The generous sponsors of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest have helped make it a great success, and an ongoing source of tremendous knowledge for preparedness-minded families. My sincere thanks, both to the authors and the sponsors.
We are pleased to announce that starting with Round 47, we have added two new prizes to the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest.
The first is a couple of BirkSun.com photovoltaic backpacks. (One of their “Level”, and one “Atlas” model, both in black), with a combined value of $275. These two packs are now part of the First Prize package.
BirkSun makes a novel product that is more than just a gimmick. Their packs are both practical and durable. They can be used to charge a variety of electronic devices such as an iPhone 4 or 5, GoPro Camera, Amazon Kindle Reader, Samsung Galaxy, or Garmin GPS, and many more. Or, by simply connecting a battery charging tray, you can also charge size AA or CR-123 batteries for handie-talkies, flashlights, lasers, or night vision gear.
Before accepting the company as a writing contest sponsor I did my due diligence and learned that their most expensive components–the PV panels–are made in the U.S.A. by Sunpower. But both the battery and the backpack are made in China. The owner of the company (who, BTW, is an Austrian school economics devotee) mentioned that he would prefer that all aspects of production took place in the United States, but to be cost competitive they were forced to source their nylon packs overseas.
The other new prize is:
$300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions, in Montana. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers.) This is now part of the Second Prize package.
Patriot Firearms and Munitions is an unusual company. They state forthrightly that they do not sell to any government agencies. Because they make their own jacketed bullets they are not as dependent on third party suppliers as most other ammo makers. Not only do they sell re-manufactured and new ammo, they also have a program where clients send them their brass and they recondition, clean, process and reload it for them. This saves customers money because they do not have to pay for the brass (because it’s theirs) and it eliminates the 11% Federal Excise Tax (FET) that otherwise levied on ammunition at the manufacturer level and then passed on to end purchasers as a hidden tax.
So here is the updated list of prizes for Round 47, et sequitur:
First Prize: A.) Gunsite Academy Three Day Course Certificate, good for any one, two, or three course. (A $1,195 value.) B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) a $300 gift certificate from CJL Enterprize, for any of their military surplus gear, E.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a $300 value), F.) Two BirkSun.com photovoltaic backpacks (one Level, and one Atlas, both black), with a combined value of $275, G.) A $250 gift certificate from Sunflower Ammo. and H.) A roll of $10 face value in pre-1965 U.S. 90% silver quarters, courtesy of GoldAndSilverOnline.com. The current value of this roll is at least $225.
Second Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A Glock form factor SIRT laser training pistol and a SIRT AR-15/M4 Laser Training Bolt, courtesy of Next Level Training. Together, these have a retail value of $589. C.) A FloJak FP-50 stainless steel hand well pump (a $600 value), courtesy of FloJak.com. D.) $300 worth of ammo from Patriot Firearms and Munitions. (They also offer a 10% discount for all SurvivalBlog readers.), E.) A $250 gift card from Emergency Essentials and F.) Two cases of Meals, Ready to Eat (MREs), courtesy of CampingSurvival.com (a $180 value).
Third Prize: A.) A Royal Berkey water filter, courtesy of Directive 21. (This filter system is a $275 value.), B.) A large handmade clothes drying rack, a washboard and a Homesteading for Beginners DVD, all courtesy of The Homestead Store, with a combined value of $206, C.) Expanded sets of both washable feminine pads and liners, donated by Naturally Cozy. This is a $185 retail value, D.) A Commence Fire! emergency stove with three tinder refill kits. (A $160 value. E.) A Tactical Trauma Bag #3 from JRH Enterprises (a $200 value), and F.) Two Super Survival Pack seed collections, a $150 value, courtesy of Seed for Security.
Round 47 ends on July 31st so get busy writing and e-mail us your entry. Remember that there is a 1,500-word minimum, and that articles on practical “how to” skills for survival have an advantage in the judging.
My sincere thanks to the generous sponsors of the writing contest!