Once again, the Young Country Diary series is open for submissions! Every three months we ask you to send us an article written by a child aged 8-14. The article needs to be about a recent encounter they’ve had with nature – whether it’s a hedge full of berries, a beetle on the move, or a nervous deer.
It doesn’t matter if the child is a nature expert or not – we’re especially keen to reach teachers who might like to get their class outside and noticing nature. And note that any child who has their article published will be paid! The deadline for autumn submissions is noon on Monday 2 November.
Four of the entries will be chosen to be published in the newspaper and online – two each in October and November. (Note that any early birds who submit a piece before the 15th stand a chance of being published in October.) If you don’t get selected this time, don’t worry, the form will reopen on 1 January for winter submissions, after it takes a break in December. 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 garden, a farm, or simply the nearest park. Step 2 – Write an article of 200-250 words telling us what they saw and what happened. Step 3 – Send the article to us using the form below.
We ask that you fill in the form yourself rather than the child. Photos/drawings – These are helpful (especially landscape rather than portrait) but they are not a condition of entry. If you have some, please tell us in the “more information” field, as there’s no way to attach them to the form.
If the child gets stuck and doesn’t know what to write about, here are a few pointers: 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?
Extract — continue reading at the source.
