Friends of Patuxent's Summer 2026 Kids Click! Youth Nature & Wildlife Photo Contest will run from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, August 15. Youth ages 5 to 14 are eligible (age as of June 13, 2026). Friends of Patuxent will be awarding cash prizes to the winners in each of the three age-group categories (5 to 8 years, 9 to 11, 12 to 14).
Eligible photo subjects: Habitats and the wildlife within. Local and/or Refuge nature, wildlife, and/or plants and habitats (e.g., native-plant garden, field, forest, wetland, stream).
Contest Rules:
- Ages 5-14 (age as of June 13, 2026).
- In-person entries only*.
- Parent/guardian permission signature required when entries are submitted. Youth and adult will fill out a short permission/entry form together.
- Prints from any camera are acceptable (including cell-phone).
- Original 4 x 6 prints only.
- No AI or other alterations.
- No mats, no frames.
- Up to three photos accepted per participant, either all 3 at once or spread through the summer.
- Entries accepted in-person only: 10 AM to 3:30 PM, Wednesday through Saturday.
- Bring entries to the Wildlife Images Shop at Patuxent Research Refuge's National Wildlife Visitor Center; Laurel, MD.
*Friends of Patuxent volunteers don't have the capacity to manage online entries.
Event date and time
-
Event location name
National Wildlife Visitor Center
Address
10901 Scarlet Tanager LoopLaurel,20708MD
Audience(s)
Parent
Student
Age range
Pre-K, Elementary (Grades K-5), Middle/Junior High (Grades 6-8) (5 - 14)