June 14 - August 2
Free to enter! Cash prizes! Youth ages 5-14. The contest runs from June 14th through August 2ndin the National Wildlife Visitor Center at Patuxent Research Refuge (10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop; Laurel, MD; 20708). We’re eager to see what YOU see, outside in nature! You will display your entries (with your entry number, not your name) on Contest boards in the Visitor Center as you submit them. Come see what other young people your age are finding and photographing!
Not sure what makes a “good” nature photo? Thanks to friend-of-the-Refuge wildlife & nature photographer Rick Dove, we’re offering two free, short discovery programs* exploring that, on June 28 and July 12.
Eligibility: Original photos by youth ages 5-14 years (as of August 2, 2025). Simple 4” x 6” size photos only -- no mats; no frames. Photos from both cellphone-cameras and stand-alone cameras are eligible.
Prizes: Friends of Patuxent (this Refuge’s nonprofit partner) will award cash prizes for one contest winner and one runner-up in three age categories: 5-8 years of age; 9-11 years; 12-14 years, thanks to the generosity of friend-of-the-Refuge photographer Graeme Simpson. Judging to be completed and winners/runners-up notified by August 30th.
Bring your original photos in person to the Visitor Center’s Front Desk throughout the summer, starting on Saturday, June 14 and continuing through Saturday, August 2, during the Center’s normal public hours: 10 AM – 4 PM, Wednesday through Saturdays. Youth and Parent/guardian signatures are required on each entry & permission form, at the time you submit each entry. Your signatures will confirm youth photo originality, adult permission for youth participation, and your agreement to abide by contest guidelines/rules.
Limit of three (3) photos per participant.You may bring your entries in all at once, or one at a time throughout the Contest period (June 14 through August 2, 2025). Come often -- see the photos that other young people are bringing in!
Do not put your name on the front of your photos. Submit your photo(s) as 4-inch by 6-inch size prints, at the National Wildlife Visitor Center Front Desk. After filling out and signing the Entry & Permission form with your parent/guardian, you will post the photo(s) yourself, on the Photo Contest Display Boards in the Visitor Center, with the entry number from your entry form -- no photographers’ names will be on the display.
*What Makes a Good Nature Photo? Nature & wildlife photographer Rick Dove will lead a free, short nature-photography Exploration and Discovery Walk & Talk on June 28 and July 12 from 10:30 AM to about 11:15 AM at the National Wildlife Visitor Center. Intended for youths ages 5-14. All youth under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian for these programs. See our “What Makes a Good Nature Photo?” Event Calendar listing for more detail.