NANJEMOY, Md. — Charles County Recreation, Parks and Tourism is inviting residents and visitors to celebrate the spirit of Mallows Bay by entering the My Mallows Bay Challenge. Submissions will be accepted through Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, and the first 250 participants will receive a custom challenge coin.
Located along the Potomac River and known for its iconic “Ghost Fleet,” Mallows Bay was designated a National Marine Sanctuary for its cultural and natural significance. The challenge encourages people to share what the site means to them — whether it’s a quiet moment on the water, a favorite fishing trip or a creative take on the bay’s beauty.
Participants may enter in one of three categories:
Creative writing or poetry
This category invites participants to tell their personal story or memory through short-form writing. Poems and stories must be 250 words or fewer and can be heartfelt, humorous, reflective or imaginative. Whether it’s a first paddle trip or a peaceful moment on the shoreline, writers are encouraged to capture what makes Mallows Bay special to them.
Photo storytelling
Photographers can submit a series of up to five original photos that together tell a visual story. Whether it’s a sequence from a day on the water or images capturing wildlife, sunsets or family traditions, this category highlights the beauty and emotion of Mallows Bay through photography.
Artistic interpretation
Open to all non-photographic visual art, this category includes paintings, sketches, mixed-media pieces, digital illustrations and other creative formats. Artists are invited to visually represent what Mallows Bay means to them, from its historical significance to its peaceful landscapes.
How To Enter
Entries may be submitted by email to gilroye@charlescountymd.gov or delivered by mail or in person to:
Mallows Bay Park
107 Centennial St., Suite A
La Plata, MD 20646
In-person entries will be accepted Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To learn more and access the submission form, visit charlescountyparks.com/parks/my-mallows-bay-challenge.
About Mallows Bay–Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary
Mallows Bay is best known for its “Ghost Fleet” — the partially submerged remains of more than 100 wooden steamships built during World War I. These ships were constructed at more than 40 shipyards across 17 states in response to German U-boat threats in the Atlantic. Although the fleet was never deployed for wartime service, its creation reflected the scale of the national war effort and spurred economic growth in maritime industries. After the war, the ships were brought to the Potomac River to be salvaged for scrap by a company based in Alexandria, Virginia, near the current sanctuary site.
Learn about Mallows Bay with the Chesapeake Conservancy’s YouTube history lesson.
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