Share Your Story contest: Win gift cards, park passes and more writing about your recent outdoor adventures
Many U.S. residents have spent time rediscovering parks, trails and waterways in the U.S. during the coronavirus pandemic. For example, I visited several national parks and camped at multiple U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds in 2020. And I hope to enjoy the great outdoors even more in 2021.
If you've made memories on U.S. federal lands in 2020 or have plans to do so this spring, you may want to enter Recreation.gov's Share Your Story contest. This contest encourages you to reflect on your recent outdoor adventures on federal lands and write about your experiences. You could win various prizes, including gift cards, annual federal lands passes and gear. Here's what you need to know.
Contest details
As might be implied by its name, this contest requires you to write about a recent outdoor adventure. Specifically, you'll need to share a first-person story authored by you of between 900 and 4,500 characters.
Your story must be about one or more personal experiences that occurred between Jan. 1, 2020, and Apr. 30, 2021. And your experience must have happened on the lands or within the facilities of the following federal agencies:
- National Park Service
- U.S. Bureau of Land Management
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Forest Service
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- National Archives
- NOAA Marine Sanctuaries
Many of these federal agencies have campsites, lodging, permits, tours and activities that are bookable on Recreation.gov. I discovered Recreation.gov in mid-2020 when I needed to make entry reservations for Rocky Mountain National Park. I've subsequently used Recreation.gov to book multiple lakeside Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds.
When submitting your story, you'll need to select one to six categories for your adventure. The options are as follows:
- Traditions (old and new)
- Reflection journeys
- RV/Campervans
- Family or group travel
- Activities and adventure
- Best time ever!
You must also submit one to three photos that capture a moment experienced in your story. Your image(s) must be from the same location and time as your story. And your photos should be JPG, JPEG or PNG format between 2MB and 10MB in size.
You'll have until Apr. 30, 2021, to submit your story and photo(s) on the Share Your Story website. And you can submit up to two stories in this contest. However, by entering this contest, you give up rights to your submission. As such, I recommend reading the contest terms before submitting a story.
Related: 8 of the best national parks to visit during winter
Contest judging and eligibility
Recreation.gov notes it is looking for "stories that touched your heart, made you laugh and created a memorable experience that will last a lifetime." A panel of judges will judge stories. Specifically, the contest rules note that winners will be selected based on the following criteria:
- The originality and creativity of the story
- The clarity and organization of the composition
- The content of the story and its appropriateness for the designated category
- Whether the story showcases the best of America’s recreational opportunities
Each of these criteria will be weighted equally. But, in the case of a tie, the story that most effectively showcases America’s recreational opportunities will win.
To participate in this contest, you must be a legal U.S. resident who is at least 18 years old as of Jan. 4, 2020. Employees or volunteers of the participating agencies and sponsors (and their family members) are not eligible to enter.
Related: Exploring national parks in 2021: Where to stay using points
Contest awards and prizes
The Share Your Story contest will have 33 winning submissions. Except for monthly prizes, winners will be announced on May 15, 2021. Here's what is at stake.
3 grand prize winners
A judging panel will choose the three grand prize winners from all eligible submissions. The grand prizes are as follows:
- First grand prize: $2,500 REI gift card and one America the Beautiful annual pass from the National Park Service
- Second grand prize: $1,500 REI gift card and one America the Beautiful annual pass from the National Park Service
- Third grand prize: $1,000 REI gift card and one America the Beautiful annual pass from the National Park Service
12 category winners
A judging panel will also select first and second prize winners for each story category. The prizes for each of the six categories are as follows:
- Overall category first place: $300 REI gift card and one America the Beautiful annual pass from the National Park Service
- Overall category second place: $150 REI gift card and one America the Beautiful annual pass from the National Park Service
8 monthly winners
Judges will also select a first prize and second prize winner from the eligible entries submitted each month (January, February, March and April) of the contest. These winners will be announced around the 15th of the month following the submission month. The prizes for each of the four months are as follows:
- Monthly first place: $150 REI gift card and one America the Beautiful annual pass from the National Park Service
- Monthly second place: $100 REI gift card and one America the Beautiful annual pass from the National Park Service
10 honorable mention winners
Finally, a judging panel will select ten honorable mention stories that were noteworthy but didn't win a first or second prize in any category. Writers of these stories will each win Recreation.gov branded gear worth about $21.
Related: 9 outdoorsy U.S. resorts perfect for a socially distant getaway
Bottom line
Recreation.gov's Share Your Story contest is an excellent excuse to reflect on recent outdoor adventures you've had on U.S. federal public lands and hopefully win some great prizes. This contest might even be a catalyst to take a safe, socially distanced vacation. Even if you don't win, writing up a story could be a fun evening or weekend activity.
TPG featured card
Rewards
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.