News Release

COLUMBUS, OH—The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks & Recreation is kicking off this year's camping season with the Ohio State Parks Happy Camping Photo Contest.

"When you pack for your camping trip or cottage getaway this Spring, be sure to bring your camera," said Dan West, chief of the Division of Parks & Recreation. "I’d like to encourage all of our state park campers and vacationers to show off their talents, and share their best shots."

The deadline for entering the photo contest is June 30. Entrants should submit their 5x7-inch prints to: Ohio State Parks Photo Contest, 1952 Belcher Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43224-1386.

Contest categories include photos of camping with the family tent or trailer, or one of the Ohio State Park camping options programs such as Rent-A-Camp, Rent-A-Tepee, Rent-A-RV or Rent-A-Yurt. Additional contest categories are photos of vacations at Ohio State Park resort lodges or cottages. To be eligible, all photos submitted must have been taken at any one of Ohio’s 73 state parks. Photos will be judged under two age categories: youth, 18 years and younger, and adults aged 19 and over.

The winning photos will be published in Ohio State Parks magazine.

The back of each photo submitted should include the photographer’s name, address, daytime phone, age (for youth entries), name of the state park where the photo was taken, and date of photo. Professional photographers must include a publication rights release. All photos submitted will become the property of ODNR’s Division of Parks & Recreation, and may be used in publications and promotional materials.

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(614) 265-7077

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Andy Ware, ODNR Media Relations

(614) 265-2882