My Nature Toolkit

My ultimate goal as Treehouse Magazine progresses is to use this badge to address questions that an Earth Explorer might have, such as mushroom hunting, nature journaling, or even how to cook over an open fire. Each aspect of the badge requires an in-depth discussion of preparedness, the most appropriate tool for the job, and where to find such tools.

Please understand that your idea of My Nature Toolkit may differ from what I have presented on the website. Geographical conditions, time of year, etc., even things that might be relevant for your family, will help you make sound decisions based on your experience after you have completed the task a few times and get more comfortable with the subject matter. I will give an overview and present the most pertinent information to help you accomplish the task that you set out to do. I want this to be a place for the novice to come and find a blueprint for exploring the great outdoors with their children, family, and friends.

Above all, I want to build your confidence and help you succeed, because you have been given the tools to do so. I think many people would love to explore nature with their children, but are sometimes hesitant because they don't know where to begin or even how to ask for help. If I've posted something here about a particular subject and you have a stellar tip to pass on to the community, please do so in the comments. When you post a comment, please list it as such:

(Format) ***SUBJECT: Explanation***

(eg) MUSHROOM HUNTING: If you encounter Laetiporus sulphureus, aka Chicken of the Woods, high in a tree, use a utility cord to retrieve rather than a ladder; it's much safer.

Keeping tips organized will enable more productive discussions and better organization of valuable information. The more knowledge that we share with one another and pass on to our children, the more successful we will be when we set out to complete a task. Let us know how it went in the comments, and good luck!

-The Treehouse Family

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Mushroom Hunting

Venturing out of your comfort zone and into the forest to find mushrooms with small children might put some of you on edge. I am a firm believer that we need to educate our children on how to correctly identify mushrooms and what to do if they encounter one on the trail or in a play area. We must have an open, honest dialogue with them about the risks of misidentification to keep them safe and aware of their surroundings.

Different times of the year pose some very different challenges when you're trying to complete a successful hunt with your family. While winter isn't the best time to find mushrooms, spring, summer, and fall offer a colorful bounty of beautiful specimens for your child to study and explore. Certain animals and insects that might not be found in Winter and Spring, but are prevalent in the summer and fall months. (Think snakes, mosquitoes, bears, cougars, spiders; just to name a few.)

If you go into the forest prepared and ready to take on any challenge that might arise, you are sure to have a much better experience than a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants afternoon jaunt, whilst being carried away by 100's of blood thirsty insects looking for their next meal.

Whenever you're going out into the woods during the warmer months, I highly recommend some type of mosquito mesh; whether it be a hat, pants, jacket, stroller/kid carrier, you're going to want to protect the kiddos from having to apply excessive amounts of DEET from insect repellent if you plan on traversing any deep woods with heavy leaf litter. Spraying a waterproof suit with 15% DEET also helps limit skin contact. You might be asking why not a natural insect repellent. Trust me, I've tried this, and it just doesn't cut it in the deep woods. It will be a miserable experience for your family.

A high waterproof boot does wonders for protecting your child from possible snakes that might be hidden on the ground if they are running through the woods and not watching their surroundings. They are also easy to clean if your child walks/runs through poison ivy/oak/sumac, and you need to wash the urushiol off their boots with soap and water. Extra socks are like extra clothes; a must if your child plays hard, as mine do. Thick gloves offer protection from possible unknown mushroom residue on a cap or from poison ivy that could be close to specimens. It's often hard to keep an eye on your child when they are lost in the forest's excitement and the hunt. You want to make the experience fun, but also safe, without worrying about extraneous factors that might change a pleasant day into something unforgettable, and not in a good way.

A trekking pole or walking stick will allow your child to inspect areas where they might want to investigate. Snakes are one of my biggest fears when I'm in the forest with my girls, but if you teach them to go slowly and pay attention to their surroundings, then that might prevent a dangerous encounter with a venomous snake.

Some of you might be leery about giving a child a knife. You need to consider that if you want your child to be capable and prepared to go into the forest to hunt mushrooms, you will want to get them a good knife. Opinal France makes high-quality knives for kids, whether for mushroom hunting or the kitchen. You will not be disappointed by the quality or timeless design.

A few other things you might want to include are a guide for your area, a kids' shockproof/waterproof camera, a compass, and a utility cord. The split-willow creel is my go-to basket for foraging or collecting in the forest. It's better known as a fish basket, but it's got a small square hole in the top where your kiddos can drop all of their finds and forest treasures. It's also hinged and has a cross-body strap.

If you have some other really useful finds to add to my list, please do so in the comments. It's always so helpful when everyone shares practical knowledge. It fosters a stronger community for our children and builds their confidence in the wilderness. Happy Mushroom Hunting!

-Stacey