This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/27/nature-lovers-guardian-young-country-diary-writers
The article has changed 35 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Next version
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| C’mon kids! Here’s your chance to get published in the Guardian | C’mon kids! Here’s your chance to get published in the Guardian |
| (17 days later) | |
| Our nature series Young Country Diary is open for business, taking pieces from children about their autumn wildlife adventures | Our nature series Young Country Diary is open for business, taking pieces from children about their autumn wildlife adventures |
| Once again, the Young Country Diary series is open for submissions! Every three months, as the UK enters a new season, we ask you to send us a piece written by a child aged 8-14. | Once again, the Young Country Diary series is open for submissions! Every three months, as the UK enters a new season, we ask you to send us a piece 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 snuffling hedgehog, a soaring bird of prey or a thriving rockpool. | The article needs to be about a recent encounter they’ve had with nature – whether it’s a snuffling hedgehog, a soaring bird of prey or a thriving rockpool. |
| Crucially, it doesn’t matter if the child is a nature expert or has never picked up a pair of binoculars. We are especially keen to reach teachers who might like to get their class outside and noticing nature. | Crucially, it doesn’t matter if the child is a nature expert or has never picked up a pair of binoculars. We are especially keen to reach teachers who might like to get their class outside and noticing nature. |
| The deadline for entry is noon on Monday 2 October. The six winning entries will be published in the Guardian newspaper and online – two on 23 September, then two in October and two in November. | The deadline for entry is noon on Monday 2 October. The six winning entries will be published in the Guardian newspaper and online – two on 23 September, then two in October and two in November. |
| Note that if you send your piece in early enough, you stand a chance of being published on 23 September. And if you miss out this time, don’t worry, in December we will launch a fresh callout for winter pieces. | Note that if you send your piece in early enough, you stand a chance of being published on 23 September. And if you miss out this time, don’t worry, in December we will launch a fresh callout for winter pieces. |
| How your child can take part | How 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: | 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 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 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. | 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. | 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 | 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: | 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 | 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? | 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 titbits! | 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 titbits! |
| 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. | 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? | What did your encounter with nature make you think about? How did it make you feel? |
| The deadline for entry is noon on Monday 2 October. 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. | The deadline for entry is noon on Monday 2 October. 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: Aditi, 11, on helping a hedgehog to have a home Hannah, 12, on young birds on the beach Robyn, 10, on her school garden | For further inspiration, here are a few recent Young Country Diaries: Aditi, 11, on helping a hedgehog to have a home Hannah, 12, on young birds on the beach Robyn, 10, on her school garden |
| Good luck, everyone! | Good luck, everyone! |
| Paul Fleckney, editor of Young Country Diary and Country Diary | Paul Fleckney, 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. | 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. |
| This Community callout closed on 2 October 2023. | |
| You can contribute to open Community callouts here or Share a story here. | |
| You can contribute to open Community callouts here or Share a story here. | |