The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission in partnership with various state agencies is proud to announce the launch of the My Natural State Story Essay Contest. The contest invites Arkansas students to get outside, experience the Natural State, and use the power of storytelling to share their meaningful outdoor adventures.

Submissions & Deadline: Due October 12, 2026

Submissions are now open and will remain open through Monday, October 12, 2026. Students can submit their essays directly online at https://mynaturalstatestory.com/. Winners will be reviewed and announced following the closing of submissions.

Overall Purpose

• Encourage Arkansas students to step away from screens and engage in outdoor recreation.
• Connect classroom learning and real-world outdoor experiences to strengthen literacy, science skills, observation, and critical thinking.
• Promote hands-on learning pathways aligned with the LEARNS Act and Arkansas' growing outdoor recreation economy.
• Celebrate Arkansas' rich heritage, outdoor traditions, and conservation efforts.

  Essay Guidelines & Categories

• Word Limit: Essays may be up to 500 words.
• Originality: AI-generated text is strictly prohibited; any submission using AI text will be automatically excluded.
• Content Requirements: Essays must describe where the experience took place, what the student did, and why the experience mattered to them.
• Submission Categories: Students may submit a story under one of seven outdoor activity categories: Hunting, Fishing, Boating or Paddling, Climbing, Cycling or Mountain Biking, Camping, or Hiking.

  Age Divisions & Winner Selection

  Students will compete in one of two age divisions:

• Junior Division: Ages 10–13
• Senior Division: Ages 14–17

  One winner from each age group will be selected for each of the 7 activity categories (14 activity winners total). In addition, one student from each age division will receive the highest honor: "My Natural State Story of the Year." In total, 16 Arkansas students will be recognized, awarded prizes, and invited to a special recognition dinner at the Governor's Mansion.

  Prizes and Awards

  Prizes are generously provided by Arkansas-based outdoor brands, outfitters, and partner destinations:

  Category / Award	Prize Package Details
  Story of the Year	Arkansas Game & Fish Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License + $500 gift & experience package (AGFC & ADPHT)
  Hunting	Banded Prize Pack (provided by Banded)
  Fishing	$1,000 PRADCO Fishing Prize Pack (provided by PRADCO Fishing)
  Boating / Paddling	Arkansas Canoe Club Prize Pack (life jacket, helmet, and river/whitewater school fees for two)
  Climbing	2-night stay at an Arkansas State Parks lodge + 2 passes for a guided climb / via ferrata (State Parks & Frontier Climbing)
  Cycling / MTB	OZ Trails Bike Park family day pass, USA Cycling prize pack, and an Ozark Trail Mountain Bike
  Camping	2-night stay at Arkansas State Parks campground/camper cabin + PackRat tent and sleeping bag
  Hiking	Family pass for 4 to Crater of Diamonds State Park + Gearhead Prize Pack

   

  Additional Resources & Information

• Contest Website & Online Submission Portal: https://mynaturalstatestory.com/
• My_Natural_State_Story_Essay_Contest_Flyer.pdf: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dyvQCYU7xG8-vDjTFHyi_xUUt9a26g3T/view?usp=sharing
• AR Outdoor Education Initiative: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/Offices/learning-services/arkansas-outdoor-education-