Three Interlake boys are hoping to win US$20,000, learn from wildlife expert Jeff Corwin and be featured in Ranger Rick magazine.
Carver, an energetic and adventurous seven-year-old from Fraserwood; Gus, an eight-year-old wildlife lover from Gimli; and Atlas, a six-year-old nature enthusiast also from Gimli, are competing in the Jr. Ranger Competition—an online contest for children ages 4 to 12 who love nature. Contestants advance through eight rounds by collecting public votes, vying for a grand prize package valued at US$40,000.
The winner will receive a US$20,000 honorarium, virtual mentorship sessions with Corwin, and a photo shoot in an American city for a feature in Ranger Rick.
Their moms each discovered the competition online and quickly registered their nature-loving sons for a chance to win.
Carver’s mom, Tammy Skogan, said her son thrives outdoors.
“When he is interacting with nature, he becomes a leader and is very in touch and calm with his environment. This has been a great way to engage with nature and generate community awareness about the importance of preservation and spending time outdoors.”
Carver said he loves every chance he gets to be outside. He lives at Nature’s Neverland—a park his mom owns—filled with meadows, forests, trails and farm space for learning and growth. He enjoys helping in the garden, running the trails, looking for flowers and hatching butterflies.
“I also like chasing the frogs so I can save them from the lawn mower,” he added.
If he wins, Skogan said she would use the money to buy Carver a bike to ride the trails and develop a children’s forest in their meadow.
Gus, meanwhile, loves to fish.
“He comes from a family of fishermen and he’s always on the hunt for worms and frogs,” said his mom, Brittany Isfeld. She said he is constantly exploring.
“He loves making adventures out of every situation, and any day he gets to play outside is a great day,” Gus said.
“Winning this competition would mean everything to him,” Isfeld added. “It’s showing him how important the environment really is and the impact our choices have on the planet.”
If he wins, Gus said he hopes to buy a quad or dirt bike and donate part of the money to charity.
“Gus is the sweetest and kindest guy out there. I love knowing that he is growing up to be a person who cares for others,” Isfeld said.
Atlas shares a similar passion for exploration.
“He seems to notice every single moving thing in the forest—swaying plants, bugs and animals galore,” said his mom, Melain Hofer.
Atlas lives with his family on an 80acre property and, as a homeschooled student, has plenty of time to engage with nature. If he wins, Hofer said the prize money will go toward his education, and Atlas will enjoy the trip with his dad.
“This competition has been great for the parents, too,” Hofer said. “It’s not only educating the kids about preservation, conservation and land stewardship—it’s encouraging adults to get involved as well. It’s challenged us to slow down and get up close with nature. It’s inspired us to push boundaries and try something new. It’s so much more than an online competition to win a prize.”
The boys have advanced to the third round of the competition. To continue, they must remain in the top 10 of their respective groups by June 12.
Anyone with a Facebook account can vote once daily at their voting pages which is attached under the QR code.
Carver, 7, of Fraserwood, is competing in the Jr. Ranger Competition for a chance to win US$20,000 and a feature in Ranger Rick magazine
Bonus votes can be cast through donations to the National Wildlife Federation via their voting pages. Donations are in U.S. dollars and must be made through the boys’ individual pages to count.
