This first seasonal Wildside Challenge of this 4-H year is the Fall Foliage Challenge starting October 1st and running until November 14th. This is the first ever challenge of its kind. The purpose of this challenge is to get you outside and experiencing this wonderful season! There are many things to harvest, see, and do during the fall season. Everyone marvels at the New Hampshire hardwoods’ colorful foliage. People travel from all over the world to experience it, hoping to capture some of it in a photo, video, or memory.
While you are out and about with your family participating in your favorite fall activities, take a closer look at the trees in your natural surroundings. This challenge is a tree identification project: You will need to identify at least six different tree species and record your findings about them in your provided logbook. Once you’ve completed your logbook, submit it to your county 4-H office and receive a limited-edition Fall Foliage Challenge patch!
Hurry, because like fall, the time to complete this challenge goes quick!
Register for the 4-H Wildside 2022 Fall Foliage Challenge via 4-H Online to get started. You do not have to be a 4-H member to register - follow the instructions below to sign up. After registering, you will receive an email and logbook with complete instructions for completing the challenge.
Christine Whiting, Coös County 4-H Program Manager
Tracy Shepard, Administrative Assistant
How to Register for an Event in 4-H Online
If you would like to participate in a 4-H event on a one-time basis...
Help Guide: How to Create a 4-H Online Participant Profile and Register for an Event
If you would like enroll in the NH 4-H Program as a new member and then register for an event...
Help Guide: How to enroll in 4-H Online and Register for an Event
If your family members are already enrolled in 4-H Online…
Help Guide: How to register for an event in 4-H Online
If you need to re-enroll before registering…
Help Guide: 4-H Online Re-enrollment
Here are the specifics on how the Fall Foliage Challenge works:
Register on 4-H Online
Youth ages 5-18 can register for the Fall Foliage Challenge in 4-H Online. If you are not a 4-H member, use the help guides linked above to get signed up. You can register for the Challenge all the way up until the Challenge end date.
Get Your Logbook
Printed Logbooks will be mailed out to you on the first Tuesday after you register. You can also stop by the 4-H office in Lancaster to grab extras at your convenience. To schedule an office pick-up, email Tracy Shepard.
Plan Your Outings
On any type of fall outing (not your home or someone else’s home) with your family, 4-H Club, or group, look for trees with leaves that are changing color. Here is a list of eligible types of outings:
- 4-H Club Meeting or Event
- Leaf Peeping
- Driving the Byways
- Hiking or Walking
- Eating Donuts and Drinking Cider (at site of purchase)
- Boating or Fishing
- Scenic Train Rides
- Apple Picking
- Staying at a Bed and Breakfast
- Local Festivities
- Corn Maze
- Haunted Experience
Participating in an outing that is not on this list? That’s awesome, add it. The point is simply to get out of the house and more in touch with your wildside.
Identify Trees
Choose at least 6 of the 12 hardwood tree species listed in your logbook to accurately identify while you are out and about.
Record Your Findings
Fill out a logbook section for each tree species. You are permitted to identify multiple species during the same outing. For example, you can identify several species taking a walk in the woods, at a 4-H Club meeting, etc. However, you are required to do at least 2 different outings to get 6 different tree species. The logbook has 5 components:
- Information section: Name of species, town, type of outing, name of location, date of outing.
- Trunk: A bark rubbing with the broad side of a crayon on the labeled section of your logbook (can be done a separate sheet of paper and taped into the logbook).
- Leaves: Picture of the canopy or picture of a single leaf (or tape in a leaf that has fallen).
- Seeds: Picture of any seeds that are naturally observable (or tape in a seed that has fallen - optional if applicable).
Submit Your Logbook
Return your filled-out logbook by Monday, November 14th to:
Get Your Patch
We will send your completed logbook and your limited edition Fall Foliage Challenge patch back to you after the Challenge end date.
