Arkansas students ages 10 to 17 are being encouraged to share their outdoor experiences through a new statewide writing contest focused on recreation in the Natural State.
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the My Natural State Story contest Wednesday in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. The contest asks students to write about personal experiences involving hiking, cycling, climbing, camping, hunting, fishing or paddling in Arkansas.
Submissions are open now and will be accepted through Monday, Oct. 12, 2026.
The program is designed to encourage young Arkansans to spend time outdoors while using storytelling to describe their experiences.
“Arkansas is blessed with some of the greatest natural areas and opportunities for outdoor recreation anywhere in the country, which I want every kid in our state to experience firsthand,” Sanders said in announcing the contest.
How the My Natural State Story Contest Works
Students can submit essays of up to 500 words describing an outdoor experience in Arkansas. Entries should explain where the experience took place, what the student did and why the experience was meaningful.
Students may enter one of seven outdoor recreation categories:
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Boating or paddling
- Climbing
- Cycling or mountain biking
- Camping
- Hiking
Entries containing AI-generated text will be automatically excluded from the competition, according to contest rules.
The competition is divided into two age groups, ages 10 to 13 and ages 14 to 17.
One winner will be selected from each age group in each of the seven activity categories, creating 14 category winners. An overall My Natural State Story of the Year winner will also be selected from each age group.
In total, 16 Arkansas students will receive prizes and invitations to a dinner honoring the winners at the Governor’s Mansion.
Outdoor Experiences Become Part of the Story
State officials said the contest is intended to connect outdoor recreation with education, conservation and Arkansas heritage.
“Some of our strongest connections to Arkansas begin with a childhood memory outdoors, a first fish, a night under the stars, a trail explored or an adventure with family,” Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Secretary Shea Lewis said.
Lewis said developing those connections can also help young people understand the role Arkansas’ natural places play in the state’s identity.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has also been working to incorporate outdoor recreation and conservation into educational opportunities.
“Keeping students engaged in learning experiences that connect them to conservation and outdoor recreation is an incredible way to make learning concrete,” AGFC Chief of Education Mary Beth Hatch said.
Prizes Include Bikes, Camping Gear and Outdoor Experiences
Arkansas outdoor businesses, organizations and state agencies are providing prizes for the contest.
The two Story of the Year winners will receive an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission lifetime hunting and fishing license along with a $500 gift and experience package from AGFC and the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Category prizes include:
- Hunting: Banded prize pack
- Fishing: $1,000 PRADCO Fishing prize pack
- Boating and paddling: Arkansas Canoe Club equipment and river school packages
- Climbing: Two-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks lodge and two passes for a guided climb or via ferrata experience
- Cycling: OZ Trails Bike Park family day pass, USA Cycling prize pack and an Ozark Trail mountain bike
- Camping: Two-night Arkansas State Parks campground or camper cabin stay, plus a PackRat tent and sleeping bag
- Hiking: Family pass for four to Crater of Diamonds State Park and a Gearhead prize pack
Part of Arkansas’ Outdoor Recreation Push
The My Natural State Story contest is the latest program connected with state efforts to expand outdoor recreation and outdoor education.
In June 2025, Sanders and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission announced an Arkansas Outdoor Education Pilot Program designed to introduce students to outdoor skills, conservation and potential careers connected with Arkansas’ outdoor economy.
The effort also ties into the Natural State Initiative, chaired by First Gentleman Bryan Sanders. The initiative brings together representatives from government, businesses and nonprofit organizations with a focus on outdoor recreation and the state’s outdoor economy.
The governor’s office reported that Arkansas welcomed a record 54.3 million visitors in 2025, with visitors spending more than $10 billion and directly supporting nearly 72,000 jobs.
How Arkansas Students Can Enter
Students ages 10 through 17 can submit a My Natural State Story entry through the state’s online contest form. Entries must be no more than 500 words and focus on an Arkansas experience involving one of the seven eligible outdoor activities.
Deadline: Monday, Oct. 12, 2026
Age divisions: 10 to 13 and 14 to 17
Essay length: Up to 500 words
Eligible activities: Hunting, fishing, boating or paddling, climbing, cycling or mountain biking, camping and hiking
Submit a My Natural State Story entry
Winners will be reviewed and announced after the submission period closes.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens, thank you for supporting our work!
