Since 1962, children in grades 1-5 have been invited to participate in the National Garden Clubs, Inc./U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service annual poster contest promoting wildfire prevention and environmental conservation. Children are given specifics in regard to the size and material of the poster itself, but other than that are free to create their own interpretation of the Smokey the Bear slogan, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!” or the more recent theme promoting good environmental practices from the USDA’s icon, Woodsy Owl, “Lend a Hand – Care for the Land!”
NGC member garden clubs solicit entries from schools, scout troops, homeschoolers and others on an annual basis. Once a state winner in each age category has been selected, his or her artwork is forwarded to the regional Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Chairman and then all regional winners have their posters submitted to the national chairman and her committee to select the national winner. Certificates are presented to all state winners, small cash awards are given to the regional winners and the ultimate national winner and his or her family (maximum of 4) is presented with a $100 U.S. savings bond and an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, DC for a recognition ceremony. For information on how a child can enter the 2014 National Garden Clubs, Inc. poster contest, contact Fern Doucette, New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest Chairman at youth@nhfgc.org.
