We’re on the hunt for young nature lovers – do you know any?
Winter is here and Young Country Diary is once again open for submissions. Every three months we ask you to send us a piece about the natural world, written by a child aged 8-14. The article can be about anything to do with nature – whether it’s cliff-top birdwatching, a worm in the garden or a wintry walk in the park.
It doesn’t matter if the child is a nature expert or has never picked up a pair of binoculars. We are especially keen to reach teachers who might like to get their class outside and noticing nature.
We will pick six winning entries to be published in the Guardian newspaper and online – two in January, two in February and two in March. Then we will do another callout for pieces in spring.
How your child can take part
First of all, we’re looking for children age 8 to 14, so we will need your permission, as parent or guardian. Then here’s what the child needs to do:
Step 1 – Go out one day to where there is some nature. It could be their local woods or beach, their nearest park, a farm, or it could simply be a garden.
Step 2 – Write an article telling us where they were and what happened. The article needs to be between 200 and 250 words. Photos are helpful (especially landscape rather than portrait) but they are not a condition of entry. (NB, photos cannot be attached to the form below, but please do state if you have one.)
Step 3 – We ask that you fill in the form rather than the child, pasting their piece below and filling in all other details.
If they get stuck and don’t know what to write about, here are a few hints and tips to pass on to them:
• Good nature writing starts with the senses – so what did you see and hear? What about smell and touch? Take notes when you’re out and about so you don’t forget
• How would you describe what happened? Did it remind you of anything?
• It’s great to look up some extra information about what you saw, and tell us about that too. For example, if you saw some blue tits feeding – what do they eat? Do they eat a lot? What are blue tits normally doing at this time of year?
• You can think big, and describe the whole scene – the sky, the horizon, the landscape. Or you can think small, and tell us some details about the butterfly’s wings or the beetle’s markings.
• What did your encounter with nature make you think about? How did it make you feel?
Submissions are open for four weeks – the deadline for entry is Thursday 13 January. Anyone can enter their child who is aged between 8 and 14 and based in the UK. You the parent/guardian will be contacted if your child’s piece is selected for publication, and you will be paid on behalf of the child. The selected pieces will be published in January, February and March, and you will be informed of the precise dates.
For further inspiration, here are a few recent Young Country Diaries:• Aphra on seeing her first goldfinch• Zac on seeing an adder• Alma on her snail wall
Good luck, everyone!
Paul Fleckney, editor of Country Diary and Young Country Diary
We ask that the parent/guardian fills in the form below, rather than your child. Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. One of our journalists will be in contact with you, as parent or guardian, before we publish, so please do leave contact details.
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