Summer is in full swing, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the upcoming school year.  My son just started preschool, part-time so we’re getting into the swing of an actual routine in preparation for next year.

If you have a budding artist in your home, you may want to check out the Project Backpack Design Contest, brought to you by Office Depot and Sharpie.  This national contest will allow you to submit pictures of your child’s Sharpie-designed backpack for a chance to win $10,000 in prizes, including the opportunity to have the child’s backpack design reproduced and sold in Office Depot stores nationwide during the 2010 back-to-school season.

Here is how to enter:

1. Go to your nearest Office Depot store to pick out the qualifying backpack (sku 789-795; blue, pink, olive or khaki) and select 2 FREE Sharpies to decorate it. Click here to find an Office Depot store near you.
2. Decorate your backpack and take a picture of it. Need inspiration? Visit www.sharpieuncapped.com
3. Fill out the online entry form and upload the image of your decorated backpack.
4. If you do not have a qualifying backpack, there is an alternative way to enter the contest. Simply download the Sharpie Backpack template, decorate it and upload your design.

You can enter the contest all summer long and entries will be accepted through September 19, 2009.