WASHINGTON (July 28, 2009)—Readers of National Geographic Kids magazines around the world are invited to take part in the 2009 National Geographic International Photography Contest for Kids this summer and fall. The contest is being conducted in partnership with the U.S. edition and 12 international editions of National Geographic Kids in Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, Hungary, Israel, The Netherlands, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey and the United Kingdom. The grand-prize winner will receive a trip to National Geographic headquarters in Washington, D.C.<br><br>Contestants ages 6-14 may enter the contest by submitting photos from now through Nov. 2, 2009, in any or all of four categories: People, Animals, Scenery and Humor. Each participating edition of the magazine will select one winning photograph from each category to be sent to National Geographic headquarters. The grand-prize winner will be selected in December by a team of three judges: Melina Bellows, National Geographic Kids magazine editor in chief; Steve St. John, National Geographic Image Collection senior editor; and Jay Sumner, National Geographic Kids photo director.<br><br>Winning entries from each country will be featured in that country’s edition of National Geographic Kids magazine. Details and official contest rules can be found at kids.nationalgeographic.com/contests/Photos.<br><br>National Geographic Kids, geared toward children ages 6-14, is an interactive, multitopic magazine covering animals, entertainment, science, technology, current events and cultures from around the world. The magazine has 16 international editions, including the U.S. edition that is also available in Canada.<br><br>The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 370 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit nationalgeographic.com.