Kids invited to enter art

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce the 4th Annual Idaho Boating Program “Wear It” Poster Contest.

This contest will be directed toward all of the 4th, 5th and 6th grade students in Idaho. The winning posters from last year’s contest along with more information about the contest—including entry forms—can be found at IDPR’s Boating Program web page, www.boatidaho.org.

Much like a helmet to a biker or skate boarder, life jackets are an essential part of your boating safety equipment and should be worn at all times while on the water. The Idaho Boating Program believes safety lessons learned and practiced at an early age serve to protect individuals throughout life; so, the primary goal of this contest is to teach students to wear their life jacket and be safe when near or in the water.

Awards will be presented in three regions: North, South and East. Then winners of each region will be entered in the state competition. Once a state winner is selected, their poster will represent the state throughout the year. Winning entries will be displayed in a “Parade of Posters” during the National Boat Safety Week (May 21st thru May 27th, 2011) and posted on the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation’s website. Each region winner will receive a tee-shirt and life jacket. The state winner chosen from the three region winners will also receive an education savings bond.

The classmates of each regional winner can also win, as long as they have submitted their own poster design! They will receive a magic mood pencil and safety balloons. And a gift certificate for educational classroom materials will be awarded to the teacher of the state winner, recognizing their important role in encouraging their students.

The deadline for receiving entries is April 11, 2011. Entries must be mailed or delivered to: “Wear It” Poster Contest, Attn: Kim Jackson, 5657 Warm Springs Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83716. If you have any questions about the poster contest please email Kim Jackson at kjackson@idpr.idaho.gov or call (208)514-2417.