The Walden Woods Project preserves the land, literature and legacy of Henry David Thoreau to foster an ethic of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. The Project achieves this mission through the integration of conservation, education, research and advocacy.
Scholarship Details
- Two age groups: 14-16 and 17-18.
- One winner in each age group receives a $500 cash prize and an annotated edition of Walden, signed by Jeffrey S. Cramer.
- Honorable Mentions in each age group receive an autographed annotated edition of Walden.
- Open to youth ages 14-18, including 19-year-old high school seniors or equivalent (college students are ineligible).
Eligibility Criteria
- Open to individuals ages 14-18 worldwide.
- 19-year-olds are eligible if they are high school seniors or equivalent through homeschool or other program.
- Participants must write essays based on the provided Thoreau quotation and prompt.
Application Process
- Visit the contest website when the contest opens in mid-November.
- Review the selected Thoreau quotation and accompanying prompt.
- Write a thoughtful essay connecting the quotation and prompt to personal experiences and observations.
- Submit your essay before the contest closes in mid-February.
- Wait for winners and Honorable Mentions to be announced in late April.
Preserving and protecting the landscapes of Walden Woods and Thoreau Country in recognition of their worldwide literary, historical and environmental significance, and their capacity to motivate others to identify, study and protect the Waldens that exist in their own communities.