Field Trip Ideas for Holistic Homeschoolers
Going into the wilderness to gather mushrooms, fruits, or goods of any kind, offers children exposure to risk and environmental awareness.
If you are wondering why risk might be something you want to expose your child to, here it is: Character Formation.
I am not saying you should put your children in danger or leave them unprotected, but picture that conversation you will have with them before leaving the house:
You explain to them that there are mushrooms that could be dangerous and even lethal, while there are others you may pick to make into a nutritious meal, and so it is important to learn about the forest and to remain aware once you go in.
Understanding the duality in our world and instilling both respect and care for nature are important pieces in the formation of conscious leaders.
That being said, when gathering mushrooms do take all safety precautions. The rule of thumb is: “When in doubt, throw it out”.
Here are some beginner tips:
Have an idea of the Mushrooms you will find in the area
Avoid touching ones you don’t easily recognise. (I am no expert but I stay away from white and red mushrooms)
Bring a guide with you
Read your Province/State Guidelines and Recommendations for Gathering Mushrooms
Mushroom Scanner App (I don’t like bringing my phone for short Nature Walks but this might be an easy option to some).
My favourite ones to pick are Chanterelles and Oyster Mushrooms, mainly because they are easy to identify and they taste delicious.
Last weekend I went out hunting on my friends’ property with her and my son.
Gio is too young to understand “Do not touch” so I had to be extra careful, though I strongly believe babies, and toddlers are capable of absorbing and understanding a lot more than meets the eye.
Gio feels comfortable when surrounded by nature, laying on the grass, touched by plants and animals. He has become an adventurous, resilient child, and I know these concepts and experiences will seem more fun and interesting to him later on, because of the exposure he has received in his earliest days.
Environmental Exposure:
Saying thank you to God, and to Mother Nature for our findings is a big part of the magic. Explaining to your children that the generosity of God and Mother Nature is endless, that we are loved, and that our gratitude is always heard and well-received, is a big part of our trips to nature. I believe it creates awareness and it encourages young children to be mindful of how their actions affect their surroundings. I find it fascinating how quickly most children absorb this concept and how keen they are to connect with Earth.
Connecting with nature in this way also encourages kids to eat fruits and veggies, because these are nutritious gifts from Mother Earth; especially if they become involved in the picking or the cooking.
What we found was a combination of Chanterelles and Yellowfoots (or funnel Chanterelles).
I cooked them in a pan with olive oil, onions, garlic, spinach, and some herbs in front of Gio’s eyes. Then I served them over Toasted Rye Bread with Hummus and Avocado.
Win-win:
Gio ate the yellow mushroom sandwich with excitement
Mama enjoyed the sight of a conscious baby in formation!
It really is a blessing to enjoy the abundance of this earth, to put good nutrients in our bodies, and to encourage a love for Nature in our children.
Other holistic homeschool adventures I love sharing with my kiddos are turning apple picking days into apple crumble nights, and strawberry/raspberry picking into pies and/or smoothies.
I hope this inspires you to take a risk and get wild before the winter starts. It has definitely been one of the highlights for me this Fall.
Love,
Houlie
