CAMP HILL, Pa. (EYT) — Carey Fritz of Zelienople was recognized as a Judge’s Choice award winner in the “Awe” category of the 2024 “Leap In” photo contest, hosted by the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation (PPFF).
Fritz’ winning photograph, taken at Clear Creek State Park, was one of over 300 submissions highlighting the beauty of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests.
“The annual photo contest not only demonstrates the beauty and history of Pennsylvania’s state parks and forests, it demonstrates peoples’ connections to these special places,” said Marci Mowery, President of PPFF. “We applaud the photographers for capturing the images and we applaud the leaders who had the foresight to conserve these special places for today and generations to come.”
Fritz’s photograph, captured during a family camping trip, features bees gathering around the blossoms of a newly planted tree in the park’s campground.
“When our family is camping, I am never without my camera when I enjoy hikes, bike rides, boats, etc.,” Fritz explained. “I saw that the bees were admiring the blooms like I was, and I started to take photos.”

Photo by Carey Fritz. Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation.
Fritz spoke about her family’s deep appreciation for Pennsylvania’s state parks, particularly Clear Creek, which has been a tradition for them for 14 years.
“We love to visit Pennsylvania State Parks and are hoping to collect all the Pennsylvania State Parks and Forests Passport stamps from each one, but we make sure that Clear Creek is a yearly stop. So far, we have collected 69 stamps out of the 124 state parks. Pennsylvania has so much to offer, and it has been fun exploring each state park!”
Winning photographs from the 2024 contest will be displayed in the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol in April. Details about the exhibit will be available on the PPFF website.
The 2025 photo contest is now open, focusing on the theme “Trails: Experience the Journey.” Categories include Beyond the Trail, Comradery on the Trail, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Tales from the Trail, Texture of the Trail, and Young Photographers (12-17). Photographers can submit entries through September 30, 2025, by visiting PAParksAndForests.org.