The Hudson Conservation Commission’s October meeting included an update on its Trail Challenge, with resident Bob Macaraeg offering ideas for designing patches to award participants who complete the challenge.
“I remember you were talking about putting a patch together,” said Macaraeg. “If you put out, like in November or December, a contest flyer to the elementary schools and also send one to the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Hudson, tell them to make a form. At the bottom, they can draw a patch idea, snip it off, put it in an envelope, and send it. You guys can vote, and whoever is the final arbitrator can pick a design and send it to an online patch company – one that can sew up patches in bulk.”
He volunteered to help distribute flyers for the contest.
“You can give an award for the child that has the winning entry,” suggested Macaraeg. “Give some recognition, and you can buy a ledger, attach a box with all of the patches so you can keep track of who got what and when. You can promote it through the Scouts – those chasing a merit badge can go on hikes, get a patch, and sew it on their uniforms.”
Macaraeg also offered to assist with trail hikes for adults, noting that the activity should not be limited to Scouts and younger students.
“Are you proposing a patch for each reservation that we have?” asked Chair Carl Murphy.
Macaraeg clarified that he was proposing a single patch design for anyone completing the Trail Challenge, at least for the next couple of years.
“Once you run out of the hundred or so, or however many you order, you can hold another contest to generate more interest. Have patches change every couple of years,” he said.
Awarding a patch for the Hudson Trail Challenge has been a goal of the Conservation Commission for months, though previous plans lacked clarity.
“I’ll work with him to get this done,” said Commissioner Kathy Griswold. “Let’s set a date for when the contest starts and when it ends. We’ll just lead into that.”
Secretary Chris Cameron added that the Commission plans to set up a “checklist and an application” on the town website once the Trail Challenge officially launches.
“Do we want to do a certificate along with the patch?” asked Cameron. “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy.”
Macaraeg agreed and offered to design a certificate for the Commission.
For timing, Griswold said she hopes to have a flyer ready for the November Conservation meeting, after which the contest start and end dates will be determined. Commissioners thanked Macaraeg for his help.
The next meeting of the Hudson Conservation Commission is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Buxton Room of Town Hall.
