 Remembered Water Category IV (Grades 10-12) 2009 Grand Prize Winner Eunsil Choi |
River of Words is an arts and environmental education program that:
- nurtures respect for and understanding of the natural world
- promotes literacy in all its forms
- trains teachers how to integrate the arts into core curriculum subjects
- gives youth a forum for expressing their creativity and concerns
- helps children develop a sense of belonging to a particular place
- facilitates interdisciplinary teaching methods
- distributes, publishes and displays children’s art & poetry
- publishes an Educator’s Guide and curriculum support materials
River of Words (ROW), a non-profit organization, was founded in 1995 by then-US Poet Laureate Robert Hass and writer Pamela Michael. Every year, in affiliation with The Library of Congress Center for the Book, they conduct an international poetry and art contest for children in grades K-12. See the art gallery for some winning examples.
The River of Words international poetry and art contest focuses on the theme of watersheds, which are those stretches of high land dividing the areas drained by different rivers or river systems. The contest is designed to help students explore the natural and cultural history of the place in which they live, and to express, through poetry and art, what they discover. The contest is open to any child, from 5 to 19 years of age.
The contest runs through the current academic year. Deadline for entries is February 15.
Each April, eight US winners, one international winner, and a "ROW Teacher of the Year" are honored (during National Poetry Month) at an Award Ceremony at The Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
The contest is free, and every child is acknowledged with a personalized “Watershed Explorer” certificate. Children may enter on their own or through schools, nature centers, libraries, youth clubs and other organizations. Girl Scouts can earn their “Water Drop” patch by entering the contest and fulfilling other requirements.
The contest deadline is:
North American entries- postmarked by February 15
International entries- received by March 1.
Send entries directly to the national office (this address is for submissions ONLY):
River of Words Contest
PO Box 4000-J
Berkeley, CA 94704 USA
In Montana:
We recognize, publicize and honor those students and teachers submitting work from Montana. The Montana Watercourse will receive copies of the Montana submissions by working in conjunction with the national ROW office. We have a traveling exhibit honoring 2005-2006 submissions in Montana. If you have any questions or would like to participate or host the exhibit, please contact us.