When- March 13-May 10th 2026
parks.cityofomaha.org/programming-special-event/
Click to register
**Young Writers Camp
Grades 8-12
Dates: July 13 – 24, M-F, 10am – 1pm
The Young Writers Camp offers a two-week program (Monday through Friday, 10am-1pm) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. We offer workshops in slam poetry, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery, song-writing, poetry, memoir, and screen writing! Young writers work with professional writers, professors, teachers, and undergraduate interns! For grades 8-12
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/young-writers-camp/
***I Love to Write Workshop 1
ages 7-11: June 1-5: 8:30 – 11 AM
***I Love to Write Workshop 2
For ages 12-15: June 1-5: 12:30 – 3 PM
The I Love to Write/We Love to Write Workshops are a series of summer writing workshops for youth and families to write in a supportive environment. This year’s workshops will focus on a variety of writing styles, strategies, genres and activities. Sessions will meet on the UNL Campus for a week in June. The Celebration of Writers Ceremony is held on the Saturday at the end of the week. These workshops are led by Sandra Peter and Susan Dinsdale, experienced teachers of writing, and the camp is sponsored by the Nebraska Writing Project
***We Love to Write
(students ages 7-15 and their families or special adults)
June 1-5: 4 – 6:30 PM
TO REGISTER, PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK (or visit the Nebraska Writing Project Webpage): https://newp.unl.edu/youth-and-community/i-love-write-we-love-write/
Theme: 2026 Poster Contest: “Agriculture: Building the Future!”
Who: Students in 1st -6th grade
Due Date: March 2nd
Details: Each drawing should be in color, using a medium of your choice (paint, colored pencil, crayon, etc). Each entry should be drawn on white paper, measuring 8.5” x 11”. Entries will NOT be accepted if they are folded, rolled up, or are larger than 8.5″ x 11”.
Mail to:
Christin Kamm Nebraska Department of Agriculture
P.O. Box 94947 Lincoln, NE 68509
Important information to look over: Poster Contest Rules, Eligibility, and Criteria
2026 Entry Form-Make sure each entry is accompanied by this entry form. Entry forms must be securely glued or taped to the back of each poster.
Recycling, composting, and keeping litter in its place are among the many ways we keep Nebraska clean.
The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment is inviting students to put their talents to good use by submitting a drawing for the 2027 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” calendar. We’re looking for drawings that demonstrate the importance of good environmental practices and tips on reducing waste, recycling, and protecting Nebraska’s air, land, and water.
Theme-Create a drawing or painting that shows how we can keep Nebraska clean by recycling, composting, properly disposing of household hazardous waste (like old paint and cleaning products), cleaning up litter, and any other activity that will keep our air, land, and water clean.
Who: Students K-12 in Nebraska
Due Date: May 1, 2026
Artwork Info: Submit all artwork on 8 ½” x 11” unlined white paper in a landscape, or horizontal, orientation. Please use tape (no staples or glue) to attach the label. Each piece of artwork must have a label! Mail your artwork flat—do not fold. Entries become the property of DWEE and will not be returned. Artwork may be used for promotional purposes. Fill out this Entry Label.pdf and attach to the back of your artwork.
Media
Markers, watercolors, tempera, oils, crayons, chalk, acrylic, or colored pencils (no pen and ink, please) are accepted.
If your artwork is chosen for the calendar, you will:
Nebraska experiences some of the most dramatic and diverse weather in the country—from powerful prairie winds and towering summer storms to icy winter snow, biting cold, and intense summer heat.
Create (draw, paint, glue, sculpt) artwork that captures the spirit of Nebraska’s weather. Your artwork may reflect any season or weather event, such as strong winds, thunderstorms, tornado skies, snowfall, blizzards, heat waves, drought, or the changing moods of the prairie throughout the year.
Ages: All ages
Date Due: Image must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2026.
Prizes: Three winners will receive a swag bag of NE SciFest goodies.
All entries must meet the following requirements:
For more information visit- https://www.nescifest.com/participate/art/
The 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest – Your Story, Our Ocean – encourages you to explore the many ways our ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us. We invite you to think about your personal connection to the ocean – whether you’re coastal or landlocked – through the value it brings to your life. The benefits of the ocean are widespread and multifaceted, from food production to climate regulation to artistic inspiration. Go through the sub-themes and explore the topics that resonate with you. Share how the ocean has shaped your story through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia. How does the ocean sustain, protect, and inspire you?
Check out this exciting workshop opportunities for folders of all ages. The events are held on Saturdays in March and April. Choose one day or multiple days to attend.
Main Event Website-https://origamiusa.org/oriuni2026
Make an account to register.
WHO: 4th – 12th graders
Type of Contest: Essay
Question Prompt: Artificial Intelligence is changing the way people learn, work, and solve problems. From science and medicine to transportation, education, art, and the environment, AI has the potential to shape the future in powerful ways. If you could use artificial intelligence to help the world, what would you use it for and why?
WHEN: Open now. Essays due April 30th
Information
Visit https://www.nescifest.com/participate/essay/ for more details.