Cultivate's Wild Challenge: How to Participate
- Cassie Garcia
- Aug 7
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
At Cultivate Homeschool Co-op, we are striving to create high-quality, engaging courses - but there are some really valuable things happening outside the classroom setting as well!
One example we're excited to introduce is our Wild Challenge—a simple, fun activity that encourages families to explore nature together each week. By the end of the year, your child will have a beautiful field guide full of pictures, information, and personal experiences, making them the expert on a variety of local plants and birds.
This ongoing activity is designed for both our Primary and Secondary students (KG - 12th), although even PreK students can join in with help.
Getting Set Up
To start this activity, it will help to have a binder ready to fill. We will have a few on-site, but there are a huge variety of them to choose from on Amazon. Simply look for an "A6 Binder 6 Ring Refillable Notebook." These options are around $8, and come in a variety of colors. This would be a one-time purchase that should last all year, assuming they keep track of it. I know - that's a big assumption. Little ones may need help with that part!
How It Works
Each week, students will be introduced to:
🌿 One local plant
🐦 One local bird
We'll share the challenge on our facebook page, and the Class Dojo story. You'll see tips for how to identify them, where they grow or live, interesting facts about them, and (for plants) their traditional uses throughout history.
Then the adventure begins!
During the week, students and their families are invited to head outdoors and see if they can find that week's featured plant and bird.
Complete the Challenge
To complete the Wild Challenge:
Find this week's plant.
Find or hear this week's bird.
Take a photo with the plant (and the bird if possible), - or - Draw / take notes in your nature notebook about the sighting.
Post your picture or a photo of your notes in our ClassDojo Story or bring it with you during Social Hour at our next co-op meeting.
Every completed challenge is something to celebrate!
Build Your Own Nature Field Guide
One of the most exciting parts of the Wild Challenge is building your own Cultivate Wild Explorer Field Guide.
A table will be set up during each group's Social Hour, where students can bring their binders.
Each week, students who complete the challenge will receive beautifully designed field guide pages featuring that week's plant and bird.
These pages include:
Identification tips
Habitat information
Fun facts
Traditional uses (for plants)
Space for your own nature notes
Students will add the new pages to their personal nature binder, creating a growing collection of the amazing plants and birds found throughout the Mid-Ohio Valley.
By the end of the session, every student who participates will have a field guide they helped build themselves—and each new session will add even more discoveries!
It's Not a Competition
The Wild Challenge isn't about being the fastest or finding the most things.
It's about:
Spending time outside
Learning to observe carefully
Asking questions
Appreciating God's creation
Sharing discoveries with friends
Every child participates at their own pace, and every observation is valuable.
Sometimes you'll spot the bird immediately.
Sometimes you'll hear its song before you ever see it.
Sometimes you'll find a plant growing in the most unexpected place.
That's all part of the experience.
Explore Together
The Wild Challenge is also a wonderful opportunity for families to learn together.
A short walk after dinner, a Saturday hike, or even a few minutes in your own backyard can become an exciting adventure as your children begin recognizing plants, listening for bird songs, and noticing details they may have overlooked before.
A Year of Discovery
Each week brings a new adventure.
Over time, students will gather a collection of beautiful cards, along with their own notes and observations. The potential is there - how you use it is up to you!
Our hope is that the Wild Challenge helps children become curious, observant, and grateful— that they would grow to recognize the wildlife around them.
We can't wait to see what you discover this week. Happy exploring! 🌿🐦
Comments