Wolftree Challenge ready to go

The Wolftree Challenge will test teams of Sisters folks' knowledge of the great outdoors - and raise funds for the program's educational outreach programs that make science and conservation come alive for Sisters students.

Here's the way Wolftree has the day set up: Up-and-at-'em at least by 8 a.m., have a hardy breakfast (lunch is provided, but you'll be in the field until 4 p.m.), gas up your vehicle and be at Sisters Creekside Park by 9 a.m. Sisters Park & Recreation District has donated all that will be needed for teams, judges and volunteers.

If you haven't already signed up your team, it will only cost $12.50 for each remember of a team; you can take care of that from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. From 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., it's off to the assigned location where the Wolftree Challenge will test your knowledge of the great outdoors!

There will be four separate sites located throughout the greater Sisters area. Within each site, participants will complete three separate challenges involving orienteering, problem-solving, and teamwork as they navigate through a myriad of forest and aquatic habitats.

There will be Wolftree volunteers at each site to help spur the teams on and help to clear out any confusion. Several science and natural-resource disciplines will be embedded in each of the challenges: geology, plant taxonomy, wildlife, fish biology, forestry, entomology, etc.

Each of the challenges will have specific instructions and tools to help the team succeed. Habitat for Humanity ReStore has donated provisions packs for the teams taking part in the challenge. The four-member teams will complete 12 challenges over a six-hour period. Points will be awarded by the judges for:

• The correct or best answers.

• The most accurate and/or precise results.

• The shortest time to complete the tasks.

• Creativity in communications utilizing music (a song), poems (a limerick, joke), art (a sketch, photo, video, etc.).

• Last but not least: the team with the best attitude (having fun, working as a team).

At the end of the day (4 p.m.), team members will submit their work to the judges for evaluation.

The three top teams will be announced at the award ceremony and auction at Aspen Lakes Golf Course and Brand 33 Restaurant. That part of the challenge will start at 5:30 p.m. with a no-host bar; dinner will cost $10 for participants, and $25 for the general public.

If you're wondering how Wolftree uses all the funds it can gather, talk to any of the senior students in Rima Givot's or Glenn Heron's biology class, or Samra Spear's students who have been on Whychus Creek planting fish, Trout Creek Natural Resource Area, Camp Polk Meadow, and other locations throughout Sisters Country conducting conservation projects with Wolftree staff. Or, better yet, come along and see Wolftree in action.

For more information on the Wolftree Challenge call Janet Zuelke at 541-480-9999, [email protected]