Dawson Creek youth in contention to be named Junior Ranger

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A Dawson Creek area youth with an appetite for the outdoors has moved on to the next round in an online competition for the chance at $20,000.

The 2026 Junior Ranger online competition sees votes tabulated online, with young outdoor enthusiasts aged four to 12 advancing through group stages to the final rounds.

The competition is made possible by Ranger Rick magazine in partnership with online outdoor retailer HipCamp and the United States National Wildlife Federation.

Just nine years old, Zayden Harper of Dawson Creek is a “great wildlife survivalist,” according to his candidacy page.

He advanced to the next round on Thursday, April 16th. Zayden currently sits second in his group, with the top 10 advancing to the next round on Thursday, April 23rd at 7 p.m. local time.

His mother, Brittney Moxam, told Energeticcity.ca about her son’s exploits in the outdoors. She said her son was influenced by his dad and grandfather becoming interested in nature.

“We live right in town, but my parents live out of town,” explained Moxam. “We are always out there snowmobiling and tobogganing or getting firewood…We just love being outside.”

Through his father and grandfather, Zayden learned about the outdoors early: Moxam said her son first shot a gun at around four years old, and has helped chop firewood and take part in other activities.

He is “very conscientious of handling a rifle and bow,” says his mom, and goes elk hunting alongside his father and grandfather.

“His dad and his grandpa are both avid hunters,” said Moxam. “He recently just started learning how to use a bow after getting one for Christmas.”

Moxam said she found out about the Junior Ranger competition on Facebook, and her son was enthusiastic about entering, adding her son loves to ride quad vehicles and snowmobiles.

“He loves quadding and ripping around,” said Moxam. “[He likes] getting muddy.”

The grand prize winner of the 2026 Junior Ranger competition will receive $20,000, appear in Ranger Rick magazine and have a wildlife experience with American biologist and wildlife conservationist Jeff Corwin.

To vote for Zayden, visit his candidacy page. For more details on the 2026 Junior Ranger competition, visit the Junior Ranger website.