NH 4-H hosts 'Wildside: Trek to End Hunger' at Gunstock Mountain Resort

GILFORD — New Hampshire 4-H hosted 4-H Wildside: Trek to End Hunger on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gunstock Mountain Resort. The event offered a free day of outdoor adventure, education, and service for youth and families.

Mike Harris, the 4-H program manager for Belknap County, stated the event was a success. He said the event engaged over 100 people and received over 325 pounds of donated food to be distributed to local food pantries.

The event combined recreation and service-learning to raise awareness about food insecurity while supporting hunger relief efforts across the state. Participants explored activities at their own pace while engaging in hands-on projects, outdoor challenges, and educational experiences.

At the heart of the event was the Wild Miles Adventure Loop, where attendees walked a 1.125-mile trail while stopping at interactive stations focused on nutrition, trail stewardship, and food insecurity awareness.

Additional activities included service projects such as assembling food donation bags and planting micro-green gardens, an outdoor recreation expo, a hands-on cooking workshop with a shared meal, and a fishing workshop hosted by New Hampshire Fish & Game.

Registered participants also had access to the Gunstock Mountain Coaster at no cost.

Mike Harris said 4 H was joined by 11 organizations at the expo.

The expo partners were Wildly Responsible, New England Mountain Bike Association, Granite Outdoor Alliance, UNH Recreation Management, and UNH Policy Department, The Cornucopia Project, Partnership for Public Health, NH Beekeeping Association, Highland Bike Part, Mount Washington Observatory, South East Land Trust of New Hampshire, NH Fish & Game, Barry Conservation Camp, and Gunstock Mountain Resort.