All teacher nominated essays must be received by the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness before March 1, 2006. Teachers should include their name, school, address, work telephone, and work e-mail address so that the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness may contact them.

7. Where are nominated essays submitted?

Teacher nominated essays must be sent by mail or e-mail to the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Each essay should include the student’s name, grade, school name, home mailing address, and phone number. Send essays to the following:

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
401 North Third Street, Suite 290
Minneapolis, MN 55401
info@friends-bwca.org
(612) 332-9630 - phone
(612) 332-9624 - fax

8. Will teacher nominated essays be returned?

No, the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness will not return essays it receives. In addition, the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness retains all final editing rights on student essays.

9. When will winning essays be announced?

The Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness will select and announce the eight winners (two per grade) on May 1, 2006. Authors will be contacted by the Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness.

10. How will winning essays be recognized?

Winning essays will be published in a booklet, of which each winning author will receive a copy (summer 2006). A press release announcing the award will be sent to the hometown or community newspaper of each winning author. In addition, winning authors will each receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.