Due February 28th, 2014 - Kids in 5th – 8th grades in San Diego County are invited to participate in the “Parks Make Life Better ” Video Contest showing positive camping or park experiences at any one of San Diego County Parks and Recreation facilities. Let the creative juices flow and test the skills of imagination amongst your fellow film makers for a chance to win $1,000!

The theme of this competition is “Parks Make Life Better.” The video should depict an experience youth have had with his/her friends, classmates, or family while enjoying a park (i.e. camping, hiking, mountain biking, recreation class, playground, nature talk, etc.). The theme reinforces the need for youth to get outside, be active and healthy, and experience all that nature has to offer. Some examples include open spaces to run and play, active recreation classes, opportunities for organized sports, trails for hiking in nature, or environmental preservation with a volunteer project, just to name a few. Other examples could be a combination of various videos put together showing how the parks system have made lives better for kids.    

All entrants will be judged based on the following age brackets:
  * Bracket #1: Elementary School Age Bracket (5th- 6th Grade)
  * Bracket #2: Middle / Junior High School Age Bracket (7th - 8th Grade)

Click the link below for Official Rules and more details.

Prizes

First Place Prizes
The first place winner in each age bracket will receive the following:
  * $1000 cash prize donated by the San Diego County Parks Society with $500 going to the youth that made the video, and $500 going to their class for educational supplies or class equipment;
  * Two free nights of group camping at a County of San Diego campground;
  * Video will be featured on the County online and television mediums such as the County Television Network, You Tube, County News Center, Facebook, Twitter, and the winning class will be featured in all County media and public relations materials;
  * Video may be shown at the annual Movies in the Park series

Second Place Prizes
The second place winner in each age bracket will receive the following:
  * $500 cash prize donated by the San Diego County Parks Society with $250 going to youth that made the video, and $250 going to their class for educational supplies or class equipment;
  * A County Parks and Recreation water bottle

Eligibility
Open to students in grades 5-8 in San Diego County, CA.