Youth Contests

Youth Contests provide the opportunity for children to creatively express their awareness of the natural world around them through three themed contests.

NOTE: Only your garden club’s Youth Contest first place winners are submitted to Youth@ctgardenclubs.org to be judged at the state level along with other clubs’ first place winners.

Entries must include completed signed Release for Publication and Website.

Questions? Contact Youth@ctgardenclubs.org

Poetry Contest

2026 Theme: Plant America For The Next 100 Years

Deadline: January 15, 2026 On-line submission to Youth@ctgardenclubs.org

Youth in grades K-12 are eligible to enter and compete by grade level. Youth compose poems on above theme. Poem does not have to rhyme and cannot be more than 24 lines long with a maximum of 42 letters/spaces per line. Poem title can incorporate theme but not repeat theme verbatim.

READ RULES & GUIDELINES & 2025 WINNERS AT NGC

https://gardenclub.org/sites/default/files/2025-05/poetry-contest-guidelines-winners.pdf

Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest

Theme: Smokey Bear – Only You Can Prevent Wildfires

Woodsy Owl – Lend A Hand – Care For The Land

Deadline: January 20, 2026 Postal mail submission-contact Youth@ctgardenclubs.org

Youth in grades 1-5 are eligible to enter and compete by grade level. To enter this poster contest they must draw either Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl in their correct colors plus include either the Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl message. Poster size is 11” x 17” using crayons, markers, poster paints, watercolors, and the like. Child can choose paper color and texture. Entry form must be taped/pasted to poster back in the lower right hand corner.

2025 NGC WINNERS https://gardenclub.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/contest-winners.pdf

READ RULES & GUIDELINES AT NGC https://gardenclub.org/smokey-bear-woodsy-owl-youth-poster-contest

Recyclable Sculpture Contest

Theme: Encouraging Youth To Keep Our Planet Green

Deadline: January 15, 2026 Postal mail submission-contact Youth@ctgardenclubs.org

Youth in grades 4-8 are eligible to enter and compete by grade level. Sculpture must consist of recycled, reused, and/or reduced materials. Size limited to fit on 8 ½” x 11” sheet of paper. Height should be proportionate. Entry form must list materials used along with description. Entry form must include two 4” x 6” photos of ‘sculpture’ pasted on back of entry form.

2024 NGC WINNERS https://gardenclub.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/rs-winners.pdf

READ RULES & GUIDELINES AT NGC https://gardenclub.org/youth-sculpture-contest

HIGH SCHOOL DISTINGUISHED SERVICE PROJECT AWARD

Deadline: January 10, 2026 On-line submission to Awards@ctgardenclubs.org

The High School Distinguished Service Project Award is given to a High School Student/s in grades 9-12 for an outstanding civic project making a significant improvement for public benefit in terms of the environment, conservation, landscape, horticulture, recycling, horticulture therapy, others. Must be sponsored by an NGC member club, group of clubs, district or State garden club.

READ INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUTH WORK (YW7) AT NGC https://gardenclub.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/award-opportunities-and-guidelines.pdf

YOUTH POLLINATOR GARDENS GRANT

National Garden Clubs, Inc. provides grant opportunity for garden clubs working with youth clubs or groups planning and planting Pollinator Gardens. Grants up to $200 are available for projects that include educational materials on the vital role pollinators play in nature and youth involvement in planning, planting and maintaining gardens providing nesting and food sources for pollinators.

To apply for a grant, complete an NGC Grant Application, provide detailed information about the project, and submit your request to the NGC Youth Pollinator Gardens Grant Chairman.

READ INSTRUCTIONS AT NGC https://gardenclub.org/youth-pollinator-gardens-grant