One of the objectives of LOWA is to engage and encourage our Youth to enjoy and appreciate the outdoors. We manage this through our members outreach and our awards series.

Keeping young people involved in outdoor pursuits, as well as encouraging them to keep both literary and photographic journals, is the best way to ensure that this important part of Louisiana culture continues to thrive!

Annual Youth Journalism Contest

Open to all youths, 18 and under, the contest is designed to stimulate an interest in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and most outdoor activities–and the ability to communicate this interest to the public.

The contest has three categories:

• Senior Essay (14 – 18 years)
• Junior Essay (13 years and under)
• Photography (18 years and under)

This highly-popular contest attracts entrants from all over Louisiana and is lauded by educators statewide as an effective youth literacy project. It also features cash prizes, donated by the Louisiana Chapter of Safari Club International.

Awards are given in 1st through 4th place in each category, and presented at the annual LOWA convention banquet in August. Additionally, winning entries will be published on both the LOWA and LDWF websites, as well as other publications/websites across the state.

Entries are accepted from the beginning of each fall hunting season, through May and may be mailed to:

Joe Macaluso
Advocate Outdoors
Box 588
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
ATTN: LOWA

Youth Angler Award

LOWA and Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana have established the Youth Angler of the Year Award (YAA) for High School youth. The goal of this program is to encourage youth participation in fishing, thereby helping to keep outdoor traditions alive in the Bayou State.

The YAA secondary goal, is to encourage aspiring outdoor journalists by requiring youth to write a story about – and take photos of – their fishing trips. Young fishing enthusiasts are encouraged to carry a notepad, pen and camera (or to use their smartphones) to take notes and photographs during their fishing trips. The program sponsors will select one male and one female Youth Angler Of The Year, based on the stories received. Stories will be judged on story matter first, then spelling and grammar. Youth may only enter and win one time. All entrants must be Louisiana residents.