11th Annual SwampFest Student Art Competition

Date: August 15, 2013
Contact: Lauren Gurniewicz, 803-647-3969

Congaree National Park is seeking entries for the 11^th Annual SwampFest Student Art competition. Co-sponsored by the Southeast Rural Community Outreach (SERCO) and the Friends of Congaree Swamp, the competition is an opportunity for young artists from the Midlands to showcase their talent while celebrating Congaree National Park's diverse resources.Students are asked to submit art to their teachers, depicting plants, animals, water, or recreational opportunities found within Congaree National Park. Park staff from a wide range of disciplines will select first place and honorable mentions from the entries. The first place entries will receive cash prizes, provided by the Friends of Congaree Swamp and SERCO. All entries will be displayed at Congaree National Park's Harry Hampton Visitor Center from October 5 through December.

Students in grades K-8 may submit art from any medium to their teachers. Teachers should ensure that all entries include the following information: student name, school, teacher name, grade level, teacher contact information. Teachers can mail entries to:Lindsay Compton, Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins, SC29061 or dropped off in person at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center 9:00 am-5:00 pm daily. All entries are due no later than Friday, September 20, 2013. Contact Ranger Lindsay Compton, 803 647-3965 or e-mail us for more information.

The 11^th Annual SwampFest is a local heritage tourism event, which will take place October 4-5. Programs are sponsored by SERCO at the Harriet Barber House and Old Mt. Moriah church site in Lower Richland County. Congaree National Park will host special programs in the park on October 5, in conjunction with the festival. Festival information can be found at http://www.congareeswampfest.com/.