Scouts of All Ages can Create a fairy house inspired by the beauty and magic of nature! Bring the house your scouts have built in advance and join us for our first ever FairyFest! Teams of scouts are challenged to create a “fairy house” for Tenafly Nature Center’s Fairy Trail. This fun, no-pressure competition aims to encourage fairy-house building, teamwork, and a sense of community. Every team that participates will receive a FairyFest fun patch for each participating scout. All fairy houses will be contributions to the Fairy Trail, and will be showcased for people in the community to enjoy!
General Rules:
All fairy houses must be completed, in place, and ready to be judged by the scheduled time on the day of the competition. While finishing touches may be applied on the day of the event, the majority of construction should be completed beforehand. TNC will not be providing building materials for the event
Fairy houses must appear to be made out of natural materials. All man-made, structural components must be hidden.
A detailed list of all materials used must be presented during judging. Please check the list of acceptable materials below.
During judging, scouts should be prepared to give a short description of the house, its design and construction, and what makes it special to the scouts who created it.
Houses must be portable with maximum dimensions of 18” h x 18” w x 18” d and be built on a base as they will need to be transported from the entrance to the trail on foot.
Houses must have a sign or be marked with the name of the house, the troop/den number and location.
Materials:
Permissible materials
Wood (including bark from fallen trees). Prefabricated bases (bird houses, etc.) are allowed, and should be fully decorated if used.
Shells, pinecones, native seeds (like acorns), stones, sticks, and preserved flowers are encouraged for decoration.
Rope or string, as well as cloth, cotton, and yarn.
Craft, super glues and epoxy are allowed.
Cardboard and paper is not recommended, but laminated cardboard (i.e. milk cartons or other coated cardboards) is allowed.
Nails, screws, or metal wires, and if utilized, should be concealed unless they are part of the design.
Prohibited materials:
School glue, hot glue, and tape is prohibited, as they break down quickly.
Living organisms are not allowed.
Plastics, glass, ceramic, nonnative seeds, glitter, and feathers are strictly forbidden.
Finishing Touches
Paints must be non-toxic and should be of natural colors.
A coat of varnish, like Modge Podge, is encouraged to extend the life of your fairy house.
Please note, fairy houses will be cleaned up/picked up as they break down over time due to weather and seasonal changes. Sturdy construction is important for the lifespan of submissions!
Judging Criteria
Awards will be given out for each criteria and in each age category. The house that best exemplifies one of the following criteria will receive the associated award. Additionally, a “Golden Fairy” award to the house which best represents all the criteria.
Making Magic - The fairy house displays unique creativity and is filled with fairy magic.
Forest Friendly - The fairy house looks like a natural part of the forest and benefits the local environment.
Sturdy Structure - The fairy house is well-built and will hold up to the elements well.
Enchanted Excellence - The fairy house demonstrates the effort and hard work by the scouts involved.
Event Details for Scout Leaders
The parking lot will be closed on the day of the event. Scouts and materials will need to be dropped off in the cul-de-sac and vehicles will need to be parked on Hudson Ave or Stanton Ave.
The event schedule is as follows.
1:00pm-5:00pm
1:00 pm -2:00 pm: Check in begins; Arrival and Set-up houses on the trail
2:00pm : check in closes, final touches before gathering in the parking lot
2:30 pm: Event Kickoff together in the Parking Lot
2:45 - 4:45 pm : Judging takes place one age group at a time. Free scouts will have several available activities and crafts as well as our multiple trails to hike.
4:45 pm - Announcement of results in the parking lot and departure
If you have any questions, please contact Scouting@tenaflynaturecenter.org
