If you're acquainted with a youngster who has an interest in national parks and likes to write, here's a great opportunity: The Third Annual Junior Ranger Essay Contest is underway and it offers some nice prizes.

The contest is for kids between the ages of nine and twelve, and an entry will answer an interesting question: If you were a National Park Ranger for a day, how would you describe the national parks to someone who's never been before?

That's actually a thought-provoking question for any park supporter to ponder.

For the sake of this contest, essays must be no more than 500 words in length and winners will be selected based on originality, clarity and effectiveness of style and organization. All children must have parental or guardian permission to participate in the contest, and entries must be submitted by March 31, 2010. To enter, submit the essay at http://www.nationalparks.org/connect/essay-contest/.

The contest is sponsored by the National Park Foundation and Merrell, a company that makes a variety of outdoor footwear.

"Remember getting outside for your first trip to a national park?" asked Amy Roder, marketing specialist at Merrell. "There's nothing like the excitement that kids have when they first experience the national parks. The Junior Ranger Essay Contest is a chance for kids to share their enthusiasm and remind us all about why protecting the parks is so important."

Entries offer a chance to win some nice prizes. The First Prize Winner will receive a $200 Merrell gift certificate, an Olympus camera and an America the Beautiful pass to all of America's recreation lands. Second and Third place winners receive $100 and $50 respectively, plus an Olympus camera and the annual pass. Honorable mentions will also receive an America the Beautiful pass.

The National Park Foundation website has additional details, including complete rules and guidelines for the contest.

If you'd like to size-up the potential competition based on last year's winners, you can view those essays at this link.