Young Country Diary writer Alice collecting wild garlic in the Wye Valley, HerefordshireYoung Country Diary writer Alice collecting wild garlic in the Wye Valley, HerefordshireNature boys and girls – here’s your chance to get published in the GuardianOur wildlife series Young Country Diary is looking for articles written by children, about their spring encounters with nature
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 marauding toad, a fascinating flower or a garden bird.
Crucially, it doesn’t matter if the child is a nature expert or not – we are especially keen to reach teachers who might like to get their class outside and noticing nature. Note that any child who has their article published will be paid!
The deadline for spring submissions is noon on Monday 4 May.
Four of the entries will be chosen to be published in the newspaper and online – two in April and two in May. (Note that any early birds who submit a piece before the 20th stand a chance of being published in April.)
Young Country Diary writer Aphra looking through her binocularsHow your child can take part
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.
Hints and tips for any budding YCD writers
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? Did it remind you of anything?
It’s great to look up some extra information about what you saw, and tell us about that too. For example, if you find an interesting-looking bug, see if you can find out what type of butterfly it was, how long they live – any juicy details!
You can think big, and describe the whole scene – the sky, the horizon, the landscape. Or you can think small, and tell us some details about the butterfly’s wings or the beetle’s markings.
What did your encounter with nature make you think about? How did it make you feel?
Young Country Diary writer Henry birdwatching on Dartmoor. Photograph: Family handoutThe deadline for entry is noon on Monday 4 May. Anyone can enter their child who is aged between 8 and 14 and based in the UK. You the parent/guardian will be contacted if your child’s piece is selected for publication, and you will be paid on behalf of the child.
For further inspiration, here are a few recent Young Country Diaries: Henry, 14, on a weary wheatear Jasmine, 9, on finding a fox skull Rosie, 10, on bird footprints
Good luck!
Paul, editor of Young Country Diary and Country Diary
We ask that the parent/guardian fills in the form below, rather than your child. Your responses are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. One of our journalists will be in contact with you, as parent or guardian, before we publish, so please do leave contact details.
Send us your child's country diary entryYou can post your child's entry here.
Please share your story if you are 18 or over, anonymously if you wish. For more information please see our terms of service and privacy policy.Tell us hereYour responses, which can be anonymous, are secure as the form is encrypted and only the Guardian has access to your contributions. We will only use the data you provide us for the purpose of the feature and we will delete any personal data when we no longer require it for this purpose. For alternative ways to get in touch securely please see our tips guide.Name Where do you live? Tell us a bit about yourself (e.g. age, background, what you do) OptionalPost your child's diary entry here (200-250 words)Please include as much detail as possible.
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