The Guardian is calling for young nature enthusiasts to share their experiences as part of the Young Country Diary series. Children aged 8 to 14 are encouraged to submit articles that recount their recent encounters with nature. This initiative aims to inspire young writers and connect them with the natural world, regardless of their level of expertise.
The submission window for winter articles is open until noon on February 2, 2024, with four selected pieces set to be published in the newspaper and online—two in January and two in February. Parents and guardians are reminded that any child whose work is chosen will receive payment for their contribution.
How to Participate
To ensure a successful submission, parents or guardians must provide permission for their children to enter. The process is simple and consists of three steps:
1. **Explore Nature**: Encourage the child to spend time outdoors in a natural setting, such as a local park, beach, or garden.
2. **Write the Article**: The article should be between 200-250 words, detailing what the child observed and experienced during their outing.
3. **Submit the Entry**: Entries must be sent through the designated form on The Guardian’s website.
While photographs or drawings of their experiences can enhance submissions, they are not mandatory. If available, parents can mention these in the submission form.
Tips for Aspiring Young Writers
To assist children in crafting their articles, several helpful tips have been provided:
– Focus on sensory experiences: What did they see, hear, smell, or feel during their time in nature?
– Take notes during their outing to capture details they might forget.
– Encourage them to describe their experiences vividly, including any thoughts or feelings that arose during their encounter.
– Researching more about their observations can provide interesting facts to include, such as the lifespan of a butterfly or details about specific plants.
The deadline for winter submissions is set for 10:00 PM on February 2, 2024. This initiative is open to any child aged 8 to 14 residing in the UK. If selected, parents or guardians will be contacted regarding the publication of their child’s work.
For inspiration, recent entries in the Young Country Diary have included stories about a fairytale fungus, a rare bird sighting, and close encounters with striking beetles.
Paul Fleckney, the editor of the Young Country Diary, urges young writers to embrace this opportunity to connect with nature and express their creativity. Parents can submit their child’s diary entries through the provided form on The Guardian’s website, where their information will remain secure and confidential.
This initiative not only encourages young writers to engage with the outdoors but also fosters a sense of community and appreciation for the natural world.
