Hawley Announces Summer Camp Essay Contest

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) would like to announce that he will be hosting an essay contest for students between the ages of twelve and seventeen. As a prize, the Assemblyman will choose one student to attend one of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Summer Environmental Education camps, free of charge. (Click here to view the flyer.)

"Over the next few weeks as we prepare for summer and celebrate Earth Day, students will be reminded of how important our environment is and how much fun outdoor activities are. I encourage all students to submit an essay so they have the chance to attend one of our state's fine summer camps," stated Hawley, who also encourages local educators to promote environmental conservation in the classroom.

Essays must be between 300 and 500 words and should be about why the environment is important to that particular student. Camp applications should accompany essay submissions and can be obtained at the DEC website www.dec.state.ny.us (keyword: summer camps). Essay and application materials are due by May 1, 2008 to Assemblyman Hawley's district office at 121 North Main Street in Batavia, New York 14411.

The contest winner will be chosen by the Assemblyman and will be able to attend a weeklong camp during July or August at one of the following four DEC summer camps:

• Camp Colby (near the Village of Saranac Lake in Franklin County)

• Camp DeBruce (in the southern Catskills near the Village of Livingston Manor in Sullivan County)

• Camp Rushford (in the Genesee River Valley in Allegany County)

• Camp Pack Forest (north of Warrensburg in the southern Adirondacks)

For more information, contact Assemblyman Hawley's district office at (585) 589-5780 or e-mail him at hawleys@assembly.state.ny.us.