 | Friends of PatuxentSupporting Research, Wildlife Conservation, and Education at the Patuxent Research Refuge |
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Friends of Patuxent Youth Summer Nature Photo Contest at Patuxent Research RefugeCONTEST RUNS FROM JUNE 13 – AUG. 15, 2026Winners Announced by Saturday August 29, 2026FREE TO ENTER - CASH PRIZES!Eligible Photo Subjects/ThemeThis year we ask contestants to focus on "habitats" important to wildlife, and on the wildlife and plants found in habitats of personal interest to the participant. Wildlife "habitats" are the particular environments where animal species can find food, shelter, water, and a place to raise their young. Plants also have particular "habitats" with the conditions they need, to thrive. Examples of "habitats" include: field/meadow, forest, wetland/stream/aquatic, and also may include native-plant gardens and mini "habitats" in container and sidewalk gardens. Photo Contest Entry GuidelinesTo enter, bring your parent/guardian and 1-3 original 4”x6” photos (no mats, frames, or names on photos) to the Friends’ Wildlife Images shop desk in the National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Ct., Laurel, MD 20708. You can submit all three photos in one visit or bring one per visit during the contest period. Youth and adult will complete/sign entry form together. Open to ages 5-14. Submission Hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 10 AM - 3:30 PM (Closed on federal holidays) Friends of Patuxent hopes that you and your family will visit often. Come see what other participants are finding and photographing through the summer and explore this wonderful national wildlife refuge! |
Instructions - How to Participate:
Please bring up to 3 entries (and “your adult”) to Friends of Patuxent's Wildlife Images Bookstore & Nature Shop inside the Visitor Center from 10 AM to 3:30 PM, Wednesday through Saturday.
A Friends' volunteer in the shop will help you with your entry & permission form and assign you your entry number(s), with stickers on entries. (You may retrieve your photos after the Contest ends.)
You and your adult will pin your entries to the Contest board in the lobby in your appropriate age-group section (assistance available if needed).
Judging will take place mid-August; winners (3 per age group) will be announced by Saturday, August 29.
Full Contest Rules and Guidelines
- The Contest will run from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, August 15. Open to youth ages 5 to 14 years.
- Cash prizes, three winners per age group (5-8, 9-11, 12-14 years), thanks to Friends of Patuxent and the generosity of an anonymous (non-participant) donor family. Results: Sat., 8/29/2026. Judge’s results are final.
- All participating youth will receive a special 10% discount coupon good for all purchases during one shopping visit to the Friends’ Wildlife Images bookstore & nature shop in the Refuge Visitor Center.
- Eligible ages: 5-14 years (age as of June 13, 2026), separated into 3 age groups (5-8, 9-11, 12-14 years).
- In-person entries only. Online entries will not be accepted.
- Parent/Guardian signed permission is required when entries are submitted. Youth and adult will fill out a short permission/entry form together. Both youth and their adult will certify that the photo(s) are the youth’s original work, agree to follow the rules, and accept the judge’s decisions.
- Original 4 x 6 prints only -- no mats; no frames.
- No AI or other alterations.
- Don’t put your name on your photo(s): Each entry will receive a unique entry number.
- Use any camera, including cellphone cameras, to capture (take photos of) your subjects.
- Youth may enter up to a total of 3 prints, either all at once or on different visits during the Contest.
- Entries accepted in-person: 10 AM-3:30 PM, Wednesday through Saturday, at the Patuxent Research Refuge's National Wildlife Visitor Center: 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop; Laurel, MD 20708.
Not sure what makes a “good” nature photo?
Check out these websites for kid-friendly photography tips!
https://www.fws.gov/story/photo-tips-kids
https://usfwsnortheast.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/a-professional-photographer-at-12-years-old/