One look at any Lake Texoma fishing guide’s blog, website or Facebook page and you are bound to see photos of youngsters holding up their catch of the day with smiles on their faces as big as Texas.
They don’t realize they have just had a lesson in biology, natural science and technology while sharpening their skills in discipline, patience and dedication. All they know is they had a blast fishing on Lake Texoma! These are memories that will last a lifetime and skills that will bode them well as they grow older.
The fishing trip experience will most likely be captured with photos, videos and social media postings, but what if they were to record the excitement of the day in their journal or by writing a story?
To help encourage youngsters to develop creative writing skills, the Texas Outdoor Writers Association and the Dallas Safari Club’s Ecological Foundation are hosting a junior outdoor journalist adventure story writing competition for middle (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12) students. Essays should focus on the writer’s own outdoor adventure experience, which could include hunting, fishing, hiking, camping or any other outdoor activity. For each prize level, there will be one middle school winner and one high school winner. Prizes include a laptop or tablet computer for the first place winners, $100 for the second place winners and $25 for the third place winners. The deadline for entries is midnight on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015. Click here for the Rules and Registration form.
Studies have shown that children who spend time in the great outdoors grow up to be more creative. Learning can be fun and Lake Texoma certainly provides plenty of opportunities for youngsters to “study” a multitude of subjects. So the next time you and your family visit the lake, think of the possibilities – that hike thru the woods is a study of nature, ecology and biology, building a campfire is a science lesson, climbing thru caves or hunting for fossils is a geological discovery, gazing at the stars is a lesson in astrology, geocaching is an exercise in cognitive thinking and the use of technology. The possibilities are endless. Now hand them a notebook and pencil and let the creative thinking begin!
A journal could be the best Christmas gift you could give your child this year, and of course, a trip to Lake Texoma.
Photos courtesy of Sparkey’s Guide Service
Lake Texoma | December 2014
