Wildside Challenges

I am reaching out to inform you about the New Hampshire statewide campfire ban issued by Governor Ayotte. No campfires shall be permitted at this time until further notice. There are a few exceptions to this. Below is the signed proclamation from Governor Ayotte for you to read.

As it relates to the current Wildside Campfire Skills Challenge, 4-H will be extending the deadline through Feb 1, 2026 . All interested families and Clubs will have extended time to complete the challenge and abide by the current fire restriction. There are two other challenges to complete this fall. The Autumn Series patch will be awarded to those who complete both - in addition each challenge's own individual patches. Contact Mike Harris directly if you wish to proceed with the exceptions Govenor Ayotte mentions in the Proclamation below.

The Campfire Skills Challenge has two parts.  The first centers around how to build a fire, fire safety and extinguishing a fire. What do you need to start a fire, how can you be safe around the fire and what tools do you need to put it out?  All things you will learn with this challenge.

The second part of this challenge is to cook two (2) dishes over your campfire using two (2) different methods.  There are many methods.  Will you use a grill or cast-iron pan or something else? What you are going to cook also makes a difference in your choice of methods.   We can't wait to see what you made!

This challenge runs from September 15, 2025, through October 31, 2025.

Register today in ZSuite to get your logbook.  Once you have completed the Challenge, fill out your logbook and send it back either by email to Alison.Coleman@unh.edu or by mailing it to the Belknap County Extension Office, 64 Court St., Laconia, NH 03246 for a patch!

This Autumn Fire Tower Fitness Challenge is designed to get you moving!  

Not only will you find some cool spots where these towers are located, but with this challenge, you will also learn what gear to pack for hiking. Think about items like a first aid kit, flashlight, bug spray and more.  

Additionally, learning the "leave no trace" outdoor ethic principle is a part of this challenge.  While enjoying the outdoors we must respect and protect our environments with the 7 guidelines of the "leave no trace" principles.

This challenge runs from September 15, 2025, through November 30, 2025.

Register today in ZSuite to get your logbook.  Once you have completed the Challenge, fill out your logbook and send it back either by email to Alison.Coleman@unh.edu or by mailing it to the Belknap County Extension Office, 64 Court St., Laconia, NH 03246 for a patch!

When out on a hike have you ever wondered "what kind of tree is that?"  This challenge is designed to help you identify some species of trees.  

You will identify a deciduous tree (a tree that drops its leaves), coniferous tree (one that bears cones) and a specific species (you choose which one) of apple trees.  

This challenge runs from September 15, 2025, through October 31, 2025.

Register today in ZSuite to get your logbook.  Once you have completed the Challenge, fill out your logbook and send it back either by email to Alison.Coleman@unh.edu or by mailing it to the Belknap County Extension Office, 64 Court St., Laconia, NH 03246 for a patch!

If you complete all three of the Autumn Wildside Challenges you will receive a cool Limited-Edition patch!

You must complete the Fire Tower, the Tree Identification and the Campfire Skills challenges to qualify.  

This challenge runs from September 15, 2025, through October 31, 2025.

Register today in ZSuite to get your logbooks.  Once you have completed the all three of the Challenges, fill out your logbooks and send them back either by email to Alison.Coleman@unh.edu or by mailing it to the Belknap County Extension Office, 64 Court St., Laconia, NH 03246 for the Limited-Edition patch!

The newest Wildside Challenge is designed to highlight our amazing State Parks from July 1 through September 1, 2025.  Visit and engage in a variety of activities such as hiking, swimming, fishing, camping and boating. To find all the New Hampshire State Parks visit: NH State Parks - Home 

Don't forget to take pictures to attach to your logbooks.  Be safe and have fun!

All living things exist in balance with each other.  Everything needs energy (food) to survive.  Every ecosystem first takes energy from the sun and then cycles it with various different organisms to create a food web.  There are three stages to this energy cycling process, and every organism has a role to play.  This Challenge will get you up close with all three.

Your challenge is to explore the wilderness to identify and document native wildflower species.

Spring is a very important time of year for trail maintenance. Without upkeep, trails can quickly become hazardous, eroded, and overgrown. This can disrupt the quality of the experience for visitors and cause harm to the environment. There are some general types of trail maintenance that promote a healthy relationship between trail users and the environment so both can thrive together.

This is a BINGO-type of scavenger hunt. To complete the challenge, go on as many hikes as it takes to find 4 in a row or grouping of 4 of trail Maintenace efforts. Since is 4, not 5, We are calling it “DIRT” instead of “BINGO.”